I wish that the media would talk about infertility more often.
The topic is hinted at every now and then, but it's never really a focus of news reports, television shows, or movies.
Every now and then, there will be a brave celebrity who brings up the topic. If we're being totally honest, the celebrity experience with infertility is far removed from the average woman's experience.
Why do I think that?
Often, celebrities have the means and resources to achieve motherhood. IVF - in vitro fertilization - is a common treatment and procedure for infertility patients. It's also one of the most expensive. Many states do not mandate infertility coverage. (Some mandate that it's offered, but not necessarily covered.) As a result, many women cannot pursue this type of treatment because of the financial aspect.
IVF costs thousands and well into the tens of thousands of dollars. That goes for when it's paid out of pocket and even with insurance "coverage." Insurance coverage doesn't guarantee that you're covered for everything. Often, coverage includes only the procedures and not all the prescription medications needed.
What baffles my mind is how easily someone can terminate a pregnancy, and yet for those who are trying to achieve pregnancy, the road can be long and difficult.
I think that rather than fight over abortion rights and all the politics that surround that, more energy should be focused on helping those who want to start their families. It's insane how expensive fertility cost are. It seems that it's the lucky few who either live in a fertility-covered state or happen to have awesome insurance that have access.
I know ladies from my virtual support groups who live all over the country and each one of them has a different experience. Some have great access and coverage, others have none and must pay out of pocket 100%.
I don't think anyone who wants to start a family envisions having to spend upwards of $25,000+ to make it happen.
They find out about it as they get further into their journey. Usually unexpectedly.
I find that the media covers infertility as it relates to extreme and sensational cases - remember the "Octomom" and recently a woman whose mom was her gestational carrier.
Considering that infertility is so common, you'd think that it would hit the media more often.
The most comforting thing for me reading about other cases. Knowing that I am not the only one experiencing this road to a family. My favorite is reading about the success stories of women who have similar conditions and their eventual ability to overcome them.
Thankfully, there is an amazing online infertility blogging community.
Here are some Infertility blogs I recommend, that merely scrapes the surface of bloggers:
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