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Information about the author of this post.
awilliam's picture Azetta Beatty, MS
Work-Life Manager
College or Department
Work-Life and Well-Being
Address
Scovell Hall
Phone Number
(859) 257-2648
Email Address
Azetta.Beatty@uky.edu

 
Some people have no idea how to respond to a person that shares they are experiencing infertility. If you are a parent that had no issues conceiving, this is a foreign concept to you. If you are a person that is childless by choice you can nod with empathy, but you may not understand the emotional toll infertility has on the person that is trying to conceive. This is where empathy and compassion are our friend. We can be kind and respect where people are on their infertility journey.

Infertility can be caused by a number of reasons. Up to 15 percent of couples struggle to get pregnant or sustain a pregnancy. About one-third of couples will never discover the cause of their infertility. It is defined as the inability to get pregnant after a person has tried to conceive for over a year. Someone who is able to get pregnant but experiences reoccurring miscarriages also falls into this category. About one-third of infertility issues are related to the male partner, one-third are related to the female and one-third are attributed to a combination of problems in both partners. There are many treatments for infertility, but it can get costly and there is no guaranteed that it will result in a pregnancy. https://resolve.org/infertility-101/     

I‘ve talked to some UK employees, family and friends about their infertility journeys. They’ve shared about their hopeful moments as well as their dreadful ones. My heart goes out to them. This journey can be long and tough. It looks different for everyone. Sometimes a listening ear and a word of encouragement is a good way to support someone on this journey. I’ve learned a lot by asking questions, listening and caring. I’ve learned about the strain it can have on your emotions, finances and body. It can be this daily invisible mental load that makes it hard to think about anything else. You may smile on the outside and try to engage with family and friends, but it is always on your mind. I’ve seen people go from infertility to pregnancy after a great deal of treatments. This article offers some support and advice https://www.verywellfamily.com/12-women-offer-infertility-advice-to-thos...

Some people don’t even realize they have infertility problems until they are actively trying to conceive. Infertility can cost you financially, relationally, emotionally and physically. After some time of trying to conceive some people go from infertility to parenting, but others do not. Some people do not want to share about their journey or challenges with infertility. They may choose to keep this very personal challenge private. Others may openly discuss it and seek out support. There are some good support and social group options via social media and local or national resources. Getting connected with others in a similar situation can be one way to support yourself and know that you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone for mental health support, you can make an appointment with a UK Work-Life therapists https://hr.uky.edu/work-life-and-well-being/mental-health/counseling-wit...

Resolve, The National Infertility Association, https://resolve.org/infertility-101/, has some great resources and information to support the infertility journey. Also, there is a local Lexington Infertility Peer Led Support group that meets virtually monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about this group, email resolvelexingtonky@gmail.com or visit the website link https://resolve.org/event/ky-lexington-general-infertility-peer-led-supp...

Resources
-UK HealhcareObstetrics & Gynecology https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/obstetrics-gynecology 
-Resolve.org https://resolve.org/  
-Healthline Infertility https://www.healthline.com/health/infertility
-NIH What Cause Male Infertility https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menshealth/conditioninfo/inferti...
-CDC Infertility FAQs https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm
-Womens’ Health (OASH), Infertility https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/infertility
-Infertility in Men and Women, Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165748
-Fertility Out Loud https://www.fertilityoutloud.com/
-Kentucky Infertility Institute https://kentuckyfertility.com/
-Kentucky OBGYN 859-277-5736 https://kyobgyn.com/
-Lexington Fertility Center, https://www.kyfertility.com/
-The Lexington Fertility Clinic https://www.arcfertility.com/arc-fertility-clinics/arc-practices-kentuck...
-Bluegrass Fertility Clinic, 859-260-1515 https://www.bluegrassfertilitycenter.com/