Trying to have a baby is a process. Even though you may see friends posting their “Happy surprises” or expected delivery dates on social media, there is a lot of hard work that goes into having a child-we don’t just mean the “under the covers hard work”. Whether you are in a coupled relationship, single and/or queer, having a child takes time and effort. Parenthood is not a race and we each get there on our own timetable. Here are three examples of people struggling to conceive.
Infertile Heterosexual Men
Whether it is the result of low sperm count, genetic disorder, unhealthy lifestyle, or an unknown variable, male infertility is more common than talked about. Around 20 percent of men deal with some kind of infertility issue. Even though men don’t always like to discuss their fertility issues, it is important to seek out medical advice. Sometimes by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you can increase your success rate. One of our intended parents found out he had azoospermia, (producing semen without sperm). He describes that moment as feeling as if it was all his fault, but with medical intervention, he is still hopeful of being able to have a child. There are many options and treatments available for hopeful fathers.
Infertile Women
There is a lot of stigma for infertile women. Perhaps you were raised with an old-fashioned notion that you can never be a “complete” woman until you have a child. Despite the fact that these harmful ideas are less common today, they still percolate in our society. Women are bombarded with messages of having children before their “clock runs out”, or looked upon with pity if they can’t find the right partner. All of the notions are harmful and add unimaginable levels of stress and pressure for women. If you want to have a child, there are many options on the table. At Proud Fertility, we offer judgment-free services to anyone who is looking to add love to their lives.
Gay Men
Gay men who want to become parents can feel like they are infertile since they won’t be able to conceive on their own. As advances in medical procedures continue, more and more single and gay men are finding feasible options for having children. That is not to say it is as simple as snapping your fingers, but Proud Fertility is a resource that provides client-tailored service for men wanting to find a surrogate. We are always happy to chat with people who are curious or serious about starting a family.
Take it Easy
If you have been trying for a long time to conceive, in any circumstance or background, I wanted to reach out and say, “Hang in there”. There are no 100 percent guarantees, but we try to provide as many options as possible. The best thing to do is take it easy, acknowledge your goals and hopes for the future. It was a long struggle for myself, and I couldn’t have done it without a larger support group. In the end, I finally got my baby. You don’t have to do this alone.
Have you been considering carrying a child for someone who can't?
Complete a Surrogacy Interest Form and our team will walk you through the process of becoming a Gestational Surrogate.