Every month, many women feel depressed whenever their period come after being delayed for a few days. Many couples are wishing to see two pink lines and hope for a positive no matter how blurred the second line is. I was (am) one of them.
I used to think that getting pregnant is the easiest, most natural thing that will happen to a woman. I was wrong. Sometimes I regret waiting to long. I am like most of the women my age. Career-driven. Everything happening in my life is well-planned. I was in my 30s when me and hubby decided it's about time we start a family. We have our own house, a car, a stable career. Perfect time, isn't it?
Well, I learned that conceiving isn't as easy and as natural as it should be for me. After two years of trying to conceive (TTC) and countless of pregnancy test kit wasted, I remained childless.
Merck Fertility Awareness 2017
Merck Philippines understands what every couple longing for a child feel. The company have been advocating Fertility Awareness in the past five years to let couples know that there is hope and to educate them about fertility and their options.
Did you know that 1 out of 10 Filipinos suffer from infertility?
When a couple is having difficulty conceiving, people are always pointing finger to the woman. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system and the male infertility factor should not be overlooked. If you have been trying to achieve pregnancy in the last 12 months, it's about time to consult a Reproductive Endocrinologist. REs are fertility doctors that have intensive training, with focus on the complex human reproductive system. They can guide you and give you a clearer idea of what to expect when you start fertility treatments should you have fertility issues.
Treatment options for infertility
The Reproductive Endocrinologist assesses the condition of patient. Factors such as age, # of years trying to conceive, medical history are taken into consideration. The doctor will then start with the least invasive and most cost-effective option to get the patient pregnant.
Timed Intercourse
- there should be a good quality egg
- the fallopian tubes have to be open
- there should be an adequate number of rapidly swimming and "good-looking" sperms
- chances of getting pregnant: 20-30 yrs old - 25% ; above 35 years old - less than 10%
Artificial Insemination (IUI)
- there should be a good quality egg
- at least one of the fallopian tubes has to be open
- total motile sperms inseminated should be 5 million
- chances of getting pregnant per cycle: 15-20%
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- there should be a minimum number of developing follicles
- the fallopian tubes are not required
- there should be a minimum number of "good-looking sperms
- chances of getting pregnant: 35 years old and younger - 41% ; up to 42 years old - less than 12%
Dennis and Maurine Basilio have been married for 16 years and were trying to conceive for 13 years. I talked to Maurine and we had a lot in common. PCOS. Thin uterine lining. Her first two IVF procedures were unsuccessful. She had her two remaining embryos frozen for three years before trying again for the 3rd time. Finally, the IVF procedure was successful and they now have twin - a boy and a girl.
The cost of IVF procedure starts at P300,000. The medication will depend on how the body will respond to the treatment.
Bridging Baby Steps
Are you ready to get pregnant? Have yourself evaluated by a Board Certified Infertility Specialist.
Here's a list of IVF Centers in the Philippines: (click link for more info)
- Victory Art Lab Philippines (Makati)
- Center for Reproductive Medicine (Raffles Corporate Center, Pasig)
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (St Lukes Global)
- In Vitro Fertilization Davao Inc. (Davao)
- Kato Repro Biotech Center (Makati)
- Repro Optima (Cebu)
For more information about fertility issues and schedule of activities, follow the official facebook page of Fertility Awareness Philippines