Growing Families in Non-Traditional Ways

Let’s have a baby!” Usually filled to the brim with sugar, spice and everything nice, a happy time can quickly become overshadowed with sadness and longing when a family is struggling to conceive the “natural way.” But there is good news; being a Houstonian in 2010 means you have options. And for those who need a little help, our city offers a variety of effective, high quality options to help your family grow. 

For any future mom or dad, a checkup is a great place to start.  Outfitted with one of the world’s best Medical Centers, there are plenty of local fertility professionals and specialists (for men and women) standing by and ready to help.

When it comes to infertility, hormone imbalances are a usual suspect.  In women, they can not only prevent ovulation, but also impede the vital functions necessary for conception.  Common and usually corrected easily, treatment options include everything from natural cures to prescription drugs, so you can choose the solution that fits both your body and your beliefs. But don’t be fooled, estrogen and progesterone aren’t the only possible culprits; testosterone is often the evil-doer. In fact, you may be shocked to discover that in 50% of infertility cases are the result of a male issue.  From sperm count, motility and vitality to sex drive and performance, testosterone levels are often a determining factor in fertility. And like women, most hormone imbalances in men are also typically treated and corrected easily. And even in a case that proves more difficult to correct, simple surgery and changes in lifestyle or diet are enough to correct the problem; leaving a happy couple capable of conceiving on their own in no time. If you think that fertility might be an issue, be brave and find out what is going on in your body, and in your spouse’s. Chances are, the reality is probably brighter than you think.

What happens when you don’t fit into this category?  Don’t fret. Once again, our city has blessed us with options. Request an informational session at DePelchin Children’s Center and Adoptation. These organizations can help guide you through the maze of adoption programs, agencies and resources that are available to you. Attempting to adopt for more than 3 years, these centers prepared my husband and I for adoption, and perhaps more importantly, for parenthood. And although we eventually opted for vasectomy reversal and were able to conceive on our own, I still highly recommend the process.

When thinking about adoption, there are many things to consider and many decisions to make.  To start, there is the cost factor; adopting through the CPS system is free, while private agencies often come with hefty fees.  Then, there is age. Is a newborn or an older child a better fit? Keep in mind that adopting a newborn may be more challenging, costly and time consuming, but older children are more likely to suffer from emotional, physical and/or developmental issues.  Next is the question of “how many?” Will you adopt one child or a group of siblings?  If you are already feeling overwhelmed, I should warn you that this is just the beginning. But thankfully, you don’t need all of the answers to make the first call.

Still not a good fit? Have you considered In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)? Using you and your partner’s own egg and sperm or those belonging to a donor, the miracle of life is achievable via artificial insemination and fertilization.  Uniquely special to IVF, this method may also increase your ability to have twins. Many couples choose to implant more than one embryo at a time, and often they both thrive and mature to term.  

Surrogacy, although not widely discussed today, is also an option. Unsettling conflicts between surrogates and parents-to-be made national headlines nearly 3 decades ago. Since then surrogacy has all but vanished from the United States. But today, things are different. In fact, just recently, I personally heard the stories of 2 different women who are now enjoying the blessings of motherhood thanks to surrogacy. Due to the effects of their cancer treatment neither woman was able to carry her own baby to term. But they both had sisters who stepped in to help. Resulting in the birth of healthy and happy babies in both cases, the process of surrogacy did more than just bring life; it strengthened relationships and helped create a healthy environment.

Did you know that 20% of married couples have trouble conceiving?

It’s true. So don’t be shy, ask for help. References and referrals can bring both piece of mind and the confidence needed to move forward. Take the time to locate the right specialist. Dr. “Right” will be your medical and emotional support throughout the process. You must be comfortable and trusting of your choice. And don’t forget, your specialist is also a resource. Help them, help you by asking questions and staying proactive.

Becoming a parent, no matter how you get there, is a trying journey. Yet in the end, how rocky the road was makes little difference. When your new bundle of joy arrives, the joy of being a new parent will overcome the irritations of the process, making it little more than a distant memory.

Resources:
Depelchin Children’s Center: Depelchin.com
Adoptation Website: Houston-TX.Adoption.com