Conceive Magazine has outlined the latest trends in fertility. This rounds out their list of ten.
6. Fertility Consultants. This is a great idea. Getting into all the options, costs and referrals for infertility treatments can be overwhelming especially when compounded by emotional turmoil and perhaps confusion regarding diagnosis, or lack thereof. Often times, these consultants are women who have been through the same experience and are now leveraging to help others. Costs can go from hundreds to thousands so it helps to get a reference.
7. Fast Track to IVF. Many times women will go through steps in infertility treatments. A new trend is to skip all the steps and go straight to IVF. It could shorten the time to get pregnant, reduce the chances of multiples, and cost a lot less.
8. Cryopreservation. Once used strictly as a fertility option for women undergoing chemotherapy, with increased success rates and better technology, all kinds of women are using it for all kinds of reasons. You can freeze an egg, or if you have a partner, freeze an embryo until you are ready for children.
9. Third Party Reproduction. More than ever, surrogates, egg donors, sperm donors even donor embryos are being sought after and used. It can be highly controversial but it hasn’t stopped demand. As more women opt to freeze their eggs, they have leftover “genetic material”. Although only 7% of couples said they would be willing to sell their extra eggs, the demand is increasing.
10. Fertility Tourism. Travel to a far off land for adoption or a surrogate. Not every country is regulated the same so do your homework. Recent news about surrogates in India have led to an increase in fertility tourism in that country and a spotlight on the care the surrogates receive. Be sure to check out the fertility rates in relationship to the age of the mothers. The average age of infertility patient in the US is 35 to 36; in Europe it’s 30 to 31 and in Southeast Asia they are in their early 20s. These numbers will skew the success rates and mislead you if you aren’t aware.
Yes, there are pitfalls, but there are also many options. These are just the top ten trends and next year will bring a new list.
Source: Conceive Magazine.
