We are raised to believe that having a baby is a step by step process.
Find the right person (or have someone find them for you), make a commitment, have sex and then nine months later you’re blessed with a child.
There is so much information and misinformation out there on the Best Sex Positions to Help Conceive and the wonderful things you can do to bring life into this world.
The truth is, it definitely does work this way for most couples. What we aren’t prepped for, is when things don’t go to script. The ever-growing instances of male and female infertility have given us a real need to accept that there may be a problem. That there are alternatives to building a family.
Daddy’s Digest is giving men a sneak peek, a window into a world with ample, potentially fruitful choices. We are skipping the details and giving you just enough information to help wrap your head around the possibilities.
So, what are the alternatives? What are our choices?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or Artificial Insemination
IUI is a fertility treatment technique where sperm is placed directly in the woman’s uterus. Depending on the cause of infertility, IUI can be coordinated with a woman’s normal cycle (when the ovary releases one egg) or with fertility medications (to ensure release of multiple eggs). It is possible to use the father’s sperm or a donor sperm.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Surrogacy
In Vitro is Latin for “in glass”. Medically it means ‘the performance of a procedure outside of a living organism, in a controlled (test tube) environment’. During IVF, mature eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are then implanted in a viable uterus.
Under certain circumstances where the uterine environment is either unviable or unavailable, a gestational carrier (surrogate) may be used.
The process of IVF and Surrogacy is complex and depending on the cause of infertility, can be done with your sperm and your partner’s eggs, an egg donor, a sperm donor or both.
Adoption
This is the most commonly known and understood alternative to giving birth to your own child. It is also an option that comes with equal parts social stigma, noble intention, emotional stress and couples that tend to be polarized in their opinion.
Countries around the world have different laws based on whether the adoption is in-country or inter-country. You can adopt a baby or an older child, a boy or girl and this too is governed by the laws of the country you wish to adopt from or are living in. Couples can choose an OPEN (where you know the birth family); SEMI-OPEN (communicate through third-party) or CLOSED (no contact with birth family) adoption.
Foster Care
Not many countries in the world have the systems in place, but fostering a child is another option.
The interpretation and methodology also vary from country to country but in essence, it is a way of providing a safe space for children to live and grow. Children in this system usually have parents that are temporarily incapable of providing them care and are placed in care homes or with a foster family.
Exploring alternatives isn't easy and it is important to work with your partner and find a mutually acceptable solution. The barrage of information, potential expenses and guaranteed stress make it daunting without a doubt. Visit the "Trying" section on our website for more information and support.