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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Many things have changed for women in the last century. We now make up 56% of college students. And we are 48.9% of the workforce. We marry later, if at all. And we live longer – a healthy 81 years on average.
But there is one thing that stubbornly refuses to accommodate all of these strides made by women – our fertility.
Unfortunately, it turns out that Mother Nature is not a feminist.
No, in fact, nature intends for women to have children in their twenties. You can point to all the celebrity moms you want….there is no denying the research and empirical evidence of millions of women trying to conceive. It is an undeniable fact that fertility peaks at around 27. You delay childbirth past that age at your own peril.
The thing is, personally, I never knew that I was making a choice. While I was sailing smoothly through my undergraduate and graduate degrees and then working crazy hours in Investment Banking – I never knowingly said, ‘I don’t want to have babies.’ I always knew that my husband and I would have children someday, but that day seemed very indeterminate and there was so much to accomplish in the present.
It was only when I was diagnosed with two separate conditions, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis, that I began to realize just how difficult the path ahead would be. It took me 4.5 years and over a hundred thousand dollars to have my two babies. And it took an unknown toll on my body, spirit, sanity and health.
The only thing I am thankful for is that, in addition to my two angels, infertility gave me a new path in life. I am now a passionate advocate for the 1 in 8 other women and couples undergoing this, often silent, struggle.
I am often asked “What is the worst part of infertility treatments? Is it the shots? The countless office visits? Being prodded and poked all day?”
No, no and no.
The worst part of infertility is the cost, the difficult-to-navigate process, and the uncertainty.
The average cost of one round of IVF is approximately $14,000. This number can quickly increase when you tack on other much-needed procedures: genetic testing, ICSI, assisted hatching, frozen transfers. If you are using donor sperm or donor eggs, the cost goes up by several more thousand dollars. Then of course there is the medication – which can easily range from $4,000 to $7,000. All told, a single cycle of IVF can top $25,000, which is more than half the average annual disposable income for Americans.
Fortunately, there’s a new program that recently became available in the U.S. that is uniquely designed to help navigate the process for fertility treatment, as well as help alleviate some of the financial burden.
The Glow Fertility Program is the first-of-its-kind comprehensive solution for fertility care. It provides personalized assistance and support on every step of the journey to starting a family. The program is free to join and provides individuals and couples with a variety of different resources, including: complimentary fertility coaching from experienced women who serve as patients’ advocates, connections to the country’s top fertility clinics, favorable pricing on fertility treatment and medication, and transparent financing options.
Although many couples look to the Glow Fertility Program because they are struggling to conceive, the program also provides resources and support for those who want to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs.
Bringing a child into the world is one of life’s greatest joys. But today’s future parents do not always follow the same life path or timeline. The Glow Fertility Program is one resource that can help individuals chart their own, individualized course for bringing a baby into the world.
If you are struggling with infertility or are interested in preserving your fertility, please speak with a physician or a Glow Fertility Coach. More information on the Glow Fertility Program can be found by visiting: www.glowfertilityprogram.com.