23 Apr It’s National Infertility Awareness Week
National Infertility Awareness Week 2018 takes place this week – April 22 – 28. The theme of this year’s events is #FliptheScript, a reminder that the current script regarding infertility needs to be flipped upside-down and shaken around a bit.
And, of course, the ultimate goal of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is to bring greater awareness to the fact that roughly 12% to 15% of couples have a difficult time getting pregnant, and public-wide support is essential to ensuring anyone with an infertility diagnosis has access to the medical- and fertility treatments needed to start a family.
Infertility Can Happen to Anybody
First and foremost, we need to #FliptheScript on the idea that infertility happens to “others” and that there is somehow fault or blame. In fact, all of the research and stats from individuals with infertility diagnoses prove that infertility is non-discriminatory. As RESOLVE’s website states:
Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status you are, infertility doesn’t discriminate.
Men and Women Share the Infertility Burden
Another thing that is important to note is that the patriarchal culture assumes that the woman is the reason a couple can’t get pregnant. This is simply not the case – ASRM states that infertility affects men and women equally, and that in 40% of infertile couples, male factor infertility is the cause.
This is important to note because couples who are struggling to get pregnant should go together to a fertility specialist, and both individuals should have a full fertility check-up, including diagnostic tests, so the fertility treatment plan accurately reflects their needs.
Get involved in #FliptheScript & Grow Your Support Network
There are multiple ways you can get involved in NIAW:
Take the Pledge
Visit NIAW’s Take the Pledge page, and then do it! Taking the pledge is an empowering step at a time that can feel exactly opposite of that. By pledging your support, your ability to be both strong and vulnerable and in committing to sharing your news with others, you help to demystify the infertility story.
Get Social
Use your phone or gadget and follow whichever of these social media-centric ideas and/or instructions are most inspiring to you. You don’t have to be a super-activist to support a cause or get the word out – every little Tweet, Twibbon and post makes a difference.
Activate the Local Masses
There are all kinds of ways you can get your local community involved in the cause, from asking local restaurants to participate in a Dine-N-Donate fundraiser, to getting an employer to participate in Denim Day.
Walk it Out
Of course, everyone’s favorite way to spread the word is to participate in Dallas’s 2018 Walk of Hope event on Saturday, April 28th. It’s a wonderful way to get involved – and to build your local support network as you walk with other women, men and families who understand exactly what you’re going through.
Visit RESOLVE to learn about more ways you ca get involved with #FliptheScritpt.
Are you ready to take control of your infertility diagnosis? Schedule a consultation with the Fertility Center of Dallas and see what it’s like to be under the care of fertility specialists who work on the forefront of fertility treatment innovation.