Prospective parents struggling with conception should know what may be causing their issues and how to address them, as well as possible legal risks involved.
For many people living in Illinois, it is a dream to have a family and raise children. However, it is not a simple dream to achieve for everyone. There are a number of reproductive deficiencies and health problems that can prevent one or both spouses in a marriage from being able to conceive a child naturally. For people facing this kind of situation, it is important for them to know the signs that they should visit a fertility doctor, as well as the risks associated with the different methods of working around infertility.
What are the causes and symptoms of infertility?
There are a number of signs that could indicate infertility, but the condition is diagnosed for those who are unable to conceive after 12 months of regularly having unprotected intercourse. In women, infertility can be caused due to issues with ovulation or menstruation, though it could also be caused by other problems such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Men can also have fertility issues for specific reasons, such as the obstruction of sperm being delivered, or even a lack of the production of the sperm itself. If a couple has been unable to conceive after 12 months of trying, or 6 months for women 35 and older, a good next step is to visit with a doctor and look at diagnosis and treatment options.
What are the treatment options for infertility?
Thanks to the advancements of modern technology, there are a few different routes available for couples looking to overcome fertility challenges. In-vitro fertilization involves fertilizing the mother’s egg in a more controlled environment, allowing an embryo to form, and then returning it to the mother’s uterus. Surgical treatment may be used to attempt to treat physical obstructions.
For some couples, fertility drugs are enough to increase the chances of conception. Intrauterine insemination uses drugs to increase female egg production and uses specially treated sperm to further increase the likelihood of conceiving. Finally, some couples will turn to a surrogate mother who will receive sperm and carry a child until birth, at which time it is given to the expecting parents.
Legal challenges of surrogacy
While surrogacy is a method that is not uncommon, there are some legal issues that can occur. Some surrogate mothers go through stress and declining health and are given little sympathy. It has been observed that surrogate mothers can develop emotional attachments to the babies they carry. For some, the difficulties endured can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
For both couples in Illinois who are anticipating the need of a surrogate and who want to avoid legal problems, and surrogates who have had issues and need representation, it may be helpful to seek the counsel of an attorney in the local area who practices family law.
