Our infertility struggle is always on my mind. I've been very open about our story and journey to Baby Smith on social media and my blog. I feel very comfortable talking about it, but some people don't. The fact is that one in eight couples struggle with infertility and many of them never open up and share their story. They keep their pain to themselves. This week is National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW). RESOLVE, The National Infertility Awareness Association founded this movement in 1989 to raise awareness about the disease of infertility and encourage the public to understand reproductive health.
The theme this year is START ASKING.
#startasking
- Employers for insurance coverage.
- Your lawmakers and legislators to support issues important to the infertility community.
- Friends and family to support you.
- The media to cover infertility and the real challenges we face.
- Your network to make a donation to the cause.
- Your RE, clinics, OBGYN or adoption agency to support RESOLVE.
- Your partner to get involved.
- Those who have resolved their infertility to stay involved.
- OBGYN or healthcare provider to talk about YOUR reproductive health.
- For affordable care for treatment of a disease.
- Legal access to all family building options nationwide.
- About men's reproductive health.
There is so much more information about how you can help and get involved on the RESOLVE.org website here.
The biggest question I would ask is about health insurance coverage for infertility. I do not understand why it's treated like an elective coverage. It's a disease NOT a boob job!
We are fortunate enough to have a large portion of our first IVF cycle covered by insurance, but as of today we've still spent over $6000 in medical expenses. Our coverage has a lifetime limit, meaning we will run out very soon. The drugs alone, for just the stimulation portion of our IVF cycle, retailed for close to $5000!
If all the health insurance decision makers were told their children would not exist without reproductive interventions, i.e. surgery, medications, procedures, IUIs, lab work, sonograms, IVF, etc, I'm pretty sure the health insurance coverages would change. They'd soon realize that it's a disease and that having a family is pretty important, kind of like having a healthy heart!
RESOLVE social media links:
Twitter here
Facebook here
Instagram @resolveorg here
As always, thank you for following along on our journey to Baby Smith. It means so very much to us.
xo
Wen
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