Approximately six million women in this country are unable to conceive a child naturally. For many, infertility can be an emotionally debilitating disease, but as News 13's Medical Reporter Nancy Gay explains, there are treatments out there.
Women less than 30 have the highest pregnancy rate on average, even so, only 20 to 25 percent will be able to conceive a child during any given month.
Luke's crying is like music to his mother's ears.
"I've always wanted to be a mom,” said new mom Kim Christensen.
But getting to this point wasn't easy. Christensen and her husband began trying to have a child nearly six years ago. When nothing happened, they sought the help of Dr. Mark Trolice.
"I was shocked because you never think it's going to happen to you,” Christensen said.
Trolice said many women are delaying childbirth, and that is one of the reasons it seems like more couples are infertile.
"A woman is born with all of the eggs she'll ever have, “ he said. “One-to-two million at birth, 200,000 to 400,000 when she's going through puberty. Hundreds get used every month, and only one makes it to ovulation. The rest die off."
Trolice said fertility treatment depends on evaluation.
"When we give a person fertility medications we increase the number of mature eggs she's going to release," he said.
Trolice said that with oral medication and artificial insemination the pregnancy rate tends to be about ten percent, injectable medication and artificial insemination have about a 15 percent success rate, and invitro fertilization is usually effective about 30 percent of the time.
The Christensens got lucky after three rounds of treatment.
"It's just like oh my gosh, finally us,” Kim Christensen said. “It was wonderful."
There are risks associated with fertility treatments, including tubal pregnancy, developing a large amount of cysts and multiple births.
Fertility treatments can run couples thousands of dollars. To help defer some of the costs, the Fertile Dreams Organization is sponsoring the Embracing Hope Gala April 21 at the Portofino Bay Hotel. Proceeds will used for grants to help couples in need pay for fertility treatments.
That's Your Health and Fitness, Nancy Gay Central Florida News 13.