Fertility treatments should be called "preparing for whatever you decide to do in life," but that’s less catchy. Fertility benefits help with starting a family or, in some cases, preserving fertility for the future. Here’s a brief explanation of what each benefit generally involves, as there are significant differences in how they can be used.
I acknowledge that I will use some binary terms to describe these concepts. I understand this may not be fully inclusive for everyone, but I'm trying to convey the processes clearly. Please offer suggestions if there's a better way to explain these terms!
Fertility Screening: We don’t know what we don’t know. Fertility screening tests the quality of eggs and/or sperm, enabling people to make informed and timely decisions. I emphasize timely because, in my experience, we conducted screening tests but did not receive the results until over two years later. We’ll revisit this issue another time.
Egg Preservation: When women/people with ovaries are born, they have all the eggs they will ever have. Realizing this later in life was eye-opening. When the egg count is low or the eggs are unhealthy, creating an embryo can be challenging. By freezing or preserving eggs, people can potentially safeguard their fertility chances for years.
Sperm Preservation: Although men/people with testes can typically produce sperm quickly, conditions like male infertility can arise. Issues like abnormal sperm production, blockages, or low sperm production can affect the ability to create a successful embryo. By freezing sperm, people can be prepared to start a family when they are ready.
Adoption: Adding a new child to your family is an exciting process that requires faith, good timing, and patience. Many reasons lead people to adopt, and it’s a wonderful way to expand a family. Including financial support and time off for adoption shows that employers support and celebrate their employees' family planning decisions
Gestational Surrogacy: A surrogate carries the child to birth but is not the biological parent. This process involves numerous appointments and follow-ups and can be intimidating and costly. By offering coverage or financial support for surrogacy, employers provide options for those who may not be physically able to carry a child.
Assisted Reproduction (Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)): Sometimes, sperm do not successfully fertilize eggs. IUI and IVF involve medical assistance to increase the likelihood of fertilization, thereby improving the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Fertility treatments offer various options for starting or expanding a family. Given the diverse experiences and needs, there are many approaches to family planning.