At this time of year, as we gather to give thanks
for what we have in our lives, we are also reminded of the things we don't have or perhaps struggle to obtain. It is usually
after these wonderful family gatherings that we sit and reflect about what really matters in our lives. For some of us, it
would be the inability to conceive a child of our own.
The get togethers with brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews,
cousins and friends can certainly bring these emotions more to the forefront, as family is what matters most to many of us.As we go about our regular routine, we often hear about things
that don't have any real affect on our everyday lives. And then there are those times when you hear about things that affect
others so deeply that you just can't help but get involved. That is how I feel about Conceivable Dreams, a grassroots organization whose sole purpose is to bring
awareness to the plight that many couples are suffering through; infertility.
Infertility affects so many couples and is usually through no fault of their own. The resultant
stresses can be enough to change ones mind about actually trying to conceive a child. Why does it have to be so difficult?
The treatment regimen for infertility is
quite simple actually, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a very successful way of overcoming ones inability of getting pregnant.
The biggest stumbling block associated with IVF is in fact cost, and not the treatment itself. Thousands of couples each
year are successful in having the family they so deeply desire. Because the treatment cost several thousand dollars each
time, many couples end up transferring multiple eggs, thereby increasing the chances of multiple births. Statistics show
that women who are pregnant with multiple babies, are much more likely to have problem pregnancies and potential health risks
for the babies. Low birth weight, respiratory issues, and even physical disabilities all become relevant when mothers are
carrying multiple babies.
If we could only
convince the different levels of government to look at
Funding
opportunities for IVF. Quebec and Alberta have taken the lead in this endeavour, which has resulted in a reduced number of
unhealthy multiple births. Neonatal care costs are dramatically decreased as well, thereby reducing the strain on the health
care system as well as on the parents. I for one believe that the benefits of funding IVF treatments outweigh the cost of
the treatments themselves. Both Quebec and Alberta are reporting overall cost savings associated with before funding and
after funding IVF treatments. That can only mean a, "win-win" situation.
Happy Thanksgiving to all...
