Infertility, an untold anguish suffered by thousands of couples, is on the rise with approximately 600,000 infertile individuals in Canada today. The ongoing cycle of hope and despair a couple experiences as they await the outcome of pregnancy tests can be emotionally grueling. Studies have shown that women experiencing infertility can suffer emotional distress and anxiety levels as high as patients who suffer with cancer and heart disease. We will explore the options available to infertile couples who would like to conceive a child.

In Vitro Fertilization

“In Vitro” literally means “in glass.” This method of reproduction is a process which generates the creation of a human life in a glass Petri dish within a laboratory environment.

How is In Vitro Fertilization performed?

The typical procedure involves the extraction of several eggs from the mother, which are then fertilized by sperm from the father (or a third party) in a Petri dish or test-tube. The living human embryos are then examined and 3 or 4 are implanted into the mother’s womb with the hope that 1 embryo will successfully implant in the lining of the womb and continue to grow.

What happens to the rest of the embryos?

Many embryos die in the transfer process because they are so fragile. Some embryos are unwanted and eliminated because they are considered genetically inadequate or “defective.” Some embryos are stored alive in freezers. Some embryos will die during the thawing process.

How many human embryos are lost in IVF?

The Jones Institute, one of the pioneers of IVF, reports that only 10 – 20% of the human embryos produced by IVF ever result in a normal pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control estimated in 1998 that 28,000 babies were born through IVF in the U.S. This means that 140,000 – 280,000 human embryos remained “unused” for that year alone.

Is it true that IVF children have a greater risk of birth defects?

In recent years, studies show a greater likelihood of complications such as rare urological defects, including bladder development outside the body, heart or central nervous system abnormalities, rare forms of cancer, increased risk of severe brain disorder and dangerously low birth weight.

In addition, women face an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies and ovarian cancer following IVF treatments.

There are safer natural methods of fertility care that respect the dignity of the human embryo, parents and the natural reproduction process.

NaproTechnology: Creating a Culture of Life Revolution

The development of natural procreation technologies began over 20 years ago with Drs. John and Lyn Billings, the Australian physicians who originally created the Billings Ovulation Method. Since that time, researchers have worked at St. Louis University and Creighton University Schools of Medicine and most recently at the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction (Omaha, Nabraska) to create a standardized modification of this system into what is now known as the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. Click on above title to learn more…

The Natural Family Planning Association of Toronto

This organization seeks to help couples achieve or avoid pregnancy without the use of chemical contraceptives and fertility treatments. They use the Billings Ovulation Method and are dedicated to helping people understand their natural fertility. To find out more, click on image above.

NaproTechnology Fertility Care Program

The Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre uses the work of Dr. Hilgers and his team from Creighton University who have developed a highly accurate, medically safe and natural way to understand and regulate fertility and to properly diagnose and treat fertility problems. This method does not use drugs that supress or harm the natural fertility cycle. To find out more, click on  logo above.

Special thanks to Toronto & Area Right to Life Association and Alliance for Life Ontario.