When I started myfertility journey, I expected a little inconvenience.
But I wasnt worried about my chances of getting pregnant.
Black women and infertility weren’t top of mind.
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My biggest fears involved my actual pregnancy.
My husband and I are lucky.
This means that large insurance plans must provide these benefits (though there arecaveats).
Its also worth mentioning that this coverage doesnt typically include all fertility drugs and specialized testing.
Researchers found that Black women who undergo fertility treatment have markedly worse outcomes than their white counterparts.
The fertility industry, like much of health care, has a racial disparity problem.
Why?Racismis part of the equation.
[Black women] dont get the same level of care that white women get.
When should Black women seek fertility treatments?
Do not procrastinate, he says.
This leads us to another fertility factor: preexisting reproductive conditions.
These are another reason you might consider seeking treatment as soon as you begin to suspect fertility issues.
Black women tend to have higher rates of conditions that can impact fertility.
This includes STIs (like chlamydia and gonorrhea) andfibroids.
So if you have irregular periods, regardless of age, you should check in with your ob-gyn.
If one or more of these [conditions] are present, they may require attention before fertility treatment.
This could delay IVF treatment, Dr. Siefer says.
What should you look for in a reproductive endocrinologist?
If your knee-jerk reaction is to find a Black fertility doctor, youre not misguided.
But if youre struggling to find one, its not surprising.
TheAssociation of American Medical Collegesreports that Black people make up just 5% of doctors in the United States.
During the consultation, pay attention to how everyone is treating you.
Are they giving you enough time?
A standard initial fertility consult should be around 45 minutes.
Are they listening to you?
Do they seem to have some preconceptions about your experience?
IVF isnt the only fertility treatment option available.
How do you navigate the financial aspect of fertility treatment?
As we mentioned, IVF is prohibitively expensive for a lot of people.
Ten states have fertility preservation laws for medically induced infertility, according to theNational Infertility Association.
Theres evidence to suggest that expanding state mandates for coverage could reduce racial disparities in fertility treatment outcomes.
Many of these services arentcovered by insuranceand often require more cash than a patient might have.
Theres also a lack of information on resources to help pay for IVF treatments.
If you havent already, check with your H.R.
department or insurance to see whats available to you.
Some groups might help equip you with financial support for fertility treatment and other related resources.
TheCade Foundationprovides educational programs about different pathways to parenthood throughout the nation.
They also have grants to help families with the costs of adoption and fertility treatment.
What does self-advocacy look like throughout the process?
Even though things might be moving quickly, feel free tospeak up and express concernsthroughout the process.
He says helpful questions can include, What should I expect between now and my next appointment?
What does this thing in my blood work report mean?
Are there lower hormone protocols that would work for me?
Do I need that additional out-of-pocket procedure to improve my chances?
Whats the science behind it?
Get a second opinion or see a different doctor.
This is really critical to your success, he adds.
How do you account for your mental well-being?
I was an over-optimistic patient, bringing my can-do approach to a process I had no control over.
As it turns out, infertility can cause significantanxiety and emotional stress.
Some fertility clinics have a mental health practitioner placed within the practice, but they are rare.
Couples seeing doctors within university-affiliated hospitals may also have access to fellows and therapists from reproductive psychology/psychiatry programs.
There are places, like theSeleni Institute, which specialize in psychotherapy for couples and families experiencing infertility.
Numerous groups provide support, including the earlier mentioned Fertility for Colored Girls.
The fertility journey isnt easy, but its manageable.
