Sharing our commitment at RSC for National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) 2023
NIAW: April 23-29, 2023
National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is a very big deal for all of us at RSC. We’re wearing orange, offering Instagram Live talks, talking up infertility awareness in our personal lives and going about our daily passion of helping build families for those who otherwise would not be able to have children of their own. That includes individuals, couples and those in the LGBTQ+ community.
This is a week for our patients – and people with infertility everywhere – to be recognized for the courageous people they are. They need support from all of us, all the time. While we work to treat the disease of infertility, it continues to be more prevalent, not less.
Just before NIAW 2023, the World Health Organization reported that infertility worldwide has increased to affect 1 in 6 adults, or about 17.5%. That’s a big jump, and it seems to be the case in poorer and richer countries.
We’ve included resources below including heartfelt blogs and personal perspectives. There’s also an infertility awareness quiz for you (below).
NIAW 2023 theme: Find Your Voice (#FindYourVoice)
#NIAW2023
Follow Reproductive Science Center and post your own infertility awareness info on social media using the #RSCBayArea, #NIAW2023 and #FindYourVoice hashtags.
Infertility awareness, not myths & misinformation
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Awareness Association began the NIAW initiative, which continues to grow in momentum.
NIAW slogan: Empowering you and changing the conversation
Using your voice can go a long way. That is why we will always continue to talk about infertility.
US Fertility is a proud sponsor of Advocacy Day, an event hosted by RESOLVE in partnership with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. This live event provides the opportunity for the infertility community to speak to congress about the infertility issues that are important and prevalent in our society.
What our patients want you to know
Kristina Nickerson wants you to know infertility isn’t something you can plan for, but you shouldn’t lose hope.
For Genna, of critical importance for anyone undergoing treatment for infertility is a support system, whether that’s family, partner or friend.
“It’s important to have someone who – even if they don’t understand what you’re going through – you can call and cry to.” – Genna Forni-Kujawski
Infertility awareness quiz
Just how aware are you about infertility? It’s not a topic you’ll find many answers and questions about on Jeopardy!, but you can test your knowledge here.
- How do you calculate a woman’s window of fertility each month?
- At what stage of development is an embryo transferred to the womb in IVF?
- Are men less likely to be a cause of infertility in couples than women?
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most used treatment for infertility. True or false?
- What do you call a woman who carries a pregnancy for another couple or person but is not genetically related to the child?
- What percentage of adults worldwide are affected by infertility according to WHO?
- Who is Samantha Smith?
- Does RSC use artificial intelligence in any infertility treatments?
- What does FSH stand for?
- Does lying still for a while after sex help a woman get pregnant?
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- Five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation and the day after ovulation: seven days.
- The blastocyst stage.
- No. Men are as likely as women to be a cause of infertility in a couple.
- False: IVF is used in less than 90% of fertility cases.
- A gestational carrier.
- 17.5%.
- Samantha is RSC’s clinical operations director.
- We use artificial intelligence in our IVF lab to help select the best embryos for implantation.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone.
- No.
Read past blogs on NIAW
Alone in my office, I let out a small yelp. Then a loud “Yes!” An NIAW post about a spectacular HCG result.
Be part of the infertility movement! Any way you can raise awareness will help increase public understanding about the disease of infertility.
From tears to a fertility clinic full of hugs and smiles. How our andrologist became acutely aware of infertility’s complex emotional journey.
#HaveAHeart & #StartAsking. For many, the struggle with infertility is invisible, and we want them to know that it does not have to be. NIAW 2016 blog.
Into the office we went, anxious, years of not knowing why, why, why can’t we have a child? From A Seed of Hope poem, commemorating NIAW.
There have been many nights, as I lie in bed unable to sleep, that I think of my patients. “I share your tears, I share your joy, you are not alone.” From our 2015 NIAW blog.
“I have relied on my heart to guide my way and I encourage our patients to do the same.” Our medical assistant shares her story of the difficulty having her third child.
Usted No Está Sola. Miembro del personal RSCBA ofrece palabras de apoyo para los pacientes hispanos en honor a la Semana Nacional de Concientización sobre la infertilidad.
“One day soon, I too, can be a proud parent within the RSC family, and so can you.” A staff member learns about the financial options that can open the door to motherhood for her.
A case manager in an infertility clinic knew the ins and outs of fertility, but could not believe this was happening to her. Dr. Mary Hinckley’s optimism helped her through it.
“Our heart breaks a little when our patients’ do, although professionalism prevents us from displaying much emotion.” Why Have A Heart is a potent phrase for those in fertility medicine.
Breaking Barriers, Building Families
Since 1983, we have pioneered fertility treatment for every kind of family. We want to help you achieve your dream of having a baby.
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