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I
T WAS
expected.
They knew
it
was coming.
1t
happened nearly every
time they met new people, or
those they hadn't seen in a while:
"Do you have any children?" they
are queried.
To most couples here is the gold–
en opportunity to open their wallets
1/f.,
.. ,.
•
to thei r children's photos and plea–
surably show the interested inquir–
er their offspring.
But in anticipation of this ques–
tion nearly one out of every six cou–
ples in the United States (one out
of 1O in Britain) brace themselves
emotionally. Twinges of pain are
felt. Their disappointment of being
childless is relived anew.
Other reminders of what is con–
sidered their fail ure are every–
where: a friend's announcing she's
pregnant, an invitation to a baby
shower, a diaper (nappies) com–
mercial on television.
Likewise, the críes of the new–
born wafting from tbe nursery as
baby readies to nurse at mother's
breast; a bright-eyed chi ld looking
over Daddy's shoulder or clutch-
28
ing at his hand while gazing up
lovingly for answers; a son receiv–
ing honors at graduation as he
answers to bis family name-these
blessings are denied to millions of
couples (whose numbers are in–
creasing). And with this depriva–
tion comes a pain that most people
never knew existed, for they have
not experienced this tria! of life.
'
•
....
ess
by
Joan C. Bogdanchik
But sorne would not even consider
it a trial, but
f reedom!
Freedom to
enjoy pleasures of life, freedom from
tbe travail of childbirth, freedom
from disturbed sleep at night, free–
doro from soiled diapers (nappies)
and freedom from the constant
responsibility of child rearing and its
attendant expense from birth to or
through college. These are the cou–
ples who have decided not to have
children. Being a parent ranks low
on their list of priorities.
Sorne feel they would not have
the time required to do a good job
of child rearing and do not want to
risk it. Others have become depen–
dent upon two salaries to meet their
living standard and do not want to
change the pattern. Children, they
say, should be raised by parents,
not day-care centers.
But severa! million couples
would give up this "freedom" at a
shot!
Nothing
in life, they feel ,
would fill this void except tbe birth
of their child.
Conception?
Sorne even conceive and the birth
process is on its way! The parents'
long-awaited dream is becoming
reality. Then- the miscarriage.
" 1 am sorry," consoles the doc–
tor, "but your wife cannot carry a
baby to full term."
New torment overwhelms the
couple. It was almost in hand.
Hopes bave lifted and lowered,
caúsing body stress and anguish
anew.
Other millions, for varied causes,
never reach conception. A physical
problem may affect ovaries, uteruses
or Fallopian tubes. Or a hormonal
problem may prevent the monthly
production of a ripe egg, ready for
fertilization. lnberited abnormalities
and premature menopause are other
causes of infertility.
Sorne put off having a baby for
economic reasons, waiting until
their 30s when their careers are
established and they've fulfilled
other pleasures of life. Then they
begin to think about having a
baby.
At this point a problem they
didn't anticípate hits. They realize
they may have waited too long–
their bodies are past peak ferti lity,
highest for both men and women in
their mid-20s. They learn they may
also have affected their reproduc–
tive system by this delay.
What ls lnfertility?
Couples are said to be infertile
when no pregnancy occurs after a
year of baving sexual relations
without using contraception (the
average couple achieve success
within this time).
Sorne find tbis far too long and
are terribly distressed by midpoint.
Yet they should not panic because
only 63 percent of couples conceive
during the first six months.
Becoming pregnant becomes an
all-consuming goal of the chi ldless
couples' lives. Basal body tempera–
ture is checked each morning, sex–
ual relations are on schedule and
vacations are planned around medí–
cal procedures.
The
PLAIN TRUTH