If you want children but have trouble conceiving naturally, you will be faced with the choice of either undergoing fertility treatments or adopting. Regardless of the approach you choose to become a parent, it can be a trying and stressful time. Both require a lot of patience and dedication, and with either you can experience heartbreak, with adoptions that don’t go through or fertility treatments that fail to result in pregnancy. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly.
Fertility Treatments
Infertility is a stressful situation to face. It is often the result of very real medical issues, such as endocrine disorders that disrupt hormone function, uterine polyps or uterine fibroids, structural abnormalities, low testosterone, polycystic ovarian syndrome, autoimmune disorders, sexual dysfunctions, or infections.
People invest thousands in fertility treatments to help become pregnant. The process can vary from taking fertility drugs and follow the doctor’s orders to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Sometimes it takes more than one IVF session for a successful pregnancy. In the U.S., one IVF session costs $11,000 to $12,000.
Adoption Process
Adoption is stressful, and unfortunately not everyone who wants to adopt gets to adopt. While there are adoption agencies working diligently to help families adopt, not everyone who would be a good parent gets a child. The adoption process is time-consuming and can be expensive as well. When the legal fees, the home study, and the other fees are added up, the average cost for an adoption in the United States is about $30,000. While many people have successful adoptions and are chosen by a birthmother here in the U.S., some people must opt for overseas adoptions. An overseas adoption can be more expensive and time consuming.
Making the Right Choice
If you want to become a parent, you must be willing to wait and stay persistent regardless of which approach you choose. The right choice for someone else might not be the right choice for you, so take the time to go over the options and determine which is best for you.
If you have a partner, discuss your options with them and work together as a team to decide which approach you are going to take to become parents. Becoming parents can be both stressful and exciting, and when it comes to adoption or fertility treatments, either can lead to a long wait.
Ask for Help
This is a life-changing decision that requires a lot of thought. It might be wise to seek help from an outside source. You and your partner might want to schedule a session with a therapist or counselor. Using this approach, you can both discuss your concerns and feelings then make the right decision for your family. You want to face parenting with an enthusiastic and optimistic approach, so make sure you do what is best for you when deciding to adopt or undergo fertility treatments.
