I am generally not a fan of the word infertility. The prefix "in" means "not" or "opposite of". This implies that I am not fertile. Not now. Not ever. I don't believe this is accurate (although technically I don't yet have evidence to the contrary). I prefer the term sub-fertile. I am definitely not as fertile as many other people of the world. If I were, I'd have regular cycles, I would ovulate on my own, and, more than likely, I would have been pregnant multiple times by now. But I do have eggs (they just won't grow), my cervix is intact and attached to unclogged tubes. That is better news that many other women I have talked with, and for this I am grateful.
The more people I talk with, the more surprised I am to hear about the wide range of what is considered in the infertility family. I've met with women who have been trying to conceive for over 7 years, have had numerous failed IVF treatments, have attempted utilizing donated eggs, donated sperm, and donated uteruses. I've talked with people who had one child easily and then could never have a second. Women as young as their early twenties and into their forties. Couples who are just now considering consulting with their physicians and those who have seen multiple different medical specialists for varying opinions. Technically, the term infertility is reserved for couples that have had unprotected intercourse for 12 months without becoming pregnant. With medical intervention, many of these couples will go on to have healthy babies and many will not. However, statistically, if you haven't conceived within 12 months, then you're more than likely not going to without some extra help. So we get labeled: Infertile.
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