[Genevieve]

Hello! My husband and I have recently found that we will probably never have children, as he has zero sprem in his semen. The only way we could possibly conceive is if sperm is extracted from his testicles, and either IUI or In Vitro is performed. We feel we must stay in line with The Church, and so we know in vitro is OUT> Are there any instances in which IUI is allowed???? THANKS!!

[Animalcrackers]

When we first learned of our infertility, we went straight to the Chatechism to read what the church teaches. Basically through reading and talking to our priest, we learned that both IUI and In Vitro are both immoral and unacceptable because they dissociate procreation through a husband and a wife and place conception into the hands of dr.'s.

Now even after we learned this, we struggled with it. In the end, I had 3 unsuccessful IUI cycles. Even now, I have a sense of peace knowing that we tried and I will never wonder what if, but I also struggle, knowing that I went against the church and God, who I dearly love, only to learn that for us, adoption was our answer and our son was a world away in Russia.

I hope this helps.

Melissa

[Sienna3]

The details of assisted reproductive technology are outlined in the Instruction on Respect for Human life which can be found at http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/co...n-life_en.html

Any IVF procedure is completely outlawed, but as for homologous artificial insemination, there is an exception and I quote "Homologous artificial insemination within marriage cannot be admitted except for those cases in which the technical means is not a substitute for the conjugal act but serves to facilitate and to help so that the act attains its natural purpose. "

I am not sure that your situation falls within the allowed exception. I would read the instruction and talk to your priest about it.

[Genevieve]

Thanks so much for your replies. I suppose we will not be allowed to do IUI, b/c it would replace the marital act. They Dr's would have to extract sprem from my husband's testicles, b/c there is none present in his semen. This clearly replaces the marital act. Thanks again!

[katieb31323]

Genevieve

We have the same problem...and traveled the road you are on 10 year ago. We now are the proud parents of 2 soon to be 3 children who joined our family through adoption. It is a journey...but worth every mile!!!!

Katie

[Genevieve]

Thanks, Katie. I am amazed at your devotion to the teachings of our faith. This truly is a test. We are looking into adoption from China. Thanks again!
-Genevieve

[Sean&Shan]

We too are adopting from China. I have had several friends that have put themselves in extreame debt through fertility treatments and are now unable to adopt because of the cost. We know in our hearts that our little Lizzie from China is meant to be our baby and couldn't be more excited.

[momo tx]

Hello -

My husband and I (33 and 34 y.o.) have been married for 10 years and spent the last 3 & 1/2 yrs TTC, dealing w/ "unexplained infertility." We had multiple surgeries and 6 failed IUI attempts. I, too, struggled with the IUIs, esp. knowing what the Church teaches. However, we now realize that God is leading us in a different direction, and that adoption is the path we are meant to take. So we are know looking into adopting two children from Kazakhstan (hopefully a toddler and an infant) and are extremely excited. Right now we're trying to figure out how to go about financing the adoption, so we're really praying about that right now. Even though we still haven't officially started the paper chase, I can't wait until we can bring them home!

Maureen

[Genevieve]

Dear Maureen,

Thanks so much for your reply. Sometimes it is so difficult having strong Catholic values and convictions in today's world. My husband has normal sperm production, but has a defect where he is missing the tube which carries the sperm out into the semen. There is a 100% success rate with IVF, if the Dr. goes in and retrieves sperm. No one seems to understand why we don't "just do IVF", and have a baby.

It is just so nice to hear from someone else who shares my values and can relate. I am really happy for you and you rhusband. What an exciting decision!! I'm, sure you're aware you'll get a really huge tax credit, but I know that doesn't make coming up with the $ any easier. May I ask you how you chose Kazakhstan? There are just so many decisions to be made, starting with what country to choose, I'm always looking to learn about the benefits of adopting from each country.

Good Luck and God Bless!
-Genevieve

[katieb31323]

We have gotten that phrase quite a bit too Genevieve...why don't you just do IVF? Or, have you considered a doner? (which just personaly creeps me out...) It never ceases to amaze me how nosey people can be!

Have you decided on international adoption for sure? And you are right...the decision to adopt is a big one and definately only the beginning of making them!!!!

Good luck to you on your journey!
Kathy

Oh and to update....we brought home our third domestic newborn Nov 30, 2004 and hope to finalize this coming June! She will be 5 months old this week...just a sweetheart!

[Genevieve]

Thanks for your reply, Katie. Congratulations on #3!! We haven't decided to adopt for sure, but I am leaning toward international. What's your take on international vs. domestic? Did you use the same agency for all 3 adoptions? (I'm not sure if you're allowed to poast the name).

Thanks
-Genevieve

[6boysrus]

For those of you who are still attempting to pinpoint the infertility that are well withing the teachings of the margesterium, id like to suggest Dr Hilgers in Omaha.
He developed the Creighton method and NaProTechnology.

Many couples both exp primary and secondary have had extremely high succes rates with his methods.

www.popepaulvi.com

Pax,
Yvonne

[katieb31323]

Gen...

Our 2 main reasons for choosing domestic over international were: cost and age of baby. And we actually worked with a total of 5 agencies! Our son was through an agency in NM, we brought him home from the hospital. The agency that connected us to our first daughter had actually borrowed our album from the agency we were working with (actually the SW who borrowed it had left it in a pile after we weren't choosen and another SW took it by mistake and that led us to our daughter!!!!) The agency we are working with for our second daughter works together with the agency that connected us to her. This adoption has been the most stressful and costly of all three (18k) Which is still cheaper the international.

We have semi open adoptions, sending pictures and letters twice a year and have had some visits in nuetral locations. I like that there is still a connection and hopefully will help our kids with questions they may have as they grow.

good luck!
Kathy

[Sienna3]

Genevieve,
I wish you success in figuring out the type of adoption you want to pursue.There is a lot to research to do.

I did want to point out that your statement about 100% "success rate" with IVF of any type is not true by any stretch of the imagination. There may be high success with fertilizing an egg in vitro but there is quite low success with sorting out what doctors feel are "quality-enough" embryos to implant and not good success with implantation rate either. That is why the magisterium talks about how IVF is disproportionate risk in the instruction I reference above

[tybeemarie]

Genevieve,

As you make your family planning decisions, I would highly recommend the show Adoption Stories. It's on the Discovery Health Channel, which you need digital cable to get, I think. It shows little half hour documentaries of different people's adoption journeys. It's a great way to get your gut reaction to different types of adoption. I wish you and your husband all the best as you try to discern God's will for you.