This guide is designed to help priests, deacons and all those in pastoral ministry to understand the unique and complex needs of couples experiencing infertility. It is an excerpt from the Family Life Institute series, Begotten, Not Made: Pastoral Care for Couples Experiencing infertility, by Steven Bozza, MA. It not only examines the moral issues surrounding the various “assisted fertility” techniques available today, but also the physical, psychological, social and spiritual concerns facing couples unable to conceive. 1. Pastoral Care Must be Holistic § It must take into consideration the psychological, social and spiritual issues couples face 2. Psychological § How has infertility affected their individual self-image? § How has it altered their dreams? § How are they dealing with the suffering? § These are realities which tend to blind couples to the evils associated with some A.R.T. procedures 3. Common reactions § Withdrawal from social activities involving children § Envy § Anger § Bitterness § Frustration 4. Social § How is infertility effected their marriage relationship? § How is it affecting their relationships with family and friends? 5. Spiritual § Are they angry or bitter towards God? § Are the feeling alienated by the Church? § Do they feel excluded from parish life? 6. A.R.T. Forms that are never permissible § A.I.D. Artificial Insemination, Donor Sperm § I.V.F.-E.T. Invitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer § Z.I.F.T. Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer § I.C.S.I. Introcytoplasmic Sperm Inject 7. Permissible Forms of A.R.T. § Certain stimulating hormones § Certain types of surgery § A.I.H.-Artificial Insemination § T.O.T.S.- Tubal Ovum Transfer with Sperm § G.I.F.T.-Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer 8. Acceptable Medications § Medications to stimulate hormones and gamete production § Menotropins § Gonadotropins § Hormone blockers 9. Acceptable Surgery § Surgery to repair, or reconstruct one’s reproductive organs or tracts or to remove obstacles to fertility § Spermatic vein repair § Dilation and Curettage § Laser removal of endometriosis 10. A.I.H. may be permissible § A.I.H.-Artificial Insemination using spouses gametes This is one of the least effective A.R.T. procedures § T.O.T.S. may be permissible § T.O.T.S.- Tubal Ovum Transfer with Sperm. · This is also known as Nesting. · Ova are retrieved from the ovaries and placed in the uterus along with sperm. · It is most often used when there is an obstruction of the Fallopian Tubes. 11. G.I.F.T. may be permissible § G.I.F.T.-Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer. § Sperm and ova are retrieved and placed in a laparoscope with an air bubble between them. § Both are placed in a Fallopian Tube, where hopefully, conception will take place. § Note: There are compelling arguments for and against the use of G.I.F.T. § The Church has not condemned this procedure. Thus couples may choose to use it. 12. Acceptable Methodology § The man and the woman must be married to each other § No donor gametes § The sperm must be procured using a silastic condom during normal lovemaking § Insemination must take place within the normal life span of the sperm § Sperm must not be frozen and stored for later use. |
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