Medical/Ethical question regarding infertility

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone!

I rarely post questions but have greatly benefited from the discussion on this list. Thank you very much for the time you take to contribute to the discussions.

Situation:

I am working with a 32 year old married woman (married five years), who has never been pregnant. Her husband is 34. They report they are both in good health. Her family planning history reflects NFP use only. In December of 2011 she was surgically treated for severe endometriosis. During the course of the surgery, it was determined that her tubes were not patent. The surgeon was not successful in opening her tubes and unable to pass dye through either side. She also had a large endometrioma that was removed. After the surgery, this couple was essentially told that their only hope for a biological child is IVF. On average she menstruates about every 25 days. She had the surgery in December of 2011. She is not on the pill post-operatively and has started charting the Fertility Care System in preparation for a NaProTechnology consult.

They are a devout Catholic couple who remained chaste until marriage. Needless to say they are devastated by this news. The husband told me IVF may be their only hope for a pregnancy…he has started thinking about it. This news has had a jolting impact on his faith. The wife is adamant that she will not participate in IVF. This is generating serious tension in their marriage. Furthermore, they were told that if she did conceive naturally, it would most likely be ectopic resulting in a pregnancy and fallopian tube loss.

Ethical Question:

Should they be using days of fertility to achieve pregnancy knowing the outcome will likely be ectopic?

Note of interest to all of you: This is a well informed, well educated, highly motivated couple. The husband is a physician.

Is there any hope for this couple to have a biological child? Where to go from here? I have already referred them to their parish priest for direction and spiritual support.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Blessings!

A. Malo, CFCS

Program Coordinator

Fertility Care Education Services

Catholic Medical Center