Infertility and Islam
Being a khalifah of Islam whom has been sent down to this
Earth by Allah,The Most Merciful, we are entrusted among other things to
spread the true teachings of Islam. And one of the ways to do that is by
procreating. It is noted that by procreating among each other we CAN
accomplish this mission not only among muslims but also with the non-muslims.
The joy of having a child in your arms is a blessing beyond words especially
if the baby is your. But not every one is fortuante enough to experience this
moment, thus, the case of inferility is then discussed.
In many Muslim communities it is often considered a taboo to discuss the
topic of infertility openly. Although 1 in 12 couples face infertility
problems when trying to conceive a child. And while in many cultures the
woman is blamed and shunned by the community, we inshallah would like to
shed some light on the situation, in hopes that women will no longer feel
ashamed in such an ordeal. It is hard enough for a woman who has difficulty
conceiving, having a natural desire to feel a child grow in her womb, to
have to deal with cultural ignorances as well. (For the non muslims who have
ventured onto our site, please read our brief introduction to What is Islam.)
Every month a couple has basically 1 in 4 chance of conceiving where no
infertility factors exist. In a womans' lifetime she will normally produce four
to five thousand eggs. Eight of these eggs are recruited each month, and only
one is brought to maturity and relased into the fallopian tube, the other
seven eggs deteriorate and die. The egg only lives from 24-36 hours after it
is released and if it is not fertilized by the sperm (which can live up to 72
hours inside a woman) the egg will then deteriorate and die. Within two weeks
the uterine lining will shed and a woman will have a menstrual cycle.
There are other factors in the whole fertilization process, such as the
opening of a womans cervix, cervical mucus that helps the sperm reach the
egg. Not to mention healthy non deformed sperm that can survive and fertilize
the egg. Although seemingly an easy process there are many factors that can
decrease the chances of fertilization from occurring. These can include
blocked fallopian tubes, which can be caused by PID, ENDOMETRIOSIS, Scar
tissue from miscarriages or surgical proceedings. There is also the factor
of PCOS, which affects the womans ability to normally produce and release an
egg each month. These being only female factors of infertility, it is false
to assume that infertility is only a womans problem Male factors also make
up for about 40% of inferility problems, which include blocked ducts, low
amount of sperm, and deformed sperm.
Normally when couples have unprotected sex for a year, a pregnancy will
occur. If a woman does not become pregnant within a year (6 months for women
over 35)the couple should have a fertility work-up to find out what is going
on. Most couples that seek a fertility work-up by a Reproductive
Endocronologist (differing from a regular GYN), should know within a month,
or shortly thereafter,why pregnancy has not been succesful. Such a work-up
includes, but is not limited to: medical history, blood tests, pap smear,
vaginal examination,HSG,a semen analysis, cervical cultures and Laparoscopy.
Having infertility problems, in most cases, does not mean the end of conceiving.
There are many options open to couples that will help them to concieve
children. Some of these options include, but are not limited to, IVF, IUI,
GIFT,ZIFT, Ovulation drugs such as Clomid, and tubal surgery.There are also
options formale factor infertility such as treatment with fertility drugs,
surgery and ART procedures
What concerns us most, as Muslims, is what options are Islamically permissible
for us. Are ART procedures permissible, what is not permissible, why are
certain things not permissible, are just some of the questions we would like
to address. Keep in mind that none of the sisters who add to this web page
are scholars, and there may be variant opinions as to what is acceptable and
what is not. And due to the fact that an "In Depth" look at fertility options
have yet to be addressed by "scholars" some questions will be left unanswered
on this web site. We encourage all to seek proper islamic means to deal with
your infertility for Allah places things in our lives for a reason. We will
all be tested, and as Muslims we should persevere in the way which is right
in order to seek any rewards.
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