Any Catholics out there?

DaniGirl0517 · August 2009

Hi, I'm just beginning my TTTC journey, but it was recommended to me that I look up IVF and IUI for possible options in the future if necessary. I know that as a Catholic we can't do IVF, but how does the Church weigh in on IUI as long as the sperm is collected using a perforated condom? I've googled and looked on another forum but couldn't find the answer. Some say it's a no-no and others say there isn't a definitive ruling. My go-to-gal for this kind of info hasn't responded yet and I guess I'm impatient. Anybody know? TIA

smilee · August 2009

As far as I know... I do not believe that IUI is "accepted"

FWIW, I thought I'd share this

We have done IVF.

As a catholic, I struggled with this decision. I went to confession and had a wonderful conversation with the priest .

Not trying to sway you. but I wanted to share my story.

DaniGirl0517 · August 2009

I was thinking about that too. I'm one of those uber-guilt-ridden Catholic kids but the thought is there. I want to follow church teaching, but I can't comprehend that God would give us the knowledge to understand reproduction and give us the tools to aid it when we aren't supposed to do it that way. KWIM? Plus I kinda feel like, people who have struggled to achieve a pregnancy through whatever form are the truly deserving ones for a child and are going to be better parents and raise their kids right. What do I know though? Hmm, still wondering about IUI....

DaniGirl0517 · August 2009

Oh, and I forgot to say thank you Smiliee for your story!

skoorbnibor · August 2009

I hope I don't upset you by replying (with a baby in my sig) but I am also Catholic. Once we realized IVF was our only option, I had a wonderful conversation with my priest. He was totally supportive, and reminded me that the child will ultimately be loved and supported by the church, and that God makes the rules in the end... He was so amazing and made me feel so much better about my decision.

I have not for one second regretted our decision to do IVF. I am still an active member of my parish and have not had one negative thing said to me about IVF... even from older members of the parish.

One thing that has stuck with me in our journey.... the official statement of the Church discusses that ART removed the act of intimacy from procreation. But as anyone who has ever gone through IVF would know, it is the most intimate act one can complete. Much more intimate than fumbling around in a car, or even making love with one's spouse. IVF goes much much deeper and there is intimacy created that one cannot even imagine.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Echloe · August 2009

I am also Catholic and know that IUI is not allowed. And even clomid is not allowed. Just as bcps are frowned upon. My husband and I decided to go through fertility treatment anyway after personal reflection. Good luck figuring out what you want to do.

katieranck2202 · August 2009

No IUI or IVF if you truly want to follow the Church's teaching. I have been working with a NaPro doctor who was trained out of the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha. NaPro Technology is a Church based method of dealing with IF and it uses Creighton charting to get to the root of the problem and how to fix it.

smilee · August 2009

skoorbnibor:
I hope I don't upset you by replying (with a baby in my sig) but I am also Catholic. Once we realized IVF was our only option, I had a wonderful conversation with my priest. He was totally supportive, and reminded me that the child will ultimately be loved and supported by the church, and that God makes the rules in the end... He was so amazing and made me feel so much better about my decision.
I have not for one second regretted our decision to do IVF. I am still an active member of my parish and have not had one negative thing said to me about IVF... even from older members of the parish.
One thing that has stuck with me in our journey.... the official statement of the Church discusses that ART removed the act of intimacy from procreation. But as anyone who has ever gone through IVF would know, it is the most intimate act one can complete. Much more intimate than fumbling around in a car, or even making love with one's spouse. IVF goes much much deeper and there is intimacy created that one cannot even imagine.
Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Skoorb... that last paragraph... exactly.

Pursuing IVF is an incredible act of love on the part of both parents.

Meepit · August 2009

Echloe:
I am also Catholic and know that IUI is not allowed. And even clomid is not allowed. Just as bcps are frowned upon. My husband and I decided to go through fertility treatment anyway after personal reflection. Good luck figuring out what you want to do.

Sorry to contradict, but clomid and other medications are allowed, as is surgery. They are seen as assistance toward conceiving naturally as opposed to replacing the reproductive act of sex.

Echloe · August 2009

smilee:
skoorbnibor:
I hope I don't upset you by replying (with a baby in my sig) but I am also Catholic. Once we realized IVF was our only option, I had a wonderful conversation with my priest. He was totally supportive, and reminded me that the child will ultimately be loved and supported by the church, and that God makes the rules in the end... He was so amazing and made me feel so much better about my decision.
I have not for one second regretted our decision to do IVF. I am still an active member of my parish and have not had one negative thing said to me about IVF... even from older members of the parish.
One thing that has stuck with me in our journey.... the official statement of the Church discusses that ART removed the act of intimacy from procreation. But as anyone who has ever gone through IVF would know, it is the most intimate act one can complete. Much more intimate than fumbling around in a car, or even making love with one's spouse. IVF goes much much deeper and there is intimacy created that one cannot even imagine.
Best of luck in whatever you decide.
Skoorb... that last paragraph... exactly.
Pursuing IVF is an incredible act of love on the part of both parents.

This

Dragonfly1226 · August 2009

I was raised Catholic, but I'm not as strict as I used to be. I think it's such a personal decision, and everyone has to do what is right for them. If you are worried about it, I would go talk to your priest. You may be surprised about what he says. Good luck!

XXXXX222 · August 2009

We are not Catholic, but Orthodox Christian. Our faith has similar views on IVF, though apparently some people think IUI is okay. My husband didn't struggle with our decision to do IVF at all, but I did a bit. In the end, we decided that God has blessed us with these medical advances for a reason. I love how it was said above that IVF *is* intimate.

DaniGirl0517 · August 2009

Meepit:
Echloe:
I am also Catholic and know that IUI is not allowed. And even clomid is not allowed. Just as bcps are frowned upon.
Sorry to contradict, but clomid and other medications are allowed, as is surgery. They are seen as assistance toward conceiving naturally as opposed to replacing the reproductive act of sex.

This, I don't know much but I was told that Clomid and other medications ARE allowed as long as you accept the consequences. If you end up having triplets or more, you can't "reduce," you keep them all. I asked as soon as I was put on Prometrium and was told the med are a-ok

TandW · August 2009

My H & I are active Catholics. We struggled with our decision to move forward with IVF but ultimately decided together that it's the right thing for us. Since we've been diagnosed with MFI that no surgery could correct, our only option is IVF with ICSI as well as adoption. Through this journey, we've become more intimate & closer than anyone could imagine (needles will do that to ya. LOL) and still feel that we're making the right choice. Good luck!!!

Echloe · August 2009

DaniGirl0517:
Meepit:
Echloe:
I am also Catholic and know that IUI is not allowed. And even clomid is not allowed. Just as bcps are frowned upon.
Sorry to contradict, but clomid and other medications are allowed, as is surgery. They are seen as assistance toward conceiving naturally as opposed to replacing the reproductive act of sex.
This, I don't know much but I was told that Clomid and other medications ARE allowed as long as you accept the consequences. If you end up having triplets or more, you can't "reduce," you keep them all. I asked as soon as I was put on Prometrium and was told the med are a-ok

maybe things have changed but when I went to natural family planning pre-Cana class they told us bcps were not allowed and that anything additional that isn't you your husband and God is not acceptible.

katieranck2202 · August 2009

Echloe:
I am also Catholic and know that IUI is not allowed. And even clomid is not allowed. Just as bcps are frowned upon. My husband and I decided to go through fertility treatment anyway after personal reflection. Good luck figuring out what you want to do.

Actually, any medication is allowed to help infertility as long as the act of creation is done between a man and a woman. I have taken clomid, femera, metformin, actos, HCG shots. I have had an HSG and DH had an SA with perforatated condom.

BCP and normal condoms are not accepted and TTA is only achieved by charting and abstaining.

piccolina09 · August 2009

I tried natural conception- the way God wanted me to, but my endo is the problem. Endo is a disease and God does not give you disease. He did not give me this as a sign I shouldn't have bio. children. I gave natural conception a chance and now would take all the tech. possible to create my family--HOWEVER---every embryo that was created would be given a chance at life. I met with my priest and those were the two things he stressed, did you try the natural way first---yes---and you have to give every embryo a chance at life. We did both and feel good about it.

dulcinea03 · August 2009

I am Catholic and I did IVF. I actually had a very interesting conversation with a priest on a retreat about 6 months before I started our IVF process. His view was that reproductive technology to allow loving, married couples have the children they desire, is an act of God, not of Satan. If God were not involved, the miracle of life would not happen. PERIOD. Life comes from God, and IVF babies are just as much children of God as any other child conceived naturally. I came out of it with a great deal of peace.

We have committed to ourselves to give all of our embryos a chance at life. We put 2 back, and have 2 on ice. If it is God's will that I be the mother of 4, than we will welcome them with open arms. If not, than I will love the children I am blessed with.

ITA agree with the poster who spoke about IVF being an act of love and intimacy. Yes, there are lots of meds, needles, and doctors involved, but there is also a committment from both you and your DH during the process. I have to say that watching the ET happen on the ultrasound, watching the doc place the embryos, was one of the most memorable, and loving moments of our marriage. Seeing the look of love and wonder on DH's face is something I will always treasure.

Dr.Loretta · August 2009

I believe IUI using a perforated condom is considered OK. You may want to google the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement on ART, as they have a document (I don't have the link on this computer) that spells it out.

Good luck

MBandBud · August 2009

We are Catholic and we have decided to move forward. It was not an easy decision. We will not destroy any embryos in the process and will limit the number of eggs fertilized. Truly a personal decsion and I will pray for you as you go along this journey. Hang in there and hold onto hope.

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