Q: What is impaired fecundity?

A: Impaired fecundity is the term used for couple who have trouble conceiving or carry a baby in utero once conception occurs. These couples are not necessarily dealing with infertility as much as they are dealing with conception or pregnancy problems.

Impaired fecundity is the term used for couple who have trouble conceiving or carry a baby in utero once conception occurs. These couples are not necessarily dealing with infertility as much as they are dealing with conception or pregnancy problems.

As of 2002, nearly 12% of women over the age of 15 and under the age of 44 experienced impaired fecundity. That rate was reported as 10.2% of the population in 1995 and 8.4% of the population in 1988. Impaired fecundity rates have been on the rise since 1988. The US Census Bureau has noted a reduction in population growth due to an increase in impaired fecundity and infertility. At the current rate of increase, in just 70 years, nearly 1/3 of the female population will have impaired fecundity or infertility. By 2150, that number could jump to 50% of the female population.

Impaired fecundity is treated in much the same way as infertility. If the female is having trouble conceiving, lifestyle changes will be suggested before an official diagnosis of infertility can be made. If after one year, the couple remains unable to conceive, they will no longer be diagnosed with impaired fecundity but infertility.

If the female is having impaired fecundity associated with carrying the fetus in utero, the fertility specialist and the obstetrician will work together to diagnose the reason for miscarriage. The higher the number of miscarriages, the lower the chance of future birth. In some cases, women are forced to stay in bed for the duration of the gestation in order to keep pressure off of the cervix if a lax cervix is the cause of the miscarriage.