Merel van den Berg.
Social media also plays a role. “More and more older women are posting on Instagram and TikTok that they have become mothers. This is often referred to in consultation rooms. This creates wrong expectations, which can cost people dearly. It is possible for you to become pregnant at the age of 43, but it is really an exception. And they don’t mention that.”
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Knowledge
What, according to Aandewiel, can people be better informed about?
“Women’s egg supply decreases from the age of 30, and from the age of 35 the supply decreases even faster. We cannot change that, not even with treatments, but we can make people more aware of it. As a 40-year-old woman, the chance that you will get pregnant within a month is only 5 percent and the chance of miscarriage increases as you get older. The national fertility test shows that people think that lifestyle has a greater influence on fertility than age, but age is really the biggest factor.
Sometimes we forget the men in the fertility story. There are plenty of men who, for example, have an undescended ball that has not been addressed. All of this can also have an effect on fertility.”
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Fertility Foundation
Van den Berg and Aandewiel have therefore set up the Fertility Foundation. “We want to increase knowledge and create awareness about fertility. The phrase ‘a smart girl starts on time’ used to be used when talking about fertility. That is what we have made: ‘Think about your fertility in time’. We hope that this becomes common knowledge.”
How do doctors share their knowledge? “We have a website with scientifically good information about fertility. We will also launch the fertility telephone, so that people can ask their questions to a fertility doctor by calling. We offer individual consultations for people who prefer to talk about it physically. We are also organizing discussion evenings so that like-minded people can come together. We also see that there is a lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals. We also want to distribute more information there, by giving healthcare professionals access to the information and by placing brochures about fertility in various consultation rooms.”
Ultimately, the pair aims for government support. “Fertility care costs a lot. We hope that the government will realize the importance of prevention and that there will be a government campaign to increase knowledge.”
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Goal
Aandewiel hopes to help many people with the foundation. “We notice that people are increasingly postponing their desire to have children and often have too high expectations of fertility treatments. We want to change that. An unfulfilled desire to have children can have a lifelong impact on someone’s life. It brings grief. These can be very sad conversations that we have. Medically speaking, you try to help, but you also want to provide emotional guidance.
We still often hear: ‘If I had known this, I would have made different choices at the time.’ With good information we hope to have fewer people in our consultation room. The goal is to prevent people’s emotional suffering.”
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The Fertility Conversation: Who Knew It Was Such a Modern Dilemma?
By your new favorite mix of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans
So, let’s dive straight in, shall we? Social media: the place where dreams are made and expectations are shattered! Merel van den Berg spills the beans on how, thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, older women are showcasing their motherhood journeys as if they’re just a swipe away. Spoiler alert: It’s not! Just because you saw that lovely lady over the age of 40 popping out a baby, that doesn’t mean you’ll follow suit. It’s like watching a dog on YouTube skateboarding and thinking, “Oh, I can do that!” Just remember, unless you’re a pupil of the canine academy, you might not want to risk it!
Knowledge is Power… But Timing is Everything
Now, let’s discuss the elephant in the room—the notion that older women have the same chances of getting pregnant as they did in their 20s. Aandewiel lays down the law, stating that women’s egg supply starts to take a nosedive after 30. By 35, it’s like trying to find the last slice of pizza at a party—good luck! And if you’re 40? You’ve got about a 5% chance of getting pizza—I mean, pregnant—every month. It’s like playing darts while wearing a blindfold. You might hit a bullseye, but it’s probably going to hit you back!
Let’s not throw the blokes under the bus too quickly, though. It turns out men have their own fertility hurdles. Who knew that a simple undescended ball could leave the romantic plans of your life in a tight spot? Life just loves to throw those curveballs, doesn’t it?
Introducing the Fertility Foundation!
So, what’s the solution? Enter the heroes of our story, Van den Berg and Aandewiel, riding in on the proverbial horse with their Fertility Foundation! Their motto? “Think about your fertility in time!” (Who would have thought that actually thinking ahead was a thing? Right, ladies?) They want everyone to treat fertility knowledge like they treat skincare advice: the earlier, the better! Seriously, if you wouldn’t slather on the anti-wrinkle cream at 45, why would you expect to pop out a kid without planning?
And they’re not just talking big; they’ve got a game plan. A website with scientifically-backed info, a fertility telephone for those burning questions (no, “When will I get knocked up?” does not count as a burning question, darling!), and even discussion evenings. I mean, who wouldn’t want to sit with like-minded folk, sharing a few giggles over the trials and tribulations of baby-making? There’s nothing like it to open a heart—the only thing you might be missing is a good bottle of wine!
A Call to Arms… or Should We Say Government?
Aah, government support—a tricky lot. Van den Berg and Aandewiel are tapping their watch, waiting for some bureaucratic backing to make fertility care a priority. Trust me; when fertility treatments start coming with a discount, we’ll all see the need for a government campaign about this. After all, preventing heartache is a noble cause. Could we raise awareness to the point where people actually know that planning might save them from emotional turmoil? If only we could slap this knowledge on billboards next to the latest ice-cream flavor!
Emotional Turbulence Ahead!
Aandewiel recognizes that the road to parenthood can feel like an emotional rollercoaster that you’re not quite sure you wanted to ride. “If I had known this, I would have made different choices,” is a phrase that haunts many. Let’s face it; nobody wants to stand in a doctor’s office feeling like a contestant on a really bad game show. “Sorry, love, no prize for you today!”
There you have it, folks! It’s a tangled web of timelines, choices, and the oft-forgotten jarring reality of fertility. So if you’ve got a burning desire to become a parent, take a tip from Merel and Aandewiel—start early, plan ahead, and for heaven’s sake, drop the expectations! Otherwise, you might find yourself questioning why you’re wrapped in sorrow and not joy.
Until next time, keep your sense of humor intact and remember: Even if life doesn’t go according to plan, at least your Instagram feed will still look fabulous!
Ks over a cup of tea discussing the intricacies of egg supply and the implications of modern fertility treatments?
Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Merel van den Berg, co-founder of the Fertility Foundation, to understand more about fertility awareness and the pressing need for informed choices.
**Interviewer:** Merel, thank you for joining us. You mentioned that social media is shaping the way older women view motherhood today. Can you elaborate on that?
**Merel van den Berg:** Absolutely! Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are filled with stories of older women celebrating their pregnancies. While this can be inspiring, it sets up unrealistic expectations for many. It’s crucial to remember that while it is possible to conceive at an older age, it’s the exception rather than the norm. Many women in their early 40s face considerable challenges, and those success stories often don’t reflect the reality of most women’s experiences.
**Interviewer:** You also pointed out that there’s a lot of misinformation around fertility, particularly regarding age. What should people know?
**Merel van den Berg:** Yes, awareness is key. Women’s egg quality declines significantly after age 30 and even more drastically after 35. By the time a woman reaches 40, her chances of getting pregnant in any given month drop to around 5%. Additionally, the risks of miscarriage increase. This is something we need to talk about more openly to prepare women for what they may face if they wait too long to start their families.
**Interviewer:** What are some initiatives the Fertility Foundation is undertaking to spread awareness?
**Merel van den Berg:** We are launching a comprehensive initiative to increase knowledge around fertility. We have a website with scientifically accurate information, a dedicated phone line for people to pose questions to fertility experts, and we’re organizing discussions for those who want to connect with others facing the same issues. It’s not just about the women either; we aim to inform men about factors affecting their fertility, too.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear that you’re addressing both sides. As you move forward, what is your ultimate goal with the Fertility Foundation?
**Merel van den Berg:** Our main goal is to help individuals make informed choices about their fertility. We want to prevent the heartbreak of unfulfilled desires for children and reduce the emotional struggles that come with infertility. The more people we can educate now, the fewer people we’ll see in our consultation rooms later, suffering from the emotional turmoil that often follows unexpected fertility challenges.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like your work is not only about providing information but also about fostering a supportive community. Thank you, Merel, for sharing these insights with us today!
**Merel van den Berg:** Thank you for having me! Let’s keep the conversation going to ensure everyone is equipped with the information they need to navigate their fertility journey wisely.
