Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food . . . yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3: 17-18)

Man comforting a woman

Struggling with infertility and miscarriage is a great burden for couples, especially when they so deeply desire to live out their vocation to welcome the gift of children from God. All may seem hopeless. In moments such as these, remember that despite infertility, couples "can have a married life that is filled with love and meaning" (see Married Love and the Gift of Life). It is important to remember that infertile couples are fruitful when their married love is "open to others, to the needs of the apostolate ... the needs of the poor...the needs of orphans" and to the world (St. John Paul II, Homily, 1982; quoted in Married Love and the Gift of Life).

As married couples who are faced with infertility seek medical solutions, they will find additional challenges. Although "some solutions offer real hope for restoring a couple's natural, healthy ability to have children," the general medical approach to and procedures for infertility "pose serious moral problems by failing to respect the dignity of the couple's marital relationship, of their sexuality, or of the child" (see Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology and   Reproductive Technologies: Guidelines for Catholic Couples ).

The Church, with sincere compassion and empathy for couples struggling with infertility, offers guidance and hope through her teachings on how to understand and approach infertility in a way that reverences and protects the dignity of the human person and respects God's divine plan for married love.

The male and female bodies are made to be able to procreate together. When infertility is apparent, the challenge is to diagnose and address problems so these bodies can function as they should—and there is no moral problem in doing this, any more than there is in other medical treatments to restore health. (Life Giving Love in an Age of Technology)

Today, there are a variety of moral approaches to treat suspected infertility. For example, learning how to pinpoint the fertile window to maximize the chance of conception with NFP use is very effective for some problems (to contact an NFP provider, see Learn NFP). And, some medical procedures or treatments such as hormonal medications, surgery to repair damaged or blocked Fallopian tubes, and other restorative reproductive medical treatments that "do not substitute for the married couple's act of loving union" can help husband and wife to conceive a baby (see Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology).

Throughout this struggle, the husband and wife can turn to the Lord God of all creation and ask that His will be done. This great act of faith, accompanied by striving to seek ways to live the fruitfulness of their conjugal union, including prayerful discernment about adoption or foster parenting, will fortify spouses and help them live their vocation in the love of the Holy Spirit.

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Below are resources in which the Church provides theological and pastoral directives on how to approach the challenge of infertility in accordance with the dignity of the human person and reverence for God as the author and creator of life.

Church Teaching

The Holy See

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997
This comprehensive treatment of the Church's teaching touches upon every facet of the Christian faith. While references to marriage and family can be found throughout the Catechism, in order to understand Catholic teaching on infertility, it would be helpful to first read about the "fruitfulness" of marriage at 2366-2372 and the "gift of the child" at 2373-2379. The subject of infertility and medical techniques can be found at 2375-2377. A discussion on the immorality of artificial insemination can be found at 2376. The suffering of infertility is treated in 2374.

Dignitas Personae (On Certain Bioethical Questions) 2008, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Released by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, this document grapples with a number of bio-ethical questions raised in response to modern technological advancements in the field of human fertility and infertility. Using the principles of Catholic moral teaching, the document brings clarity and truth to the debates surrounding both procreation and genetic manipulation.

Donum Vitae (Instruction on Respect for Human Life) 1987, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
This text is the predecessor to the above document, Dignitas personae. Written in the midst of significant medical innovation on assisted reproductive technology, Donum vitae defends the gift and dignity of human life (particularly in its earliest stages), against the onset of intrusive and immoral scientific innovation.

USCCB

Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology, (Spanish) 2009, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
This pastoral teaching on marriage and infertility brings Catholic moral principles into the discussion on modern reproductive technologies. The bishops defend the dignity of procreation, reserving it to the conjugal union of spouses. The moral and immoral means of remedying infertility are discussed.

Ethical Directives for Catholic Hospitals (Sixth Edition) 2018, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 
This document provides instruction for Catholic hospitals and health care professionals regarding the mission and scope of their work. Addressing both pastoral and moral issues alike, the bishops provide guidance on the standards expected of those in Christian health care. The Directives include instruction on specific moral dilemmas encountered in the health care field including those that pertain to human fertility and life.

Resources for Catholic Couples

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Please be advised that the content below represents the thoughts of the authors. Links to external websites are provided solely for the user's convenience. Reference to these sites does not imply USCCB official endorsement.

If you have resource suggestions, please send them to nfp@usccb.org.

Books

Articles

Internet Resources

Ethical Medical Treatment

  • Fertility Education Medical Management (FEMM)--Medical Platform
    Please note: FEMM does not require its teachers or medical practitioners to be "NFP-only." It is important to discuss this concern with individual FEMM providers who may be "NFP-only." That said, the physicians of the medical platform practice medicine in accordance with Catholic teachings.
     
  • MyCatholicDoctor.com is the largest platform of Catholic physicians who are trained in Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) in the USA. They offer RRM billed to insurance as well as education in seven different methods of Natural Family Planning (which can be a "first step" to evaluating a married couple's fertility).
     
  • Paul VI Institute, home of FertilityCare and NaPro Technology
    The St. Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction is devoted to ethical women's healthcare that supports Catholic teaching.
     
  • FACTS Resource: Restorative Reproductive Medicine for Infertility
    This two-page resource provides basic information about ethical Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM). FACTS is an organization that is devoted to educating healthcare professionals about these ethical medical interventions as well as the science and methods of Natural Family Planning.

Podcasts

Prayers

Videos

  • Humanae vitae and the Cross of Infertility. Elizabeth Kirk, JD (Video)
    This presentation was given at the 2018 fiftieth anniversary celebration of Humanae vitae (Washington, DC). The full presentation can be found in the publication of the proceedings available from The Catholic University of American Press.

Websites

  • Hannah’s Tears resources for infertility
     
  • Springs in the Desert
    This Catholic ministry is devoted to helping women and married couples struggling with infertility. The website's founders are women who received their graduate degrees from the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Listen to a podcast with one of the founders Ann Koshute on Always Hope with Dr. Mario Sacasa, PhD, LMFT. (To hear from the founders about their ministry and how it can help support marriages see this video.)
     
  • Springs of Love
    This is a Catholic website for foster care and adoption support. In their own words, the mission of Springs of Love is to raise up more Catholic foster and adoptive families and to support those touched by fostering and adoption through educational programming, small groups, and parish care teams. Springs of Love hopes to convey both the beauty and the challenges of fostering and adoption with attention to such issues as adoption after infertility, the impact of trauma on children, parenting a child with special needs, the adoption triad, navigating relationships with birth families, the language surrounding fostering and adopting, the role of the Church in caring for children in need of parents, and more.
     
  • The Fruitful Hollow
    The Fruitful Hollow offers resources for Catholics facing infertility. Among its resources are: a weekly blog; free digital resources for use in parishes, etc.; a community of support; and mentorship (The Sisters of Hannah Ministry). Founded by Catholic women who have carried the cross of infertility, this website has is a rich source of practical information that is aligned with Catholic teaching and inspiration.

 

Further Reading

Media

NFP Conversations--Infertililty, One Woman's Story

youtube.com/watch?v=0B76_tkrCIs&t=22s

In this episode of NFP Conversations, host Theresa Notare and guest, Jennifer Kluge discuss living God's plan for married love and the gift of life and the challenge of infertility. Among the points of discussion covered is that young women should learn about their fertility well before they become engaged. Learning the meaning behind charting their menstrual cycles can help them understand if their reproductive hormones are healthy or not. Early intervention with ethical medical protocols can correct future problems.

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