4.1: Introduction
Many couples envision starting a family without any issues and within the first few months of trying. The reality, though, is that conception is a complex process. The average success rate is only 20 percent to 37 percent for the average young, fertile, and healthy couple becoming pregnant in the first 3 months of trying (Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2017). While most couples do eventually achieve a pregnancy, a small subset of patients requires medical intervention. Some people expect to need infertility treatment, such as those with known medical conditions, members of same-sex relationships, or people who chose to become single parents. Nurses can provide education, community referrals, and emotional support during this time.