Fertility Week Ambassador

Fertility Week Ambassador Dame Valerie Adams spoke at the Auckland and Waikato events during Fertility Week, as well as fronting our radio campaign and speaking to media.

Our heartfelt thanks to Dame Valerie for endorsing our kaupapa and helping kiwis start the conversation about infertility, learn vital facts as well as when and where to seek help.  

A couple is regarded as having a fertility problem when they have not conceived after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse or when they have a medical condition which can affect fertility, such as irregular periods.  Infertility is a medical condition recognised by the World Health Organisation.

There are many contributors of infertility; common problems include poor sperm quality, damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis and hormonal imbalances – to name a few. 

Infertility is not just a female problem – in about 40% of infertile couples the problem is a female factor, in about 40% it is a male one and for the remaining 20% there is a joint problem, or the cause is unknown.

There are many different forms of whanau in today's society, some of which are made possible with the help of donors and surrogates.  

By the age of 45, 1 in 5 NZ women and couples who try to have a baby will experience infertility.  Most people who will experience infertility will have the child or children they want if they enter their reproductive years with good information – such as the importance of woman’s age, acting sooner rather than later, the importance of lifestyle, treatment options.  Know your chances, and improve your chances!