DID YOU KNOW?
3,400 fertility treatments per million people are performed annually in Israel!
FACTS: AN INCREASING NUMBER OF COUPLES ARE STRUGGLING WITH FERTILITY ISSUES
For many couples that have been coping with infertility, in vitro fertilization or IVF treatment (the process by which eggs cells are removed from the ovaries, fertilized with male sperm outside the body, and then placed in the uterus) may be their only prospect of conceiving their own biological child.
Israel performs the highest number of IVF procedures per capita in the world, with approximately 20,000 procedures performed each year. 3,400 fertility treatments per million people are performed in Israel, (significantly greater when compared to the 300 treatments per million in England)
Israel ranks 4th in the world in artificial insemination, and 5% of Israeli children are born as a result of IVF (compared to 1% in England).
The fertility and IVF fields are an attractive attribute for health tourism, Israel is considered a "fertility empire" despite the fact that Israeli population numbers only 7 million people.
In addition IVF and fertility costs are significantly lower than in the US.
The success of IVF treatments greatly depends on the expertise of the staff and doctors of the clinic where the treatment is being performed. Israel is internationally renowned for its impressive track record of IVF treatments with high success rates at considerably lower costs. With success rates well above the global average, Israel has become a popular destination for thousands of couples seeking fertility treatments.
Israelmedtours is a Medical Health Tour Operator. © 2011 Israel Medical Tours. www.israelmedtours.com
Halacha:
IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination)
The short answer is that Judaism tends to approve most procedures for women, as long as they do not unduly affect the health of the woman in question. The Halacha is a little more circumspect, however, with relation to procedures involving male infertility. Artificial donor insemination (by a man other than the husband) is generally viewed as unacceptable and surrogate motherhood is also extremely controversial. However, the normal approach is to see most accepted medical procedures, as ways of helping the Divine process of birth through a medical helping hand. As such, they are generally accepted and indeed encouraged.
Adoption:
More and more of these couples are taking their determination to enter Jewish parenthood to the next level by adopting a child. The latest NJPS notes that just over 5 percent of American Jewish households have children who are adopted -- a 2 percent increase since the 1990 survey. Anecdotal evidence indicates a rise in the observant community as well.
"Adoption is definitely more sought after and accepted in the religious community [now]," says Brany Rosen, founder and director of A T.I.M.E., A Torah Infertility Medium of Exchange, an international non-profit organization devoted to the support and education of Jewish infertile couples and their families. Virtual Jerusalem
National Health System in Israel:
The health funds also cover a number of infertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization. Note that a number of criteria must be met in order to be eligible for
in-vitro treatments. For instance, the couple must have resided in Israel, and been a member of a premium insurance plan, for a continuous period of no less than the previous twenty-four months. In most cases, the health funds will cover treatments only for a first or second child. Ministry of Immigrant Absorption
Support Groups:
A T.I.M.E. A Torah Infertility Medium of Exchange www.atime.org provides support for those of the Orthodox Jewish faith, including a message forum and weekly chats.
