10-04-2025
SC has declared Infertility Awareness Week — now let's protect IVF
Sarah Brown, a Birmingham, Alabama, resident and in vitro fertilization patient, holds a sign saying 'I'm Here Because of IVF' at the Alabama Statehouse on Feb. 28, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. (File photo by Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
When my infertility journey began back in 2015, no one I knew was talking about it.
It felt like this secret club no one wanted to admit they were in.
That's why I'm so proud that, thanks to recent advocacy efforts, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a proclamation (provided below) officially recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week, which will be observed April 20–26.
It's a powerful step in acknowledging that infertility is real; it's medical; and it affects 1 in 7 couples in the U.S. — including me.
Awareness about infertility is just the beginning.
Because of my infertility, I tried multiple treatment options — including four rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and three rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
In the end, we walked away with one living child and one miscarriage that required a dilatation and curettage (D&C) procedure.
We paid 100% out of pocket for treatment because, as a military family, we don't have insurance coverage for infertility care unless it's due to a direct injury to reproductive organs.
That's something most people don't realize. And it's just one example of how broken and inconsistent the system is when it comes to supporting people who want to build a family.
That's part of what drives me today.
I now run my own business, Empowered Infertility, as an IVF mindset coach and host the 'More Than Your Infertility' podcast.
Since 2019, I have worked with women all over the country to help them emotionally navigate the IVF rollercoaster — because I know firsthand how hard it is and how isolating it can feel.
Recently, I participated in a federal advocacy day through Resolve (the national infertility association) where I met with South Carolina legislators alongside other residents impacted by infertility. We shared our stories — the heartbreak, the medical treatments, the financial burden — all in hopes of helping lawmakers understand what's at stake.
One of the people who joined us was a hopeful grandmother from the Lowcountry.
Her son and daughter-in-law are currently going through IVF to try to start a family — to make her a grandma. And she wanted lawmakers to know that even as a Catholic, she fully supports access to IVF care.
Her voice reminded me that this issue crosses political, religious, and generational lines. It's about people, not parties.
That's why I'm grateful for the work of the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN).
WREN has been a tireless force in South Carolina for years, helping to secure access to contraception, protect bodily autonomy, and defend the right to make informed reproductive decisions.
They've helped pass laws like the Pharmacy Access Act, which allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control directly — a huge win for health care access in our state.
Now, WREN is helping lead the effort to protect IVF, and they're showing everyday people like me how to use our stories to make a difference — even if we don't have a background in politics.
And here's the thing: You don't have to testify at the Statehouse or publish an op-ed to make your voice count. If you're in the thick of treatments right now, just getting through the day is enough — I've got you.
But if you're on the other side, or you know someone who's walked this path, now is the time to speak up.
Infertility and IVF are no longer topics whispered about in secrecy.
More and more people are finding the courage to share — not just publicly, but in everyday conversations.
Start with your inner circle. Talk to your friends, your coworkers, your community.
When lawmakers hear from people they know and love, it changes everything.
IVF isn't a first option. It's often the last resort after years of trying less invasive treatments.
It's not a luxury. It's a medical treatment option. It's a lifeline. And it deserves to be protected.
As we recognize National Infertility Awareness Week here in South Carolina, let's do more than acknowledge the problem.
Let's support the people going through it. Let's protect access to IVF for all the people who will need it and don't even know it.
And let's make sure our lawmakers understand: Infertility is a medical diagnosis that doesn't discriminate — and neither should our laws.
