Every April, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) brings together people across the U.S. to recognize and address the challenges of infertility. Founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is observed through webinars, fundraisers, rallies, support group sessions, and the Walk of Hope. The mission of the week is to change the conversation about infertility, remove the stigma surrounding it, and empower those facing it to explore all their family-building options.
National Infertility Week 2026
This year, National Infertility Awareness Week begins on Sunday, April 19, and ends on Saturday, April 25. Let’s leverage this week to discover our voice, discuss the challenges confronting this community, and ensure ongoing support for those in greatest need.
Anyone can encounter difficulties in starting a family. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. In fact, 1 in 5 women face difficulty conceiving after trying for at least one year.
Even in these modern times, infertility may feel as though it comes with a stigma, shame, or embarrassment. Infertility is often an experience people keep very private. They may tell only a few close friends they are struggling to add a child to their family. Infertility can affect people of any age, of any racial background, and beyond.
Growing Your Family: Exploring Pregnancy and Adoption
For many couples that face infertility and live out the daily struggle that comes with it, an important question emerges: do you want to be pregnant, or do you want to be parents? It is difficult to determine when to forego fertility treatment and opt for adoption, especially after you have been trying for so long. Fortunately, this is a decision you can make in time.
When Your Heart Is Still Set on Pregnancy
There are many reasons that couples struggle to conceive. Research shows that the leading cause of male infertility is varicocele, a condition that affects sperm quality. In other cases, women have difficulty carrying a pregnancy. Age brings a decline in fertility, so women may also struggle when they decide to start a family later in life. Sometimes, doctors are unable to determine exactly what has caused the problem.
For many couples who struggle with infertility, it can be a big job to detect ovulation, take fertility drugs, and visit the clinic regularly. Additionally, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is extremely expensive. While many women do eventually become pregnant through IVF, they may have to undergo the procedure several times, spending tens of thousands of dollars in the meantime. Fertility treatments often do not work, even when you have spent a lot of money in the hopes of becoming pregnant.
If you want to become pregnant, you may find you have to overcome emotional as well as financial roadblocks. Many women who successfully become pregnant through IVF may experience a miscarriage. As one grieving woman said, “We cried and mourned the loss, and I don’t know if I’m over it yet. Since we couldn’t afford to try again, we had to find a new dream.”
Often, these things just happen, and moving from infertility to adoption may provide the best path forward.
Is having a biological child more important than becoming a parent? This is something only you can answer.
When Being a Parent Becomes the Priority
Some couples determine that becoming a parent is much more important than having a biological child. They choose adoption as a way to grow their family and bring a child into their home. How do you know it’s time to adopt?
It may be time to adopt if you feel at peace with the idea. If you choose adoption, it’s important to take some time to grieve the idea of having a biological child. Otherwise, you may not approach an adopted child with the full openness they deserve. When you accept your infertility, you can approach adoption with a positive attitude and open your arms and your heart to a child who needs a family.
If you haven’t yet answered the question — “Do I want to be a parent, or do I want a biological child?” — you risk backing out of an adoption you were never truly sure about. You also risk disappointing the birth mother who handpicked you to be the stable, loving parents to her baby.
If you’re wondering what that journey from infertility to adoption can actually look like, watch this short video — “Adoption After Infertility: Building Your Family With Lifetime Adoption” — which speaks directly to the cycles of hope and disappointment that fertility treatments can bring, and how adoption offers a clear, certain pathway forward:
You’re not just hoping to become parents anymore. You’re actively building your family.
Finding Peace With Your Path to Parenthood
To fully embrace adoption, it is recommended that you resolve any unaddressed issues related to infertility first. A counselor can help you determine if adoption is the next step that’s right for the two of you. After speaking with a professional, you may decide you want to pursue additional medical options and return to the idea of adoption later.
When you approach adoption, it’s important not to see it as inferior to having a biological child. It is not “second best.” Adoption helps you create a family, and that is your priority.
Some couples wonder if they could love a child that is not biologically theirs. But consider this: a husband is not biologically related to his wife, and yet his love for her is undeniable. Love can exist where a genetic link does not, and that love can be intensely fierce.
Many adoptive parents find that they still pass on characteristics, values, and personality traits to their adopted children. Both nature and nurture play a role in how a child develops. When you adopt a child, you become their parent. That is your child, the one you were meant to have.
Is It Time to Move from Fertility Treatments to Adoption?
Many times, couples feel isolated when they struggle to build a family biologically. Actually, Lifetime’s consultants frequently discuss with couples when it is the right time to move from pursuing pregnancy to adoption to build their families. Each family is unique, and when it is the right time for one partner, it may not yet be for the other.
Lifetime has been successfully helping families grow since 1986. In that time, we’ve seen parents experience common signs that let them know it’s time to pursue adoption. These three signs may indicate it’s time to move from fertility treatments to adoption:
- You are ready to be a parent, with or without experiencing the pregnancy.
There is a difference between wanting to experience pregnancy and wanting to be a mother or father. While those things typically go hand-in-hand with adoption, they don’t have to.
Usually, we see the wife arrive first at this place because she is weary of being poked and prodded in an attempt to become pregnant or sustain a pregnancy. If a woman truly desires to experience pregnancy, adoption isn’t going to help her fulfill that dream. When she prioritizes being called “Mommy” over being pregnant, it’s a sign that it’s time to move on. - Fertility treatments are negatively affecting your relationship.
A journey that begins hopeful but is not as you expected can take a toll on your relationship. If one partner has a specific diagnosis, they may start to feel responsible for their body’s failure, leading to more disappointment and even shame.
Sometimes, resentment begins to build even in the strongest of relationships. While this cycle is something that you go through together, the feelings of failure may be uniquely your own, and the two of you might not feel the loss and disappointment equally. - Fertility treatments are negatively affecting your emotional health.
Attempting pregnancy is usually on a 28-day cycle, one that often ends in failure. Hope builds up over the month, in which each temperature charted, injection received, and pill taken, only to be crushed in an instant when it becomes obvious that pregnancy didn’t occur and it’s time to start over. This cycle of hope and failure is usually more difficult for a woman because she feels like her body is failing, even if she isn’t the one with the infertility diagnosis.
It is not uncommon for women continuing through this journey to begin to retreat from ordinary life and become depressed. Because of the physical (and mental!) effects of fertility treatments, you can start to feel like your body is not your own and that it’s broken. If this is leading to a less joyful life, it may be time to end the treatments.
Mark and Megan’s Story
Mark and Megan came to us reluctantly, asking about adoption. They had good questions, but it was clear they were not on the same page when it came to beginning the adoption process. Mark was the only male in a strong Italian family and wanted a biological child, preferably a son, to carry on his name and his genes. He, however, had male factor infertility.
Megan was exhausted. They had started fertility treatments a year ago and had made an agreement that they would look to adoption after a year. She shared that she no longer wanted to pursue the IUI treatments they had been doing now for twelve cycles.
From Infertility to Adoption
They were not in agreement when it came to moving from fertility treatments to adoption. Mark wanted to continue, but at this point, he had an unwilling partner. It was clear this was wearing on them both and that Megan was ready to be a mom right now.
During our consultation, we explained how adoption isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. Mark and Megan could continue to try naturally for pregnancy while pursuing adoption. Other agencies had let them know that a pregnancy would end their adoption hopes, but we believe that God builds families in many ways.
This was something that made sense, and they quickly were able to resolve their challenges and move forward from fertility treatments to adoption. They agreed to continue to try for a pregnancy without the IUI treatments but start their journey to adopt.
About 14 months later, a birth mother chose them to become parents to her little boy through a beautiful open adoption. Mark shared with us that he no longer felt the strong drive or desire for a biological child. This was the son he had longed for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infertility Awareness Week
When is Infertility Awareness Week 2026?
Infertility Awareness Week 2026 runs from Sunday, April 19, through Saturday, April 25. The week is recognized every April and is dedicated to raising awareness about infertility and removing the stigma surrounding it.
What is Infertility Awareness Week?
Infertility Awareness Week — officially known as National Infertility Awareness Week, or NIAW — is an annual observance founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. It was created to unite Americans affected by infertility, challenge the stigmas surrounding it, and advocate for access to family-building options, including fertility treatments and adoption.
You can take action during this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week by posting on social media, wearing orange, and writing to your reps. Post on social media about your experience with infertility using the hashtags #NIAW, #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek, and #NIAW2026. Find your reps’ pages, follow, and tag them when you post about NIAW.
What is the meaning of fertility awareness?
Fertility awareness refers to understanding how reproductive health works, including the factors that affect the ability to conceive, carry a pregnancy, and build a family. On a broader level, fertility awareness is about reducing shame and silence around infertility so that those struggling feel empowered to seek support and explore all their options, including adoption.
Is infertility common?
Yes. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term, and 1 in 5 women struggle to conceive after trying for at least one year. Infertility affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances, and it impacts both men and women equally.
Is there a color for infertility?
Yes. Orange is the official color of infertility awareness. During National Infertility Awareness Week, advocates are encouraged to wear orange and use orange in their social media posts to show solidarity with those facing infertility.
What causes infertility?
Infertility can stem from a wide range of factors affecting either partner. Common causes include hormonal imbalances, structural issues in the reproductive system, age-related decline in fertility, chronic health conditions, and unexplained factors that doctors are unable to identify even after thorough testing. In roughly a third of cases, infertility is traced to the woman; in another third, to the man; and in the remaining cases, it involves both partners or remains unexplained.
What causes infertility in women?
Research has shown that the most common causes of infertility in women include ovulation disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine abnormalities, and age-related decline in egg quality and quantity. Hormonal imbalances, thyroid conditions, and certain autoimmune disorders can also affect a woman’s ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.
What causes infertility in men?
The leading cause of male infertility is varicocele, a condition that affects sperm quality. Other common causes include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, hormonal imbalances, genetic conditions, infections, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, and prolonged exposure to heat or toxins. In some cases, no clear cause can be identified.
When should couples trying to get pregnant see a doctor?
Most doctors recommend that couples under 35 seek an evaluation after 12 months of trying to conceive without success. For women 35 and older, that timeline shortens to 6 months. Couples should seek earlier evaluation if there is a known health condition affecting fertility, a history of miscarriage, irregular menstrual cycles, or prior cancer treatment.
If you have received an infertility diagnosis and are exploring your options, Lifetime Adoption is here to help. Call Lifetime Adoption at (727) 493-0933 or contact us here for a free consultation.
To begin your adoption, the first step is to share a little about yourselves by completing Lifetime’s free online application to adopt. We’re happy to help you move forward with the adoption process when you’re ready.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on April 21, 2021, and has since been updated.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
0 Comments