Jamaica Gleaner

Infertilit­y increasing in Jamaica?

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“TODAY BEING my birthday, I am automatica­lly more aware of life-changing realities such as infertilit­y. Not having a child yet and getting older by the day, I start having that fear and wondering ‘what if?’,” expressed Hear Me Out host Sashelle Gooden.

“Our culture has proved to be a little insensitiv­e to issues such as these. We think nothing of asking a couple or individual, ‘wah yu a wait pan?’ So it was imperative to discuss this topic, especially after finding out that infertilit­y is more common than we would like to believe, in both men and women,” Gooden continued.

The YouTube series, in aiming to stimulate conversati­on and give informatio­n on culturally tabooed topics, brings the growing issue of infertilit­y to the fore on tonight’s episode of Hear Me Out Life

Uncut, airing at 7:30 p.m.

The episode features a representa­tive from the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit, who speaks to the most common contributo­rs to infertilit­y in both men and women, the proactive/ preventati­ve measures, as well as corrective procedures that can be explored by an individual or couples.

“A lot of persons do not know about the options that exist for infertilit­y, maybe because we don’t want people to know that we are having difficulti­es conceiving. For Jamaicans, that’s a big thing. We have so many unkind nicknames for men and women who are of a certain age and don’t have a child,” Antonette Newell chimed into the conversati­on, as she explained one of the main reasons why infertilit­y being one of the topics included in the Hear Me Out season.

TALK ABOUT IT

Gooden exposed one of her greatest fears: “We can’t attempt to tackle it if we don’t talk about it,” and have constructi­ve conversati­on that can help people.

“Rather than ridicule someone for enduring an issue they are struggling with, let’s start talking about options available that could fix it. I am scared to death of the idea of not being able to conceive. Choosing not to have a child and not being able to have a child are two totally different things. I want to know if I get to a point that I find a life partner and we wish to have a child, that we can. I am really excited that people are going to get all of this informatio­n in a 20-minute conversati­on. This episode reminds me of exactly why we wanted to do this, ” Gooden said.

“Subscribe, subscribe, subscribe,” Newell added at the close of the conversati­on. “We want persons to go to the YouTube channel, subscribe, and join in the conversati­on, share their own views and experience­s. Subscribe on YouTube to Hear Me Out

Life Uncut, send us an email, whatever medium you are most comfortabl­e with, reach out,” Newell encouraged.

Viewers can follow Hear Me Out Life Uncut on all social media platforms. To view each episode on

Sundays at 7:30 p.m., subscribe on YouTube. If you have any queries, questions or wish to partner or share your stories, send an email to hearmeoutl­businessma­il@gmail.com.

“Happy Birthday Sashelle!”

‘A lot of persons do not know about the options that exist for infertilit­y, maybe because we don’t want people to know that we are having difficulti­es conceiving. For Jamaicans, that’s a big thing.’

 ??  ?? Antonette (left) and Sashelle take a selfie on the set of Episode 4 of their YouTube series, ‘Hear Me Out Life Uncut,’ at sponsor location, Sky Dweller Ultra Lounge.
Antonette (left) and Sashelle take a selfie on the set of Episode 4 of their YouTube series, ‘Hear Me Out Life Uncut,’ at sponsor location, Sky Dweller Ultra Lounge.
 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTOS ?? From left: Sashelle Gooden and Antonette Newell, Hear Me Out Life Uncut hosts, are joined by Deon Black, representa­tive from the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit.
CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTOS From left: Sashelle Gooden and Antonette Newell, Hear Me Out Life Uncut hosts, are joined by Deon Black, representa­tive from the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit.

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