desire to have children

The term "desire for children" describes the wish to have a child or to start a family. It can encompass medical, psychological, and social aspects.

If pregnancy does not occur despite regular unprotected sexual intercourse over a period of 12 months (6 months for women over 35 years of age), this is referred to as unfulfilled desire to have children.

First step: Consultations with a gynecologist or urologist/andrologist; Second step: Cycle monitoring, hormone levels, sperm analysis; Third step: Depending on the cause, e.g., hormone treatment, insemination, IVF or ICSI; Accompanying: Psychosocial counseling, e.g., at pro familia, counseling centers or therapists

Yes. Many couples find the unfulfilled desire to have children stressful. Psychological support, for example from fertility clinics or specialized therapists, can help them cope with the emotional pressure.

Gynecological practices (initial consultation, cycle diagnostics), fertility centers (treatment, diagnostics), counseling centers (e.g., pro familia, Donum Vitae, Caritas, specialized therapists), self-help groups or online communities for exchange

In Bremen, same-sex couples and single people now have good opportunities to fulfill their desire to have children – both legally and with advice, financial support and medical assistance.

Since 2021, the state of Bremen has explicitly also provided funding for: unmarried heterosexual couples, same-sex couples (e.g., two women wishing to have children), and individuals who wish to undergo fertility treatment (e.g., women using donor sperm). Requirements: residence in Bremen, medically certified infertility or a medical indication for treatment.

Bremen offers subsidies of up to 50% of the out-of-pocket costs for fertility treatments through its "Fertility Support" program – also for same-sex couples (e.g., lesbian couples) and single women with a medical necessity. The application must be submitted before treatment begins! Requirements are: a joint application as a couple, both partners residing in Bremen. Age: the person who will carry the child must be between 25 and 40 years old (partner: 25 to 50). Medically confirmed infertility and the necessity of treatment are required. The application must be submitted before treatment begins; approval is granted before treatment starts; subsequent documentation of costs will be provided for payment

Costs vary depending on the treatment. Health insurance companies often cover 50% for married couples (maximum 3 attempts), while private services must be paid for entirely out of pocket.

Most fertility clinics treat women up to around 40-42 years of age. Many statutory health insurance companies only cover treatments up to the age of 40 for the woman and 50 for the man. Biologically, the chances of success decrease significantly from the age of 35, and very sharply from the age of 40.