The vexed issue of infertility – is someone really at fault?
19 November 2015
GEORGE KUIAS
JACKIE was employed by the Papindo Group of Companies as stock controller. She had been with the company for five years after leaving her home province to seek better job opportunities.
Jackie married a policeman, James, and they had no children. She admired her colleagues’ children and wished she could have her own. She didn’t know what the problem might be but remained patient.
James wasn’t so easy-going and started blaming Jackie for not conceiving a child. Jackie admitted that she didn’t know what was wrong and eventually suggested they seek medical advice at the family planning clinic.
James refused this, stubbornly blaming her ‘infertility’.
Weeks went by and James started coming home late at night. He was mostly sober but sometimes arrived drunk. Jackie kept her mouth shut for fear of being bashed.
After some months it was clear that Jackie was losing weight because of the stress of her situation and her suspicions that James was having an affair. The odour of cheap perfume she smelled on him made it obvious.
Regretfully, she decided to visit the family planning clinic alone. The next day she rang her boss to say she was sick and headed to the clinic.
She queued with others until her turn came. The nurse was kind and mostly listened while Jackie spoke of her situation.
The following week Jackie went back to see the gynaecologist, who questioned her and then conducted an examination.
“Jackie, I don’t see any problems with your reproductive system,” he said. “You’re fine. You can conceive. Now you have to persuade your husband to come for a test. I want to do a sperm count to diagnose if he is fertile or infertile.” Jackie thanked the doctor and went home.
On her way, James passed by in his police vehicle and spotted her.
“Where had she been? Is she screwing around?” James could not concentrate on his duties and, when the time came for him to sign off, he hurried home to question Jackie.
To be continued…
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