Highlights and Resources from Fertility Show Africa 2021

 

Highlights

The Fertility Show Africa was proudly supported by IFAASA (Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa) and SASREG (South African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy).

It was a wonderful opportunity for our Medfem team to be part of this second annual Fertility Show Africa. Following its hugely successful debut last year, this year’s show was presented as a fully interactive two-day online event that offered access to attendees from around South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world to discover everything they need to know before, during and after their fertility journey.

More than 700 registrants, attendees and participants from 22 countries visited the show, some describing the show as “really well put together with a wealth of knowledge and information that was exceptional”, “overflowing with information”, “very helpful and relevant”, and “very useful information from the experts”.

A key attraction of the show was the Expert Talks covering a range of topics – from global fertility trends and IVF to surrogacy and adoption – designed to inform and enlighten couples who are trying to start or grow their family. These were presented by a wide range of world-leading specialists, experts and clinicians, including both our Dr Antonio Rodrigues – a reproductive medicine specialist and a founder and director of Medfem Fertility Clinic in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa and Dr Mandy Rodriques, our resident clinical psychologist at Medfem Fertility Clinic.

In an insightful opening talk on the first day of the Fertility Show Africa, Dr Tony highlighted trends that are driving an increase in the number of women who require assistance to achieve a pregnancy. The first trend is that people are having fewer children. The second trend that is also clearly evident globally – and very important from a fertility point of view – is that the average age at which women become mothers is now 30. From a low of around 26 during the 1960s and 70s, the average age at which women become mothers has risen to 30 today. You can read the article about “What Women Can Do About Age-related Infertility” here.

Dr Tony also explained some of the common reasons for growing rates of infertility among today’s modern couples, as well as how the multipronged approach used at Medfem Fertility Clinic – along with our comprehensive range of advanced treatments – ensure our modern fertility patients receive cutting-edge care, so they have the very best chance of fulfilling their dream of having a baby. You can read the article about “Cutting-Edge Care for Modern Fertility Patients” here.

Dr Mandy talked about the importance of mental health whilst trying to conceive against the background of the modern world. She has worked in the field of infertility for the past 25 years and a large part of her practice involves stress management, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to infertility. Dr Mandy has presented and published various books and articles on the subject.

Some of the other highlights included a very interesting talk by Dr Mandy entitled “Losing my DNA” and a panel discussion with her about donor disclosure and transparency.

Talking about the show, Dr Mandy, who is also the SASREG Chairperson of Counselling, said: “It was a resounding success. Given the virtual platform, we were able to pack even more into this year’s show. The show was informative, allowing national and international speakers from top fertility specialists to support groups and some comedic, light-hearted engagements all the way from New York. I was intrigued by the quality of the talks and the Q & A platforms where speakers offered sound advice and as well as the quality of the speakers who are top of their field and in keeping with international trends.”

Resources for You

The Fertility Show Africa Fertility Handbook is an informative “jargon free” guide and an ideal starting point for anyone with questions around fertility, or those about to embark on the journey to parenthood.

You can get your copy by clicking here: https://www.fsafertilityhandbook.com/grab-your-copy.

The show speakers and sponsors, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa, SASREG, Salome Range, 3 Sixty Biomedicine, Anastellar Brands and IVF Babble, also made the Fertility Show Africa video replays available to the public to help raise awareness of infertility on World Fertility Day.

You can click here to watch the recordings of expert talks and panel discussions from Day 1 and here to watch the recordings of expert talks and panel discussions from Day 2.

Fertility Show Africa was also a platform for showing heartfelt films and plays that help raise awareness of infertility.

The Curse of the Womb is a new play by Sisa Congress V Makaula III with the script developed by Lwanda Sindaphi. This Fleur De Cap winner directs an amazing cast of six talented individuals who come from different backgrounds and give powerful energy to the concept of infertility. The Curse Of The Womb seeks to interrogate the myth that women who cannot conceive are cursed. For many years the African perspective of shame and isolation have destroyed many marriages and relationships and the issues surrounding infertility are not often discussed in public. This has affected a lot of women throughout generations, driving them into depression because they were blamed for the inability to bear a child. Infertility is a disease like any other which the creative director, Sisa Makaula, explores in this cutting-edge production. Cast: Themkile Komani as Gideon; Zimasa Nyamende as Matshezi; Philani “Steve” Xhaga as Zikhali; Siyanda Yokwana as the doctor; Zinzi Mtshakaza as Bonita and Sibulele Bulelani Ntlebi as Nomzamo.

You can watch the play here.

Multi- award-winning filmmaker and entrepreneur, Molatelo Mainetje-Bossman documented her 10-year struggle to conceive through her documentary film When Babies Don’t Come. You can watch this documentary by clicking here.

There are also some delicious healthy recipes to try at fertilityshowafrica.com/recipes.

You can still talk to us!

If you missed us at this year’s Fertility Show Africa, or did not get a chance to meet us while there, we would like to invite you to contact us at Medfem Fertility Clinic.

We are a leading fertility clinic in South Africa, with a world-renowned team of Reproductive Specialists, who have helped bring more than 18,500 babies into the world.

Our well-respected SASREG-accredited facility is purpose-built for the best in modern technology and the latest advances in the IVF industry. We are proud of our reputation for ethical treatment and high-value care from a team that provides thorough evaluations to diagnose factors contributing to Infertility, resulting in high pregnancy and live birth success rates.
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.

We look forward to meeting you at Medfem Fertility Clinic!