Irine Lagat-Fischer, a nurse from Tucson, Arizona, described on Apr. 15 her struggle to conceive and the challenges she faced seeking fertility care as a Black woman. After two years of unsuccessful attempts and costly treatments, she found better support at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The story highlights ongoing disparities in fertility treatment access and outcomes for Black women. Research published in Fertility & Sterility shows that Black women are less likely than white women to seek or receive fertility evaluations or treatments despite having similar rates of infertility.
Lagat-Fischer said her journey involved misdiagnoses and recommendations for expensive procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) without thorough assessment. She noted that when her husband, who is white, accompanied her to appointments, medical staff communicated more clearly with them. “I felt like I was being heard differently when he was there,” she said.
Keith Fischer described the emotional impact: “It was hard to navigate a situation where you have a partner that is sad, frustrated and fearing she’ll never have a family. It was gut-wrenching for me.” After spending $20,000 on unsuccessful IVF cycles elsewhere, the couple sought help at Cedars-Sinai. Jessica Chan, MD, clinic director of the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center at Cedars-Sinai, said: “Every couple deserves an individualized plan that is tailored to their specific health needs.” Chan emphasized the importance of communication and trust between doctor and patient but acknowledged implicit bias can affect care.
Following new treatment at Cedars-Sinai based on a comprehensive review of their case, Lagat-Fischer became pregnant within weeks. She now encourages other Black women to advocate for themselves if they feel unheard by healthcare providers.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has served patients since its founding in 1902 and admitted over 50,000 patients during 2022 according to its annual report.
Lagat-Fischer concluded: “I would go through that journey again to have my children. It was all worth it.”
