Infertility counseling for Orthodox Jewish couples.
OBJECTIVE
To examine traditional Jewish concepts and practices of reproduction, and define problems that may arise in members of Orthodox Jewish society that follows the Halachah (the Jewish codes of conduct).


METHODS
Expert opinion based on clinical experience.


METHODS
Academic-affiliated fertility clinic situated in an observant Jewish community.


METHODS
Orthodox and Ultraorthodox (Haredi) couples of the Jewish community.


METHODS
We examined traditional Jewish concepts and practices of reproduction and defined problems that may arise in Jewish Orthodox society.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
The concepts and practices of reproduction of Orthodox religious Jewish couples may lead to halachic subfertility and modification of the usual infertility workup. Treatments are limited to and determined largely by considerations related to religious doctrine.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the religious, social, and cultural background of patients, particularly religious Orthodox women, enables appropriate fertility counseling and treatment.
Haimov-Kochman
Ronit
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Centre, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel. kochman@hadassah.org.il
Rosenak
Daniel
D
Orvieto
Raoul
R
Hurwitz
Arye
A
D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D033003:Eastern Orthodoxy / Q000523:psychology*; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007585:Jews / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D007599:Judaism; D019369:Life; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology