Monday, December 28, 2009

Do you love someone who is infertile?

The latest statistics show that one in six couples experiences infertility in some form, so chances are, we all know someone who can benefit from this new book by Shari DeGraff Stewart and Julia Fichtner Krahm.

The AFA's Corey Whelan reviews their new book "Do You Love Someone Who is Infertile?" which offers some great advice on how to support a loved one who is experiencing infertility. She writes, "In the same way that it is hard to comfort someone who has recently lost a loved one, or who has just gotten a diagnosis of cancer, it is often difficult to find the right words to say to who is going through infertility."

Check it out

http://www.examiner.com/x-24753-Brooklyn-Infertility---Miscarriage-Examiner~y2009m12d14-Do-you-love-someone-who-is-infertile--A-book-review-for-the-holidays

Monday, December 7, 2009

Infertility Short Film Competition Winners

The In The Know Short Film Competition sought to eliminate the stigma of infertility and encourage couples who have struggled with infertility to share their stories and lend support for other couples hesitant in openly discussing their journey. The winners were announced in November, watch each of the top three most compelling short films here.

http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/film/

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Israel moves toward allowing egg donations among lesbian couples

More progress in Israel for third-party reproduction. At present no doctor in Israel is authorized to extract eggs from a healthy woman and transfer them to another woman, but new legislation is expected to permit egg donations in Israel, and is expected to substantially reduce the current demand among Israelis for egg donations from abroad.

Read on:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1131609.html

Friday, November 13, 2009

Parenting Children Conceived with Donor Gametes- Phone Coaching

Another great resource from the AFA for those who:
  • are considering the use of donor sperm, egg, or embryo to create their children
  • are already parenting children created by donor sperm, egg, or embryo

During this one hour group conference call, you’ll receive information on:

  • The pros and cons of disclosure to children of their genetic origin
  • What and when to share this information with children if you so choose
  • How or whether to share this information with family or friends
Check it out at:
http://theafa.org/community/event/free_coaching_group_via_your_telephone_parenting_children_conceived_with_do


Friday, November 6, 2009

Donor Egg Option and How To Be Happy About It

A great piece written by Diana LaRose about the challenges of embracing the donor egg option. A refreshing perspective of how to move past the negative and toward feeling truly good about the decision to work with an egg donor.


http://beyondjane.com/family/motherhood/how-to-accept-the-egg-donor-option-and-even-be-happy-about-it/

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Latest On Egg Freezing from ASRM

Once again the white-hot topic at ASRM's annual meeting this year, egg freezing makes news as the experts unite and discuss the latest developments.

http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/10/28/more-good-fertility-news-egg-freezing-ivf-and-academics/

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

ASRM Live!

Didn't make it to ASRM in Atlanta this year? Follow all the happenings as they happen on AFA's supercharged Twitter page. It's almost as if you were there!

http://twitter.com/theafa

Monday, October 12, 2009

More discussion about the rights of the donor-conceived

Yesterday's article from the Boston Globe regarding the range of opinions regarding the rights of the donor-conceived and the rights of the donor. This is a topic we are sure to be hearing much more about as the number of donor-conceived children reaching adulthood grows dramatically each year. The comment section on this piece is interesting and worth a look as well.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/11/for_sperm_bank_era_courts_need_clearer_rules/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6

Friday, October 9, 2009

A New Day- One Family's Journey Through Surrogacy

A very sweet and touching video of a family's journey through surrogacy. We dare you to watch without feeling a little tug at the heartstrings:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgT7rbyixso

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Look At Surrogacy In Utah

An interesting look at the progress of gestational surrogacy in Utah four years after Utah Legislature approved gestational agreements as part of the Uniform Parentage Act. Utah and 13 other states have laws that allow surrogacy contracts. Approximately 11 states prohibit surrogacy, while laws are unclear or do not directly address surrogacy in the remaining states.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Changing Attitudes Toward Surrogacy in Western Europe

A thought-provoking article by Jule Treneer, an American columnist based in Paris about imminent legislative changes in France related to gestational surrogacy. The article touches on law, religion and bioethics from a Western European perspective. Interesting stuff!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

What happens to extra embryos after IVF?

As if there weren't enough to consider when embarking on the road toward parenthood through the use of assisted reproduction, there is the frozen embryo consideration. What to do? Donation, donation to research, and what about all that stem-cell progress you keep hearing about?

This is a great article by Laura Beil from Parenting.com about the deliberation experienced by those who have lived it.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/01/extra.ivf.embryos/

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Transcending; Words on Women and Hope

This is a YouTube post of Kelly Corrigan. She is a columnist and author of The Middle Place, and is filmed reading a very empowering and emotional piece about the ability of women, when challenged, to overcome any obstacle together. It will, at the very least, change your perspective on the day. It's worth the 5 minutes :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

H1N1 and Fertility

If the media coverage and your friends who have already had it haven't yet convinced you, the fact is, you really don't want H1N1, particularly if you are planning on conceiving. An article from AFA written by Dr. Benjamin Sandler talks about the threat of the flu as it relates to fertility.

http://theafa.typepad.com/theafablog/2009/08/you-h1n1-family-.html

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Fate of Frozen Embryos

An article from this month's Parenting Magazine about the realities of frozen embryos through IVF. Very insightful look at the various options and into the lives of a few families who faced some tough decisions related to embryo disposition.


http://www.parenting.com/article/Fertility/Infertility/The-Fate-of-Frozen-Embryos

Friday, August 14, 2009

The Changing Face of Surrogacy

A lot has changed since the "infancy" of surrogacy. Today it has emerged from shrouded and mysterious beginnings to a topic openly discussed as an option for couples and individuals facing infertility, as well as an option for same-sex couples. A great article from the New York Times about modern surrogacy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/21brod.html

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

12 Myths of Parenting After Infertility

The promised land of a child can seem unattainable and million miles away as you embark on your journey toward parenthood. Even so, there are concerns and issues that you and your partner may not have considered that will play a major role in the lives of both parent and child. This is a great article by psychologist Joann Paley Galst that touches on some of those considerations that get a little less attention than others at this stage of the game, but are no less important.

http://www.theafa.org/library/article/a_dozen_myths_of_parenting_after_infertility/

Friday, July 24, 2009

Welcome to the Gayby Boom

An interesting and funny article written about the recent surge in gay couples and individuals utilizing third-party reproduction to become parents. With attitudes and stereotyping relaxing a LOT since the "old days", it is a fresh look at an exciting new trend.

Monday, July 20, 2009

World's Oldest Woman to Give Birth Dies

Some sad news from Europe. Maria del Carmen Bousada, the woman who gained notoriety as the world’s oldest woman to give birth at age 66 has died, leaving twin boys, age 3. Ms. Carmen Bousada conceived her sons through IVF treatment in the US by misrepresenting her age by 10 years to the medical practice who treated her.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Assisted Reproduction in the Media

With the impending custody decision for Michael Jackson's children the latest to unfold, lately it seems that no matter where we turn, we are confronted with media stories centered around assisted reproduction in its many forms. From Octomom to Jon & Kate the world around us seems particularly preoccupied with the details that are usually reserved for those of us in the field of infertility or those going through treatment. Let the last few months serve as a reminder of how important it is to be legally informed and protected when considering the option of third-party reproduction. This is a great article written by Jan Goodwin on the subject.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Sperm Derived from Stem Cells

In an announcement today from Great Britain, Researchers at Newcastle University reveal that they have derived sperm cells from male embryonic stem cells. This achievement brings light to the ever-increasing options for individuals faced with infertility. Read the details of this astonishing new possibility that may soon change the face of future infertility treatment.


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Beach Reads

Summertime! Our thoughts turn to barbecues, reunions and good times near water. Still, those of us confronting infertility may find our minds drifting back to thoughts of donors, surrogates, injections and ultrasounds. We have listed a few good reads on the subject while we relax by the pool- a few new treats and some old standbys.
  • In Her Own Sweet Time- Rachel Lehmann-Haupt
  • Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor-Julia Derek
  • Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation- Elen Sarasohn Glazer and Evelina Weidman Sterling
  • Mommies, Daddies, Donors and Surrogates- Diane Ehrensaft



Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Loving the V List

Everyone facing infertility has their own approach to coping with the stress, uncertainty and anticipation, but we found two extraordinary women who have chosen to view this period of their lives through the very unique lens of adventure, not usually associated with preparing for motherhood. We find ourselves eagerly following this blog, LiVing the V list: Adventures for the Reproductively Challenged, to learn what sort of excitement they have cooked up each week. The overall premise according to creators Stephanie and Alisa is, “The V-list is an ever-evolving list of places we want to go and things we want to do. Some of which cannot be done while pregnant” To name a few: skydiving, sushi, parasailing, dying their hair, riding a mechanical bull...
Follow their adventures, let them inspire your own or just LOVE the attitude.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Don't Forget! Tasty TaTa's Tomorrow Night in LA!

Tomorrow Night!~Don't Miss This!

Food, Cocktails and Comedy, 100% of proceeds go to MyVision.Org, whose mission is to educate, protect, support, advocate and inspire every woman's vision of her future as a mother.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Tasty TaTa’s! –Los Angeles June 16th

We love this! In collaboration with Jersey Girl Productions, MyVision.Org presents...Tasty Ta-Ta’s Los Angeles. Show your support for this fantastic fertility preservation cause and enjoy the show known as “the Vagina Monologues of Breast Cancer”.

Tasty Ta Ta's is an extension of veteran stand-up comic Wendy Hammer’s successful monthly spoken word salon Tasty Words. The show will be “breast-themed” with storytellers sharing personal tales of all things boobs, knockers or ta-ta’s. The event will be held at the luxurious Philippe Stark-designed SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sharing the Gift of Life

Sharing the Gift of Life

In the field of assisted reproduction, most often, the news stories and articles we encounter are centrally themed around the controversies and challenges surrounding the process. We hear a lot about legal battles, ethical quandaries and scientific breakthroughs, but it seems infrequent that we actually hear the invaluable stories and lessons from the happy families that at the end of the day, are the objective of all of this activity and important dialogue. Here is one such story, which catches up with a family and the gestational carrier who helped them, 14 years later.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

11 Tips on Saving Money for Fertility Costs

No one wants infertility treatment. No one begins saving money in their 20’s with starry-eyed hopes for their “dream cycle”. Yet, many of us need it, and it is there; for a price. And along with this price there is the ever-present tick-tick-tick of the clock. In many cases we can’t just “wait for a few years” until the economy normalizes, or our jobs feel a little more secure. This has never been truer than of late, with news of bailouts, stimulus packages and worldwide economic turmoil awaiting us with every glance at a television or newspaper.

This article features some interesting ideas as to how to make the infertility journey more affordable, attainable and less stressful.


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Finding Family

Finding Family
For an ever-increasing segment of our society; our donor-conceived population, fun little anecdotes like “whose eyes I have” or “whose flair for the dramatic I inherited” are only one-half possible.
Ryan Kramer is exceptional for a number of reasons. He graduated high school and entered college by the age of 14. This month, at age 18, he will be graduating from with an aerospace engineering degree from University of Colorado at Boulder. He was also conceived through the use of sperm donor. Donor-conceived children, whether through egg or sperm donation, generally enter this world having one half of their genetic identity concealed from them; unwitting parties to contracts and non-disclosures they never agreed to.
Ryan like many donor –conceived children developed an intense curiosity about his biological father. He was not willing to accept the standard answers contained within the donor’s profile information. What began with a child’s natural curiosity, through diligence, dedication and an incredibly supportive mom, has resulted in Ryan not only locating his biological father and 6 half-sibling sisters, but has given over 24,000 people the ability to potentially connect to their “other-halves” someday.

Read on about Ryan and his amazing story.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

A New Vision For Fertility Preservation

Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.- Ayn Rand

Few people are able to convert their challenges into opportunities for themselves, but fewer still are able to convert them into opportunities for others. Although the gender is off, we were reminded of this Ayn Rand quote while reading this piece on the amazing founder of My Vision, a non-profit founded by the amazing Alice Crisci, a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at the age of 31. Along the challenging path of her diagnosis, and subsequent fertility preservation treatment it occurred to her that there were few resources for those in her situation. What followed was a much needed mission, which will touch the lives of countless women and couples. Read on, and lend your support to this much-needed, growing organization.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

"One Per Customer" approach to IVF gains renewed attention

Dr. William D. Petok, Ph.D, with AFA Mental Health Advisory Council writes about the intriguing new possibilities of single embryo transfer (SET) which will likely alter the standard practice of IVF. Advances in success rates weighed against the risks and disadvantages of multiple embryo transfers might soon make the association of multiple births and ART a thing of the past.

Read on for a fascinating glimpse into the future of our field.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick await twins via surrogacy

In case you've been under a rock the past few days, and haven't been following the "baby" news...we have yet another celebrity spotlight shining on gestational surrogacy. This week, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have announced that they are expecting twin girls this summer via a surrogacy arrangement. Looks like pretty soon Ferris Bueller is going to need more than just one day off!

Read on...

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20275425,00.html