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

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

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

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.

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!

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/

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

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

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

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

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
  

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.

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.

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.

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.