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

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/

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

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

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/

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/

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.