Sperm Donor X

I wanted to share with you a trailer that was sent to me for a film made by Deirdre Fishel, a Brooklyn based independent documentary filmmaker. She recently made a personal film about her process (and that of three other women) to parent solo using donor sperm.

Apparently the film is nearly finished, but before she can put it out in the world where it can hopefully be a positive contribution to the changing family paradigm, they need to raise the last bit of money. For this purpose they have put a trailer on line and created the possibility for individuals to donate.


I would appreciate it if you would have a look at:
 http://mindseyeprods.com/spermdonorx.htm

Frankly, I found it fascinating and well worth the few minutes it takes to watch. You have the option to donate if you would like as well.

Would love to hear your comments!

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/

Surrogacy and Postpartum Depression

Intended Parents have several concerns before, during and after they have a baby through surrogacy. Some, but not all, have a great relationship with their surrogate and worry how she is going to react once the baby is born. Is she going to feel attached to the baby? Is she going to want to bond with the baby? Is she going to feel used and lonely once she is no longer pregnant? These are very valid concerns for the Intended Parents. These questions are part of the reason a psychological evaluation is required before any medications or embryo transfers take place; to allow the potential carrier to think about these issues. However, even when IP's are at home with their newest family member, it's important that they show their concern for their (now) past surrogate.

Although a surrogacy pregnancy is very different from having your own baby, some of the same issues regarding Postpartum Depression are often magnified by the surrogacy arrangement. A surrogate may not be worried about feeling detached from the baby but may, instead, feel lonely for her IP's. Remember that Intended Parents and the surrogate, along with her family, have spent a huge amount of time building a relationship via phone, e-mail, and face time. Personal details and intimate experiences have been shared. (What is more intimate then carrying a baby for someone else? Some IP's are even in the Exam room when the embryos are transferred!)

Let’s toss the possibility of postpartum depression into this already unusual situation and you can easily imagine how a surrogate can end up feeling lost and confused after the birth. The message has been sent that feeling detached at birth is a good thing which, by human nature, is not a normal emotion when a baby is brought into this world. We want moms and babies to bond...but in this case it isn't what the Intended Parents want to have happen unless it’s them doing the bonding! Add on top of this the fact that the Surrogate has become very attached to her Intended Parents. Because communication usually ramps up near the end of the pregnancy, with more phone calls, appointments and plans, IPs and their surrogate can be closer emotionally then ever before. Although the Surrogate is preparing her family for the eventful day and the Intended Parents are checking their list to make sure all is in order on their end, the possibility of some sort of depression or even regret sneaking in can take everyone involved by surprise.

Let’s take a look at some of the signs of postpartum depression some of which are listed on eMedicine Health:

 Postpartum Depression occurs in about 10-20% of women, usually within a few months of delivery.

 Risk factors include previous major depression, psychosocial stress, inadequate social support, and previous premenstrual dysphoric disorder (If the surrogate has had previous bouts with depression she may not make a good candidate in the first place)

 Symptoms include depressed mood, tearfulness, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, trouble sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, suicidal thoughts, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, feelings of rejection, and impaired concentration.

 Postpartum depression interferes with a woman's ability to care for her baby. (Or in a surrogate’s case, her own family).

The causes of Postpartum Depression are the same in everyone who has just given birth...it can happen in a surrogate situation, to a birth mother who has given her child up for adoption or a mother who has planned her pregnancy. As hormones play a huge role in Postpartum Depression with levels of cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone decreasing significantly within 48 hours after delivery, some women can be very sensitive to these changes. Other risk factors might include, but are not limited to, poor support system at home, conflict in relationships including a surrogacy relationship, feeling of loss of identity (she is now a past surrogate and no longer in the lime-light), feeling less attractive physically, pain and recovery of pregnancy with no baby in hand to distract her, and feeling overwhelmed with enormity of the birth "handing over of the baby" to the Intended Parents.

Although Intended Parents can be sensitive to the needs of their now past surrogate by making an effort to call, e-mail and check up on her in general, there are things that she can do to help herself. She should be setting realistic expectations for herself and her recovery, try to avoid isolation, surround herself with supportive friends and family, make time for herself and talk to other surrogates. If the depression lasts for longer than 2 weeks, she should talk with her OB or midwife for recommendations. There are tests and medications available for severe postpartum depression.

Remember that Postpartum Depression in a surrogacy situation does not indicate that the match or relationship between the parties was flawed or that the surrogate wanted to “keep the baby”…every Intended Parents nightmare. Instead it is a medical side effect that can happen in any birth situation. Being concerned and aware of this possibility is not only wise but shows caring and respect for someone who has offered the greatest gift to her Intended Parents, the gift of life.

The Surrogacy Base Fee - How Does it Work?

Once Intended Parents start the search for a surrogate mother, whether its in an independent situation or through an agency setting, they will soon come a crossed the phrase "base fee". What is this fee for? Who sets these fees? Isn't it the same as 'paying' a surrogate? Why is the word compensation used?

Let me illuminate you on the "base fee factors". In general, a base fee is to cover the 9 months or 40 weeks your surrogate will be pregnant with your child/children. It is very rare for any of the base fee monies to be distributed before you see a heart beat on the ultra sound screen. The base fee is commonly broken down into monthly payments, however these are not equal monthly installments. Lets use a fee of $20,000. The break down may look like this:

Month one: $1,500
Month two: $1,500
Month three: $2,000
Month four: $2,000
Month five: $2,000
Month six: $2,500
Month seven: $2,500
Month eight: $3,000
Month nine: $3,000

These fees are usually strategically set up like this in a contract because there are so many times that a miscarriage can happen in the first couple of months of an IVF cycle. This way the Intended Parents are not out a huge amount of money and the surrogate is compensated for the time that she actually did carry.

Lets remember that babies are born on their own time table and so if a baby or babies are born early the amount that is left over is put into one last check and given to the surrogate with in 14 days after the birth or whatever is stated in the contract. In the case of multiples an extra amount is often added from month 5-9.

So who sets these fees? Good question! Basically attorneys and agencies know state by state what those judges will tolerate regarding a surrogacy fee. This is why you don't see women being surrogates and charging $100,000! If a judge sees an amazingly large amount of money in a contract that fact alone will raise the following questions: "Was this woman coerced?, Is she selling her body?, Is she selling a baby?" This is why the base fee is labeled compensation or reimbursement or even living expenses. Surrogate mothers are supposed to be carrying a child not to make money but instead for altruistic reasons. Any money involved is to support them throughout the process. The point is that no money should be coming out of the surrogates family budget to support her while she is a surrogate mother.

The average base fees being asked for by agencies for their surrogates looks something like this: First time surrogate with her own health insurance: $18,000-$20,000 First time surrogate without her own health insurance: $13,000-$15,000 Second time surrogate with her own health insurance: $25,000-$28,000 Second time surrogate without her own health insurance: $20,000-$22,000 Third and forth time surrogates with health insurance can command anything up to $45,000 and those without $35,000.

Yes, there are some variations but this configuration is the most common. Insurance companies are adding surrogacy exclusions each time they print up a new policy! They feel that if money is being exchanged then their policy shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip. If a surrogate is on medicaid then she can not, under any circumstances, use government insurance! This is FRAUD and is punishable by the law. Surrogates without insurance need to be insured ASAP through one of the few companies that have policy especially for those involved in third party reproduction or family building. New Life is one of those agencies. Needless to say these are very expensive policies which is why an uninsured surrogate is compensated less then those who carry their own health insurance policies with maternity coverage.

Sharon LaMothe
http://infertilityanswers.org/
(Reposted for your reading pleasure!)

Standing in Two Places by Ashley Dyson: A LaMothe Book Review

I just finished reading Standing in Two Places by Ashley Dyson and as always, wanted to share my honest thoughts with you. Although it's a 'thin' book, only 161 pages in length, it is thick with emotion as Ashley describes the circumstances that leads her to the Center for Surrogate Parenting and ultimately to her goal of having her 2nd child with the help of her surrogate mother, Norah.

Infertility is an individualized journey as is surrogacy. Each Intended Parent has their own coping mechanism and apparently Ashley has found hers in reading the likes of Erik H. Erikson (Identity: Youth and Crisis) and Betty Lifton (Journey of the Adopted Self) among several other books and she quotes them quite often amongst the 161 pages of her book...is that to avoid going to deeply into the relationship she has with Norah? Because there isn't much regarding the actual surrogacy relationship. (Ashley does recount her feelings on the paper work she receives from the surrogacy agency on how to treat her surrogate and frankly seems a little "put off" on page 108)

I believe that Intended Mothers/Parents who are going through the surrogacy process will relate to many of the emotions that are shared within the pages of this memoir. However, for me, it seemed a bit superficial only because there were so many other manuscripts, articles, books, and quotes between the pages and no real exploration (that I was expecting to find) regarding the relationship between the surrogate mother, Norah, and Ashley.

This is about one woman's story....it is far and away from any sort of "guide book". To complete and publish a book like this, about personal relationships, disappointments and hard decisions, has to be applauded. I recommend Standing in Two Places to those who want to take a peek into one woman's surrogacy journey, not to compare but to relate.

Risky Behavior - What Does This Mean in Regards to a Surrogacy Agreement?

These photos just make me cringe!

Caution! HOT TOPIC!!

Yes, Risky Behavior is a hot topic but just what does it mean? Well, in the context of a surrogate and her contract, its a large gray area. I am not an attorney but I do know from my vast experience that its hard to control someone else's behavior and what one person considers 'risky' another may think of as normal. A contract between Intended Parents and their Surrogate may have an entire laundry list of situations that they want their surrogate to avoid while pregnant. Examples may be: No smoking, no drinking, avoid smoke, no unauthorized medications, avoid motor boats and motorcycles, avoid foods with mercury, avoid heavy lifting, avoid excessive exercise, avoid nail salons, avoid dying hair, avoid massages, avoid hot tubs, avoid sex... etcetera and so on.....

But even though there is a list in a contract regarding these issues how can anyone actually be sure that these 'requirements' are being followed? And if they are not, what can be done to enforce these items in the contract. That would be a great question for the attorney but what I have found is #1 No woman who has volunteered herself to be a surrogate mother wants to harm the baby that she is carrying. #2 If you can't trust the woman to follow her OBGYN's advise then you shouldn't be matched with her. #3 All of the issues above are extremely hard to enforce with the exception of the smoking, drinking and drugs. Regular blood testing can keep one honest however we are back to #2 which just drives home the fact that TRUST is a huge factor in a surrogacy relationship...maybe more so then what's listed in the contract.

Sharon LaMothe
http://infertilityanswers.org/

The Failed Transfer....Who to Blame

Q: Can a 'failed transfer' be the surrogates fault?

A: The word 'fault' is defined something like this in the Webster dictionary:
1 obsolete: LACK
2 a: WEAKNESS, FAILING; especially: a moral weakness less serious than a vice b: a physical or intellectual imperfection or impairment:
3 a: MISDEMEANOR b: MISTAKE
4: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure

So if you are asking if your surrogate made a mistake and the transfer failed then the answer might be yes. I say 'might be' because it depends on the mistake and why it was made. You have to remember that there are so many players in this game. Let's assume that you are asking if she made a mistake regarding her medications. If she followed the clinic/RE guidelines to a T and those directions were wrong then the mistake lies with the clinic.

If she misunderstood some directions and then 'guessed' instead of asking for clarification then the surrogate was at fault for that aspect of the possible failure. But lets remember that we can also look at the quality of the eggs....the sperm...the embryo's that were made and the embryologist who graded them. How did the transfer go? Was the uterine lining the thickness that the RE required? I could go on...but I want to say that even if all is perfect the embryo transfer can still fail because there is nothing guaranteed in Assisted Reproductive Technology...Nothing! If you trust your surrogate and she did all that was humanly possible on her end then you must move on to the next step and leave the disappointment of this failed transfer behind you!

Sharon LaMothe
http://infertilityanswers.org/

Parenting a Child via Egg & Sperm Donation 10/30/09

Come listen to Marna Gatlin from Parents Vai Egg Donation as she is hosted by the Surrogacy Lawyer, Theresa Erickson on Blog Talk Radio!



This week's show will include an interview with Marna Gatlin, Founding Director of Parents via Egg Donation. (PVED.org) We intend to explore the issues faced by those parenting a child via egg donation and sperm donation. We will also discussing the issues currently being played out in the media involving what it means to be a parent and whether egg and sperm donation should follow the adoption model.

Sharon LaMothe

Infertility Answers, Inc

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Sharon LaMothe http://www.wellsphere.com/linkOut.s?link=http%3a%2f%2fsurrogacy101.blogspot.com

Health-care reform could benefit infertile couples

I am not sure that Health Care Reform will benefit anyone....I have read the pros and the cons until I don't know who to believe....read below and tell me what YOU think!

Sharon

http://infertilityanswers.org/

Problems getting pregnant? You're not alone. One in 10 couples experience problems conceiving. Growing up, getting married, having children and ultimately grandchildren, is the natural order of the life cycle … unless you experience infertility.

This interrupts the natural order of life and creates tremendous emotional struggles for couples facing this problem.

In actuality, for women, infertility increases with age, with a rapid decline after the age of 40. For men, there is no significant change in sperm production until after age 60.

The basic workup during an infertility assessment includes evaluation of three common factors known to cause infertility: problems with ovulation, fallopian tube blockage and male factor with decrease in sperm production.

Ovulatory problems account for about 30 percent of infertility and are commonly associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), classically a triad of obesity, hirsutism and irregular menstrual cycles.

Obese women will more often have disturbances in ovulation because of the estrogen secretion from fat cells (adipocytes). They also have a decreased response to fertility medications to correct the ovulatory problems, lower success rates and higher pregnancy loss rates.

Male factor accounts for 40 percent of infertility problems. Men with varicoceles (varicose veins) surrounding the testes have a higher incidence of infertility.

Men also experience hormonal disturbances and infections, just as women, that may cause infertility.

Tubal disease with scarring from inflammatory processes associated with endometriosis and pelvic infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, or previous surgeries, may interfere with the fallopian tubes' ability to pick up the egg after ovulation occurs and allowing the sperm to fertilize the egg.

Unfortunately, with health care today, employers do not generally include infertility coverage in their benefits.

Having a family is seen as an elective or an option, making fertility treatments uncovered. When coverage is provided, it varies from just the initial consult and diagnostic test technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). About 12 states have mandated coverage for fertility services. Tennessee is not one of them.

Perhaps, with the new health-care reform bill, that will change.

By not having coverage, infertile couples may undergo cheaper and riskier procedures with lower success rates because of cost. Surgeries may be performed in an attempt to correct tubal disease that would be best treated by IVF.

Multiple pregnancy risks are increased when injectable fertility medications are used instead of IVF, but these are less expensive options for women, so they may go that route.

Finally, remember this: For most couples seeking fertility treatment, more than 80 percent successfully achieve their dream of becoming parents through the multitude of fertility treatment options available today.
~~~~

Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis is chairwoman and professor of Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and associate director of the Center for Women Health Research at Meharry Medical College.

Pregnant or Thinking About It?

This is a good refresher for those who want to be a surrogate....I know, I know that you are already aware of some of these issues but it never hurts to think about them and apply them to your surrogacy journey. Your IP's will thank you!

Sharon
http://infertilityanswers.org/

Pregnant or Thinking About It?
10 prenatal tips
Megan Johnson
Premium Health News Service

From conception to delivery, a fetus is at the mercy of its environment. A mother-to-be has more control over her internal chemistry than she might think, and her odds of having a healthy baby will be much improved if she follows these tips:

1. Take steps even before you're pregnant. If you're considering pregnancy, you should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to guard against neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Also ask about vaccination against chickenpox or rubella. These and a few other "live" vaccines cannot be given to pregnant women; the illnesses can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.

2. Don't delay an OB visit. Early blood tests can catch anemia and infections that can affect the fetus if not dealt with quickly. Possibly correctable problems such as heart abnormalities often can be detected in the coming months through echocardiography and other screening tests.

3. Write down all meds. Your doctor should review your drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Some of them, such as certain anti-depression and seizure medications, can harm your baby's heart and increase your risk of miscarriage.

4. Don't drink. Binge drinking is particularly dangerous to the fetus; known risks include miscarriage, stillbirth, and mental retardation. It may cause facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate.

5. Don't smoke. That includes inhaling secondhand smoke. Besides stillbirth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome has been linked to cigarette smoke.

6. Monitor the scales. Gestational diabetes and premature birth are among the dangers of putting on more than about 25 to 35 pounds, or more than about 15 to 25 pounds for an overweight woman.

7. Get moving. Exercise can moderate weight gain and may increase the flow of oxygen to the fetus.

8. Eat smart. New research shows a mother's diet during pregnancy has lifelong implications for her baby. A prenatal diet high in protein or fat has been tied to chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Besides following a generally healthful diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, eating fish twice a week (salmon, sardines, and canned light tuna are mercury safe) will provide omega-3 fatty acids for fetal brain development.

9. Don't get vitamin-happy. More isn't better--stick to the doses recommended by your obstetrician. Excessive vitamin A, for example, can cause head, heart, brain, and spinal cord defects. You may be told to take an iodine supplement; a new study found that prenatal vitamins often provide far less than the 150-microgram minimum recommended for proper nervous-system development.

10. Check around the house. Certain chemicals, among them BPA and pthalates in plastics, canned-food linings, and cosmetics, mimic the hormone estrogen. Some scientists worry that adults exposed to them in utero may have fertility problems. Eat fresh or frozen veggies, and don't use plastic containers or plastic wrap when microwaving.

Sharon LaMothe to attend the ASRM in Atlanta, GA Oct. 17-21, 2009

I will be attending the annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting in Atlanta GA! If you are in the area and would like to meet please contact me at the cell number below. I will be arriving late Saturday evening October 17th and leaving afternoon on October 21st. I am looking forward to all of the great educational opportunities offered and meeting other professionals with in the Infertility field. I will blog about what I observe and learn when I return.

Hope to see you there!!

Sharon LaMothe

Infertility Answers, Inc.http://infertilityanswers.org/

LaMothe Services, LLChttp://lamotheservices.com/

727-458-8333

Why "Do" IVF? By Dr. Barry Jacobs

Why Do IVF?


Many patients I have seen who have failed to conceive using Clomid, and think IVF is the automatic next step. Not so. Clomid really is not associated with a good pregnancy rate. There are other protocols which do work better. Of course, for those who need it, IVF is one of them.

There are really 3 medical indications to do in vitro fertilization (IVF). One is for tubal damage. Tubal damage most commonly results from either previous infection or prior tubal ligation. Efforts at repairing the fallopian tubes usually results in may result in tubes that are open, but they are still damaged. If a fallopian tube is damaged, there is a significant risk that any pregnancy which may occur will be a tubal pregnancy. That is life threatening. Since IVF bypasses the tubes, there is no increased risk of tubal pregnancy.

A second reason to perform IVF is for severe male factor issues. If sperm are not formed properly, or they do not swim adequately, or if there are just too few of them, they need help to fertilize an egg. Once we have eggs in the embryo lab, we can literally inject sperm into eggs (ICSI). There is still no guarantee that fertilization will be achieved, but in the vast majority of the cases in which we perform ICSI, we are able to produce good embryos. Our pregnancy rates with ICSI are very nearly that of straight forward IVF.

Some newer technology now enables us to detect, in embryos, inherited diseases carried by one or both future parents. The first such inherited disease to be detected in embryos was cystic fibrosis. Today, there is an extremely long list of genetic diseases which can be diagnosed in embryos, and avoid having children stricken with those abnormalities. We have to remove one of the cells from a day 3, 6 to 8 cell embryo. Removing a single cell does not jeopardize the embryo, when the biopsy is performed by a skilled embryologist. There are now 2 different techniques to examine the DNA of the embryo and compare it to the DNA of the parents. The older technique is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). That is the same technology highlighted in some of the TV crime shows. The second technique is referred to as micro array analysis. Material from a single cell taken from an embryo is placed in a tiny well, in what amounts to a computer chip, and the chemistry of that cell can be analyzed. Once it is determined which embryos are identified which are not affected by the disease in question, normal embryos can be placed in the uterus of the intended mother.

Finally, there is a non-medical reason to consider IVF. Many patients do not have any insurance coverage to help pay the expenses of fertility treatment. At least in our practice, both the cost of 4 cycles of using FSH to stimulate ovaries and performing IUI and 1 IVF cycle are about the same. Also, the pregnancy rate for a single IVF cycle is about the same as for 4 IUI cycles. If we do not achieve a pregnancy with IUI, the next treatment protocol to try is IVF. A few of my patients have felt it more cost effective to skip efforts at IUI, and just do IVF. Although I do not encourage that practice, I find it difficult to argue with the logic. I those circumstances, I have acceded to their requests.

IVF is certainly a very useful tool to help a couple achieve a pregnancy. With improved technology and understanding of the physiology of embryos, our pregnancy rates have become extremely good, and I expect them to improve more. It is, however, important to keep things in perspective. IVF is just 1 more tool, and should not be the only tool.

Dr. Jacobs is a Reproductive Endocrinologist, practicing in Carrollton, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. He completed his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and remained at that institution to become its first fellow once Baylor achieved accreditation for an advanced training program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Jacobs has served on the faculty of several medical schools and was director of Reproductive Endocrinology at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Amarillo. Currently, in addition to his clinical activities caring for infertile patients and those with recurrent pregnancy loss, he is Chairman of the IVF committee at Baylor Medical Center in Carrollton.
Barry Jacobs, M.D., 4323 M. Josey Lane, Suite #201, Carrollton, TX 75010 www.texasfertility.comPhone: 972-394-9590 Fax: 972-394-9597

For more articals please visit Infertility Answers, Inc.

http://infertilityanswers.org/

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Acupuncture, By: Teri Calandra, L.Ac & Kristine Ward, L.Ac

I love the fact that there are so many options for us to explore in regards to complimenting IVF treatments. Please read below and article from my guest bloggers Teri Calandra and Kristine Ward. Your comments are always welcomed!

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Acupuncture
By: Teri Calandra, L.Ac & Kristine Ward, L.Ac
South Loop Acupuncture: Chicago, IL

Acupuncture has been the primary medical system in China for thousands of years. Many people are aware of the benefits of acupuncture for stress reduction, addictions, and pain management. However, most people are still in the dark about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjunct to woman’s health and infertility.

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and Tui Na (a type of Chinese medical massage). For the purposes of IVF and TCM the most beneficial combination is acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In addition, diet and lifestyle changes may also be recommended by the TCM practitioner.

Infertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine

It is important to mention that the diagnoses of conventional pathologies (such as infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome) are not within the scope of practice for a licensed acupuncturist. Chinese Medicine views the inability to become pregnant and sustain pregnancy as a symptom of a number of different patterns that can be treated.

The accepted statistic of infertility according to the World Health Organization is that one in seven couples has difficulty in getting pregnant. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be conducive for increasing your IVF success rates, sustaining pregnancy, decreasing aches and pains, decreasing stress, and easing labor and delivery.

Chinese Medicine is also able to help with male infertility. It is recommended to combine acupuncture and Chinese herbs to increase sex drive, and increase the quantity and viability of seminal fluid.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system for diagnosis and treatment. The individual is seen as an integrated whole. Every part, process, thought, and emotion within the individual is considered in terms of its contribution to the healthy functioning of the whole person. Each disease and disorder is not seen as an isolated event but as an outward manifestation of the whole person being out of balance.

Acupuncture is able to influence health and sickness by stimulating certain meridians or, “energy pathways” along the body. These “energy pathways” are stimulated using single use needles that are as thin as a hair. The goal of acupuncture is to put your body into a state that allows it to heal itself.

TCM (acupuncture & Chinese herbs) can also utilize stress reduction techniques that can have an effect on subtle and non-mechanical reasons for infertility. Irregular ovulation, low sperm counts, or undiagnosed causes respond the best to a combination of TCM and IVF treatments. IVF is the best means to obtain pregnancy in cases of tube blockage. However, acupuncture is able to keep the body in a homeostatic state to maintain the body as nurturing environment for the embryo. (Lyttleton 379)

The following are just a few of the many articles and books that support acupuncture and IVF.
- W. Paulus, M.D., M. Zhang, M.D., I. El-Danasouri, Ph.D., E. Strehler , M.D., and K. Sterzik,M.D, “Influence of acupuncture on pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy”, Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 77, No. 4, Apr. 2002
o “The analysis shows that the pregnancy rate for acupuncture group is considerably higher than for the control group (42.5% versus 26.3%”
- Johnson, D “Acupuncture prior to and at the embryo transfer in an assisted conception unit-a case series”, Acupuncture in Medicine: Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp 23-8, Mar. 2006
o “This was a success rate of 57.7% compared with 45.3% for patients in the IVF unit not treated with acupuncture”
- Liang L. O.M.D., Ph.D, L.Ac. 2003 “Acupuncture and IVF” Blue Poppy Press, Boulder , CO
- Lyttleton J. 2004 “Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine” Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK
- Zhi-Qiang C, Li-Yun L. 2008 “Male and Female Infertility” People’s Medical Publishing House, Beijing, China

Teri Calandra and Kristine Ward both have a background in massage therapy, and graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine with their Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are both NCCAOM board certified and are licensed through the state of Illinois. Teri and Kristine have been working together since 2005, and they co-own South Loop Acupuncture in Chicago. South Loop Acupuncture offers acupuncture, Chinese herbology, and Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination (NAET). Together they have combined specialties in woman's health, digestive, and respiratory disorders, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, and allergies. Both practitioners have a strong belief that where one medicine leaves off the other picks up. They believe that it is important to work with all medical modalities in order to offer the greatest care to the patient.

Embryo Donation or Adoption? You tell me.

I found this article by Jennifer Salerno and wanted to share it with my readers. Now I want to reiterate that I think Embryo Adoption really should be called Embryo Donation. I have posted before what my feelings are regarding the word Adoption, and all that goes along with it, should be reserved for Intended Parents adopting babies and children...not embryos. Embryo Donation, on the other hand, means to me that one couple is donating their embryos to another couple in hopes that those embryos "make the thaw", implant into a uterus, and become a fetus and then born. There are so many places along the donation route where the embryos do not become a "take home baby". Don't get me wrong, I know that it CAN happen, but to call it adoption for something that isn't even alive yet? I am not convinced. What are your thoughts? Adoption? Donation? Your call!

Sharon

http://infertilityanswers.org/

Adoption is taking on a whole new meaning. There is a relatively new and unknown way to adopt. It’s embryo adoption. Before you begin harping on the side of controversy, stop and listen to the facts.
1. According to the CDC, an average of about 31% of embryos successfully implant after transfer.
2. There are an estimated 500,000 embryos frozen in the US according to the National Embryo Donation Center.
3. Embryo adoption is cheaper and often quicker than in vitro fertilization and traditional infant or child adoption.
4. According to the National Embryo Donation Center, as of the end of 2007, there were 105 viable babies made or born through the embryo adoption process.
To Learn more visit:http://www.embryodonation.org/index.html
Embryos are created through IVF, in vitro fertilization. Some embryos are frozen and stored for future procedures. However, not all of the embryos are used. Parents are then faced with a dilemma. What are their options?They can:
1. Thaw the embryos and let them die
2. Donate to science
3. Donate for adoption
This local article is about an AZ couple who fulfilled the dream of having a family through embryo adoption.http://www.kpho.com/health/19054422/detail.html
Interested in donating or adopting, but need more information? Visit:http://www.embryoadoption.org/

http://www.nightlight.org/adoption-services/snowflakes-embryo/

http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_do_emb

http://www.miracleswaiting.org/

http://www.embryosalive.com/

http://www.embryoadoption.com/

Question:What are the impacts of going to the US and purchasing an egg and are there any legal ramifications we would need to consider?

Hi Sharon,

My wife and I are looking at options for finding an egg donor as my wife is 43 and our doctor has told us that she thinks our chances of getting pregnant are less than 1%. We are form Canada where the laws are restrictive for receiving a donor egg.

What are the impacts of going to the US and purchasing an egg and are there any legal ramifications we would need to consider. In Canada the birth mother is considered the legal parent.

What would be the process to start the procedure and find a donor egg?

Thanks,

S & E

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Hello S & E,

Thank you for contacting me and you have a couple of very good questions. I first need to tell you that I am not an attorney nor do I claim to know any of the laws in Canada vs the USA.

Having said that I have a few suggestions for you. First of all you might consider finding a RE and clinic in the states. A majority of clinics offer their own egg donation program where you can easily find a local (to the clinic) donor, have the egg retrieval at the clinic and then 3 to 5 days later have the embryo transfer. Leftover embryos can be frozen and possibly moved to a clinic in Canada. For that matter you could actually have the egg donation happen in the states, fertilize them and freeze the embryos and then move them to Canada. I would consult with your RE/Clinic and see if they will work with this scenario. I would also contact a locate reproductive attorney to see what other options you might have.

Lets not forget that you are not "purchasing an egg" as eggs are "donated". You are reimbursing the donor for her time, pain and suffering for the donation. That cost alone can be anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for a first time donor....and not usually over $10,000 according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines. (ASRM) You can expect to get anywhere from 12-20 eggs on average depending on how well the egg donor stimulates. Over stimulation should be avoided at all costs. Not all eggs will fertilize but if they are healthy, most might.

If you want a certain type of egg donor (certain qualities or race) you might do better looking at egg donor agencies. These agencies do cost extra, however, they can find you a match that might meet your standards and give you more background information then you would normally receive from a clinic's egg donation data base. You may even have the option to meet the donor if you so choose.

I hope that this has answered your questions and I wish you all the best. You can read more about egg donation at http://infertilityanswers.org/.

Sharon

Sharon LaMothe

Infertility Answers, Inc.

http://infertilityanswers.org/