Although Infertility Answers has some of the information below located on our site...Miracles Waiting has much more to offer. Click on any of the links below to visit their website.

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Although Infertility Answers has some of the information below located on our site...Miracles Waiting has much more to offer. Click on any of the links below to visit their website.
Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Embryo Technology, Infertility, Intended Parents, Medical | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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/
Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Current Affairs, Film, Intended Parents, Pregnancy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Deirdre Fishel, Intended Parents, Sperm Donation, Sperm Donor X
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Technorati Tags: Ashley Dyson, Infertility, Intended Parents, Standing in Two Places, Surrogacy
You may be asked to meet with a psychologist for a “psychological evaluation”. A psychologist is different from a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist has a medical degree (M.D.), and they primarily prescribe medication, although some also conduct psychotherapy. A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology (a Ph.D. or Psy.D.), and they provide evaluations and conduct psychotherapy.
If you are interested in serving as an egg donor or traditional surrogate, the aim of the psychologist is twofold. The psychologist would like to gather as much information as possible so the recipient couple is prepared. For example, should there be a family history for learning disabilities, the recipient couple can learn about possible warning signs. Consequently, should their child develop academic difficulties, the recipient couple could then proceed with appropriate treatment. It is important to remember that psychologists know there is no perfect person and that it is extremely rare for a person to have a family history devoid of any psychological problems. The psychologist is trained to remain neutral, and is interested in providing acceptance and support. A well-seasoned psychologist knows it is more credible if a person has had a bump or two along the road and/or if a donor/surrogate speaks of at least one relative who has experienced some sort of psychological problem. It is best to be honest. It is far better to honestly portray yourself and your family than to cover up what you fear could disqualify you. It is likely you will be disqualified if you are inconsistent in your responses. The psychologist is also interested in determining your stability. Couples who seek out an egg donor or surrogate are very serious about wanting a successful outcome. Some couples have tried to have children for five or even ten years, by the time they reach this step. It is imperative you are certain you can and want to take this journey to completion. The psychologist will try to determine whether or not you will follow through by not only asking you about your feelings about serving as an egg donor/surrogate, but also by looking for patterns of stability in your past. The psychologist will also spend time discussing with you the psychological ramifications of serving as an egg donor/surrogate. This portion of the interview is for your benefit. Regardless as to your motivation, helping a couple have children is a wonderful gift. Your desire to be a part of the miracle of life puts you in a very special, cherished category. You deserve to understand how this experience might affect you. It is also important you learn enough about this process in order to make the right decision for you. Should you have any questions, please ask them. Serving as an egg donor/surrogate is a decision that will affect you for the entirety of your life. It will most likely be comforting for you to receive answers to any questions you might have.
If you are interested in serving as a gestational surrogate, it is likely you will be asked to meet with a psychologist. Many of the same questions will be asked. Although your genetic history will not come into play, the psychologist will want to get to know you, so s/he can describe you to the intended parents. Additionally, the psychologist will be interested in determining if you will be able to provide a safe environment, both physically and environmentally, while you carry a couple’s baby. The psychologist will also want to prepare you in many different ways. Not only are there many issues to consider during your pregnancy, but it is of utmost importance to prepare you for what you might feel when you release a child to the intended parents. This is one of the most selfless and beautiful gifts you can give to others. At the same time, it can leave a tremendous void. The psychologist will want to prepare you and your partner to make sure that as you think through your decision, you can determine what is best for you.
You may be asked to take a personality test. Most often, the
Recipient couples, also known as intended parents, are sometimes asked to attend an interview with a psychologist. They are sometimes asked to take an MMPI-2. For those of you who are considering using an egg donor, the interview with a psychologist is to make sure you have considered what it might feel like in the future, to have a child who is not fully genetically related to you. Additionally, the psychologist may ask questions to determine your financial and emotional stability. This is not done in a judgmental or critical manner. Rather, this would be to help you plan well for yourselves, especially if you have never had children.
If you are considering using a surrogate, the clinical interview for the intended parents is designed to prepare you for the emotional and financial issues that may come up. There are many things to consider when using a surrogate, such as whether or not you will provide health insurance, life insurance, or home support in case your surrogate becomes bedridden with a pregnancy. Additionally, it is wise to think ahead with regards to how you might handle a poorly formed fetus, or multiples that jeopardize the life of the mother and/or the babies. Lastly, it is a good idea to discuss what expectations you have with regards to a relationship with the surrogate both during and after a pregnancy. A trained psychologist can guide you through this dialogue, and inform you so you can make the best decisions for this very important and life-altering event.
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Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Infertility, Intended Parents, Medical, Surrogacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Having a baby can be one of the most wonderful times of your life -- but if you need help to conceive, it can swiftly become a staggeringly expensive undertaking. With the average cost of infertility treatments ranging from $35,000 to $85,000 in the United States (most of which is not covered by insurance companies), many women and couples find themselves having to make difficult choices about building their families.
Getting a grip on your finances is one of the few things you can do to regain control of this process. Infertility experts Evelina Weidman Sterling and Angie Best-Boss have created the ultimate guide to ensuring the most cost-effective care with the highest chances for success. With anecdotes, interviews, and advice from both doctors and patients, you can easily apply these specific money-saving strategies to your own unique situation. Learn how to:
- Select a fertility clinic with a high rate of success- Convince your insurance company to cover more of the costs
- Track down the most affordable fertility drugs
- Travel abroad for cheaper care or international surrogacy
- Avoid the scams and unnecessary expenses every step of the way
Personal and professional, Budgeting for Infertility is an invaluable resource that shows you how to pay for infertility treatment...and still have money in the bank for diapers and day care.
One of the most common findings when a couple enters a practice with the complaint of difficulty achieving a pregnancy is polycystic ovaries, or PCO. Sometimes the condition is referred to as PCOS or PCOD, adding either syndrome or diseases after PCO. I am not sure we can truly classify the problem as a single entity by declaring it a disease or syndrome. We know of at least 2 causes of the problem.
The majority of women with PCO are insulin resistant. By that, I mean that their cells do not respond adequately to insulin, so they must make extra insulin to keep blood sugar normal. No, that does not mean they are diabetic. However, people who are insulin resistant are at greater risk to become diabetic. They are also at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
On of the things insulin does very well, even in people who are insulin resistant is to convert the carbohydrate they eat into fat for storage. The more fat they have stored, the worse their insulin resistance; the higher their insulin levels rise in response to a carbohydrate load, and the faster they convert carbohydrate to fat. It’s s vicious circle. We have to break the circle. I strongly recommend my insulin resistant patients drastically cut their carbohydrate consumption to 30 grams a day.
In addition to carbohydrate restriction, I prescribe a medication called Glucophage (metformin). It will decrease carbohydrate absorption from the intestine and increase the response of her cells to insulin. We also know that women with PCO have a lesser risk of miscarriage if they are taking Glucophage, and women who are insulin resistant have a lesser risk of developing gestational diabetes, if they are taking Glucophage.
The side effects of the medication are related to the inhibition of carbohydrate absorption from the intestine. The carbohydrate remaining in the intestine draws water into the intestine and the bacteria in the intestine make gas, when they eat the carbohydrate. The result is diarrhea, cramping and gas. Carbohydrate restriction decreases the symptoms. The other side effect, if patients really follow the protocol, is weight loss. Most of my patients like that side effect.
The other known cause of PCO is a deficiency of an enzyme in the adrenal gland. The enzyme involved is called 21-hydroxylase. It is part of the pathway to create cortisone. There are 2 known molecular variants of the enzyme abnormality. One is relatively mild, and the other more severe. It requires 2 copies of the gene to make the enzyme – one from each parent. If a woman has 2 abnormal copies of the gene, and one is a mild version, she will have a condition which will be clinically described as PCO. Adding a low dose of steroid at bed time will help. If one gene is a severe variant, and her pregnancy inherits that one and a severe abnormal copy from her husband, the child will have a condition called adrenogenetal syndrome. If it is a girl, she will have ambiguous genetalia. Both boys and girls are at risk to be salt wasters and have severe disorders of blood chemistry. Diagnosis is critical. These gene abnormalities are among the most common known, and are present, in at least a carrier state, in at least 5% of some ethnic groups.
Ovulation induction to help achieve a pregnancy for women with PCO can be assisted using treatments such as Glucophage or steroids, if indicated, but alone, neither is usually adequate. There are specific medications available for ovulation induction. The oldest, and to my thinking the worst, is Clomid. Far better is the group of products that are pituitary hormones which cause development of the ovarian follicles which contain eggs. The use of these medications is safest if done by a Reproductive Endocrinologist.
Dr. Jacobs is a Reproductive Endocrinologist, practicing in
Barry Jacobs, M.D., 4323 M. Josey Lane, Suite #201, Carrollton, TX 75010 www.texasfertility.com
Phone: 972-394-9590 Fax: 972-394-9597
Posted at 01:10 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Fertility, Infertility, Intended Parents, Medical | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Thank You to April Sosbe for bringing this movement to my attention! Become a part of a community....read below....
Sharon
Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.
In addition, the seeds represent the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live child-free.
The pomegranate thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through A.R.T., families created through adoption, or couples trying to conceive during infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware.
Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasing this pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others.
Paz also created a write up that people could place on blogs, bulletin boards, and email forwards:
For anyone who has ever had a miscarriage, struggled with pregnancy, and all things infertile...there is a movement upon us that you might want to join. It's rather simple actually: a discreet ribbon on your right wrist to signal to others that they are not alone in their struggles.
As someone who has had 5 m/c but am currently 5 months pregnant (YEAH), I wonder who looks at my big belly with sadness because they are in the month-to-month struggle. I mentioned to a friend that I wished there was some secret nod or international sign as if to say, this belly was hardwon. Well, she posted this quandary on her blog (http://www.facebook.com/l/87232;www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/) and the response has been quite overwhelming...and a movement has been born!
The pomegranate-colored thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through any means, natural or A.R.T., families created through adoption or surrogacy, or couples trying to conceive during infertility or secondary infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware. Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasingthis pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others. Just thought I would pass the word along!
Lastly, we have a graphic people can add to their side bars in order to get the word out (and create a link to this post or a similar one so people understand what Infertility's Common Thread is about). Feel free to take and place on your blog or create your own in order to get the word out to others:http://www.facebook.com/l/87232;photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg
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Technorati Tags: Acupuncture, In Vitro Fertilization, Infertility , IVF
Fallopian tubes are necessary for the retrieval of the egg at the time of ovulation and for the ability of a living embryo to reach the uterus, where a pregnancy is carried until labor and delivery.
The fallopian tubes, long structures which resemble straight brass horns, play a critical role in reproduction. They have a very complex and delicate structure designed to retrieve an egg at the time of ovulation, conduct sperm to the end of the tube near the ovary, where fertilization is to occur, nourish the new embryo and conduct it to the uterus. That is a huge responsibility.
Let’s begin with packing up the egg. The end of the fallopian tube next to the ovary consists of a large array of delicate finger like projections called fimbriae. The fimbriae are anchored to the bell shaped end of the tube called the ampulla. It is the ampulla where fertilization takes place. The remainder of the fallopian tube, called the isthmus, has a very narrow channel or lumen. The lining of the tubal lumen consist of 2 cell types. The secretory cells provide the nutrients for the embryo resulting from fertilization of the egg. The other cells have microscopic hair-like projections called cilia. The cilia beat in rhythmic fashion and propel the embryo to the uterus. A number of agents can damage the cells and structures and impair tubal function.
There are 2 infections, which are epidemic that can damage fallopian tubes. Both Chlamydia and gonorrhea infect the lining of fallopian tubes causing scarring. The fimbriae scar together, so that they will not function to pick up an egg. As the infection progresses, scarring of the fimbriae can totally block the end of the tube near the ovary. When the tube is blocked at the fimbriated end, the nutrient secretions from cells of the tubal lining collect. If the infection is not adequately treated in a timely manner, the infection in the closed space of the blocked tube becomes an abscess. Even if no abscess forms, the cilia of the tubal lining are damaged and cannot propel an embryo to the uterus. In the circumstance that cilia are damaged a pregnancy will attach to the tube and produce a tubal pregnancy. Tubal pregnancy can require emergency treatment, or can become fatal.
There are other forms of tubal blockage. One form of tubal blockage can usually be easily remedied. Cells which cover surfaces are continually produced and the replaced cells are shed. The portion of the fallopian tube which traverses the uterine wall, the intramural portion, has a lumen about the size of the tear duct you can see at the inner corner of your eye, near your nose. It seems as though shed cells sometimes block the channel in the intramural segment of the tube. That is easy to fix. The other tubal blockage can be difficult to identify. It is called salpingitis isthmica nodosa (S.I.N.). The best way to describe it is like a sieve partially blocking the lumen of the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube. During studies to determine if the tube is open, the dye can go through to give the appearance that the tube is OK. Sperm can get through to the egg, but the embryo cannot traverse the tube to the uterus. The result is a tubal pregnancy. Instead of having a baby, a woman with a tubal pregnancy must have treatment to destroy the pregnancy in the fallopian tube. A tubal pregnancy is life threatening. If an examiner knows what to look for, salpingitis isthmica nodosa can usually be identified, and disaster averted.
OK, there is a self inflicted tubal problem. It is tubal sterilization. At one time it was only accomplished by cutting out a section of each fallopian tube and tying the stumps. Although a few programs, mostly OB-GYN generalists, try to reopen tubes after “tubal ligation”, today, it is probably better to by-pass the tubes with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Tubal problems are a fairly common finding when evaluating an infertile couple. Today, in stead of surgery, we have much better and more effective tools to deal with tubal infertility. If fallopian tubes are badly damaged, we can bypass them. Today, we do not even need fallopian tubes. We have in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Women who take antidepressants face a difficult choice when they become pregnant, and for many the risks vs. benefits of continuing treatment are not clear, a joint report from the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists finds.
The report confirms that there are far more questions than answers about the dangers antidepressants pose to the babies born to women who take them.
It also presents guidelines to help doctors and patients identify who should and should not consider stopping drug treatment.
Pregnant women who experience psychotic episodes, have bipolar disorder, or who are suicidal or have a history of suicide attempts should not be taken off antidepressants, the report concludes.
"We know that untreated depression poses real risks to babies. That is not conjecture," Yale University School of Medicine ob-gyn Charles Lockwood, MD, tells WebMD. "We know much less about the risks associated with antidepressant use. It is clear that more study is needed."
According to one study, the rate of antidepressant use during pregnancy more than doubled between 1999 and 2003. The study found that in 2003, one in eight women took an antidepressant at some point during her pregnancy.
Greater use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft were largely responsible for the increase.
These drugs were generally considered safe for pregnant women at the time, but safety concerns soon emerged, especially regarding Paxil.
Separate studies from Sweden and the U.S. suggested an increased risk for congenital heart defects in babies born to women who took Paxil during pregnancy.
The reports led the FDA to issue an advisory in December 2005 warning about the potential risk based on early results of two studies.
But the joint panel found the evidence linking Paxil use during pregnancy to heart problems in newborns to be inconclusive.
Lockwood tells WebMD that if the risk is real, it is probably not limited to Paxil alone.
"It is very likely to be a class effect and not just this one drug," he says.
SSRI use during pregnancy has also been linked in some studies to an increased risk for miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm delivery.
But once again, the report found no definitive link between the use of the antidepressants and these pregnancy outcomes.
"Antidepressant use in pregnancy is well studied, but available research has not yet adequately controlled for other factors that may influence birth outcomes including maternal illness or behaviors that can adversely affect pregnancy," the joint panel writes.
The report was published in both the American Psychiatric Association journal General Hospital Psychiatry and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The joint panel concludes that a gradual reducing of antidepressant dosages and stopping antidepressants altogether may be appropriate for women who hope to become pregnant if they have had mild or no symptoms for six months or longer.
The group also recommended that:
Psychiatrist Ariela Frieder, MD, who specializes in treating pregnant women with depression at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, tells WebMD that her patients tend to be very concerned about how antidepressants will affect their baby and much less aware of the dangers posed by untreated depression.
Frieder was a practicing ob-gyn in her native Argentina before moving to New York where she did her residency in psychiatry.
"Many women want to stop treatment abruptly and even stop on their own, but this can be very risky," she says.
Jennifer Wu, MD, an ob-gyn who practices at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital, agrees.
"The old conventional wisdom was that pregnancy was a honeymoon period for depression and that patients would be able to come off their medications and be OK," she tells WebMD. "But we have learned that this is not true. It has become more and more apparent that pregnancy is a vulnerable time for patients with a history of depression."
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Technorati Tags: Dr. Barry Jacobs, Fertility, HSG, Infertility, Intended Parents, IVF
Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Fertility, Infertility, Intended Parents | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Dr. Barry Jacobs, Fertility, Infertility, Infertility Evaluations, Intended Parents
By Dean Nelson, South Asia Editor
Published: 8:30PM BST 30 Jul 2009
Ram Niwas, 25, consulted his uncle a 'tantrik' or black magic priest, who told him he and his wife would only give birth to a boy if he killed a young girl in a ritual sacrifice.
The body of Vandana was discovered in a field close to her home in a village in Lakhimpur Kheri district around 100 miles south of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Her body was surrounded by incense sticks which had been used in the tantrik ritual.
Ram Niwas, his uncle, tantrik priest Mewa Lal, 55, and friend Yousef Ansari, 22, were arrested shortly after the discovery.
A man beheaded his neighbour's five-year-old daughter after being told by his uncle, a self-proclaimed tantrik (witch doctor), that only a human sacrifice would enable his wife to give birth to a healthy male child.
The gruesome ritual took place in a village in Lakhimpur Kheri district, 150km south of Lucknow on Tuesday. Ram Niwas, 25, who beheaded the child, his uncle, Mewa Lal, 55, and an associate, Yousuf Ansari, 22, have been arrested, the police said.
The three men confessed to their crime shortly after the body was discovered on Tuesday evening, said local police station officer Ravi Srivastava. Niwas told detectives he had turned to his Tantrik uncle because he and his wife had suffered fertility problems.
The case highlights India's chronic levels of female infanticide. An article in The Lancet revealed that 10 million female foetuses had been aborted in the last 20 years by women who wanted a son, while campaigners say many newborn girls are murdered at birth and recorded as stillborn.
Girls are widely regarded as a financial burden by Indian families because of high dowry demands from the families of prospective grooms.
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Technorati Tags: Egg Donation, Embryo Donation, Fertility, Infertility, Infertility Answers, Pregnancy, Sperm Donation, Surrogacy
Posted at 01:10 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Current Affairs, Infertility, Intended Parents, Pregnancy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: AFA, American Fertility Association, Fertility, Infertility, Pregnancy, USA Today
Scientists hope the discovery may lead to better infertility treatments and help women plan when to have children better. It could also help control the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, both of which are associated with the menopause.
The discovery was made by researchers in the Netherlands who analysed genetic data from nine studies involving 10,339 menopausal women.
The findings, from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna.
Researcher Lisette Stolk said: "We found that the 20 were all related to a slightly earlier menopause, and women who had one of them experienced menopause nearly a year earlier than others.
"We know that 10 years before menopause women are much less fertile, and five years before many are infertile. In Western countries, where women tend to have children later in life and closer to menopause, age at menopause can be an important factor in whether or not a particular woman is able to become a mother."
The menopause occurs when a woman's stock of eggs, which number one or two million at birth, falls to the point where reproduction is no longer possible.
Its timing varies considerably among white women, ranging between 40 and 60 years of age, but the average age is around 50.
As well as causing infertility, the menopause is associated with an increased risk of the brittle bone disease osteoporosis and heart disease.
Previous studies of twins have suggested that inherited genetic factors are important in deciding when a woman will go through the menopause, but the Dutch study represents the first time the genetic markers have been identified.
The Dutch scientists now plan to use the same analysis technique, known as a genome-wide association study (GWAS), on an even larger sample of women.
"If these studies give us a better understanding of the function of the genetic variants involved in early menopause, we might one day be able to screen women who have problems getting pregnant to see if they have one or more of these variants which might relate to their sub-fertility, and perhaps interfere with the relevant physiological pathways in order to delay their total infertility," Miss Stolk said.
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Technorati Tags: Early Menopause, Infertility, Lisette Stolk
Newlywed couples in Lebanon are up against big pressure to start a family. With an 18.7 percent national infertility rate, that can be a problem. But one bank is offering fertility loans as a solution. Ben Gilbert reports.
Ben Gilbert: When Maher Mazher first heard that his fellow Lebanese were more infertile than the average person, the marketing professor started doing his homework on married couples.
Maher Mazher: We have done a quantitative research on 600 person, showing that 18.7 percent couldn't have babies.
Mazher, who's also a marketing manager at Lebanon's first national bank, saw dollar signs. He calculated that each year, around 10,000 couples in Lebanon undergo fertility treatments of some kind. Mazher's research resulted in this:
Lebanese sociologists have noted the pressure society exerts on newlyweds to have children here. Mazher says Lebanese families can be overbearing:
Mazher: If after three or five or six months, they don't see that the lady's not pregnant, they start asking, "Is it she or you? Are you trying? When are you trying?"
And adoption is not an option for most Lebanese. It's banned for Muslims, and Christians frown on it. Infertility is also grounds for divorce here.
But now Mazher says his loan can help. Couples can borrow $7,000 at 5 percent interest. It can be used to finance in vitro fertilization surgery or fertility "treatments."
Mazher says the bank isn't looking to profit off the loans. He says they are "humanitarian," and good marketing for FNB Bank.
Mazher: Because this is the best way to touch their heart. Each time they would look at their baby and the baby would smile, they will remember FNB. It is the best way to get into their life.
Some Lebanese have objected to Mazher's fertility loan. But Mazher says in the ad campaign's first week, his bank received more than 100 calls a day.
In Beirut, I'm Ben Gilbert for Marketplace.
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Its always good to know your insurance benefits! Below is a news release from Tricare this month.
Sharon
Infertility is a difficult condition for families to cope with. Many TRICARE beneficiaries may be wondering what their options are if they find themselves in a situation where infertility becomes an issue. The answer is, with a few important exceptions, TRICARE covers most infertility treatments.
Diagnostic services to identify physical illnesses or injuries to the reproductive system are covered for both men and women. Infertility treatments, corrective treatments and surgeries for women are also covered. However, treatment of male infertility including erectile dysfunction may be cost shared, which is determined on a case by case basis.
Therapies covered by TRICARE include hormonal treatment, corrective surgery, antibiotics, administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or radiation therapy depending on the cause. These therapies are covered for both sexes.
Treatments excluded from TRICARE coverage include in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for women. Reversal of surgical sterilization is not covered for either sex.
Although TRICARE does not cover IVF, there are four military treatment facilities (MTF) where IVF medical training programs are conducted. The four MTFs are: Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio; Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu; Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Beneficiaries who participate in these programs will be responsible for all MTF costs.
These IVF programs are available to military members and their families. However, the IVF treatments are not covered by TRICARE and beneficiaries are responsible for all costs.
Get more information on covered infertility treatments by visiting your TRICARE regional contractor’s Web site:
Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Infertility, Intended Parents, Pregnancy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
If you are interested in serving as an egg donor or traditional surrogate, the aim of the psychologist is twofold. The psychologist would like to gather as much information as possible so the recipient couple is prepared. For example, should there be a family history for learning disabilities, the recipient couple can learn about possible warning signs. Consequently, should their child develop academic difficulties, the recipient couple could then proceed with appropriate treatment. It is important to remember that psychologists know there is no perfect person and that it is extremely rare for a person to have a family history devoid of any psychological problems. The psychologist is trained to remain neutral, and is interested in providing acceptance and support. A well-seasoned psychologist knows it is more credible if a person has had a bump or two along the road and/or if a donor/surrogate speaks of at least one relative who has experienced some sort of psychological problem. It is best to be honest. It is far better to honestly portray yourself and your family than to cover up what you fear could disqualify you. It is likely you will be disqualified if you are inconsistent in your responses. The psychologist is also interested in determining your stability. Couples who seek out an egg donor or surrogate are very serious about wanting a successful outcome. Some couples have tried to have children for five or even ten years, by the time they reach this step. It is imperative you are certain you can and want to take this journey to completion. The psychologist will try to determine whether or not you will follow through by not only asking you about your feelings about serving as an egg donor/surrogate, but also by looking for patterns of stability in your past. The psychologist will also spend time discussing with you the psychological ramifications of serving as an egg donor/surrogate. This portion of the interview is for your benefit. Regardless as to your motivation, helping a couple have children is a wonderful gift. Your desire to be a part of the miracle of life puts you in a very special, cherished category. You deserve to understand how this experience might affect you. It is also important you learn enough about this process in order to make the right decision for you. Should you have any questions, please ask them. Serving as an egg donor/surrogate is a decision that will affect you for the entirety of your life. It will most likely be comforting for you to receive answers to any questions you might have.
If you are interested in serving as a gestational surrogate, it is likely you will be asked to meet with a psychologist. Many of the same questions will be asked. Although your genetic history will not come into play, the psychologist will want to get to know you, so s/he can describe you to the intended parents. Additionally, the psychologist will be interested in determining if you will be able to provide a safe environment, both physically and environmentally, while you carry a couple’s baby. The psychologist will also want to prepare you in many different ways. Not only are there many issues to consider during your pregnancy, but it is of utmost importance to prepare you for what you might feel when you release a child to the intended parents. This is one of the most selfless and beautiful gifts you can give to others. At the same time, it can leave a tremendous void. The psychologist will want to prepare you and your partner to make sure that as you think through your decision, you can determine what is best for you.
You may be asked to take a personality test. Most often, the Minnesota
Recipient couples, also known as intended parents, are sometimes asked to attend an interview with a psychologist. They are sometimes asked to take an MMPI-2. For those of you who are considering using an egg donor, the interview with a psychologist is to make sure you have considered what it might feel like in the future, to have a child who is not fully genetically related to you. Additionally, the psychologist may ask questions to determine your financial and emotional stability. This is not done in a judgmental or critical manner. Rather, this would be to help you plan well for yourselves, especially if you have never had children.
If you are considering using a surrogate, the clinical interview for the intended parents is designed to prepare you for the emotional and financial issues that may come up. There are many things to consider when using a surrogate, such as whether or not you will provide health insurance, life insurance, or home support in case your surrogate becomes bedridden with a pregnancy. Additionally, it is wise to think ahead with regards to how you might handle a poorly formed fetus, or multiples that jeopardize the life of the mother and/or the babies. Lastly, it is a good idea to discuss what expectations you have with regards to a relationship with the surrogate both during and after a pregnancy. A trained psychologist can guide you through this dialogue, and inform you so you can make the best decisions for this very important and life-altering event.
Posted at 01:00 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Egg Donation, Infertility, Intended Parents, Surrogacy | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Dr. Barbara Feinberg, licensed psychologist
In talking with Evelina, who is in GA (and on the EDSPA Board) and very involved with fighting this (which may be voted into law by next Thursday!) This bill is about only being able to MAKE 2 or 3 embryos at a TIME....not just what you can transfer. So if you are under 40 and have 12 eggs, only 2 can be fertilized...if you are over 40 then only 3 can be fertilized! No more then that....We need to clearly get the truth of this bill a crossed to everyone because who is going to want to make just 2 or 3 embryos at a time? Who can pick and choose which eggs would be the best to fertilize AND then there would be NO EMBRYOS LEFT for freezing! (perhaps you can freeze the eggs however that is not perfected yet and the cost....well....it just wouldn't be worth it) Apparently it's the right to lifers who are pouring money into this GA bill so that there will/would be no more 'babies on ice"...
On another note, if this bill passes I hear that the ASRM will consider moving the Oct. meeting to another location.
Please forgive me for posting this but I wanted everyone to read this!
Sharon LaMothe (comments welcome!)
This was posted by Mark Perloe~
Your urgent and immediate action on two bills introduced in the Georgia State Senate is of vital importance. .
The Georgia Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on two bills: SB 169 and SB 204 this Thursday, March 5, at 9:00 AM in Room 450 of the State Capitol. At the hearing, the committee will hear testimony on the bills. Reproductive medicine physicians from across the state, along with Resolve and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) oppose both of the bills. The hearing is open to the public and we encourages you to attend the hearing and send a letter to the Committee members before Thursday. To send a letter immediately, click here.
Senate Bill 169 would restrict doctors' ability to perform IVF in accordance with best medical standards. Here are the key provisions:
- No more than 2 or 3 eggs could ever be fertilized in a cycle; if a woman produced more eggs, they still could not be used.
- Only 2 embryos could ever be transferred to the uterus, unless the woman is age 40 or over (then a max of 3).
- No extra embryos could be cryopreserved. If they are created, they have to be transferred.
- No financial relief, such as insurance coverage, is proposed to help with the added financial burden of using less effective treatment. Patients will still have to pay out of pocket for less effective treatment.
- Bans all financial compensation for donor gametes, such as egg donor, sperm donor, or embryo donation, which would reduce the pool of available donors in Georgia.
SB 204 is an embryo adoption bill. It would subject embryo donation to all the same provisions as required by law for adoption of a child. This would subject infertility patients needing an embryo donation to go through the judicial proceedings, home visits, and other procedures required for an adoption. Such treatment is not appropriate nor is it needed for embryo donation.
If you care about open access to the best care possible, let the Committee members know before Thursday that you oppose these two bills. To send a letter or fax to the Committee, simply click here http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://secure2.convio.net%2Fres%2Fsite%2FAdvocacy%3Fcmd%3Ddisplay%26page%3DUserAction%26id%3D219 for a letter template that will be automatically sent to each of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee members. You can also call your state Senator even if they are not on the Committee and tell them you oppose these two bills. A full list of the Committee members can be found by clicking on the link below, then clicking on the Senators name for a link to their direct contact information: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.legis.ga.gov%2Flegis%2F2009_10%2Fsenate%2Fhealth.php
Please be respectful in all communications to the elected officials and their staff. Please remember that rude communications work against our interests.
Thank you for taking action today and showing the Georgia Senate that you care about open and available access to care for the women and men diagnosed with infertility in the state of Georgia.
To send a letter to the Committee members immediately, click here. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://secure2.convio.net%2Fres%2Fsite%2FAdvocacy%3Fcmd%3Ddisplay%26page%3DUserAction%26id%3D219
To view the full text of the bills please follow the links below:
SB 169: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.legis.state.ga.us%2Flegis%2F2009_10%2Fsum%2Fsb169.htm
SB 204: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.legis.state.ga.us%2Flegis%2F2009_10%2Fsum%2Fsb204.htm
Georgia Economic Impact
• More than $200 million in revenue and countless jobs would be lost by Georgia medical practices, psychologists, lawyers, pharmacists, as well as by those in the restaurant and lodging industry who provide services to those traveling for care.
• An expected 50-60% drop in live births associated with legislation limiting the number of oocytes fertilized or transferred would create a powerful incentive for Georgia couples to seek care outside Georgia. Alternatively, they would have to consider multiple treatment cycles to achieve the same success rate as we now see. The cost for additional treatment cycles as well as lost productivity due to time away from jobs can not be immediately calculated.
• Embryo donation is the most a cost effective option for many couples hoping to build a family. Yet this legislation would impose additional legal expenses and home studies that would create a significant cost barrier for many with limited financial resources. As a result this option would no longer be available for many couples
• The majority of higher order multiple pregnancies [triplets or more] result from ovulation induction and not IVF. This legislation will result in a marked decrease in local IVF services and a dramatic increase in the number of ovulation induction cycles with the higher risk of multiple births and the resultant costs.
• The American Society of Reproductive Medicine is planning its annual meeting in Atlanta this fall. Approximately 5,000 people are expected to attend. Passing this legislation will induce many to stay at home. The resultant revenue loss for our convention and travel industry comes at a very difficult time for our economy.
• This legislation will preclude the use of preimplantation embryo screening to prevent diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, Huntington’s diease and other genetic conditions that result in an enormous financial burden to the individual and often to the state to provide ongoing medical care.
• The financial cost of defending court challenges to HBB during an economic downturn is a needless tax on government funds.
• Biotech industry seeking to relocate will likely have second thoughts about moving to Georgia with passage of this legislation.
Unanswered Questions
• Will cryopreserved embryos that already exist be subject to this law?
• Will this law be applicable to embryos that have been created in another state?
• Will this law apply if the individuals are not Georgia state residents?
• Does this law allow for inheritance rights for embryos deemed to be children?
• Are embryos entitled to social security survivor benefits?
• Will embryos be entitled to child support in the case of divorce to cover the expense of storage?
• Will women who have undergone embryo transfer be able to use the HOV lane….there is an additional “child” on board.
• What happens to embryos that were frozen more than two at a time?
• What about agencies that charge a fee to match recipients and embryo donors while not providing a medical service? Will this be considered the same as selling a baby?
• If an embryo has been frozen longer than 18 years is it still a child? How do you calculate a child's age if the embryo is 20 years old, but the child was born two years ago, how old is the child?
• Not too infrequently, a one cell embryo splits resulting in twins. As this bill describes a single cell embryo as a child do we consider these identical twins as one child or two?
• If an embryo has been frozen longer than 18 years is it still a child? How do you calculate a child's age if the embryo is 20 years old, but the child was born two years ago, are we dealing with a child or an adult?
• The bill states that its purpose is to promote the best interest of the child. As cryopreserved embryos are classified as children and only 20-30% of embryo transfers results in pregnancy, we must ask if this means all embryos should undergo cryopreservation rather than transferring them to avoid the 80% loss rate for these "children"?
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The "Base Fee"
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
Posted at 07:37 AM in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Egg Donation, Infertility, Intended Parents, Parenting 101, Surrogacy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Egg Donors, Intended Parents, New Message Board, Support Forum, Surrogates



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