Surrogacy 101

All About Frozen Embryos

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. 

How are embryos created during an In Vitro Fertilization cycle? At what stage are embryos frozen? What is an oocyte?  Is it the same as a gamete? What is the difference between an embryo and a pre-embryo? What is a 2PN embryo? What is a Zygote?  What are Blastomeres? What is a Morula? What is a Blastocyst? How does implantation occur? What is assisted hatching? Is it better to transfer 8-cell embryos or blastocysts? How are embryos frozen and stored after an IVF cycle? How long does it take for embryos to thaw? How does the thawing process work? Will all the embryos survive the thaw? How long after they are thawed are embryos transferred? How long can embryos be frozen and still be viable? Will frozen embryos be as likely to produce a pregnancy as fresh embryos after they are thawed? Can embryos be frozen more than once? What are the factors thought to affect embryo quality? How are embryos graded? What is “normal development” for an embryo at the time of transfer? What is PGD? Is it possible to have genetic tests performed on embryos that have been frozen? Is it possible to tell the gender of an embryo? What is the typical success rate with frozen embryo transfer? When do embryos implant in the uterus? What are the symptoms of implantation? How soon can I take a pregnancy test? What factors can be used to assess the likelihood that an FET will be successful? Are children born from frozen embryos normal?

 

Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon: A LaMothe Movie Review

  Having family in for the holidays? Are they into politics? Rugby? Old enough to remember the 1995 World Cup Championship match? Looking for a team to cheer for? Well if that is what you want, Invictus will give it to you.

 

I really didn't know what to expect when I bought the tickets to see Invictus with my husband last weekend but I certainly didn't expect to "learn" anything...just another sports movie about a team that had already played out history while I was living a very different life. (Where WAS I in 1995? Under a rock? I didn't remember any of this in the news or maybe I wasn't even watching!)

 

Invictus is awe inspiring, uplifting and has its share of comic relief, however, it isn't for the entire family. Younger children would be bored while teenagers would need to either be studying South Africa and President Mandela or just in love with sports stories. For me, I came away with a new respect for President Mandela and his country and that is worth the price of a ticket!

 

Synopsis

From director Clint Eastwood, 'Invictus' tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

 

Starring

Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Julian Lewis Jones, Adjoa Andoh

Director(s)

Clint Eastwood

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros.

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Runtime

   134  min

Happy Holidays!!

 

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

By: Amanda Bradley

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!

Warm Regards,
Sharon LaMothe
http://infertilityanswers.org/

 

Sharon LaMothe: 2 year in a row voted Top 100 in the Wellsphere People's Health Blogger Awards

Thank you for voting for me and my blog(s) in the Wellsphere People's Health Blogger awards 2009, making the top 100 a second year in a row! Your confidence and comments are truly appreciated!

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

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/

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.

 

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

The Blind Side: A LaMothe Movie Review

  I know that with school holidays right around the corner it can be a struggle to come up with ideas to keep everyone entertained...that includes company as well as the kids! I took my family the day after Thanksgiving to the movie The Blind Side. What we were originally planning to see was 2012, which happened to be sold out when we arrived so The Blind Side was chosen only because we wouldn't have to wait more then 30 minutes before it started. Not knowing much about it I was pleasantly surprised at how GREAT it was! What a wonderful feel-good family movie! I have posted the synopsis below but I have to add that this film has something for everyone...sports, drama and family values. It was a "touch down" for everyone in our group. So if you are looking to spend some time at the cinema, I highly recommend The Blind Side!

 

Synopsis: Drama. "The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle. --© Warner Bros

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron
Director: John Lee Hancock