We’ve just wrapped up Breast Cancer Awareness Month and have been reflecting on this topic extensively - but it is of course a conversation that is important year round. At GoStork, we’re here to talk about the complexities that survivors can face after breast cancer while trying to build a family. Before we delve deeper, there are a number of unfortunate, yet important, statistics one should be aware of:
> According to BreastCancer.org 1 in 8 women or 13% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
> According to Young Survival Coalition, in 2015 it was estimated that 12,150 cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed in women under 40. 26,393 cases were approximated in women under 45 years of age.
With a sharp increase in women delaying pregnancy and birth, worldwide but especially in the United States, breast cancer interrupts thousands of women’s lives and plans for motherhood. Additionally, and as noted by the Young Survival Coalition, it is estimated that some 30% or more of breast cancer in young women is diagnosed in the few years after she has a baby, creating a deeper crisis of mothering while enduring months of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and irreparably changing the course for her having more children.
For younger women, a breast cancer diagnosis often brings with it the complex challenges involving issues around sexuality, fertility and pregnancy risks, early menopause and enduring sexual dysfunction post treatment.
When a woman is facing a cancer diagnosis, especially a younger woman, the medical community may rush to save her life, literally. This rush includes rapid movement into critical but also life altering treatments, including surgeries, radiation, chemo-therapy and immediate endocrine therapy treatments to suppress hormones that may fuel cancer’s growth. While many medical institutions do their very best to help young women understand the fertility challenges they face with this diagnosis and the immediate treatment to come, their medical priority is to save this woman’s life and every day of delay in treatment is of great concern. In an ideal world (though the situation is already far from ideal), there will be time for the young woman to preserve her fertility before starting treatment, but this is often not a viable option.
I personally am alive today thanks to a dedicated team of oncologists and surgeons working tirelessly to provide aggressive, effective treatments so that I can hopefully see my children grow to be adults.
For many, this diagnosis brings immediate shock and terror. For women who have a cancer diagnosis put into remission, at some point down the road many of us are met with a harsh new reality: cancer has fundamentally changed our motherhood options forever.
It is well known that the majority of cancer cases in younger women (under 40 years old) are also linked to known cancer genes and genetic mutations in these genes. These mutations significantly increase a woman’s “life-time risk” of developing breast cancer. The mutations that are best known and most studied at this time are on the BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genes.
Once you’re in the young and surviving cancer club, that group that you never wanted to belong to in the first place, you frequently face the challenges in this new reality. For women with genetic mutations that drive a high-risk case of cancer or recurrence, becoming pregnant by your own body is often quite dangerous. And just when it feels like we survivors have enough on our plates, we now know thanks to research released in 2017 and subsequent research in 2021, that the BRCA genes are also linked to premature ovarian reserve. This means that for the woman who has BRCA-linked cancer, her ovarian reserve is already lower than the average woman, adding yet another complexity to her future family building.
And, as our dear friends over at The Chick Mission say, “Having cancer isn’t a choice. Having kids still should be.” So let’s recap:
Young woman with a cancer diagnosis
If there was time and money or health coverage (by no means a guarantee), she might have been able to pursue one cycle of egg preservation prior to cancer treatments beginning (though often this is not possible.)
After chemo, radiation, surgeries, she’s now surviving cancer
Having BRCA, she already had lower ovarian reserves and her AMH levels remain lower after chemo in comparison to non-BRCA breast cancer patients
Pregnancy, a 9-month long, estrogen bath for the mother and baby, is considered dangerous for a potential cancer recurrence
Getting to Motherhood...Could someone pull out the “WT___” banner as I and so many survivors run this marathon!
So many young survivors ask, is there any way forward to motherhood for me? And yes, the challenges feel insurmountable at times.
Here is where those of us who have met these challenges head on while devoting our careers to the Fertility/Infertility industry, welcome a company like GoStork. How does GoStork help breast cancer survivors that want to build or grow their families?
Many of us will require a multi-stepped journey using Third Party Reproduction to build our families post cancer. The Third Party Journey can include donor oocytes (eggs), donor sperm, donor embryos, a Reproductive Medicine specialist and IVF center, as well as the possibility of a Gestational Carrier (the woman who can carry the pregnancy and give birth to the Intended Parent(s) child).
Via GoStork, cancer survivors can utilize a medical marketplace that provides one, online location where the survivor and her partner/family can access the largest, free database of egg donors. She can find, compare and connect with Reproductive Medicine centers that she can afford and Surrogacy Agencies that meet her needs, should she require a gestational carrier. GoStork’s marketplace is even able to help survivors connect to IVF centers that take her health insurance benefits and facilitate a match to centers based on being in or out-of-network. Finally, all users of GoStork can also apply for fertility loans through the platform itself if needed for fertility preservation or a later fertility journey post cancer treatments.
When all is said, my sister-survivors and I need our medical odyssey with cancer to end without another difficult trek in family building beginning. For those of you on this path with me, you’ve known the lack of medical clarity, the lack of health coverage, the frustration with scores of egg donor and surrogacy companies, and the untold time consumption into research on what is safe for your body. We’ve all been left to piece together whatever parts of third-party reproduction are right for us.
GoStork, a first of its kind solution saves you time, work and money, while giving a previously unprecedented access to options, to cost transparency and esteemed medical establishments, all while informing and supporting you on your reproductive journey post cancer. As a survivor and a user of GoStork, I can honestly say, this marketplace makes a significant difference in how we move from a devastating chapter in life to a new one filled with hope for new beginnings.
About Kristin Shadick, GoStork CCO
Kristin Shadick has two decades of experience in the Fertility industry. She is a commercial executive & advisor to early-staged FemTech and Women's Healthcare companies. Mission driven, she shepherds best-in-class products/technologies to market, giving fertility consumers better outcomes and options for their journey.
Making the choice between a frozen egg cycle and a fresh egg donor cycle can feel confusing. On one hand, it would seem as though using an egg that hasn’t been frozen and thawed would have better results. But on the other hand, the doctors are telling you that frozen egg cycles are just as successful as fresh ones. So which choice is right for you? Here is a look at how these two methods differ.
Fresh Donor Cycles A fresh donor cycle is one that is completed in real time. Your donor will not have her medical cycle or egg extraction until after you choose her, so there will be more lead up time to get your eggs and, ultimately, to having your embryo transfer.
In a fresh donor cycle, doctors will work to stimulate your donor’s menstrual cycles with your cycle (or your surrogate’s cycle, if you’re one). The hope is that your donor’s eggs can be retrieved and fertilized just in time to be transferred directly to the uterus without having the need to be frozen. This can represent an additional amount of time between donor selection and transfer, and for some intended parents, that’s a deal killer.
While it is true that you’re less likely to lose embryos to the freezing or thawing process, the science shows that a fresh embryo transfer is not more successful, statistically than a transfer with a previously frozen embryo. So there is no disadvantage to choosing a fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
Financially, a fresh donor cycle will cost more than a frozen cycle. This is due in large part to the need to compensate your donor for her travel needs.
Finally, one perk of choosing fresh cycles is that you can freeze excess embryos. You’re more likely to wind up with more viable embryos as a result of a fresh transfer than a frozen one, which could increase the odds of a better, stronger embryo. Once you’ve selected the best embryos to transfer, you may freeze the remaining embryos for future transfers, or if all goes well, a future sibling. There will be no anxiety over finding the same donor in the future in order to ensure that future children share a biological mother and are related to each other.
Dear Sassy Surrogate- I don’t know what to do!!! I have been trying to conceive for a very long time and can’t get pregnant. I want to be a mom so much. I hear people say that infertility is common but if that is true, why does no one ever talk about it? Is it my fault I can’t get pregnant? I feel so alone.
From - Sad and Alone
Dear Sad and Alone -
I am so sorry for what you are going through. It is true that “7.4 million women, or 11.9% of women, have ever received any infertility services in their lifetime. Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained.” https://resolve.org/infertility-101/what-is-infertility/fast-facts/ This is an issue that affects a high number of both men and women, yet so many people suffer in silence.
I struggled with infertility for over five years. We went through years of unsuccessfully “trying” to get pregnant on our own, over a year of attempting artificial insemination (IUI) and then years of IVF treatment until we were blessed with our daughter. I spent most of that time feeling ashamed and like a failure. I felt inadequate and that my inability to get pregnant meant that there was something wrong with me. I was too embarrassed to talk about it or tell anyone about the pain we were going through. I did not want people to feel sorry for me, yet I spent every day feeling sorry for myself. The grief and sadness were so intense that I isolated myself and felt even more alone. I felt as if I were the only one in the world going through these feelings and experiences. At that time, it felt like everyone around me and everywhere I went people were either pregnant or had a baby (and then getting pregnant again). I had a hard time being happy for friends and family who were having babies and even started resenting going to baby showers. I did not like the person I had become. These feelings added to my shame and isolation. Where was that 11.9% of women when I needed them? Why did I feel so alone when others were clearly also experiencing the same things? We blame ourselves and shame ourselves into isolation instead of reaching out and seeking the support we need.
Now I share my experiences and struggles with everyone. I reach out to anyone I hear might be dealing with any sort of infertility. I never want anyone else to feel alone and isolated like I did. I want them to feel supported and to know they are not the alone in their feelings, emotions and struggles. It is important to spread the word, to let others know it is okay to talk about, to let people know that opening up about infertility can feel good. The more openly people are able to discuss their struggles, the less alone people feel and the more others will feel okay to open up themselves. The more women (and men!) support others who are struggling with infertility, the less alone they will feel and the more they will understand that no matter what, it is not their fault, there is nothing to be ashamed of and that they are not a failure. We need to help stop the stigma that surrounds infertility and the best way we can put an end to it is by talking about it. The more people share their experiences the more they learn and the more people can use each other as resources.
Another important way to destigmatize infertility is to understand that infertility is a medical condition, and like many medical conditions, it is one that might require medical assistance and treatment. Making it a medical condition takes the personal blame and shame out of it and can make it easier to discuss and seek treatment. Science has made many advances and there are many alternatives to help couples seeking fertility treatment to get pregnant. For example, there are fertility drugs, IUI, donor sperm and donor egg, In vitro fertilization, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, donor embryos, surrogacy and more. The opportunities for couples to become pregnant is so much higher than in past years. Let’s talk about it and share our experiences!
At the time I was experiencing infertility, I wished for a crystal ball. I needed to “know” that at some point I would be a mom, that my dream would come true. I did not mind (although unpleasant) the treatments, the appointments, the shots, etc. It was the unknown that was the most painful and difficult to bear. It is important to keep reminding yourself that you should not lose hope. You will find your path. Hopefully along the way you can seek support. The support is out there. Always remember you are not alone! The path to parenthood, whether IVF, surrogacy, egg/sperm donation, adoption, no longer matters once you hold your baby in your arms; the pain and uncertainty of the journey fades away and is replaced by a joy and love you never could have even imagined. Colorado Surrogacy [www.coloradosurro.com] loves to support gestational carriers of all types: Sassy, sensational and splendid. Their entire team [https://www.coloradosurro.com/meet-the-staff] loves to provide support and encouragement through journeys of all types.
Once all parties make the beginning steps toward becoming part of a surrogacy arrangement, separately or together, all of past medical issues will be revealed. (At least the ones that have to do with pregnancy, fertility, any transmitted diseases, depression etc.) Everyone has to sign medical waivers and the surrogate will know the back ground of the IPs just as the IPs will know the medical background of their surrogate. The RE/clinic will also have records pertaining to past pregnancies of the surrogate or IVF cycles involving the Intended Parents. Nothing can be secret or sacred when the health of the surrogate is at stake or the best chances for the embryo. If you have something to hide then surrogacy in the USA is not for you.
"My name is Anuj Agarwal. I'm Founder of Feedspot.
I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Surrogacy 101 has been selected by our panelist as one of theTop 50 Surrogacy Blogs on the web.
I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 50 Surrogacy Blogson the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!"
It's always nice to be validated and acknowledged and making the top 50 on the Internet for Surrogacy is pretty awesome! I hope that my dear readers also feel that the information found on Surrogacy 101 is helpful and easy to understand! I appreciate your continued support!
Searching for someone to help you build your family is never easy no matter what you read in the magazines or online. Because of the long list of requirements and qualifications, even the most warm hearted and kind women can be rejected for seemingly the simplest reasons. This makes it very difficult to find the right surrogacy candidates even for agencies. Think of it this way: First, the age group of 21-38 (sometimes through 40 depending), then only those who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth are considered. Out of that group, healthy weight and lifestyle (BMI below 30, nonsmokers or drinkers, no STD’s or medical issues such as depression etc.) will continue on. The field is narrowed even further with only those women who are not on state or federal assistance and have their own transportation.
Now, if the woman you are looking for has passed all of these hurdles she still needs to pass a psychological and medical evaluation. More importantly she has to WANT to be a surrogate. Most women do not. They are raising their own families and/or have a career to consider. Or they hated being pregnant. These women may not have husbands or partners who would be supportive of the whole idea of surrogacy. Even if a woman wanted to be a surrogate and met every requirement listed above, if she lives in a state that criminalizes surrogacy, you are both out of luck.
On top of all of these guidelines, requirements, stipulations and so on….there are the “wish lists”. Intended Parents may want a woman who lives locally to them or at least in the same surrogacy friendly state, they may want someone who is of the same religion or race, or they may want someone who will follow a certain diet like vegan or vegetarian for example. They may want a “stay at home mom” or someone without very young children. How about a woman who has her own insurance that allows surrogacy arrangements? And what about her base fee? Low compensation in order to save money? Or maybe money isn’t a issue and the IPs are wanting someone who has been a surrogate before. Not just an experienced surrogate but a successful surrogate. Oh! And someone who would be willing to carry twins! The list can grow very long.
Let’s not forget the surrogate’s side of things. She has her own ideas on who she carries a baby for. She may want a couple who are gay….or not. She might consider carrying for someone who is single or International. She will want her husband or partner to like the Intended Parents too. She might want someone who will allow her to keep in touch after the birth, pump breast milk, or she has visions of lifelong friendship. Maybe she has plans for the money she will make as a surrogate so she is asking for top compensation for her services. She might sign on with an agency or feel like she can “go independent” with no representation. The surrogate’s list can be very long too!
Now I know I haven’t listed all possibilities but this post is just to highlight why finding a surrogate mother, gestational carrier is anything but easy. However, don’t give up hope! Keep your wish list short and your expectations reasonable. You can hire an agency to help you but know that it’s not usual for you to find a match in a week or even a month. These things take time and patience. Surrogacy is not for the faint hearted but for those who persevere.
Wednesday I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Alice Domar speak on the topic of "Reducing the Burden of Care" at the Seattle Tacoma Area Reproductive Society’s meeting (STARS) in Seattle. What a great subject especially for those in the fertility field who have set out to help their patients and clients navigate the process of infertility treatments and, at the same time, maintaining a positive mind set. Dr. Domar introduced this great phone app that she helped design called FertiCalm. http://www.ferticalmapp.com This app can be used by women who need coping techniques in everyday situations. (Alice says they are currently working on an app just for men.)
Coping for Every Situation…Any time, Any Place, Anywhere. FertiCalm provides a variety of more than 500 custom coping options for over 50 specific situations which have the potential to cause distress throughout the family building journey located right on your phone.
Dr. Domar and Dr. Grill, the creators of this app, are reproductive psychologists with over 45 years combined experience, at two of the most prominent infertility centers in the US. They provide counseling for women, men and couples as they work to build their families and saw an unmet need. Many people don't have the time, money, or geographical access to see a therapist specially trained in infertility counseling. While FertiCalm is not substitute for treatment with a licensed therapist or psychologist, FertiCalm serves as a helpful resource for women in the exact moment they feel distress, whenever and wherever they are, by providing them with coping techniques for many common social scenarios faced by women on their family building journey.
Check it out and let everyone know what you think! Please leave feedback here, in the comments section!
In Vitro Fertilization is a true miracle to those needing extra help conceiving a child. Sometimes IVF alone is not the answer, especially for gay couples or women with medical conditions like cancer. When another woman is needed, a gestational carrier, IVF breathes new hope into a once seemingly hopeless situation.
No fertility clinic that I know will guarantee a pregnancy on the first attempt of IVF (or on the 4th attempt for that matter) The intended parents are the people who usually choose the RE/clinic so we all hope that they have done their homework regarding live birth statistics. All involved also hope that any embryos that are made and transferred are of great quality. They hope that the eggs and sperm are from the most perfect source. There is a LOT of hope involved in IVF BUT, surprise surprise, even if everything is deemed A+, Grade 1, “Excellent”, and the carrier has the “best lining I have ever seen” the IVF process can still fail! And because of this fact, the surrogacy agreement often will state that it will cover the time frame of up to 3 IVF attempts.
My best advice beyond “expect the worst but hope for the best” is for intended parents to do their research and find the best clinic they can afford. Secondly, be prepared for an IVF cycle not to work for no good reason. Everyone is doing their job and it will still fail because we are human and nothing is perfect. Keep the hope, follow doctor’s orders, know that you are not alone but be realistic. Everyone wants the same thing. A healthy pregnancy and birth.
Maybe you’re in line for that big promotion and want to put off raising a family until you’re better equipped to provide for them. Perhaps you’re in between relationships and feel your biological clock ticking away. Whatever your personal reason is, there is an option that you can explore if you’re interested in putting the idea of children on hold for the time being.
Freezing your eggs can expand your choices and help to eliminate the pressure that comes with having to choose between your current lifestyle and the potential of a future family. Below we have provided a short summary of what to expect, should you decide to pursue egg freezing, in addition to some of the main reasons that make it an attractive option for so many young women.
The Procedure
During the egg freezing procedure, you will first undergo preliminary screening to determine the current state of your reproductive cycle. After these tests, you will take a variety of drugs and hormones that assist in stimulating your ovaries and allow your body to release more eggs than usual.
After your body has been prepared, you will undergo a short egg retrieval procedure in which each available egg is collected from your ovarian follicles. Once the collection has occurred, your eggs will be frozen through an advanced technological process known as vitrification. This technique is proven to provide a more successful freezing outcome.
Now that you know a little more about what’s involved, what are some reasons that would make this such a beneficial treatment for you?
Improving The Life of Your Future Child
By choosing to freeze your eggs, you’re able to help control the ‘whens’ and ‘hows’ that can accompany your desire to get pregnant. This is an intelligent way to think about growing your family and it allows you to provide a much better life for your potential child.
Empowering yourself to make a decision about conception and childbirth without having to consider your present circumstances or age as a factor, you are making a positive decision about your child’s well-being.
Planning Your Family
Amidst the hustle and bustle of our modern society, a two-parent household is still the preferred way of raising a child. Romance, however, tends to take second place in the harsh reality of earning a living.
By freezing your eggs until you’ve found the partner that you love and want to share a child with, you’re helping to provide that child with a nurturing environment that both parents can be a part of.
Focusing On Your Career
We’re living in unstable financial times. This may be weighing on your mind when it comes to family planning. The fact is, you owe it to your future family to be able to provide for them the best that you can. Freezing your eggs is a choice that allows you to stay focused on your career, which in turn means a greater ability to provide for your family later in life.
On the other hand, the idea of having family simply may not be particularly appealing to you at the moment, and you wish first to accomplish more in your professional life while not sacrificing the possibility of starting a family later in life. There is nothing wrong with that.
Planning for the Worst
Sadly, almost 12% of women will experience breast cancer in their lifetime. Radiation and chemotherapy can have a devastating effect on a woman’s ability to conceive a child. Increasingly, young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have wisely chosen to have their eggs frozen.
If your family has a history of breast or uterine cancer, then freezing your eggs may provide you with the best chance of having a family.
Your Life, Your Choice
Ultimately, it all comes down to you. Medical technology has given you this wonderful option that allows you much more freedom in how to choose your approach to parenthood.
By freezing your eggs, you’re able to live the life you want to, achieve what you need to achieve, and put yourself in the position where you’re eager and ready to support and nurture a family. The time that you spend with your child should never be a time of regret and disappointment.
Do yourself a favor: research the options and possibilities and make a choice that’s right for you.
Momtrepreneur, fitness guru, and innovator, Noreen is the founder of Carpool Fitness and the Director of Business Development for Frozen Egg BankNetwork. She has experienced firsthand the challenges faced by momtrepreneurs, and is committed to sharing true stories about real women to inspire and empower female entrepreneurs nationwide. She also strives to educate women about the need to become aware of their fertility potential at a young age in order to help them take control of their biological clock.
When Jenn, a 34- year-old cancer survivor, was matched through an agency with Mel, a veteran gestational surrogate, age-32, neither knew exactly what would happen.
“I researched surrogacy for over a year and joined an online support group called Parents Pursuing Surrogacy,” Jenn remembers. “When my husband and I finally signed contract papers, I felt pretty confident we were going in the right direction.” But when the agency director mentioned a gestational carrier, Jenn didn’t know what she was talking about. “Do you mean a surrogate mother?” she asked. According to Sharon LaMothe, a Seattle-based surrogacy consultant, gestational carrier is the more-recent term for a surrogate mother who is biologically unrelated to the baby she carries for a couple. “That sounded clinical,” Jenn remembers. “Not what we were going for, at all.”
On a waiting list for five months, Seattleite Jenn says she felt butterflies when she met Long Beach native, Mel, for the first time at the agency’s-office in Orange County. Told that surrogates were in short-supply, Mel was the only one ready at the time whose ideas about the surrogacy process matched Jenn and her husband’s. “I saw her photo and e-mailed with her a few times, but when I met her in person, I didn’t hear a word she said. I was listening to my instincts on this one, and my heart,” Jenn says.
Mel admits the same. “Jenn and her husband were my third set of Intended Parents. I worked for several years with a couple who never had success—and it was heartbreaking.” Several embryo transfers for the couple failed and the whole experience was very discouraging,” she says. But Mel didn’t give up. Matched a 2nd time with another couple, she was pregnant with and delivered a baby girl for them. “Having a baby girl for my couple was one of the greatest things I ever did. I don’t have words for the joy it brought to everybody.” It was right then that Mel knew she wanted to do another surrogacy—but only with a couple who shared her values. “I clicked with Jenn and her husband, instantly,” Mel says. “It was love at first sight.”
Although it was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, Jenn stood by attentively while her microscopic 3-day embryos were transferred to Mel’s womb, for safe-keeping. “I knew I had to let them go to Mel. And although I am a very analytical, somewhat-controlling-person, I was able to take a step back. Mel knew the process and was a consummate professional. Even more, I could tell her heart was in the right place.” A giant leap of faith by Jenn, she says the feeling is impossible to describe. “I placed our babies in a woman I barely knew. We were asking for a miracle.”
On their second embryo transfer (Jenn’s eggs and her husband’s sperm), the team of Mel & Jenn were pregnant. Their jointly-chosen OB called Mel’s pregnancy “textbook”, but the whole experience for Jenn, was anything but. And as much as Mel was financially compensated for what Jenn calls “ultra-early-babysitting”, it turned out Jenn’s hunch about “gestational carriers” was spot-on: “Mel wasn’t a carrier—she was a MOTHER.”
Baby at 12 weeks
Jenn says that not only did Mel eat right, rest, and get great prenatal care, she involved Jenn and her husband in her pregnancy and family from day-one. “I have an open-door policy so I invited Jenn and her husband in,” Mel says in a matter of fact way. “She cared for our baby like he was a member of her family,” Jenn explains. “And Mel’s husband and kids did too. I was in California for a prenatal visit once and stayed with Mel and her family. While Mel read a Harry Potter series book out loud to her own children, my baby stopped kicking to listen.” “He’s quiet now, Jenn,” Mel whispered. The look in her eye said it all. Gestational Carrier? “No, it was LOVE,” Jenn says.
Finally, one warm February day, Jenn’s dream came true when Mel went into labor. Meaning “gift from God”, they pronounced the baby “Jonathan”. Holding back tears, Jenn cut the cord from her surrogate to her precious gift. “You are the luckiest boy in the world,” she told her new baby. “You’ve got TWO moms.”
Jenn cuts the cord
Of course, many surrogacy stories end, right here. The parents take their baby home. The surrogate feels fulfilled. The end. But although Jenn and Mel didn’t know it at that moment, for them, it was only the beginning.
Jenn remembers that Mel’s husband looked her straight in the eye on the way out of the hospital. “We’re all going to stay together, now, aren’t we?” he asked. “Absolutely,” Jenn remembers answering. According to surrogacy expert, Sharon LaMothe, “Most legal contracts between IPs and surrogates have verbiage preventing the surrogate from contacting the family, after the birth. It must be a mutual feeling, a needed connection between all parties. ” Jenn and Mel’s contract was no different. But before they signed it, they talked about their hopes and dreams for a relationship, once the baby was born.
Mel and Jonathan, age-5
As Baby Jonathan grew, the families kept in touch. Jenn and her family (that included daughter Laura) flew almost every year to California from Seattle, to visit Mel and her family. Mel and her family flew up to Seattle, during school breaks.
Mel and Jonathan, age-8
The gifts and love, from the surrogacy experience, just kept flowing.
Mel, Jonathan, and Jenn
An avid Lacrosse player at age-14, now-teen-Jonathan found a sports camp (through an Internet search) in the Los Angeles area and wanted to go. “No, it’s too far from Seattle,” Jenn remembers telling him. But he wouldn’t drop the idea. “What if Mel and her husband looked after him, while he was there?” Jenn’s husband suggested. It was at that precise moment, that a light bulb went on. Just 15 years before, Jenn stood by, and let go of her child to Mel. And now, as if by some grand design, here they went, AGAIN. After a bit of soul-searching, Jenn says she realized that she felt very comfortable letting her son fly by himself from Seattle to Lost Angeles. His mom would pick him up in baggage claim. It wouldn’t be Jenn, herself. And it wouldn’t be a gestational carrier. It would be Mel. Jenn says it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Jonathan and Mel, at the airport
“There are surrogacy stories that hit the press—more now than ever before,” says Sharon LaMothe. “But what happens between the surrogate and family, five, ten, or fifteen years down the road? These stories are just beginning to be told. There is no one-way to handle the situation. But the story of Jenn and Mel shows that it can be a good thing for all involved.”
What lies ahead for the team of Jenn and Mel? Neither mom is quite certain, but there’s one thing they know for sure: when you have faith, and let-go, no distance is too far and your own biology ceases to matter. “It’s all about love,” says Mel.” “Absolutely,” Jenn agrees.
Mel and Jenn
*JP Tammen is a freelance writer in the Seattle area
Christina Park is a reproductive attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Christina Park in Seattle. She graduated from Yale Law School. Christina assists intended parents, egg donors, embryo donors, and surrogates and is proud to help build families.
We are considering surrogacy. What legal issues in WA state should we be aware of?
It is highly recommended that the intended parent(s) and the surrogate enter into a written surrogacy agreement. This is true even if the surrogate is a friend or relative.
Surrogacy agreements describe the terms of the arrangement in detail, outline each person’s rights and responsibilities, and document your wishes for who will be the child’s legal parents (with parental rights and duties under the law).
Surrogacy laws are relatively new and untested. It is difficult to predict the outcome of court cases in this area of law. If disagreements do arise, Washington courts will likely examine the written agreement to understand your intentions and resolve disputes.
It is important to document the terms of the surrogacy arrangement in your contract. This can provide you with additional confidence and security (both during and after the pregnancy). A qualified reproductive attorney can help you prepare the contract.
What issues will the legal agreement cover?
By addressing key issues and potentially sensitive topics, the legal agreement can help set clear expectations from the start and prevent disputes in the future. Surrogacy agreements address several issues, including the following:
Parents: Who will be the child’s legal parents, with parental rights and responsibilities?
Payment:What will the surrogate be paid? (In Washington, surrogates can only be reimbursed for pregnancy expenses, actual medical expenses, and attorney fees).
Involvement:How will the intended parents be involved (for example, with important decisions related to prenatal care and testing)?
Unexpected Events: What happens if one or both of the intended parents die before the birth? Who will have custody of the child?
Future Contact:Will there be future contact between the surrogate and intended parents? If so, under what circumstances?
Can we pay a woman to be our surrogate?
In Washington, you cannot compensate a surrogate. Washington courts will not uphold an agreement to compensate a surrogate; it would be considered a gross misdemeanor. However, you can reimburse the surrogate for her pregnancy expenses, actual medical expenses, and reasonable attorney fees for drafting the surrogacy contract.
We’re a married same-sex couple, and our child will be born to a surrogate. Do we need to adopt?
Under Washington law, both spouses in a marriage (including same-sex marriages) are presumed to be the legal parents of a child born during the marriage. However, other states may not recognize this parentage for same-sex spouses.
If one spouse is not genetically related to the child, you should consider an adoption to establish and confirm parental rights. An adoption proceeding can provide additional peace of mind and help ensure that both parents receive full parental rights, even if they move outside of Washington State in the future.
I’m single, and my child will be born to a surrogate. Do I need to adopt?
If you are single and not genetically related to the child (your eggs or sperm were not used to conceive the child), you should consider an adoption or parentage proceeding to confirm your status as the child’s sole parent.
If your eggs or sperm were used to conceive the child, you may still want to consider a parentage proceeding to establish that the surrogate is not the legal parent. This also protects the surrogate from having financial obligations to support the child.
Do the surrogate and intended parents need separate attorneys?
It is highly recommended that the intended parents and the surrogate be represented by separate attorneys. This makes it much more likely that the surrogacy contract will be seen as legally valid, if you ever wind up in court. It is in the best interests of everyone involved to hire separate attorneys for the intended parents and surrogate. Typically, the intended parents pay all attorney fees (including fees for the surrogate’s attorney).
What happens after I hire an attorney?
The intended parents’ attorney will collect the necessary information and prepare the first draft of the surrogacy agreement. The surrogate’s attorney will review the draft agreement and may request changes.
You will have the opportunity to read and review the legal agreement. You can discuss questions and concerns with your attorney, or suggest revisions to the agreement.
Typically, meetings with your attorney may take place either in-person or by phone.
The entire process can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly the agreements are read and approved by the surrogate, intended parents, and their respective attorneys.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. Before taking further action, you should consult a qualified attorney in your state.
Christina Park is a reproductive attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Christina Park in Seattle, WA. She graduated from Yale Law School. Christina assists intended parents, egg donors, embryo donors, and surrogates and is proud to help build families.
Here in Seattle, WA it's not uncommon for fertility clinics to work with intended parents from Vancouver, BC. In my legal practice, I have worked with Canadian clients who travel to Washington State for egg donation / in vitro fertilization procedures. In this article, I will provide an overview of Canadian laws on egg donation, surrogacy, and embryo donation.
Is egg donation legal in Canada?
Yes. Egg donation is legal in Canada, but it is illegal to purchase eggs from a donor (or anyone acting on the donor's behalf). Compensation is prohibited, but the intended parents can legally reimburse the egg donor for egg donation expenses.
Is surrogacy legal in Canada?
Yes, but with significant restrictions. In Canada, commercial surrogacy (which involves payment to the woman for serving as a surrogate) is illegal. However, altruistic surrogacy without compensation is allowed. The intended parents can reimburse the surrogate for her reasonable pregnancy expenses.
What else should I know about surrogacy in Canada?
In Canada, it is illegal to:
Advertise that the intended parents will pay the woman for acting as a surrogate.
Pay someone for arranging the services of a surrogate mother.
If there is reason to believe that a woman is under age 21, it is illegal to counsel her to become a surrogate mother.
Do surrogacy laws vary among provinces?
Yes. Canada has federal laws governing surrogacy, but each province has its own set of rules regarding what happens after the child's birth. Some provinces are considered more surrogacy-friendly than others -- for example, Ontario and British Columbia. On the other hand, Quebec is unfavorable to surrogacy and often avoided by intended parents for this reason.
Is embryo donation legal in Canada?
Similar to egg donation and surrogacy, embryo donation is legal in Canada. However, the embryo cannot be purchased or sold for compensation, according to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.
*Disclaimer: Christina Park is licensed to practice law in Washington State. This blog post is for educational purposes only. Please contact a qualified Canadian lawyer for advice on Canadian legal issues.
Christina Park is a reproductive attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Christina Park in Seattle. She graduated from Yale Law School. Christina assists intended parents, egg donors, embryo donors, and surrogates and is proud to help build families.
What legal issues should we be aware of in WA state?
It is important for the intended parents and egg donor to enter into a legal agreement (especially with a known donor). Egg donation agreements describe each person’s roles and responsibilities, help set clear expectations, and document your wishes for who will be the child’s legal parents. The agreement will address potentially sensitive issues and can prevent future disputes.
Egg donation laws are relatively new and untested, and it is difficult to predict the outcome of court cases in this area of law. If disagreements do arise, Washington courts will likely examine the written agreement to understand your intentions and resolve disputes. It is important to clearly document the terms of the egg donation in your contract, which can provide you with additional confidence and peace of mind as you move forward. A qualified reproductive attorney can help you prepare the contract.
What topics do egg donation agreements typically address?
Egg donation agreements describe the terms of the arrangement in detail. This can help reduce surprises and provide extra security. Agreements typically address: each party’s duties; parental rights; compensation; what will happen to remaining embryos after fertility use is complete; and preferences for future contact.
We’re a married same-sex couple. What legal issues should we be aware of?
Under Washington law, both spouses in a marriage (including same-sex marriages) are presumed to be the legal parents of a child born during the marriage. However, other states may or may not recognize this parentage for same-sex couples.
The spouse who is not genetically related to the child should consider formally adopting the child. An adoption can help ensure that both parents receive full parental rights, even if they move outside of Washington State in the future.
Can the egg donor or sperm donor try to take the child away after the birth?
Under Washington law, an egg or sperm donor is not considered the parent of the resulting child (unless the parties agree otherwise in writing). If you are using an egg donor (especially a known donor), it is highly recommended that you enter into a written contract prior to the start of medical procedures. The contract will describe each person’s rights and responsibilities and document your wishes for who will be the child’s legal parent or parents.
Do the egg donor and intended parents need separate attorneys?
It is strongly advised that the intended parents and egg donor be represented by separate attorneys. This makes it much more likely that the egg donation contract will be seen as legally valid, if you ever wind up in court. Typically, the intended parents pay for all attorney fees (including fees for the egg donor’s attorney).
What happens once I hire an attorney?
The intended parents’ attorney will collect the necessary information and prepare the first draft of the egg donation agreement. The donor’s attorney will review the draft agreement and may request changes.
You will have the opportunity to read and review the legal agreement. You can discuss any questions and concerns that you may have with your attorney.
Typically, meetings with your attorney may take place either in-person or by phone. The entire process can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly the agreements are read and approved by the donor, intended parents, and their respective attorneys.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. Before taking further action, you should consult a qualified attorney in your state.
It has been a little over a year since I visited the Seattle Sperm Bank (SSB) and I was really impressed at the dedication and professionalism that they shared with me at that time. This year my visit showed me that the growth and community outreach had exceeded my expectations!
I met with Eric Kendall who is the Seattle Sperm Banks Clinic Liaison (I first met Eric at this year's ASRM in San Diego) and Angelo Allard who is the General Supervisor. I took my tour (as you can see from the photos) and I was let in on some of their ideas for future growth and expansion. One of the ideas that they are working on at this moment is something called the donor of the month. Basically you can buy one vial of sperm for IUI or IVF and get one free. The featured donor is one who has not donated as much as the others on the SSB data base. They are hoping to post the featured donor of the month 3 months in advance so that clients can plan to take advantage of the donor best suited for them.
Speaking of the amount of times a sperm donor can donate to the Seattle Sperm Bank (SSB) the answer is 25 families worldwide per donor and no more than 10 times in one area of 80,000 population or less.
Quite a few people I talked with before my tour asked about compensation. I think it's quite widely known that Egg Donors are reimbursed for their pain and suffering upwards to $10,000.00 +. Not so for Sperm Donors. After the physical exam a donor can start donating and will receive $60 for each approved donation. SSB approves over 90% of the donations that their sperm donors deliver. $40 is paid in cash to the donor when delivering the sample. The remaining $20 are paid in cash when the sample has gone through the final approval. Of course there is a lot more testing before acceptance and you can go to their website and read all about it: http://www.seattlespermbank.com/become_a_sperm_donor.asp
Let's move on to something that has been a HOT topic in the media lately: Open Identity Donors. At the Seattle Sperm Bank, open identity donors have committed to at least one contact with the child, when the child reaches the age of 18. The contact must be initiated by the child; customer identities are confidential and are never released to sperm donors. There is no requirement that the donor commit to any sort of long-lasting relationship with the child, although the donor and the child may arrange to have further communication. All donors are required to go through a maturity evaluation by the sperm bank’s managing director and donor coordinator to ensure they understand the consequences of their decision to become an open identity donor.
Although prospective parents don’t get to meet a sperm donor before choosing to use his donated sperm, there is a lot to learn about donors through profile information. Often donors will list their reasons for donating along with detailed information about themselves. At the Seattle Sperm Bank, they have found that open identity donors are usually willing to provide more detailed information such as baby photos and extended profile information to the sperm bank. (By the way it a Washington State LAW that all donations be open identity!)
Another item that we discussed was the issue of pediatric oncology patients who are of an age where they could actually preserve their future fertility through freezing and storing their sperm. This is something that SSB wants to do more of and is committed to reach out to local oncologists and share their program with their clients. (as you can see from the photos they do have the equipment !) This is just the tip of what the Seattle Sperm Bank has in store for the future! (A little bird mentioned an upcoming seminar....)
I am very impressed at how smoothly this operation is run and how SSB is always ready toshare their expertise with me.
( <<Yes that IS a real sample in the cup!)
If you want any more information please contact the Seattle Sperm Bank (also in conjunctionwith http://www.europeanspermbankusa.com) at 1-800-709-1223
Please join us for Fertile Action’sJune 14, 2012 Gala in Los Angeles, CA: A Visionary Evening featuring:
2011 Golden Globe Winner for Best Song (Sung by Madonna!) the fabulous, Ms. Julie Frost!! We are so grateful to welcome her voice and songwriting ability to our special evening.
And back by popular demand is the fabulous Ms. Lisa Hochberg with a brand new Tasty Ta Ta’s performance! Lisa’s surrogate will be about to give birth to Lisa’s baby boy so let’s cross our fingers he does not come early!
And honoring the following amazing angels in the lives of Fertile Action patients:
The Visionary Award: Teresa Woodruff, PhD, Director, The Oncofertility Consortium
Advocacy Awards: Dr. Brian Acacio, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and Dr. Jacqueline Casillas from UCLA Life After Cancer Program
Service Awards: Olga Milobedzki, Ferring Pharmaceutical, HRC Fertility, Peas in a Pod
The Skirball Cultural Center (Sit down dinner!) Ahmanson Ballroom 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd Los Angeles, CA Event begins at 6:30pm
While cancer treatments have advanced, those treatments can threaten fertility. Here’s what women should know during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Kim Kincaid had just met with her doctor to start planning a family when she received devastating news that same week—the 37-year-old East Bay executive had breast cancer.
While cancer treatments continue to offer better odds at survival, cancer still alters life plans forever. Many women are not aware that cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy may destroy their reproductive potential and leave them infertile.
A study presented by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that less than 50 percent of physicians referred their patients to reproductive medicine specialists. Those who were not informed about fertility preservation options prior to cancer treatment commonly have long-term regret and a reduced satisfaction of life when compared to those who were informed.
“Patients are overwhelmed and stressed when they receive their diagnosis, and may not realize that cancer treatment can affect fertility,” says Dr. Louis Weckstein, medical director and reproductive endocrinologist with Reproductive Science Center. “When women recover from breast cancer and learn they are infertile, they are devastated. It is important that women know all of their fertility options when they are diagnosed.”
Fertility preservation options include egg freezing and embryo freezing, also called cryopreservation. Once a patient undergoes egg retrieval, eggs are fast-frozen using a state-of-the-art method called vitrification. After cancer treatment eggs can be thawed, and through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryos can be formed. Women may also choose to create embryos immediately after egg retrieval, and then freeze the embryos for later use. This is a better, more successful option if a patient has a partner at the time of treatment. Both options allow women to pursue a biological child in the future.
After learning of her choices, Kincaid pursued embryo cryopreservation. Now free of cancer, Kim and her husband Kevin are looking ahead. Due to Kincaid’s hormone-sensitive cancer, the couple will be using a surrogate for the pregnancy. “We can’t wait to start our family. We are optimistic and hopeful to have a baby on the way by the holidays,” says Kincaid. “I’m so grateful to have found Reproductive Science Center to make all of this possible.”
Reproductive Science Center is a partner of Fertile Hope’s Sharing Hope Program, which provides fertility preservation options for cancer patients whose treatment may impact their future fertility. Through reproductive information, emotional support and financial resources, Sharing Hope strives to protect the reproductive health of cancer patients while informing of future parenting options. Visit the Reproductive Science Center website for more information on the Sharing Hope Program and fertility preservation options for women.
###
About Reproductive Science Center: Established in 1983, just two years after the first successful birth through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States, the Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area has been a pioneering fertility medical practice for more than a quarter-century. RSC was also responsible for the nation’s second successful birth of a baby from a frozen embryo and is recognized today for its pregnancy rates and work with egg donors and egg donation for patients from northern California, the Western United States, Asia, India and around the world for patients pursuing medical tourism. Our fertility clinics in San Ramon, Orinda, San Jose and Modesto are easily accessible to fertility patients from Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, San Francisco County, Stanislaus County, Solano County, Merced County, Mariposa County, Calaveras County, Eldorado County, Placer County, San Benito County and Monterey County. Fertility doctors Dr. Galen, Dr. Weckstein, Dr. Willman, Dr. Hinckley, Dr. Sgarlata, Dr. Wachs and Dr. Ivani are specialists in infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, miscarriages, male infertility, pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), egg freezing and reproductive medicine surgery. www.rscbayarea.com
October has been the official Breast Cancer Awareness month for over 25 years. In this time, women have become aware of the necessity for routine mammograms, they have been warned of the deadly toll breast cancer takes on women’s lives, and they have been encouraged to join the “race for a cure.” This means giving and raising money to fund the seemingly endless program for breast cancer research.
For more than 50 years, the study of breast cancer has been heavily funded, yet there has been very little change in death rates. Does this bring up questions for you as to what is actually happening in the laboratory? As to where the billions upon billions of dollars are actually going? And does it cause you to wonder how, after all these years, there hasn’t been much progress?
It makes me question and wonder, because I am a woman who faced this disease at a relatively young age. I experienced firsthand the massive push by doctors toward following protocol, urging me to agree to be a subject of research. “We don’t really know what will work or won’t work, but you should do this anyway,” the doctors told me. Why? I asked. “Because we have to do something.”
This wasn’t good enough for me, but then, I’m one of those people who could be deemed difficult. Stubborn. Non-compliant. I refused to be a test subject for what I felt was a search and destroy mission (i.e. experimental chemotherapy and radiation). This warlike approach didn’t suit me. I wouldn’t subject myself to it because I could find no evidence, anywhere, that it would extend my life. I did however, believe that the chemicals could damage my organs and immune system, creating a situation where my own body would struggle even further to heal.
I asked my doctors point blank if they could show me any evidence that my life would be extended if I allowed them to infuse me with their chemicals. “No,” they said. In a few cases, they could show me a study indicating a small percentage of women had lived longer lives. I felt that, for me, the consequences would be worse than the potential benefit. I also had a gut feeling that breast disease stems in part from neglect of the feminine principle. To allow this harsh treatment wouldn’t heal this neglect, but would be dishonest to myself.
I knew I was taking responsibility for my own life. It wasn’t easy in the face of all the white coats, in the face of the authority those coats imply, in the face of their insistence. After my final meeting with a top breast cancer specialist in a town three hours from my home, I walked out of the hospital, into the parking lot, got into my car, and sat with the fact that I alone had just chosen to face my life and death on my terms, rather than surrender to this huge system I couldn’t align my heart or mind with. It was both liberating and terrifying.
For years now, some cancer research organization has sent me a form asking, politely, indirectly, whether I’m still alive. This past spring when the standard form letter arrived yet again, I pulled out my fat permanent marker and scrawled across the page in large black letters: “Yes, I’m still here. Not dead yet.”
I am in no way an advocate for other women refusing conventional treatment for breast cancer. But I am an advocate for acting on your own behalf, for thinking for yourself, for courage. There is very little useful information offered to women by doctors to help them deal with a cancer diagnosis. This information one must go out and dig up, find for herself, and then have the gumption to follow through with. Utilizing this information can require a massive life overhaul, but almost always, it’s an overhaul that begs to be made.
Once I started my own research, a large task even for someone already in the field of holistic healing, I found more information on how to heal from and prevent breast cancer than I could possibly use in my life. This encompasses the health benefits of daily walking, yoga, green tea, leafy greens, deep orange and cruciferous veggies, emotional release, friendships, poke root oil, turmeric, breathing, eliminating processed foods and all other toxic chemical products in the home, art, self-expression, mending relationships, singing, dancing, playing, letting go, breast massage, organic whole live foods, visualization, nourishing the liver, healing the heart, claiming one’s own power, nettles, dandelion, red clover, lemon balm, modified citrus pectin, Vitamins C and D… the list goes on and on.
So during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I won’t be wearing a pink ribbon or running in a 5K to support the further funding of endless research. I will, however, support funding for practical assistance programs that directly help women with cancer pay for their living expenses. This is what is desperately needed. To learn about one of these helpful groups located in my area on the California Central Coast, see http://bcagmp.org.
I’ll also focus my energy and intention on Breast Health Awareness for all women. Because there are deep societal wounds that go hand in hand with this disease, and it’s going to take more than science to heal them.
For further information on prevention and alternative treatments, see the website for the Breast Health Project, directed by Daya Fisch, at http://www.breasthealthproject.com. You can also take a look at Think Before You Pink to get an insider’s view of some questionable pink ribbon campaigns: http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org.
Dr. Christina Grant is a holistic healer, teacher, intuitive counselor. You are welcome to visit her blog, contact her, or sign up for her e-newsletter at: www.christinagrant.com.
The PCEC organizes hundreds of free screening sites for men across the country each year during PCAW which, has resulted in nearly 4 million men being provided with early detection for prostate health isuues. Prostate cancer is nearly 100% survivable when detected in its earliest stages, men should "Choose to Know" their risk for the disease and "Know to Choose" treatment options, including watchful waiting after speaking with their doctor.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Ovarian Cancer is one of the most deadly of women's cancers. Each year, approximately 21,500 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2008, approximately 15,500 women will die in the United States from ovarian cancer. Many women don't seek help until the disease has begun to spread, but if detected at its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate is more than 93%. Recent research suggests that together the four _symptoms_ (http://www.ovariancancerawareness.org/about.aspx) of: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and urinary urgency or frequency may be associated with ovarian cancer.
Live Webcast On Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM, we will be holding our Third Annual Live Webcast on Ovarian Cancer. The webcast will be held at the Omni Parker House Hotel (60 School Street) in Boston in the Press Room. To view our live webcast, log on to our web site at 12:30 PM. Coalition members, survivors and doctors will be answering your questions. If you would like to attend the webcast in person, please contact Kari Johnston at 617-912-3817 or at _mailto:[email protected]_ (mailto:) to reserve your spot.
I had the opportunity to speak with a 23 year old woman recently who had leukemia and was now in remission. When she began her treatments 3 years ago not one of her doctors mentioned anything regarding her future fertility. During our conversation it was clear that she knew nothing about her options (or if she even had options left)! This tells me that there still needs to be a strong voice of education from any and every source available regarding cancer and the link to infertility. Below is a recent article regarding preserving fertility.
Studies shed light on preserving fertility among cancer patients
PITTSBURGH, July 20 – Cancer treatment has come a long way, leading to a multitude of therapy options and improved survival rates. These successes, however, have created a challenge for young cancer patients since chemotherapy and radiation treatments that often save lives threaten fertility. Techniques available to safeguard fertility, such as freezing eggs for later embryo development, have poor odds of success, leaving patients with very limited options for the future. But that is beginning to change as researchers improve current techniques, mature human eggs in the laboratory, and discover cellular mechanisms that could help preserve and even restore fertility. Researchers will report on these and other findings at the 42nd annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), July 18 to 22, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
Summaries of the findings are as follows:
Growing Egg Cells in the Lab
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a method they hope will help preserve a woman's fertility after radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Led by Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., the team has grown undeveloped human eggs to near maturity in laboratory cultures. During a 30-day experiment, they grew human follicles―tiny sacs that contain immature eggs―in the lab until the eggs they contained were nearly mature. According to Dr. Woodruff, this is the first step in developing a new fertility option for young cancer patients.
Making a More Viable Embryo
Cryopreservation, the process of freezing eggs for later fertilization, has played a major role in assisted reproductive technology for the past two decades. Unfortunately, however, eggs rarely survive the freezing and thawing processes required to develop a viable embryo. A mere half of eggs survive and of these, only 20 percent, once fertilized, result in the birth of a baby. According to David Albertini, Ph.D., University of Kansas Medical Center, clinicians may be waiting too long – three hours – after thawing eggs to initiate fertilization with the sperm, a process necessary to create an embryo. When his research team used confocal microscopy to observe what was happening at a chromosomal level, they found that the structures needed to make the embryo's chromosomes align and divide were in place after only an hour. This indicates a shorter thawing time frame could have greater potential for success.
Restoring Fertility From the Bottom Up
Researchers at Stanford University, led by Renee A. Reijo Pera, Ph.D., have identified several genes involved in the formation of germ cells that give rise to eggs and sperm. These genes, DAZ and DAZL, form the basis of human embryo and germ cell growth and may be a key to understanding human reproductive failure – one of the most common health problems in men and women and a common cause of birth defects. While continued progress in developing germ cells capable of making embryos renders fertility restoration feasible, it also raises significant ethical questions, says Dr. Reijo Pera.
###
The Society for the Study of Reproduction was founded in 1967 to promote the study of reproduction by fostering interdisciplinary communication among scientists through conferences and publications in the organization's journal, Biology of Reproduction. The SSR president is Asgerally T. Fazleabas, Ph.D., University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Program committee chair is Patricia Hunt, Ph.D., Washington State University; and chair of the local organizing committee is Tony M. Plant, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The scientists will discuss their research during a briefing, "Preserving Fertility: Causes and Solutions," at 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 20, which will be moderated by Patricia Hunt, Ph.D., Washington State University, and 2009 SSR program chair. All briefings take place in room 312 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh. Reporters may participate via telephone conference call by dialing 800-937-0301 (from within the U.S. and Canada). From other countries, call +1 303-248-9679. To be connected to the briefing, enter access code 6489725. The press room hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, July 20, through Tuesday, July 21, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 22. Press room staff may be reached during this time at (412) 352-2886. Otherwise, please call UPMC Media Relations at (412) 647-3555.
Recent Comments