Egg Donation & Surrogacy Consulting : Conceptual Options : Theresa Erickson : Embryo Donation, In-Vitro Fertilization

A study came out recently that looked at the success rates of men who provided semen specimen's collected at the IVF Center compared to men who collected at home.

Malmo University Hospital in Lund took 379 men ranging in age from 20 to 58 years old.  They had 106 of the men stay home to collect a specimen while the remaining men went to the IVF Center.  The researchers compared the sperm count and "motility", how they look under the microscope, both crucial factors in successful fertilization of an egg.  The home-collected sample had about 63% more sperm, which were about 54% more often of the highest-grade motility.

It has been determined that the men at the clinics suffered from "acute psychological stress" because of noise, hospital atmosphere, space limitation and the absence of their wife.

Home is where the heart is!

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It's interesting that while I do my research to create my blog, I run across 100 articles that deal with infertility and women, while there may be 1 article about men.  I would like to take a moment to do my part to change this!

One in 33 California children are born with a birth defect.  While scientists still don't know what causes most effects, it is known that sperm DNA errors are as much a factor as egg DNA errors.

University of California, Berkeley has performed a study that shows a man's diet has a direct link to sperm DNA errors.  In the study utilizing new technology to label sperm DNA, men who ate little folate, a B-vitamin abundant in orange juice and green veggies, had more sperm with the wrong number of chromosomes.  That could lead to miscarriages and birth defects like Down Syndrome.

Sperm develop over 10 weeks, giving men a defined window before conception to make healthier sperm.  Women, on the other hand, are born with a finite number of eggs.  This means men's genes, constantly dividing into new sperm, may be even more vulnerable than women's.

If you are thinking about conceiving a child or you are trying to conceive a child, it is recommended that both partners drink plenty of orange juice, eat green veggies and take vitamins.  This can only help you achieve a healthier lifestyle and aid you in conception.    

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It seems as though the same question keeps getting posed to me by both Intended Parents and Surrogates alike.  Once the match is made what happens? 

When the initial call to a surrogate is made to let them know that there are Intended Parents interested in working with them, the time to meet is usually made within a weeks time.  Before they know it the meeting takes place, the next day (sometimes two) the match is made and then what?  This is when patience plays a big part.  While on the management end of the case, we are busy getting the proper paperwork to the Intended Parents, the surrogate is not seeing any action.

It usually takes about a week before we have the right paperwork returned from the Intended Parents in order to send the surrogate the "Match Agreement".  Once the Match Agreement is signed and returned by the surrogate we will provide her with the Referrals to all the professionals she will need to contact.  It is the surrogate's responsibility to contact the Psychologist and the IVF Center to schedule screening appointments that fit their schedule.  While the surrogate is the person making these appointments, it is also very important for us to know these dates as well. 

Once the screening is complete, it is time for the contracts.  The contract phase can take up to four weeks to complete.  Most surrogates get anxious and begin to worry that something went wrong or did the Intended Parents back out, etc....  This is not the case.  It takes time to draft the contract, then the intended parents need to have contract review with their attorney, then it gets forwarded to the surrogate.  At this point it's the surrogate's turn.  She needs to have contract review with her attorney and then any changes are submitted to the intended parent's attorney and the negotiation goes on until all parties are happy with the contract.  Once the contract is in it's final form, this is when it is signed by each party.

Now that contracts are final, the surrogate may start medication.  Now things feel like they're moving again!  The surrogate will be going to the doctor's regularly for blood labs and ultrasound appointments.  Before you know it the Transfer Day will be here. 

Now that the embryo(s) have been transferred, it's time to wait again.  Most doctor's will perform the blood pregnancy test 10 to 14 days after the transfer of the embryos.  And you thought it felt like forever for the contracts to be complete!!!

This of course is just the start. 

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Recently there was a study performed at Assof Harofeh Medical Center where Dr. Shevah Friedler studied the effects of laughter on IVF patients.

One hundred women with fertility problems were invited to a medical clown's performance after an IVF Transfer.  Another group of 100 women underwent the same IVF, but did not attend the clown's performance.  The group that spent time laughing at the clown had a 15% higher pregnancy rate than the group without laughter. 

Dr. Friedler said "Laughter is a serious matter.  It is known that it triggers a body mechanism that influences the immune system and heart and lung systems, and there is a real connection between laughter and medicine and humor and health."

So I suggest that you rent as many comedies as you can stand while you are on bed rest.  Perhaps this will assist you with achieving a pregnancy.

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There is a new test on the forefront of identifying ectopic pregnancies.  The test is being developed by doctor's at Queen's Hospital in the UK.  The test involves a blood test that could result in earlier diagnosis of the ectopic pregnancy. 

Ectopic pregnancies is increasing.  20 years ago the rate was 1 in 200 pregnancies, today the rate is 1 in 60 pregnancies in their 30's.  Experts blame the growing trend to put off motherhood until later in life, making it more difficult for the embryo to reach the womb before it implants.

The new diagnostic test is based on testing for eight "markers" in the blood, which show up between four and six weeks into a pregnancy.

An early diagnosis will mean that patients can be treated using just an injection, rather than having to have surgery.

This new test could save lives and provide a second chance to women to have a child. 

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In Europe there is a blood test that has been used to test the AMH (Anti-Mullierian Hormone) levels in women.  Michael Alper, Chief Medical Officer of Boston IVF believes this test is an excellent predictor of a woman's egg count.  The test is done from a blood sample.

At this time the FDA has not approved this for use in the United States, however it is possible that your doctor can provide the test.  You would need to consult with your phsycian.

So if you are anxious about the ticking of your biological clock - This could be the test for you. 

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Science and Technology is always growing in the field of infertility.  I found this article which I thoughht you might enjoy reading.

It just amazes me what we are able to do.

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I found a website today that I really enjoyed reading.  It is written by a Reproductive Endocrinologist about his experiences.  It has an a question and answer area as well as an area with true stories.

In the story that I was reading, the women who was going through the ovary stimulation was the Intended Mother.  As I was reading it, it dawned on me that this would be excellent information for my intended parents and donors alike to know.

The benefit to using an experienced donor is not just simply that they understand the commitment and the medications.  It is that once the medical records are forwarded to the IVF Physician you are using, they know from past experience what medication and how much works to get the best results from that donor. 

I hope you enjoy reading this sight as much as I did.  I will returning to read more in the future.

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We are coming up to the dreaded "Income Tax Deadline".  By midnight tonight, many of us will know if we owe Uncle Sam or if he will be lining our pockets with a little something.

Some states allow you to use the medical costs of IVF and/or surrogacy as a tax write-off.  While this won't be the interest on your mortgage, it is better than nothing.  I would suggest that you contact your Tax Consultant or CPA to ask what the specifics are for the area where you live.

If you are just getting started down the road of treatment or surrogacy, you will want to be sure to save every receipt and invoice.  I know when I was a surrogate, I would fax the invoices to my agency and then mail the original to my Intended Parents.  The agency always took care of getting the invoice paid, while the parents had the documentation for the following years taxes.

And remember, by this time next year you will have a dependent to add!

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"IntSo often I am asked by Intended Parents how many embryos should be transferred.  Time and time again I explain to them that their IVF Physician will talk to them on the morning of the transfer.  During this meeting, the IVF Physician will discuss the quality of the embryos they have. 

If Intended Parents go into the transfer without preconceived ideas of how many embryos they want used, then I think there would be less chance for anyone to be disappointed.  If your embryos are of high quality, you will transfer fewer of them. 

I recently read an article about a 31 year old woman in Manhasset, New York who gave birth to identical triplets.  She used IVF, had one (1) embryo transferred and that embryo split to be triplets.  So although they were being conservative about the number of embryos transferred, they still ended up with a high-risk multiple pregnancy.

Lets not forget why we're doing this....for a baby. 

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It took so much time and energy to get pregnant.  All the doctor's appointments, ultrasounds, shots and countless tears.  At last, the news you have been waiting for "You're Pregnant!".

Many couples who use IVF to achieve pregnancy have embryo's remaining even after they are pregnant.  Some couples choose to pay the storage fees considering the idea of siblings.  While other couples just aren't sure what to do with the remaining embryos. 

Embryo donation is an option that you may want to consider.  This can provide another couple the opportunity to experience the same joys you have...pregnancy and parenthood.  The Donor Parents can review profiles of Recipient Parents to decide who will receive their embryos or it can be done completely anonymously.  In either case, there is no cost to the Donor Parents. 

Giving the gift of life has rewards unlike anything else.  I urge couples who have unused frozen embryos to consider, for just a moment,  providing another family the opportunity to experience parenthood. 

www.ConceptualOptions.com

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So the news is out - Newsweek has put surrogacy on the front cover and now everybody is talking about it.

I think surrogacy is a wonderful option for an infertile couple to achieve parenthood.  I felt like Newsweek has missed this .  Their article is so focused on who and why women become a surrogate mother, yet their interviews and viewpoint are one sided.

I am a middle-class working mother who has also been a surrogate for four (4) families.  My husband and I make a good living, while we are by no means wealthy, I did not choose surrogacy for the money.  For me, surrogacy is a passion.  I love the idea of helping someone achieve a dream through something that is so easy for me to do.  The emotional rewards far out-weigh the monetary aspects. 

Through out my time as a surrogate, I have made many friendships with other surrogates.  A bit of a friendly support group if you will.  We all talk with one another and have compared pregnant bellies.  Of this group of women, none of us are military wives. 

I feel as though Newsweek is misleading it's readers by looking through a magnifying glass at one particular group of people and centering it's article on that.. 

For some women, the financial aspect may be what draws them into inquiring about surrogacy (especially in today's economy), however it is not usually the reason they continue forward with the process.   Experienced surrogates are definitely in it to help someone;  These are women who have a big heart and easy pregnancies. 

As far as the insurance issue goes, I have used my health insurance (provided by my employer) to cover my medical expenses as a surrogate.  With is not segregated to just Tricare Insurance.  

I think any national coverage which can make surrogacy more acceptable in society is a positive thing.  I just hope that as you read the article in Newsweek that you keep an open mind.  

www.conceptualoptions.com  

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On March 12, 2008 Jamie-Rose Roberts was born.  The unsuspecting newborn had no idea how special she really is.

Lisa and James Roberts had dreams of a large family.  They had already had a son, Cameron, when James found out that he had cancer.  In an attempt to create their large family, James and Lisa decided to freeze James' sperm before he would undergo chemotherapy. 

Despite the treatment, the cancer spread and James died in October 2004. 

Over the next few years, Lisa thought about the frozen sperm, but couldn't bare having a child without James.  Then in February 2007, Lisa was ready for their second child.

Lisa had an egg retrieval which only produced two (2) eggs.  James' sperm where injected into the eggs and the wait started.  By the next day, there was only one (1) embryo and it was not of good quality.  Lisa was given a 20% chance of getting pregnant with the embryo. 

The embryo transfer was successful and Lisa had an uncomplicated, normal pregnancy. 

When Jamie was born, Lisa says "She was the image of her father."  Cameron suggested that his sister be named after their late father.  Thus Jamie-Rose is cared for and loved by her mother, brother and watched over by her father.

This is such a warm, feel-good story.  I wanted to share it with you.

www.conceptualoptions.com

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Infertility can be a draining process.  For many couples, it starts by wanting a child and then finding out for some reason it won't be so easy for them.  Depending on why you aren't getting pregnant the solutions can be exhausting.

Infertility affects some 6 million Americans.  For most, this is a major life crisis that puts enormous stress on a marriage.  While some couples become stronger;  learning to lean on and support each other through the experience.  Other couples feel it drives them apart.  This is not to say that they don't still love one another, but the feelings of loss are overwhelming. 

You need to understand that everyone copes differently.  Some people become quiet, because the pain to much to face.  While others want to take it head on and consume themselves in the search discussing every avenue of the situation.  It is important to understand both your partners and your own way of dealing with this.  Most importantly is to communicate and let each other know how you are feeling. 

While searching for the right donor or surrogate, don't loose sight of who you are.  Continue to live, have fun with each other.  Enjoy dinner out, go see a movie - Do the things you have enjoyed together.  Not only will this give you something else to focus on, but it will remind you of what you love about the other person.

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Todd and Heather Tilton celebrated their 25th birthday on March 17, 2008.  They were the first "test tube" twins born in the United States.

The thing that made them feel unique when growing up was knowing the lengths their parents went to have them.  "I always felt that I was very wanted because it was such a big decision and very difficult", Heather said.  "It shows my parents determination".

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.  It's great to know that IVF babies grow up to be well adjusted adults, just like any of us. 

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There is a lot of hype about whether acupuncture aids in conception with IVF.  Some professionals believe it absolutely helps while others think it is just another expense to the couple.

Eric Manheimer, a research associate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine looked at seven trials that included 1,366 women undergoing IVF.  Each trial compared acupuncture given within one day of the embryo transfer to sham acupuncture (using a placebo needle) or no acupunction.  They found that the women who had the acupuncture increased their chances of becoming pregnant by 65 percent.    This means that 10 women would need to be treated with acupunction to result in one additional pregnancy. 

It was also found that in Centers where the pregnancy rates are already high, the benefit of acupuncture was small and non-significant. 

At this time, most IVF patients who are participating in acupunction are doing so without the suggestion of their doctor.  Rather, they choose to do so themselves.   Dr. Owen K. Davis, co-director and associate professor at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City said "I don't think we can say conclusively that acupuncture is effective or is anywhere near being a standard care, but it's not something I would discourage someone from trying if they wanted to.  But I'm far removed from prescribing it to patients".

As a surrogate, I have worked with Intended Parents who felt it would be helpful.  I went the Acupuncturist once a week while cycling to the transfer.  Then the Acupuncturist met me at the IVF Center one hour before the transfer.  I saw her one more time before my pregnancy test.  I was pregnant, but no more pregnant than the other three times it was successful without acupuncture.  I will say that acupuncture is very relaxing.  You are at peace with yourself  while you are laying there.   

At this time incorporating acupunction into your IVF treatment is an individual decision.  If you feel better having acupuncture, then if may work for you.

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