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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So many people have an idea of whether they would prefer to have a boy or girl when talking about having a baby.  Searchers have found that you can increase your chances for having a boy by simply changing your breakfast habits.

Women who eat a breakfast made of high-energy foods dramatically increase their odds of getting pregnant with a boy. Fiona Mathews, of the University of Exeter, said eating high-calorie breakfasts seemed to be the best guarantee of influencing the gender of a baby in favor of boys before conception. 

The discovery of a link between calories and gender may explain why it is that in the past 40 years there has been a small but steady decline in the proportion of boys born in the developed world.

Up to 59% of women who get pregnant after eating high-energy breakfasts end up giving birth to a son.  Researchers have found only 43% of women who always skipped breakfast before conceiving managed to produce boys.

So if you are interested in trying to conceive a boy, let me suggest you stick to your "Wheaties".

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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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I came accross this "feel good" story about a family in the UK.  Thought I would share it with you.

http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/s/1044456_ice_ice_baby

It's a short, but well worth while article.  Enjoy.

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Many times when I speak with Intended Parents about retaining an egg donor they are wanting a donor who is available now.  While I completely understand their desire to move forward, I would like to explain the time line involved with Assisted Reproduction.

Intended Parents can feel discouraged when they find a donor they think is perfect and then they find out she isn't available for a few months.  To the parent who wants a baby or pregnancy now, that does sound like it is a long way out.  The reality is, it takes several weeks for the paperwork to be completed before a cycle can be started.

Once a donor is selected by the Intended Parents, the case manager will contact the donor to let her know that her next available cycle is contracted.  At this time, the donor will be given a match agreement to confirm she is aware of the commitment.  Once that is received, we will make arrangements for the donor to be screening by the Psychologist and the Intended Parents IVF Physician.  Sometimes it can be a few weeks before there is an opening at the IVF Center for the donor to be seen.  The cycle can not be started until after the donor passes all the screening.

While all the screening is taking place, the contracts are started.  The contracts can take anywhere from three (3) to five (5) weeks to complete.  This time line is dependent on how many revisions are made by each party and how efficiently all parties sign and return the contract.

Once the contracts are full executed and the donor has passed all the medical screening the cycle can begin. 

So if you are interested in a donor today, but she isn't available for 2-3 months, don't get discouraged.  That is actually perfect timing for getting all the paperwork and screening in order.  Then you will be having your cycle close to her availability instead of months after retaining her.

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So often we talk about infertility with women, but what happens when it's male infertility?  I have provided some basic information about cryobanks (sperm banks). 

There are two main motives that drive donors:

1.  Donations from fertile men who are preserving their reproductive options.  Men will bank their sperm if they are about to undergo surgery, cancer treatment or have a low sperm count.   These are men who want to be able to achieve parenthood at a later time in their life.

2.  Donations from men who contribute for financial reasons.  Men who donate to help infertile couples achieve a family.

If you think it is difficult to get into an Ivy League school, try becoming a sperm donor!  Less than 5 percent of all candidates will be accepted as a donor.  The screening process is vigorous and takes about three (3) months to complete.  Samples and donors are screening continually for sexually transmitted diseases and genetic issues.  Additionally, all donors are screened for cystic fibrosis and undergo chromosome analysis.

Donors may choose to be anonymous or ID Consent Donors.  Anonymous donors are willing provide descriptive details about themselves and their family history with the understanding that they will never have direct communication with the recipients of their sperm or future offspring.  ID Consent donors agree to allow the sperm bank to release identifying information about themselves to the offspring once they reach 18 years of age.  ID Consent Donor are not required to meet the offspring;  the program is designed to provide genetic information to the offspring.

Once the donation has been made, the sperm samples are prepared with a solution that minimizes damage during the freezing and thawing processes.  The samples are frozen using liquid nitrogen. 

Previously frozen sperm doesn't live as long inside a woman's uterus as fresh sperm.  Thawed sperm lives up to 24 hours while fresh sperm can live for 3 - 5 days.  There is no additional risk for birth defects using donated sperm.   

If you require additional information about this, please contact a local cryobank.

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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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