You must read this post.
Really love your peaches, want to shake your dumbass state senator
From A Little Pregnant.
Month: March 2009
Learning About Open Adoption
When AJ and I decided to adopt, we automatically eliminated domestic adoption. Admittedly we were misinformed and uneducated about how it really works, but we were tired. We were spent emotionally and made our decision to adopt internationally because of people we knew who had wonderful experiences. We decided to adopt from Korea by a chance meeting with a woman who had rambled down the same road- IF and then adoption in her twenties. She couldn’t say enough wonderful things about our agency Love the Children. After looking into the agency further (which had a local chapter-bonus), we felt the program was excellent and a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders as we submitted our application.
One of my biggest goals as President of our non profit is to become as educated as possible on all facets of ART, IF and adoption- all kinds of adoption.
Thank you to Lori, I have been enlightened. Also, Heather at Production Not Reproduction has established a list of Open Adoption Blogs.
And, this beautiful post from Life from Here has opened my mind and my heart.
When You Need Help Conceiving
If it has been established that you need to take the next step and consult with a fertility specialist, there are crucial steps to keep in mind.
Fertility specialists for women are called Reproductive Endocrinologist. They are trained as gynecologists and obstetricians with 2-3 years of additional training in infertility and women’s hormone disorders. There are many OB/GYN’s who limit their practice to infertility to provide care for women with infertility diagnosis’.
For men there are urologists who have additional training for fertility and spend their time caring for men with infertility. Many of them are members of the Society of Male Reproduction and Urology (SMRU).
Finding an Infertility Specialist:
Check the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the professional society for medical professionals who specialize in the care of individuals with fertility problems. You can also contact patient support and advocacy groups such as RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association or The American Fertility Association to find a list of fertility professionals in your area. Do your research and try to find opinions from past patients of a particular specialist. You can get help from various chat rooms devoted to infertility.
Once you find name of a fertility specialist, the following are some factors to consider before choosing to work with them:
- Training- Did the specialist have training in infertility beyond the standard training in obstetrics and gynecology and urology?
- How long have they been treating infertile patients? Do they have special expertise in areas such as endometriosis, in vitro fertilization, male factor infertility?
- Certification of the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as an obstetrician-gynecologist or as a reproductive endocrinologist or by the American Board of Urology.
- Ask about the doctor’s current success rates
- Publication of research related to fertility
- Membership in professional societies: American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Urology Association, Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, or Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
- Do they offer the full ranges of services including surgery, endocrinology and in vitro fertilization?
- Prices and participation with your insurance carrier
- Reputation in the community
Essay Contest Winner & Honorable Mentions
Parenthood for Me held its first Adoption and Infertility Essay Contest. Thank you to all those that entered submissions. We need your help telling your stories to spread awareness.
I will be using the essay in my literature and on my website.
There are also 4 honorable mentions whose essays will also be included in informational packets I give out at events.
I am already planning my next contest. It may be more topic specific. Keep reading for details.
Here is the winning entry from To Baby and Beyond
Face of Infertility
1 in 6 women experience infertility. I AM that 1.
1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. I AM that 1.
But I’M NOT a statistic!
I’M a wife of a wonderful husband, who would make a great father! She wonders why he stays when she’s the one that is broke. Why should his dream be denied? I’m sorry for that.
I’M a daughter who would love to give her mother a grandchild. A daughter that loves her mother and knows she too is in pain because I’m in pain but there is nothing I can do about it. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a sister whose best friend is her sister. A sister who both times she heard “I’m pregnant” was happy for her but sad for herself. Who rejoiced over the birth of her nephews while on the inside thinking. “why can’t this be me?”. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a granddaughter who fears that her grandmother will never meet her great grandchildren. They will never know this strong woman that I know. I’m sorry for that.
I’M an Aunt who loves her nephews as if they were her own. Who hugs them tight because she remembers she was supposed to have one the same age and wonders what they’d be like.
I’M a Friend who needs her friends more now then ever before. I will love you and listen to you, but can’t come to every baby shower because it hurts too much. I’m sorry for that.
I’M a Woman who can’t do what women were born to do and my heart’s broken. A women who will comfort you, laugh and cry with you, but right now needs to do these things for herself. I’m sorry for that.
I’M the girl behind you in the checkout line buying a pregnancy test with excitement and dread because she knows it probably didn’t happen this month. If it did there is much that can go wrong. I’m worried about that.
I’M the person that cut you off on the road because my mind was racing because I wonder if the spotting I saw this afternoon was notice of impending doom. I’m sorry for that.
I’M your neighbor who doesn’t always seem friendly. I can’t always come over to your kids parties because it’s just too hard right now. I’m sorry for that.
I’M your patient. A patient whose happiness depends on the news you give her. If I react badly, it’s not a reflection of your abilities, it’s a reflection of my inabilities. I’m sorry for that.
I’m sad. I’m angry. I’m confused. I hurt. I cry. I yell. I make mistakes. I love. I laugh. I’m strong. I will heal. I will move one step at a time.
I WILL do all these things. I AM all these things.
I FEEL all these things because of the one thing that I’m NOT…a mother and I’m most sorry for that!
Honorable Mention Authors
“One Year Ago Next Week”- Jessica N.