In Search of Fertility – Victoria Hopewell

Guest: Kelly K. Damron, mother of twin daughters born prematurely in 2004. She is Co-Chair of the 2008 Family Teams Committee for March for Babies (formerly known as WalkAmerica) and author of the book Tiny Toes: A Couple’s Journey Through Infertility, Prematurity, and Depression. Description: Infertility treatments can increase the risk of having a premature infant and are … Read more about this episode...

This is National Adoption Awareness month. Today we will learn about adopting from Russia and international adoption in general. Russia is no longer open for adoption but that may change in the future. Sharon Simons shares her experiences of adopting her two boys from Russia. She is the author of the book Mom at Last: How I Never Gave Up … Read more about this episode...

When you decide to use a surrogate you may wish you could have inside information about what it is like. Today you will have that opportunity. Jen Rachman will share her own personal journey by telling you her own experiences with using a surrogate. She was kind enough to come back for a follow-up surrogacy interview. You can learn more … Read more about this episode...

It is a big decision to pursue surrogacy. However, once you are ready to move forward there are many factors to navigate. Today you will obtain important must have information as we speak with Jen Rachman from Circle Surrogacy. You can learn more about Circle Surrogacy at the website www.circlesurrogacy.com and through twitter at @circlesurrogacy.com   … Read more about this episode...

Thirty percent of the time infertility is because of the male and thirty percent of the time it is because of the female. Today we will speak with an infertile male to learn his perspective. Adam Glogau will share his infertility journey caused by an undescended testicle and other complications. He will help you learn how to cope and feel … Read more about this episode...

Infertility treatment is a brave new world of constantly changing technologies. It is important to keep current with the latest procedures for fertility attainment. Today we will speak with Dr. Rafat Abbasi about recent fertility developments including preimplantation genetic screening and egg freezing Dr. Raft Abbasi may be contacted at Columbia Fertility. … Read more about this episode...

When faced with infertility, you may have to decide at some point whether to pursue having a child.  You may not want to undergo infertility treatments or you may want to stop trying after failed treatment attempts.  It is important to know that life is still fulfilling  without a child.  Today we will speak with Jennifer Richardson.  She decided not … Read more about this episode...

Personhood legislation states that a fertilized egg is a person and in effect makes infertility treatment illegal.  If your fertilized egg did not successfully implant during IVF, both the doctor and the potential mother could be charged with murder. You can make a difference in advocating against personhood legislation.  Today we are speaking with Atlee Breland.  She is a mother … Read more about this episode...

At long last you may finally have your baby from any number of possible paths. Your child may have been conceived via an egg or sperm donor or from a surrogate. Then one day you may want to tell your child how he or she was conceived. Today we will speak with Dr. Nancy Freeman-Carroll about how you might share … Read more about this episode...

It is a huge step to decide to use an egg donor. However, it is not always that simple to find a donor and there are many factors to consider in choosing one. Dr. Allison Rosen will share important information about finding the right donor for you. Dr. Rosen is a psychologist in private practice in New York City. She … Read more about this episode...

In Vitro Fertilization increases the risk of multiple births which can result in prematurity.  Today we have Kelly Damron telling us the story of her premature daughters who were IVF babies.  One of her daughters developed the prematurity complication NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis). Kelly shares must know information about preterm infants, NEC and her emotional roller coaster including postpartum depression. Kelly … Read more about this episode...

When using donor eggs, the donor egg recipient wants to be sure that the baby is legally hers.  You don’t want your donor coming to claim your baby.  The donor wants to know that she is not responsible for raising and paying for the child.  That is why a donor egg contract is essential to protect both the wishes of … Read more about this episode...

A diagnosis of infertility is devastating. But there is a silver lining. Many people give back and become involved in the cause of infertility after facing this illness.  Even those who have not confronted infertility themselves have advocated for others. Today we will speak with Rachel Allison. She has a multifaceted, passionate involvement with infertility. … Read more about this episode...

When you are dealing with infertility you face failed treatment cycles, miscarriages and babies that do not survive. These losses often go unacknowledged and they are traumatic. Today we will hear about October National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness  Month  and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15th. We will speak with Phoebe Kannisto who raises awareness of … Read more about this episode...

When you finally make the difficult decision to do infertility treatment it is stressful and isolating.  You may be confused about what to do next and be emotionally overwhelmed. But you can use a life coach to help you through the fertility process. Today we will speak with Tracy Toon Spencer.  She is a life coach who specializes in infertility.  … Read more about this episode...

Starting a family at a young age instead of putting it off is no guarantee that you will become pregnant. Even if you are in your twenties you may discover that you are infertile. Today we will speak with Candace Wohl who faced infertility in her twenties. She will share her story with you. Candace has been on MTV on … Read more about this episode...

When you finally take the big step to have a baby you might find out you waited too long. You will learn more about the biological clock, what you can do about it and the need for being informed about it at an earlier age. Our guest is Tanya Selvaratnam. She is the author of The Big Lie: Motherhood, … Read more about this episode...

Listeners have requested to hear from a single parent and to learn about adoption. You will hear about both today when Erica talks about adopting a child as a single mother. She will share the positives and negatives about her experience and help you know what to expect if you choose to follow this path. … Read more about this episode...

It is a devastating blow to discover that you are infertile. Then when you most need support you are unable to tell others about your condition. All too often the infertile feel stigmatized. You should not have to keep your infertility secret. Today we will speak with Fran Meadows. She has been an important voice in helping woman break the … Read more about this episode...

It is exhilarating after suffering from infertility to finally become pregnant. However, once the baby comes your joy may turn to woe if you develop postpartum depression. Today we will speak with Valerie Lynn. She is a traditional postpartum practitioner, the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Country Coordinator for Malaysia, the creator of the New Mommy Wellness Kit and the author … Read more about this episode...

All too often infertility is an isolating experience. You may feel the stigma of telling others about your infertility and you also may not know how to access services. Social media provides a unique opportunity for fertility services and the infertile to discover each other and for those dealing with infertility to find others dealing with the same concerns. Today … Read more about this episode...

Egg freezing techniques have improved and are now approved by the ASRM (The American Society for Reproductive Medicine). But when you finally make the big decision to freeze your eggs for the future you may not be able to afford it. Today we are speaking with Carolyn Kim and Christopher Allwin about obtaining funding to freeze your eggs. They run … Read more about this episode...

Infertility treatments are physically draining and once you get the long-awaited baby you will still be exhausted and sleep-deprived. Why not be in good health for your infertility treatment and upcoming baby? Today we will speak with Donna McIntosh about nutrition and being healthy for infertility treatment. You can contact Donna at her website www.thegoddessoffertility.com She also offers a free … Read more about this episode...

Endometriosis is an illness that impacts upon women’s ability to become pregnant. Many women don’t even know that they have the illness until they try to have a baby. You will hear from Casey Berna. She has endometriosis and works for Dr. Seckin from the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Casey shares important information about becoming pregnant with endometriosis. Casey is … Read more about this episode...

Many couples have infertility treatment and still don’t become pregnant. That is a devastating result. However, there is positive, rewarding life even after unsuccessful IVF treatments. Today we will speak with Sheridan Voysey. He and his wife unsuccessfully tried infertility treatments and adoption for ten years. Following walking away from a baby, they embarked on a resurrection year full of … Read more about this episode...

There are infertile couples who have that elated moment when they are told that there is a pregnancy. They then proceed all the way to delivery only to have a stillbirth. That result is devastating. Today we will speak with Elizabeth Heineman who underwent infertility treatment and then had a stillbirth. She will share important information about how a stillbirth … Read more about this episode...

When you finally take the step to begin infertility treatment you want to know what to expect. Today we will speak with Dr. Rachel Bennett. She will take you through the stages of infertility treatment from the initial screening to the various medical procedures. Dr. Rachel Bennett is an infertility specialist. You can meet with her at Westchester Reproductive Medicine … Read more about this episode...

Infertility does not lead to romance. It does not even take sex to make a baby. If you are doing IVF you will conceive with hormone shots and a petri dish. Today we will speak with psychotherapist Carol Fulwiler Jones. She will tell you how to improve intimacy during infertility and lessen the stress on your relationship. Carol Fulwiler Jones … Read more about this episode...

There are actions you can take to reduce stress while striving to get pregnant. An infertility workbook provides exercises to help deal with the strain of infertility treatments and gives you back some control over the infertility process. Today’s guest is Barbara Blitzer the author of The Infertility Workbook: A Mind-Body Program to Enhance Fertility, Reduce Stress, and Maintain Emotional … Read more about this episode...

This is National Adoption Awareness Month. Today you will learn all about the benefits of domestic adoption. You will be guided through how to go about adopting a baby in the United States. Our guest is Amanda Grant an adoption consultant. Amanda is the founder of USAdopt, and she is available to help you with all aspects of your domestic … Read more about this episode...

This is National Adoption Awareness month. Today we will learn about adopting from Russia and international adoption in general. Russia is no longer open for adoption but that may change in the future. Sharon Simons shares her experiences of adopting her two boys from Russia. She is the author of the book Mom at Last: How I Never Gave Up … Read more about this episode...

When using donor eggs, the donor egg recipient wants to be sure that the baby is legally hers. You don’t want your donor coming to claim your baby. The donor wants to know that she is not responsible for raising and paying for the child. That is why a donor egg contract is essential to protect both the wishes of … Read more about this episode...

Egg donation is made easier with freezing. Normally the cycles of the woman donating the eggs and the woman receiving them must be coordinated. The eggs must be removed from the egg donor at the precise time that the recipient is ready to receive them. With frozen donor eggs, they can be implanted whenever the woman receiving them is ready. … Read more about this episode...

Personhood legislation states that a fertilized egg is a person and in effect makes infertility treatment illegal. If your fertilized egg did not successfully implant during IVF, both the doctor and the potential mother could be charged with murder. You can make a difference in advocating against personhood legislation. Today we are speaking with Atlee Breland. She is a mother … Read more about this episode...

All too often women suffering from infertility have the wonderful news that they are pregnant only to then miscarry. Many times there are no reasons given as to why the miscarriage occurred. Today we will speak with Casey Berna. Casey has suffered multiple miscarriages and identified the reason why. You will learn important information about miscarriages. Casey is an infertility … Read more about this episode...

Infertility treatment is a brave new world of constantly changing technologies. It is important to keep current with the latest procedures for fertility attainment. Today we will speak with Dr. Rafat Abbasi about recent fertility developments including preimplantation genetic screening and egg freezing. Dr. Rafat Abbasi can be contacted at www.columbiafertility.com … Read more about this episode...

Endometriosis is an illness that impacts upon women’s ability to become pregnant. Many women don’t even know that they have the illness until they try to have a baby. You will hear from Casey Berna. She has endometriosis and works for Dr. Seckin from the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Casey shares important information about becoming pregnant with endometriosis. Casey is … Read more about this episode...

Listeners have requested to hear from a single parent and to learn about adoption. You will hear about both today when Erica talks about adopting a child as a single mother. She will share the positives and negatives about her experience and help you know what to expect if you choose to follow this path. … Read more about this episode...

Now that the technology is here for women to freeze their eggs, women are banking their eggs for future use. The freezer provides a fertility fountain of youth for using your younger eggs at an older age. The freezing procedure just has received approval by the American Society For Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Dr. Michael Levy is here to discuss this … Read more about this episode...

When faced with infertility, you may have to decide at some point whether to pursue having a child. You may not want to undergo infertility treatments or you may want to stop trying after failed treatment attempts. It is important to know that life is still fulfilling without a child. Today we will speak with Jennifer Richardson. She decided not … Read more about this episode...

May 8, 2013 was RESOLVE Advocacy Day. Women and men from all over the country came to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the rights of the infertile with their state senators and congressmen. They lobbied for two bills. One was the Family Act that would give a 50% tax credit of up to $12,000 for those undergoing infertility treatment. The … Read more about this episode...

We have a very special guest by request. A number of listeners have asked for a radio show episode that focuses on the single mother by choice. Today we will hear from a single mother, Cindy Cohen. The clock was ticking, and Cindy had not yet met Mr. Right so she decided to use a sperm donor. She was thrilled … Read more about this episode...

When you choose an infertility doctor, you want to make sure that it is the right one for you. Factors such as your diagnosis, geographical location or treatment preferences can impact on who is the right doctor for you. Today we will speak with Jay Palumbo, a patient care coordinator at Fertility Authority, about finding the best doctor for you. … Read more about this episode...

When you use a surrogate, you want to make sure that the baby will be yours and that the baby is legal. A surrogacy legal contract will protect both the potential mother and the surrogate. The surrogate will not be able to claim the baby, and the mother to be can’t hold the surrogate responsible for pregnancy issues. The contract … Read more about this episode...

This episode features an interview with an egg donor. Colby openly shares her experiences as an egg donor. Colby enjoyed donating so much that she plans to be a donor six times-the recommended maximum amount to donate. This episode will be informative both for those who are considering becoming a donor and those who want to use an egg donor. … Read more about this episode...

Today we have the privilege of speaking with a two time surrogate. Sandrine Levy provides an insider’s perspective of being a surrogate including why she did it and what it is like to carry a baby for an expectant couple. Sandrine also works at Family Forward Surrogacy to help future surrogates embark on this rewarding path. To be a surrogate … Read more about this episode...

If you make the momentous decision to use a surrogate, you want to be able to find one. Today we learn how to locate a surrogate and what factors to consider. Our guest is Sandra Lippard from Family Forward Surrogacy. She will answer many questions you may have about surrogacy. She also will reveal important truths such as who can … Read more about this episode...

A diagnosis of infertility can be as stressful as having cancer. Now you can learn how to reduce the stress by using techniques that stem from the mind/body connection. In fact in the end you may be able to achieve positive life change from having undergone the hardship of infertility. Today we will speak with Helen Adrienne. She is the … Read more about this episode...

When you decide to pursue infertility treatment, it can be hard to find a fertility center. But Attain has fertility centers throughout the nation. Attain centers provide 25% of all IVF attempts in the United States. They also have a unique refund program that gives you money back if you don’t get pregnant! Today we interview Doug Weiss and Shelly … Read more about this episode...

Once you take the big step of deciding to use an egg donor, then you need to find one. That is not always easy. But today we will speak to Nazca Fontes from the egg donor and surrogacy agency Conceive Abilities. She will tell you how to obtain an egg donor from an agency and share important factors to consider. … Read more about this episode...

In Vitro Fertilization increases the risk of multiple births which can result in prematurity. Today we have Kelly Damron telling us the story of her premature daughters who were IVF babies. One of her daughters developed the prematurity complication NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis). Kelly shares must know information about preterm infants, NEC and her emotional roller coaster including postpartum depression. Kelly … Read more about this episode...