One of our fantastic donors, who has participated in the process three times, put it this way: “I believe every person who desires to be a parent, who will love and cherish a little one, deserves to be one. I would love to help give someone the miracle of parenthood I have been so blessed to have.”

The women who are part of our program, as both egg donors and gestational surrogates, truly do represent another level of love and human kindness. We are proud to celebrate you today, but are grateful every day for your generous hearts. Thank you!

Today, in a surprising (or is it?) move, the Komen Foundation has announced they are reversing the decision. The intense pushback – from befuddlement to all out fury – no doubt caused this change of heart. While we’re relieved to hear that women around the nation will continue to have easier access to such essential healthcare, we’re disheartened.
 
When two organizations, both claiming to have the best interest for women and their health, are at odds, we all lose. As a company entrenched in reproductive health issues, ConceiveAbilities supports pro-women’s organizations. We were moved by The State of the Uterus, a piece by Keiko Zoll of Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed. As a powerful voice in the infertility community, Zoll once again reminds us that women must stand together when it comes to our bodies and our rights. “What matters is that every woman in this country deserves equal access to healthcare,” she says. “YOU matter…women’s health matters.”

It is essential to support one another, regardless of status, title, or political views. Will you stand up for the basic rights all women deserve? Will you honor the hurdles crossed not only by this generation, but by the generations of amazing women before us? Women who paved the way for the incredible advancements we often take for granted? The challenge doesn’t end here – we can’t back down now.

Our Denver group celebrated the season on Thursday, December 8th at an evening soiree downtown, complete with festive (virgin) cocktails. More than a dozen surrogates were able to attend, representing all parts of the process – one anxiously awaiting a match to another entering the second trimester of her second surrogacy journey with ConceiveAbilities. It was also a chance for intended parents to visit with their surrogates and other couples in similar situations. We were thrilled to see people speaking so honestly about their experiences and what brought them to this place – and their excitement about what 2012 will bring to their lives.

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, the field of family building can feel like a cross-country marathon. Autumn is a time of whirlwind conferences, seminars and continuing education opportunities, as well as fundraisers around the nation. In October, ConceiveAbilities was once again an exhibitor at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s annual meeting in Orlando. The conference, which attracts professionals from around the globe, is a chance to reconnect with familiar colleagues while meeting new practitioners and building wonderful relationships.

Later that month, ConceiveAbilities was a proud sponsor for the National Foundation for Fertility Research’s (NFFR) first annual Mad Scientist Ball in Denver. NFFR is a publicly-funded, non profit organization determined to fight infertility and to research a cure. We were pleased to support the cause and a team that will not stop until every hopeful parent has a child.

ConceiveAbilities was also in attendance at the American Fertility Association’s annual Illuminations Gala in New York City in November, and in December hosted holiday parties for our surrogacy program in both Chicago and Denver.

On Sunday, December 4th, 7 of our Chicago area surrogates, their partners and intended parents gathered for brunch and bocce ball. It was a neat chance to see some of the surrogates with their intended parents – we don’t have many opportunities to gather at the same time. Plus, it gave the intended parents time to visit with others who are in different stages of the process. One of the surrogates, nearly 9 months pregnant with twins, was vibrant proof that a long, difficult journey can have a happy ending.

Our Denver group celebrated the season on Thursday, December 8th at an evening soiree downtown, complete with festive (virgin) cocktails. More than a dozen surrogates were able to attend, representing all parts of the process – one anxiously awaiting a match to another entering the second trimester of her second surrogacy journey with ConceiveAbilities. It was also a chance for intended parents to visit with their surrogates and other couples in similar situations. We were thrilled to see people speaking so honestly about their experiences and what brought them to this place – and their excitement about what 2012 will bring to their lives.

ConceiveAbilities wishes the best to our families, friends and colleagues during the holiday season!

Resolve.org has extensive information about the topic on their website, and even has an online pledge you can sign to take a stand against the initiative. We encourage you to learn more about it and do what you can in these final hours, no matter where you live.

While the goal of the personhood movement is to undermine Roe vs. Wade by legally changing the definition of what a person is, it will undoubtedly impact IVF too. We’ve discussed the gross disrespect to women’s health rights in this country many times on the blog – Nazca was even featured on The Huffington Post in a November 2008 piece about how that year’s election could affect the future of advanced reproduction technology. Three years later, the threat still looms.

Read more about the initiative in Michelle Goldberg’s article at The Daily Beast.

A story recently reposted to the Huffington Post (originally posted on Grindstone.com) asks whether surrogacy is “becoming a trend for the high-powered career woman,” and shares various opinions on how, when and why women choose to build their families. How is this any different?

The reasons hopeful parents work with surrogates are many and varied, but the choice to do so is just that – a choice. And with so many recent threats to women’s reproductive health options, it is a choice that must be protected.

Why do others – experts or not – have the right to weigh in on this very personal decision? Have we really come such a long way? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Now, egg donors will be compensated a fixed fee of 750 pounds (approximately $1200) for loss of earnings, expenses, and to “recognize their gift,” according to an article published in The Telegraph. In recent years UK egg donors could be reimbursed up to 250 pounds for expenses, but the shortage of donors in comparison to the demand drove intended parents abroad, eventually forcing authorities to reconsider their stance on compensation. Historically, many egg donors in the UK haven’t received any compensation at all, as this is how authorities deemed egg donation would remain an “altruistic” act.

While we believe all donors participate, ultimately, for altruistic reasons, the fact is that the process is far from easy. It is time intensive and a huge commitment, both physically and emotionally. Women want to help, but shouldn’t be expected to take major financial blows for transportation, childcare, loss of wages, and other expenses involved. Here in the United States, donors are compensated for their time and effort – not for the eggs themselves. With the help of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, reputable agencies like ConceiveAbilities follow strict guidelines regarding compensation.

The new compensation model in the UK is actually based on systems currently used in Denmark and Spain, and includes new rules for sperm donors as well. They also left an agreement that egg sharing – where donors can receive their own fertility treatment for free or at a lesser cost in return for their donation – would remain unchanged.

The HFEA will likely revisit the topic in the future. Policy officer Danielle Hamm, who assisted in the decision, admitted, “This is not an exact science, it’s a judgment.”

What do you think? Is the new law enough to boost egg donation in the UK, or will donors and intended parents alike continue to look abroad in order to participate in the process? You can read more about this developing story here.

I think it might be surprising to some that most donor-conceived children search for their donors mainly for the biological link. They report the three main reasons as curiosity about donor characteristics, medical reasons, and just wanting the experience of meeting the donor. In fact, one of the women highlighted in this NPR story noted that in addition to a sense of loss, she felt there was an obvious irony to this situation: “Couples use donor sperm or egg because they very much want at least some biological connection to their child.” And yet, she says, “by using anonymous donors they cut off that child’s other links.”

As more and more donor-conceived adult children seek out their donors, it’s imperative that donors and recipients work with reputable agencies who not only educate all parties about anonymity and how laws can and likely will change in the future, but to help navigate the complexities of this issue in a way that respects and protects everyone involved.

Obviously, this issue is still working itself out. I’m interested in what you think about it, so please share your thoughts.

-Nazca

Our surrogate picnic events have been the perfect opportunity for surrogates and their families to share their experiences and learn more about the process in a laid-back, friendly environment. The sense of community amongst these amazing women truly sets ConceiveAbilities apart, and we are grateful to each one of them and their spouses and children for taking part in such a special journey. By sharing these events with our newsletter subscribers, it enables the intended parents we work with as well as our network of professionals to gain a deeper perspective on our program’s commitment to third party family building.

Denver Surrogate Picnic June 2011

On a sunny afternoon, our Denver-area surrogates and staff gathered for ConceiveAbilities’ second annual surrogacy picnic. Nearly 60 people attended for a day filled with sun, fun, and lots of ice cream!

“ Being a surrogate is such an amazing and special thing and it is so refreshing to be able to share it with people who have been through it as well, or are about to go through it. ” – Paula

“ It was great to get to know the other surrogates better. We see each other at monthly meetings but it was nice to be in a casual environment. ” – Rebecca

“ By the time I left I had all my questions and more answered. Everyone was so warm and friendly. It made me really excited to work with an agency that cares so much about making this an amazing experience for everyone involved. ” – Amanda

Chicago Surrogate Picnic July 2011

In spite of a rainy start, more than 30 people braved the elements for ConceiveAbilities’ first annual Chicago surrogacy picnic. Armed with umbrellas and good humor, staff, surrogates and their families gathered for cookie decorating.

The weather was just another example of how these ladies handle the unexpected with grace and a smile. In an often unpredictable journey, we were once again reminded of the dedication of our surrogates.

“ The picnic was a relaxed and casual setting, yet I felt comfortable asking all of the serious and important questions. I left with a lot of good information and very excited to start the whole process with ConceiveAbilities! ” – Amie

“ It was fun to meet family members and potential surrogates. And, of course, see the other pregnant ladies! ” – Sara

“ I loved getting to know the families of all the surrogates and seeing old and new faces. ” – Danielle

We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and look forward to connecting with you!