Posts Tagged ‘Journey’
Monday, December 5th, 2011
If you’re considering surrogacy as a potential option for expanding your family due to issues of infertility, there are some things you should consider before moving forward. Gestational surrogacy — where a woman agrees to carry embryos that were formed using in vitro fertilization using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents — is a unique and relatively new process that comes with a number of emotional issues.
For women who cannot carry their own baby, the opportunity to still have a child that is biologically their own is a dream come true. But the connection between the surrogate and the child is a unique one. The surrogate, also known as the gestational carrier, may not believe it will be difficult for her to hand over your baby to you after giving birth, there already have been legal actions taken in some cases that underscore the reality that it can be difficult for a woman to relinquish all ties to the baby they carried in their womb.
Sometimes the gestational carrier is a sibling or close friend to one of the intended parents. While this can bring an even deeper meaning and joy to the process, it also means there will be an ongoing social connection between everyone involved, including the surrogate and the child.
Gestational surrogacy is a beautiful, amazing possibility in one’s fertility journey, but it is one that should be carefully considered by all involved beforehand. Talk to your partner about all your concerns, and keep in mind that we have counseling services available to help you and your partner work through some of the emotional issues that comes with such a decision.
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Tags: Counseling Services, Deeper Meaning, Eggs, Embryos, Emotional Issues, Fertility Treatment, Gestational Carrier, Gestational Surrogacy, Giving Birth, Infertility, Journey, Legal Actions, Nbsp, Partner Work, Sibling, sperm, Surrogate, Ties, Vitro Fertilization, womb
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Friday, December 2nd, 2011
When couples show up at our clinic for their first appointment regarding fertility treatments, they bring a united front. They hold hands. They look at each other lovingly, excitedly. They are hopeful for the future they are working toward together.
Although undergoing fertility treatments is in itself a testament to the strength and future of a partnership, the actual process can emotionally wear down even the strongest couple. It is a strenuous process that can sometimes include setbacks, frustrations and fears. It’s difficult for partners to put into words their own fears because they don’t want to let down their partner.
It’s important to focus on this truth, that undergoing fertility treatments can bond you in ways you never dreamed possible. It has the ability to bolster your relationship and allow you to discover new strengths about each other. The key to making that happen is communication. Don’t be afraid to express to your partner your concerns, your doubts, your fears and most especially your hopes and dreams. Talk about what is happening to both of you, regardless of which one of you is undergoing the physical treatment at the moment. Remember that this is a journey you are both on together. Don’t lose sight of that!
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, Communication, Couples, Discover, Doubts, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Dr. Munavi, Express, Fears, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Focus, Frustrations, Hopes And Dreams, Journey, Nbsp, PA Infertility, Partnership, Reading, Relationship, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Setbacks, Testament, Truth, United Front, Wyomissing
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Friday, September 16th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, deciding when, whether and/or with whom to share their journey can be difficult. Yet an interesting study from the University of Iowa has revealed that it may end in a socially, scientifically predictable decision.
The study looked at couples who had been through fertility treatments and evaluated the people with whom they talked about their experiences. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research as well as the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships were definitely interesting:
When the woman was the person with the fertility issue, the couple tended to tell a great deal of people, including their family and friends. However, when the man had the fertility problems, the couple was less likely to talk about it.
The study’s authors used their data to make a conclusion that social mores surrounding expectations of males and females in western culture may have something to do with their reactions and actions. For instance, they suggested that women might be under pressure to explain why they didn’t have children by a certain age; consequently, they would be justifying their childless statuses. For men, this stigma wasn’t quite as strong; in fact, they might be hesitant to say they were undergoing fertility treatments for fear of it adversely affecting the way they were perceived by those around them.
Of course, these results are based on conjecture and every partnership is unique. Plus, there are many factors involved in the “to tell or not to tell” decision. However, the University of Iowa research has given way for further dialogue and investigation to be held on the topic.
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Tags: Certain Age, Conjecture, Couples, Dialogue, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Family And Friends, Fertility Issue, Fertility Problems, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Iowa Research, Journal Of Applied Communication Research, Journey, Males And Females, Nbsp, Personal Relationships, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Social Mores, Statuses, Stigma, University Of Iowa, Western Culture, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Monday, January 10th, 2011
Want to know what your chances of fertility success IVF are going to be? Though it might seem counterintuitive, your computer could hold the answers… or so say programmers who’ve created what they consider to be an accurate way to measure whether or not your body is in a position to conceive sooner rather than later.
It’s a significant claim to make – the notion that answering a few questions could possibly make a prediction that even fertility specialists with decades of experience under their belts cannot promise. Yet it’s also unlikely to hurt any couple as long as they use the computer program with a healthy dose of the reality of the situation.
While a woman’s response to IVF can definitely be monitored and tracked, there’s no “magic bullet” that can pinpoint the time when she’s absolutely, positively going to become pregnant. However, this software boasts a 99% accuracy rating.
The online IVF predictor calculator was developed in the United Kingdom. As we learn more about it, we’ll provide you with information regarding the software and how it works. Until that time, we suggest you consider it as yet another tool to use in your reproductive journey.
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Tags: Accuracy, Belts, Computer Program, Decades, Fertility Software, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Success, IVF, Journey, Magic Bullet, Notion, Online Calculator, Online Software, Pregnant, Programmers, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, United Kingdom
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Monday, December 27th, 2010
Celine Dion. Giuliana Rancic. Neil Patrick Harris. They’ve made headlines the past year as they’ve openly discussed their experiences with assisted reproductive techniques (ART).
In Dion’s case, her fertility treatments may have been long and uncomfortable, but she recently gave birth to twins and is reported to be happier than ever.
For Rancic, fertility treatments haven’t provided her with a child yet, but she and her husband are hopeful that they can still conceive.
Harris and his male partner opted for surrogacy to fulfill their dreams of becoming dads.
Thanks to the openness shared by celebrities like Dion, Rancic and Harris (through their publicity managers, of course), men and women have a better understanding of what IVF, IUI, egg donation and surrogacy are all about.
Though no one who hasn’t been through the experience of infertility can truly appreciate the challenge of the journey, having Hollywood’s elite tell their stories does provide a much-needed opening for discussions about ART.
Our question to you is this:
Does reading about stars’ difficulties with their fertility help you in any way?
Tags: Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Celebrities, Celine Dion, Course Men, Dreams, Egg Donation, Elite, Experiences, Fertility Treatments, Giuliana, Hollywood, Infertility, Journey, Male Partner, Men And Women, Neil Patrick Harris, Openness, Publicity, surrogacy, Twins
Posted in Hollywood and Stars | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
The new year is almost upon us and we at The Reproductive Science Institute want to thank everyone who has allowed us to be a part of their fertility journey in 2010.
With that being said, we’re always open to working with new individuals and couples as they explore fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI and surrogacy. After all, if you want to take this route to having a baby, it’s important to find a fertility specialist you can trust.
Please contact RSI today if you’re interested in learning more about our assisted reproductive techniques. We’d be happy to provide you with a free consultation so you have a better idea of your fertility treatment options.
Happy holidays!
Tags: Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Couples, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Free Consultation, Happy Holidays, Having A Baby, IUI, IVF, Journey, New Year, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, surrogacy, Treatment Options
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Friday, December 10th, 2010
It’s a boy… and another boy… for Celine Dion! Conceived through IVF, her 6-week-old twins are enjoying their first taste of publicity!
Dion and her bundles of joy are gracing the covers of two national magazines — Hello, Canada and People within the next week. Be sure to check them out!
We’re glad that Dion’s IVF journey — which included many rounds of fertility treatments — ended up so beautifully!
Tags: 6 Week, Bundles Of Joy, Canada, Celine Dion, Fertility Treatments, First Taste, Hello, IVF, Journey, National Magazines, Publicity, Twins
Posted in Hollywood and Stars | No Comments »
Friday, November 5th, 2010
The rich and famous aren’t any less likely to need fertility treatments than everyday individuals and couples. That’s one of the reasons that it comes as no surprise to learn that Rod Stewart and his wife spent over two years investing in IVF treatments to conceive.
In August, the couple (Stewart is married to Penny Lancaster) announced that they were pregnant; however, what the world didn’t realize is that it took so long for them to have a child together.
Stewart, 65, and Lancaster, 39, have begun to discuss their IVF treatmentjourney publicly, including the struggles they experienced in their relationship while trying to have a baby. As Stewart has said, it was an “emotional rollercoaster” ride the couple endured as they waited.
Stewart and Lancaster went through three rounds of IVF treatments before hearing the good news. Though that sounds like many, various sources indicate that the average number of IVF treatment cycles needed before conception hovers closer to four.
As with all couples who have taken the fertility walk together, we wish Stewart and Lancaster all the happiness in the world.
* * *
If you or someone you care about is interested in learning more about IVF treatments, please contact RSI. Our team is more than happy to help you as you investigate the best fertility treatment course(s) for your situation.
Tags: Couples, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Happiness, Investing, IVF treatment, IVF treatments, Journey, Miracles, Penny Lancaster, Relationship, Rod Stewart, Rollercoaster Ride, Rsi, Surprise, Treatment Cycles, Trying To Have A Baby
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Friday, September 24th, 2010
Call it “fertility tourism” or “reproductive tourism” if you like… but don’t take it lightly. That moniker might make traveling to a foreign country for fertility treatments sound chic, but the results can be anything but.
Recently, clinics around the world (especially those in Europe, the Middle East and North America) have been raising flags of concern over the increase in individuals and couples who are willing to travel great distances to get fertility treatments.
Some go because they think they’ll save money; some go because they are deemed too old to get fertility treatments in their country of origin; some travel because they are denied access to get fertility treatments in their homelands; and some simply want to work with physicians who won’t ask the tough questions that need to be asked. Whatever their reasons, it’s becoming a bigger and bigger concern.
The problem isn’t that people are exercising their freedom to go wherever they choose; that’s perfectly acceptable. The conundrum is that they are doing it for the wrong reasons. And they’re putting their health — and the health of any child(ren) conceived through fertility treatments they get abroad — at potential risk.
It’s important to always weigh your options when it comes to choosing a fertility treatment provider and not take any aspect of the journey lightly. If you’re tempted to go overseas, you may simply need to get a second, third or even fourth opinion at home.
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Tags: Conundrum, Country Of Origin, Couples, Distances, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Flags, Freedom, health, Homelands, Journey, Middle East, Miracles, Moniker, North America, Physicians, Tough Questions, Tourism, Treatment Provider, Vacations
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News | No Comments »
Friday, July 16th, 2010
For good or bad, we live in a society that suggests we have to be “upbeat” all the time, putting on a “happy face” despite problems. When we’re asked, “How are you?”, we’re expected to say, “Fine, thank you!” No wonder so many people with infertility feel embarrassed because they go through periods of sadness and depression.
If you’re one of the many men or women dealing with infertility, it’s important to know that feeling unhappy or “down” is completely normal. It’s not a sign of weakness, nor is it something unusual. In fact, reputable reproductive science specialists will always consider your mental health throughout your fertility treatment journey.
But what can you do in the meantime if you’d rather not make a phone call every time you’re feeling blue? Why not try one of these methods of addressing your state of mind:
→ Acknowledge and accept your sadness.
→ Talk with someone who will listen without judging or trying to “solve” your emotions.
→ Do something that isn’t related to fertility issues, such as working out, going for a hike, taking a walk or reading a book.
→ Write down your feelings in a personal journal.
→ Ask yourself if you’re being too hard on yourself. (This is often the case.) Infertility isn’t something you can control.
Remember that infertility and unhappy moments can often go hand-in-hand. So allow yourself to have human moments of disappointment or even depression. And, of course, if your mental state turns into one you cannot easily control, please contact your physician to discuss other steps you can take.
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Tags: Control, Disappointment, emotions, Feelings, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Happy Face, Infertility, Journey, Many Men, Many People, Mental Health, Miracles, Periods, Personal Journal, Reading A Book, Reproductive Science, Rsi, Sadness And Depression, Science Specialists
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