Author: Jana M. Rupnow, LPC

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ihkdz-eb0f6d

Fifteen years ago, Vince received news from a doctor  that he had “complete azoospermia” and he describes how confusing and shocking that moment was. 

He openly speaks about infertility to help other men with issues that impacts men with male factor infertility like masculinity, passing on the family name, and how society impacts a man with infertility, especially the imposed shame. 

He also leads a support group in Ontario, Canada and is involved with Donor Conception Canada. Vince (@vincelondini). 

#spermdonation #mfi #malefactorinfertility #azoospermia #infertility #fertility 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8rmbk-ea98a8

Brittany used an egg donor to conceive and bravely shared her feelings about letting go of the biological child she couldn’t have.  She’s back to share an update and some frustrating information about the egg donation process that she learned during her pregnancy.

Donors are supposed to be limited to a certain number of donations both for health risks and long-term family management issues. In other words, to avoid the complications that come with having an unmanageable amount of half-siblings.  Unfortunately, this limit is not enforceable and intended parents must rely on the ethics of agencies, clinics and banks.

#eggdonation #eggdonor #ethics #deivf #spermdonation #donorconception

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-95bgm-e6091b

Gail, a mom through sperm donation, advocates for regulation and legislation in donor conception. Gail lives in Australia and was appalled to find out her daughter has over 100 half-siblings. She shares her daughter’s feelings about donor conception as well as some unpleasant truths about the practices that occur in the field.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-x32sr-e3791e

Kerri and Chris independently pursue embryo adoption after failed fertility treatments with their biological embryos. Kerry explains the process of independent or self-directed adoption, which is adopting without the help of agency facilitation.

Kerrie is open with their child and has an open relationship with her donors, allowing her son to know his half-brothers from a young age. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-98dkv-e40453

What is the difference between embryo adoption and embryo donation?
Kimberly Tyson, Executive Director of the first embyro adoption program in the world, explains the agency’s model for embryo adoption. 

Kimberly also touches on the difference between embyro adoption and traditional adoption.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-x32sr-e3791e

Kerry and Chris independently pursue embryo adoption after failed fertility treatments with their biological embryos. Kerry explains the process of independent or self-directed adoption, which is adopting without the help of agency facilitation.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-37irr-e2a7e6

I am honored to share another episode with a thoughtful person, Alex. She shares how she discovered her parent’s secret of using a sperm donor and how it has impacted her for the last two years.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vvhjs-e24567

Jen wonders if adoption is right for her after a high risk, traumatic pregnancy with triplets.
🚨 Trigger alert: 🚨This episode explores miscarriage, trauma and grief and some extremely difficult decisions about pregnancy. Adoption trauma is also explored.

🚨Spoiler alert🚨:I followed up with Jen on Friday and they have decided not to pursue adoption. Jen would like to remain anonymous but I applaud her decision to not pursue a choice that she recognized she was not up for.
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Becoming informed about adoption trauma and admitting it is NOT for you as a parent is 💯 OK.
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It’s ok to change your mind.
It’s ok to say this type of parenting is not in your plan.
I’d prefer parents be informed and up for the complexities of adoption than buried their head in the sand about the child’s need.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-2as7h-e1b27c

Infertility affects people of all races but women of color have extra challenges in the US. 

Nikki shares the added challenges she has experienced with infertility as a person of color. From the social silence to the limited selection of donors, third party reproduction is even more difficult as a woman of color in the US.