IVF DADDIES Richard Westoby and Julio Gaggia

In this episode, the guest shares her experience as a Black transgender woman going through the IVF and surrogacy process in New York City. She discusses the importance of understanding empathy and the challenges faced by minority groups in the United States. She also highlights the disparities in access to healthcare for Black women and the high maternal mortality rates. The guest emphasizes the significance of building relationships and finding a supportive community during the IVF journey. She talks about her criteria for choosing an agency and the obstacles she faced in finding information and support.

Takeaways



Understanding empathy is crucial in supporting minority groups going through the IVF and surrogacy process.

There are disparities in access to healthcare and high maternal mortality rates for Black women.

Building relationships and finding a supportive community is important during the IVF journey.

Choosing an agency that aligns with personal values and provides a sense of affinity can enhance the experience.

Finding information and support can be challenging, but connecting with others who have gone through a similar journey can be invaluable.

Chapters



00:00 Introduction: A Powerful Story of Identity and Activism

03:16 Chapter 1: Empathy and Activism: Understanding the Challenges Faced by Minority Groups

16:14 Chapter 2: Building Relationships and Finding Support in the IVF Process

28:58 Chapter 4: Overcoming Obstacles: Finding Information and Support

Sound Bites



"A powerful story of identity and activism"

"New York City: A welcoming and diverse environment for the IVF journey"

"The importance of love and family beyond genetics"

Sound Bites



"A powerful story of identity and activism"

"New York City: A welcoming and diverse environment for the IVF journey"

"The importance of love and family beyond genetics"


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Summary



Dr. Amy Kaing discusses the basics of IVF and the process of residency and fellowship in the medical field. She explains that IVF involves taking eggs and sperm and developing embryos in a laboratory before transferring them to the uterus. She also explains the concept of ectopic pregnancy and the importance of the uterus for a successful pregnancy. Dr. Kaing emphasizes the importance of early fertility planning and recommends getting an AMH test to assess ovarian reserve. She also discusses the challenges faced by individuals with low ovarian reserve and the options available for preserving fertility. Dr. Kaing touches on the topic of transgender individuals and their fertility planning, as well as the impact of age on the success of egg and sperm freezing.

Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Background

06:06 Importance of Early Fertility Planning

14:58 Challenges and Options for Low Ovarian Reserve

23:23 Fertility Planning for Transgender Individuals



Takeaways



IVF involves taking eggs and sperm and developing embryos in a laboratory before transferring them to the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

Early fertility planning is important, and an AMH test can assess ovarian reserve.

Individuals with low ovarian reserve may face challenges in conceiving and may need to consider options like egg donation.

Transgender individuals may need to plan for fertility preservation before starting hormone therapy.

Age is a factor in the success of egg and sperm freezing.



Keywords



IVF, residency, fellowship, basics, ectopic pregnancy, uterus, AMH test, ovarian reserve, fertility planning, low ovarian reserve, preserving fertility, transgender, age, egg freezing, sperm freezing



Sound Bites



"IVF is basically a process of taking eggs and putting it together with sperm in a laboratory setting and developing embryos that we can then grow to a certain stage before we put it back into a uterus."

"Ectopics in general are just pregnancies outside of the uterus where they're meant to grow."

"I'm seeing people in their late 20s, early 30s that are just thinking about their fertility. They aren't actively trying, they're not technically infertile, but they're trying to plan ahead."


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In this episode, Richard Westoby interviews Molly O'Brien, a legal expert in surrogacy. They discuss the legal aspects of surrogacy contracts, including the importance of having a contract to establish parental rights, the timing of obtaining a court order, and the potential challenges that may arise. They also touch on the importance of trust and communication between intended parents and surrogates, as well as the financial and emotional aspects of the contract. The conversation concludes with a discussion on termination of pregnancy and the role of compensation in surrogacy.



Keywords



surrogacy, legal aspects, surrogacy contract, parental rights, court order, trust, communication, termination of pregnancy, compensation



Takeaways



Surrogacy contracts are more complex than egg donation contracts because they involve parental rights.

A court order is necessary to establish the intended parents as legal parents and remove the surrogate's legal rights.

Trust and communication are crucial in the relationship between intended parents and surrogates.

Compensation in surrogacy should be fair and not coercive.

Termination of pregnancy should be discussed and agreed upon by both parties in the contract.



Sound Bites



"Surrogacy is a lot more complicated. The legal contract is much longer, more detailed, because we are dealing with parental rights when it comes to surrogacy."

"Everything isn't really completed and secured until after the birth. So in some states there is a little bit of a timeline where the surrogate is technically the legal parent until that paperwork is completed."

"Communication is key. As with everything in life, communication is key."



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Background

04:17 Financial Aspects of Surrogacy Contracts

09:55 Addressing the Sensitive Topic of Termination

16:22 Psychological Assessment and Compensation




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Summary



Joey Guzman, a licensed therapist specializing in fertility, IVF, and surrogacy counseling, shares his personal journey of building a family through surrogacy and egg donation. He discusses the importance of open communication, setting expectations, and navigating the emotional complexities of the process. Joey emphasizes the need for informed decision-making, including considerations for donor selection, single vs. double embryo transfer, and the relational dynamics with surrogates. He also highlights the role of mental health providers in providing education, support, and empathy to intended parents and surrogates throughout their journey.



Takeaways



Open communication and setting expectations are crucial when involving family members in the surrogacy and egg donation process.

Informed decision-making is essential, including considerations for donor selection, single vs. double embryo transfer, and the relational dynamics with surrogates.

Mental health providers play a vital role in providing education, support, and empathy to intended parents and surrogates throughout their journey.

The surrogacy process can be emotionally challenging, and having a strong support system is important for both intended parents and surrogates.

Empathy and understanding are key in navigating the complexities and emotions involved in building a family through surrogacy and egg donation.



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey

03:21 Donor Selection and Embryo Creation

07:22 Navigating Surrogate Selection

10:43 The Role of Mental Health Providers

23:07 Supporting Surrogates and Donors

25:26 Understanding Double Embryo Transfer

29:21 Personal Experience and Emotional Challenges

35:28 Importance of Support and Empathy



Sound Bites



"It is important to have a support system. It is important for you to be able to express yourself and to have your people there because you need people to help you with this."

"There's more to think about than just the thought of we wanna be parents and I wanna have a baby and I wanna transfer two embryos."

"You nearly made me cry. That must've been so tough. I'm really sorry that you went through that."



Keywords



fertility, IVF, surrogacy, counseling, donor selection, embryo transfer, mental health, support, empathy








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Dr. Rothenberg discusses transgender and non-binary fertility, including the rise in patients identifying as trans or non-binary. She explains gender affirming treatment and how it can affect fertility. Dr. Rothenberg emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space for patients and normalizing the fertility process for all individuals. She also discusses the hormone process for transgender individuals with ovaries and the options for fertility preservation. Additionally, she addresses the challenges and experimental options for fertility preservation in transgender children who have not yet gone through puberty. Dr. Stephanie Rothenberg discusses fertility options for transgender and non-binary individuals. She explains the process of fertility preservation, including egg and sperm freezing, and the challenges faced by young people who are transitioning. Dr. Rothenberg also addresses the psychological and emotional aspects of fertility for transgender individuals, as well as the importance of having a supportive family and access to insurance coverage. She emphasizes that there is never a wrong time to talk to a fertility doctor and encourages individuals to make their own choices about starting a family.



More people are identifying as trans or non-binary, but not all pursue gender affirming treatment.

Fertility preservation options depend on the individual's gender identity, hormone therapy, and desired family-building methods.

Creating a safe and inclusive space for transgender and non-binary individuals is crucial in fertility care.

Fertility preservation in transgender children who have not yet gone through puberty is still experimental, but may become a viable option in the future. Fertility preservation options, such as egg and sperm freezing, are available for transgender and non-binary individuals.

Young people who are transitioning may face challenges in accessing fertility care, including the need for a supportive family and insurance coverage.

Coming off hormone therapy can have physical and psychological effects, and it is important to consider fertility preservation options before starting hormone therapy.

Transgender individuals can pursue various paths to parenthood, including IVF, surrogacy, and adoption.

It is important to find a fertility clinic that is knowledgeable and affirming of transgender and non-binary individuals.

Reproductive autonomy is crucial, and individuals should feel empowered to make their own choices about starting a family.

Titles



Creating a Safe and Inclusive Fertility Space

Understanding Transgender and Non-Binary Fertility Finding a Knowledgeable and Affirming Fertility Clinic

Embracing Reproductive Autonomy: Making Your Own Choices



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Stephanie Rothenberg

01:15 Understanding Transgender and Non-Binary Fertility

12:21 Navigating Hormone Therapy and Fertility Preservation

25:46 Fertility Options for Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals

30:44 Challenges and Considerations for Young People Transitioning

36:20 The Importance of Supportive Families and Insurance Coverage

39:21 Navigating the Psychological and Emotional Aspects of Fertility

41:05 Exploring Paths to Parenthood for Transgender Individuals

42:41 Finding a Knowledgeable and Affirming Fertility Clinic

45:02 Embracing Reproductive Autonomy: Making Your Own Choices




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In this episode, Aemilia Varfis shares her experience with egg freezing and the decision-making process behind it. She recounts how she offered her eggs to a friend but ultimately decided to freeze them herself. Emilia discusses the personal journey of going through the egg freezing process, including the injections and the support she received. She emphasizes the relief and peace of mind that came with freezing her eggs and the impact it had on her and others. Emilia concludes by sharing her current plans to try to conceive naturally with her partner.



Takeaways



Egg freezing can provide relief and peace of mind by buying time and removing the pressure of a biological clock.

The decision to freeze eggs is personal and should be based on individual circumstances and desires.

Support from friends, family, and healthcare professionals can make the egg freezing process more manageable.

Egg freezing is becoming more common and accepted, allowing women to take control of their reproductive choices.



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Offer of Egg Freezing

01:26 Supporting the Journey to Build a Family

05:12 Choosing to Freeze Eggs in Greece

06:38 Keeping the Process Personal

07:34 Embracing the Decision to Freeze Eggs

09:26 Injecting and Feeling Supported

10:49 The Two-Week Process

11:46 Harvesting the Eggs

13:11 Recovery and Relief

15:35 Age and Egg Freezing

19:25 Relief and Impacting Others

20:34 Moving Forward with a Partner

21:31 Conclusion and Invitation to Return




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