Building your family Lisa Schuman

If you have been wondering about what's happening in the political and social landscape in the fertility field, you will appreciate this week's episode.  Barb Collura, the CEO of RESOLVE, discusses how our modern society has arrived at a time when science and so many social issues have progressed, except that our reproductive rights may erode further if we do not take action now.
At RESOLVE.org, there are many ways to get involved, and Barb has led the charge in making it easy to advocate from your home computer.  We need every voice, so listen to this episode to become informed.
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
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The benefits of disclosing to children about their origins, early and often, is no longer up for debate.  We know that children, and their parents, are often curious about their donor, and for medical or emotional reasons, may have an interest in connecting with them at some point in their lives. Typically, people search for their donor on 23 and Me and hope that they will be able to connect with the donor when their child becomes 18. Some donor agreements, however, stipulate that the donor never be contacted.
Everie has changed all of that. They have created the first open donor egg donation program in the U.S. 
In this episode, you will meet two of Everie’s Directors, Aisha Lewis and Mark Trolice, MD.  They have created a program where you choose to be matched with a donor for a fresh cycle or receive frozen eggs.  You can choose someone who also chooses you and you have the option to choose someone with similar values or background.  Their program allows for individual matches so that you can decide what is right for you, get ongoing medical information for your children, and have a warm connection with someone who you or your child may reach out to down the line. 
An added benefit is that open relationships will likely cut down on the number of donor siblings created from each donor.  While no contract about family limits with a donor is enforceable, I do believe we are all more likely to maintain a commitment to someone we know rather than someone we don't know.
So, take a look at their website and learn more. I think you will be as impressed as I am.  Everiedonation.com. 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

You may know Colton Underwood as a football player or the reality TV star from The Bachelor, or from his Netflix special when he told the world that he could no longer hide and came out as a gay man.  The Colton Underwood you will meet on this week's episode is a warm, gentle man who has finally found himself, real love, and cannot wait to be a father.  
If these hurdles weren't enough, he also struggled with male factor infertility.  Colton has become more accustomed to talking about the struggle of coming out and how happy he is being his true self, as a gay man, but infertility is still a struggle to discuss.  He shares how embarrassed he felt when he received the diagnosis and how he and his husband embarked on a path to rejuvenate his sperm.
This process led him to create a podcast called Daddyhood, where he shares the long path to fatherhood.  His openness and sensitivity will warm your heart and the information he shares may help you or someone you love who is struggling with infertility.  The information in this podcast, like Colton himself, will intrigue you, for so many reasons.
 
Resources mentioned:
Daddyhood on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/daddyhoodpodcast/
Subscribe to Colton's podcast, "Daddyhood": https://open.spotify.com/show/2wcc9oVtUr3q4hrFTn1TEw?si=f91dd3ddb5be4a6f
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

In this podcast, we frequently delve into the realm of third-party reproduction. However, today we're taking a fresh perspective on the pregnancy journey. Donor conception isn't the perfect fit for everyone, and for some, it simply isn't an option. So, let's explore an alternative approach.
Meet Dr. Gleicher and Dr. Barad, partners at the Center for Human Reproduction in New York. Their focus over the years has gravitated towards women categorized as having an "advanced maternal age". In this episode, they generously share insights into the strategies that have brought success to their patients.
What's reassuring is their commitment to ensuring informed consent. They steer clear of empty promises and quick fixes. Instead, they lay out the reality, often modest success rates for women in their 40s, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their treatment paths. Despite embracing some unconventional methods, their research garners respect within the medical community.
If you, or a loved one, want to attempt pregnancy at an advanced maternal age, you will find this episode very helpful.
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

The good news is that we've discovered that disclosing early and regularly is most beneficial. Moreover, it's never too early nor too late to disclose. However, if you browse online comments about late disclosure, you'd doubt the validity of the latter statement. Those who struggle with early disclosure often face ridicule online, exacerbating feelings of guilt, sadness, and anxiety, making it even more challenging to disclose.
This week, I delve into this issue. Many individuals find it hard to disclose for various reasons. It's essential for them to recognize that feeling uncomfortable when using someone else's genetics to build a family is natural. They also need strategies to manage these emotions, enabling them to help their child understand their origins.
In this episode, I explore three reasons why disclosing may be challenging and offer solutions. Those grappling with disclosure, or those who know someone who is, should realize that it does become easier. Getting started is often the toughest step.
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Dr. Shahine and I agree that there is so much misinformation on the internet. We also agree that the fertility journey is lonely and that people need support. So, we decided to team up and create a double podcast and bust some myths! Yes, you will get support and clarity on both of our channels.
Among other things, we will discuss:
• Sex positions and getting pregnant• Stress and infertility• Disclosure to donor-conceived children• What to share with your fertility doctor (spoiler alert-everything!)
I think you will find this week's episode useful and entertaining.
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM