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The post-retrieval recovery is very manageable.  Truly.  If you’re active and healthy, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to bounce right back.  It’s important to take about a week to recover – take it easy, drink lots of Gatorade and Vitamin Water, and follow your doctor’s instructions.  Allow your body to heal.  Everything inside of you has just gone through the ringer, and you’ll feel tender, sore, and bloated in the days following the retrieval (not unlike what you’d experience with a heavy period).  You can expect to get your first post-cycle period about 10 days after your procedure (10-12 days after your HCG shot) and once that’s come and gone, you’ll feel a million times better.   If you wish to donate again, you’ll need to have two normal periods before you’re cleared to go for another cycle. Any weight gain can be chalked up to fluids, so be sure to drink enough electrolytes (the swelling and retention usually go down quickly).

Every doctor is different, and your clinic will have specific instructions for your recovery (you’ll also get more information regarding when you can get back to your “normal routine” – including working out, having sex, etc.), but the most important advice for a smooth recovery is to let the body do its thing, drink plenty of fluids, and be good to yourself.  You’ll be smooth sailing in no time

When choosing an egg donor, it is understandable that women will want to select a donor who is similar to themselves in appearance and ethnic background.  As with many aspects of Jewish Law, what may seem obvious and desirable may not conform to rabbinical interpretations of the Law.  Ironically, since it is sometimes difficult to find suitable Jewish donors, these legal twists can actually help some people “let go” of their desire to work only with Jewish donors.

While Reform Judaism recognizes that parentage can come from either parent, traditionally most, but not all, rabbis have agreed that if a Jewish woman gives birth to the baby, that child is fully Jewish.  The Laws determining a child’s family and religion of origin were established thousands of years ago — long before genetic testing — and so Jewishness is passed from the mother who gives birth rather than from the genetic parents.

The following principles can guide most Jewish couples considering egg donation:

A Jewish donor is not legally required for a Jewish couple.  Based on the concerns about accidental incest and the legal status of eggs, a non-Jewish donor may actually be preferable.  Accepting this idea can alleviate much of the angst over trying to find a Jewish donor (which, again, can be difficult).

If a Jewish donor is chosen, she should be single or married to a non-Jewish man.  If she is divorced, she needs a Jewish divorce, including a “Get.”

The process of choosing an egg donor is different for every family.  There are an endless number of things to consider in making such an important decision.  If observing Jewish Law is a priority for theIntended Parent(s), then finding a Jewish donor is not as necessary as one might think.  Ideally, this will be helpful to some (as the pool of potential donors will be enlarged significantly).

- Michael Feinman, MD

Medical Director, HRC Fertility

It seems that posthumous reproduction is in the news ALOT this last week, and here is another case taking place in Russia.  It involves a mother who has already used her son’s sperm after he died from cancer.  She is now fighting for guardianship of the children.  As I have stated before, on a personal level, I believe that this is much different then when a man or a woman uses their deceased spouse’s/partner’s gametes with their consent.  But, again, I have never walked in this woman’s shoes.  What do you think?

A Russian woman is keeping her late son’s legacy alive by using his frozen sperm and surrogate mothers. But she is battling the courts and society’s attitude to be recognized as the guardian of her four baby grandchildren.

It was only at 57 that Lamara Kelesheva understood the true meaning of having her hands full. An accomplished scientist, a wife of three decades and also a devoted mother, but none of these roles kept her as busy as she is now.

Her tragedy is she became a grandmother only after she had lost everything else.

“The death of my son created a hole in my life that will never close,” Lamara told RT.  “But the birth of my grandchildren certainly provides some solace. It’s God’s gift to me”.

Lamara’s son died of cancer three years ago. But before his first chemotherapy session, doctors conserved his sperm. With the help of surrogate mothers, two sets of twins were brought into the world.

Lamara’s husband left her. Her scientific career was put on hold. Yet, Lamara says they are all trifles compared to the bereavement brought about by her son’s death.

“It is love which is fed by grief but it’s love nonetheless, “she explains. “Three years ago I couldn’t imagine myself even smiling, let alone laughing or singing songs, but the little ones pulled me out of this abyss of despair.”

With her large family’s support, Lamara says she has no financial or parental concerns about raising her grandchildren. Her main problem now is the reluctance of the Russian state to recognize her as the mother of these children and her deceased son as their father.

Lamara has taken the issue to court, with a ruling expected on Wednesday. Her lawyer Konstantin Svidnev believes the law is on their side.

“According to Russian law, there are no limits on who can become a parent through the use of surrogate motherhood,” Svidnev told RT.  “Of course cases like this one are still very unusual in Russia. That’s why some registration offices or court officials may be baffled and refuse to register children but the law is definitely in our favor.”

Lamara is the third woman in Russia who used the sperm of her deceased son to continue the family’s lineage. Yet, whether it is due to her age or the sheer number of children involved, her story has got many Russians questioning the ethics of this kind of parenting.

“All these exercises in biomechanics ultimately lead to this very ambiguous situation when you can’t really tell the difference between a son and grandson,” says pro-life activist Andrey Khvesyuk. “There are so many orphans in Russia so if she just wanted to be a mother, she could’ve easily realized her maternal instincts…  I think ultimately it’s a very selfish drive to pass your genes, no matter what”.

But Lamara could not care less about societal attitudes. Too much suffering from the loss of her only son persuaded her that there was no such thing as too many grandchildren.

Russian law has no age cap for people willing to adopt children; the only caveat is that a potential parent should be at least 16 years older than the child. In Lamara’s case, this age difference is almost 60 years, which doesn’t sit easily in a country where most people become parents before they turn 30 and where raising even two kids is often seen as a handful.

Having a child can be an incredibly rewarding experience that some women sadly do not get to experience. This could be due to a number of different aspects or events that could have taken place throughout her lifetime. Some women never seem to find the man that they can fall in true love with and start a family with, which can be difficult but this certainly does not mean that a woman cannot have her own children. Even couples are finding that they can increase their chances of having a baby when they sign on with egg donor agencies. These locations offer a number of different options as well as helpful information that will point anyone in the right direction.

Before going through or even starting with the process, be sure that this is being done for the right reasons. It is not uncommon for people to act on impulse and individuals will need to make sure that they sit down and they weigh out all of the options that are currently available to them. Couples who are considering this option need to discuss everything with each other and ensure that both are going to be there for the new child as well as for each other 100 percent. This is a very big commitment that is being made and when one person starts to self doubt or even second guess the other, it might be best to wait it out or keep thinking about looking into options. Single mothers have to bear all of the parental work on their own, which could be nice for those who want to parent in their own way, but it can also be exhausting. Make sure that now is the proper time to be taking this step before actually doing it.

When the search begins for the actual egg donor agencies, there are a few different ways to get in touch with various services. Referrals from friends and co workers might be the best way to seek an agency. Knowing someone who has already gone through the process will make it easier as well as less stressful or nerve wracking. There are also various support groups and even online help that will give individuals the tools that they will need to go through with the process and find a location that they will be able to come to know as well as trust throughout the entire process, up until the child is actually born.

If there are no referrals to take advantage of, then look through online directories for all sorts of help. These directories will list off all of the egg donor agencies that are currently available as well as where they are currently located. Searching by the city and state, or even by the zip code will make the search go by much quicker and will plug people into the proper lists and other helpful resources. Take note of the ones that might be closest as well as the locations that are highly rated. The ones that are known for caring and effective or even successful service are typically the companies that people will want to work with. Certain directories might also offer reviews to show newcomers what they might be in for or what to expect when signing on with a specific location.

The costs can be quite staggering when it comes to getting set up with a donor. However, couples who want to have the child bad enough will be able to have a much higher chance when they go through the entire procedure. Talk with various offices in order to get an idea of what is actually involved as well as what it will cost. Certain offices might take payments, but they will need to be paid within close proximity to each other. Insurance is usually out of the quest as well, depending on the policy that the couple has taken out. Look into the various options and costs and then start making the proper financial plan after that.

As for the overall reputation of the agency, that is where these reviews will come in. Talk with various individuals about the process and which agencies are currently rated the highest. Caring agencies are often easy to get into and will offer numerous features as well as special care options that will make everyone feel comfortable as well as ready to go. Getting a firsthand look and talking face to face with the directors of some of these facilities is going to shed some light on which route to take, and will enable individuals to ask questions and interview as needed.

Once the process has begun, the results should start shortly after that. It is important to remember that it might not take the very first time around with some women, which can be very frustrating but do not get discouraged. Go for it once more and make sure to continue to see the right practitioner for help and support. The agency will be very encouraging as well as supportive so that should make the individual feel much more comfortable with going through with the process again. It might not be easy at first and there will surely be some ups and downs, but supporting each other and implementing proper forms of outside support will make the process and the tough times easier.

Trying to have a baby can be a challenge for some couples, but most have been able to get over the hurdles alright. Checking out different egg donor agencies will enable anyone to learn about the process as well as what is will take to not only have the baby but to become a donor as well. Millions of women are stepping up to donate their eggs so that another woman will be able to have the child that she has always dreamed about. Take some time to look into reliable and reputable companies in order to receive the right kind of care and service that is expected

Ukraine has established The White Orchid Day, the international holiday for IVF babies. Introduced a year ago by Genesis Dnepr IVF and recognized by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the IVF Baby Day is observed on the first Sunday of April. On this day little twin ‘orchids’ and their parents meet each other to celebrate the miracle of life.

Read the article: http://www.ivf.net/ivf/the-white-orchid-day-o5842.html

AN Adelaide woman with a surrogate son has won a landmark case to be named on the child’s birth certificate.

After a six-year legal battle, the woman this week became the first Australian to win the right to be officially recognised as the mother of a child carried by a surrogate.

The woman, who cannot be named, is the child’s genetic mother – her egg and her husband’s sperm were used to conceive the boy in the womb of an interstate surrogate.

Read the article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/mums-landmark-surrogacy-victory/story-e6frea6u-1226039960631

With one miracle baby already conceived through IVF, the Crawfords thought one more would be another blessing for the family.

But when the doctor announced that there were four heartbeats, they couldn’t believe their luck.

In fact, not only were there four heartbeats but Miranda and Josh Crawford beat medical odds by conceiving two sets of identical twins.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1376314/Couple-beat-medical-odds-conceiving-sets-identical-twins-IVF-round.html#ixzz1JPwkGUaN

Report: International Couples Using U.S. Women for Surrogates

The 14-week-old twins a pregnant Laurie Thompson is carrying don’t belong to her. Conceived with donor eggs, they are the children of a same-sex couple from Spain who turned to Thompson because paid surrogacy is illegal in their country, the Detroit Free Press reports.

“There’s such pride in knowing that I did this for somebody,” Thompson says of her experience as a surrogate, which also has included a pregnancy for a married couple from Serbia.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/24/report-international-couples-using-women-surrogates/#ixzz1KSyGhIu4
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/24/report-international-couples-using-women-surrogates/#ixzz1KSy1cHHj

With less than two weeks before the regular legislative session ends, it’s time for Washington lawmakers to make the final push to get their bills, including a provision for compensated surrogacy, approved by both houses and signed into law by the governor.

Read the article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014767154_apwaxgrwherethingsstand1stldwritethru.html

By Mary Ellen McLaughlin

We recently came across a thread in a Yahoo discussion group from a would-be gestational surrogate. She had completed an agency’s questionnaire to become a surrogate. And while she understood the rationale for the questions (many of which appeared on the surface to be quite intrusive), there was one that had her puzzled for its relevance: “What is your religion?”

That’s a pretty typical question for agencies to ask. It points to the depth that principled and discerning agencies will go to in vetting prospective surrogates.

The religion question can relate to any number of considerations – beliefs that may influence a decision on selective reduction, for example. And, let’s face it, for both Intended Parents and prospective surrogates, religion may be a sticking point whether it’s relevant to the task at hand or not.

Taking a deep dive into the prospective surrogate’s background, beliefs and support network is absolutely essential to ensure she’s emotionally up to it – and, equally important, is a responsible individual who surrounds herself with people who share her principles and behaviors.

The stories about con artists who hold the baby for ransom are the exception, but they’re the ones that people remember. Not surprisingly, they weren’t properly vetted. We’re not about to take that risk.

A typical surrogacy application form can run up to 20 pages. It’s the first screen; subsequent ones include interviews with the agency’s staff and, preferably, independent mental health professionals. It is not something to be completed in an hour, or even a day. Are the questions intrusive? Some are – of necessity. And prospective surrogates should expect no less given the very important role they’re applying to play.

It asks for the candidate’s and her husband/partner’s five-year employment history and educational backgrounds. It asks about family structure – how many children and their ages, and the support network. It asks whether the candidate or her partner have criminal records or substance abuse histories. It asks health questions including a medical and pregnancy history, ranging from how the applicant relieves stress, to whether she’s had an HIV test and the results, to birth control methods and delivery experiences.

And it asks questions to gauge the candidate’s emotional state. What are her hopes, wishes and expectations? Will she work with same-sex couples or unmarried couples? What are her strengths and values? How does she manage difficult times or experiences? Her partner is asked to share feelings about her taking on this role, and how the partner’s family would feel about it, as well. Descriptions of the couple’s children are solicited, along with how they will be prepared and involved in the process.

They’re also asked about issues that must necessarily be grappled with: How will you deal with relinquishing the baby to his or her parents? How do you feel about future contact with the child and his or her parents? How do you feel about carrying multiples, and the issue of a selective reduction if you’re carrying more than two fetuses?

This is only a sampling of the ground covered in the surrogacy application form. It is exhaustive, though we prefer to think of it as thorough. But that’s what it takes to make sure the surrogacy experience lives up to its promise for everyone involved.