The Fertility Blog

Getting Through the Holidays

It's that time of year again, where we celebrate the holidays and reminisce about what's happened this year, when we sing along to Christmas carols and shop for gifts. But it's also the time of year when we yearn for comfort, for care, and for what we miss dearly. We're not all surrounded by friends and family. Or we are, but it can be more stressful than endearing. To see others with babies and children can be incredibly painful for a family that is trying to conceive but is not yet successful. What we wish for most in the world is often what we are not naturally given. We've all had some disappointments or losses this year, or in years past, that the holidays remind us of. Are you putting on a superficial smile to get through the season? Get out and enjoy the holidays. Talk to someone about how you're feeling. Studies show that sunlight and walking help lift our mood. You may have hopes and dreams for your unborn children or yourself that still haven't come true. That's what you can look forward to next year! Stay sane by knowing that it is normal to feel more emotional during the holidays. Remember that we're all getting through on a day-by-day basis. And know that you're not alone!

by guest blogger Genevieve Yu M.D.

Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry

Reproductive Psychiatry and Women's Mental Health

16300 Sand Canyon Ave. Suite 911

Phone 949.333.0446 Fax 949.529.2566

www.genevieveyumd.com

If you are a patient and would like to be seen by Dr. Yu, please let your coordinator know. Thank you.

Upcoming Infertility Seminar

In celebration of Mother's Day and in response to popular demand, we will be offering a seminar on Saturday, May 21st, 2011 at 11am in Hoag Irvine's beautiful auditorium. Attendees will get a chance to ask questions, participate in discussions, meet our doctors and some of our nurses, and even win prizes! Space is limited. Please RSVP to the event by emailing event@reproductivefertilitycenter.com or by calling 949.453.8600. Light lunch will be served.

Location:

Hoag Irvine

16200 Sand Canyon Ave.

Irvine, CA 92618

Announcement: Jennifer Cook nominated for RESOLVE award!

One of our coordinators Jennifer has been nominated for The Hope Award for Nursing from RESOLVE!

Here is what we received from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association,

"The Hope Award for Nursing is given to an individual who has exemplified the field of nursing, specifically in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, providing compassionate and skilled care to all patients."

Jennifer has been with us since the inception of the practice, and has been serving patients for 20 years. She lives in Riverside, California, and is married with three children.

Thank you so much for the nomination. Jennifer expressed that it is an honor, and our team is very proud of her.

Here is a photo collage documenting her attendance at the award ceremony in New York City.

Changing Times - by guest blogger Melissa B. Brisman

In many countries and even in some States in our country, surrogacy is either illegal, or the laws restrict the parental rights of the intended parents. We are lucky to be in California, where the parents are able to place their names directly onto the birth certificate born with the assistance of a gestational carrier. Melissa B. Brisman is one of the pioneers who helped to shape surrogacy law the way it is today. Here is her guest blog entry about recent legal advances in surrogacy for same sex couples.

Changing Times

by Melissa B. Brisman

Over a decade ago, I founded a reproductive law firm dedicated to assisting individuals and couples who are unable to conceive and bear a child without the assistance of a third party – an ovum or sperm donor, a gestational carrier - and sometimes a combination of two or all three. I refer to these individuals and couples as “intended parents.” Today, my firm continues to provide a variety of legal services for these intended parents, including drafting contracts between intended parents and their gestational carriers and/or donors and filing court actions on behalf of intended parents seeking legal declarations of maternity and paternity or orders of adoption.

During my years of practice, it has been tremendously exciting to witness legal advancements made in the recognition and treatment of same-sex couples. For instance, just recently, following the example of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont, Washington D.C. passed a law recognizing same-sex marriage. Other states, such as New Jersey, now recognize civil unions for same-sex couples.

There have been similar strides made specifically in the area of reproductive law and, for me, the most rewarding of advancements are ones where I was able to play an active role in bringing about the change. Back in 2005, I represented a same-sex male couple who were having a child through a gestational carrier. I filed an action in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeking a declaration of paternity for both men so that they would both be recognized as legal parents of their child from the moment of its birth. This was important to the men because, in the event there were complications, they would have the authority to make medical decisions for the child together. In the absence of a declaration of paternity, they would not be authorized to make those medical decisions as a couple and, furthermore, one or both of the men would have to adopt their own child. At that time, succeeding in this type of action was an uphill battle, which thankfully, we won.

Happily, times have changed. Now, in contrast to my experience in 2005, a number of courts in Pennsylvania are willing to recognize the legal parentage of same-sex male couples. Similarly, in Massachusetts, courts are far more willing to recognize the legal parentage of a same-sex male couple, especially if they are legally married. In many states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, two women legally married to each other are both automatically recognized as the parents onthe birth certificate of a child that is born to them within their marriage.

If you are a same-sex female couple in New Jersey, and you are either in a civil union or otherwise legally married, you are both automatically placed on the birth certificate of a child born to you within the marriage. However, it is always a good idea to complete an adoption as well. Other states with less favorable laws are more likely to be compelled to recognize and honor valid adoption decrees and the legal parent-child relationship that they create.

Massachusetts and New Jersey have clearly become open to legal recognition of “alternative” families. It is my belief that New York is also heading in this direction. In May of 2008, New York Governor David Paterson issued an order and memorandum to New York state agencies directing those agencies to give fullfaith and credit to legal same-sex marriages. The memorandum advised those agencies to review their policy statements and regulations “to ensure that terms such as ‘spouse,’ ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ are construed in a manner that encompasses legal same-sex marriages.” Six months later, a female couple came to my office. They were residents of New York who were married in Canada and they were nearly nine months pregnant. While one partner had supplied the eggs and was the biological mother of the child, the other partner carried the pregnancy and was to be the birth mother. With Governor Paterson’s order in place, I sought a legal declaration of maternity for both women and a court order that both women’s names should appear on their child’s original birth certificate. As a result of this action, the New York State Department of Health published a new policy stating that married, female same-sex couples shall be named as parents on the birth certificates of their children. The New York City Department of Health followed suit. This was a substantial step forward for New York State.

Most recently, news out of Florida indicates that the state’s ban on adoption by homosexuals, which has been in place for over thirty years, may be overturned. The state legislature is taking small steps toward amending the law. At the same time, there is an action pending challenging the constitutionality of the ban and a decision is expected at any time. The lifting of this ban would make sucha tremendous difference to families and children in Florida.

Progress is progress – whether it is made in a week, a year, or eleven years. Progress is made possible by couples who are willing to step up to the plate and share the details of their lives with a court of law and ask that court of law to make a decision that challenges the status quo. It is by no means an easy thing to do, but to many couples, the potential reward is well worth the risk.

By:

Melissa B. Brisman is an attorney who practices exclusively in the field of reproductivelaw and is considered by her peers to be a leader in her profession. Ms. Brisman’s experience and qualifications are unparalleled. She graduated Valedictorian from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. She has fought and won many landmark cases transforming reproductive law throughout the nation.

Testimonial - Jimbo from KCAL!

Note: Many thanks to Jimbo and Rosa for sharing their story!

Jimbo is a beloved DJ at KCAL Rocks who hosts an uninhibited morning show with a rock flair. He and his wife Rosa came to Dr. Lin in 2005, and during the IVF cycle, Jimbo shared his intimate experiences with his audiences on the air! Since then, our office has had its share of "I'm looking for Jimbo's doctor!" Hopefully, we can live up to the expectation of being this cool, rock-star doctor's office. Hmm... We need more black paint.

From Jimbo & Rosa:

"Dr. Lin, & Staff,

Thank you for making all our Dreams become a reality! We knew that having a child would be a challenge. So when we met you and your staff, you guys made going through IVF an easy road to travel. We were so happy with the results we got the 1st time in 2005 we came back a second time in 2008! The second time around we got a set of TWINS!!

We THANK you so much for our CHILDREN!"

Jim & Rosa Smith

Jimbo on the radio (click to play):

Jimbo.mp3

Patients' Choice Award 2009

This is the second consecutive year we had been given this award. Thank you very much everyone. We will keep doing our best.

Warm Regards,

RFC Family

Pay it forward article

Recently, I came across a very interesting article in a fashion magazine - a group of strangers were connected by one fact, and that is they had all "paid it forward" by being a donor of some sort, without asking for anything in return. One donated a kidney; the other donated bone marrow, etc. I began to think - How can I come up with a model so this can work in the infertility world? In exchange for donor eggs maybe the recipient can become a volunteer, or donate her... It would be a lot more complicated, and would probably be different for each case. Good ideas, anyone? Email me at blog@reproductivefertilitycenter.com

LA Times - Best Doctors in SoCal

We were featured in the LA Times Magazine October 2009 in the Best Doctors in SoCal. The article highlighted our philosophy of treating patients like our own family, and the notion of sharing accountability for pregnancy with our patients. Come in for a consultation to find out about our multi-cycle packages and refund plans!

Preparing for an IVF Cycle

Been asked a lot about what to do in preparation for an IVF cycle to increase chance of success. While the patients' bodies and the fertility center play the biggest roles, there are a few things you can do that may help, and won't hurt... well okay, maybe a little pain.

Here is a summary of what previous patients found helpful:

(1) take a vacation

Doesn't have to be an exotic vacation to a faraway place, which sometimes may not be relaxing since traveling can be stressful, and if you don't speak the language, that's another story. Some suggestions are weekend trips to the zoo, aquarium, Disneyland, botanical garden, museum, local hotel for a brunch + spa day, take a "personal day" and hang out with your best friend who is always positive, go to your favorite vacation destination. Basically, stay as relaxed as possible!

(2) adopt that famous Hawaii saying

"Hang Loose!" (ie. Worry less) If you've ever been to Hawaii, you probably have noticed how everyone seems so in touch with nature, and so laid back? Flower in the hair, flip-flops, not a worry in the world. Maybe take some time to go to the beach, meditate, and imagine yourself being in a relaxed state. If you simply can't achieve a relaxed state on your own, try contacting a Guided Imagery with Music specialist, who can take you on a mental journey by helping you to relax by using music and imagery. (This technique is very commonly used in cancer settings.)

(3) eat healthy foods high in fiber

Some people may experience constipation at some point during or after the IVF process, and it is not helpful to have to push hard when you are trying to conceive. So, get in the habit of eating healthy foods high in fiber early to reduce chance of constipation.

(4) start taking your vitamins

Prenatal vitamins, that is. Over the counter ones will do, or you can ask our fertility specialist to give you a prescription.

(5) acupuncture (here comes the painful part)

If you find acupuncture to be helpful, go ahead and do it. If you've never tried it before, but are considering trying it, try it before you start the cycle! At the time of the embryo transfer should not be the first time you have an acupuncture treatment. Also, use an acupuncturist experienced with infertility. Ask our staff for a list of referrals.

(6) no more hot tubs and jacuzzi

This is for men. Simply put, they are not good for the sperm.

(7) stay away from gossip

It's okay to do some research on the internet, but too much of it will drive you bananas. Once the decision to pursue IVF has been made, it is actually more helpful to try to keep your mind off of it. Instead, during your free time, focus on more positive things such as hobbies, interests, family, pets, your relationship, etc.

Patients' Choice Award 2008

We just received notification that Dr. Lin had received the Patients' Choice award for 2008! Here is the message:

Your patients have selected you, Dr. Lin, for the Patients' Choice Award for 2008. You are a member of an elite group, Dr. Lin. More than 400,000 patient reviews and ratings have been gathered, and this top rating has only been awarded to you and a select few of the nation's most beloved doctors. Congratulations.

Your patients have taken the time to compliment you in areas such as: your bedside manner, the amount of time you spend with them, the courtesy of your staff, appropriate follow-up, and their overall opinion of you as a physician. Quite simply, you are one of the best!