RESOURCES FOR FERTILITY PATIENTS
SUPPORT WEBSITES, in alphabetical order
The American Fertility Association (www.theafa.org) The American Fertility Association (AFA) and works to transform the lives of couples faced with infertility raise awareness and fight for social and legislative change around infertility issues. The AFA’s purpose is to educate the public about reproductive disease, and support families during struggles with infertility and adoption. The AFA exists to serve the unique needs of men and women confronting infertility issues.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org) ASRM is an organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in infertility, reproductive medicine and biology. It is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to providing patients and the public with the best information available on all reproductive issues and has a patient portal located at www.ReproductiveFacts.org. This portal provides access to some of the most up-to-date information on topics such as infertility, menopause, contraception, endometriosis and many more male and female issues; it also has bibliographies and other resources
The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/ART/index.htm) Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Success Rates: National Summary and Fertility Clinic Reports is a report published by the Centers for Disease Control that details success rates for having a child using ART and provides locations where someone interested in conceiving through Assisted Reproductive Technology can go to receive information and treatment.
Creating a Family (www.creatingafamily.com) This site, created by Dawn Davenport, has wonderful resources for exploring family building options. There’s a free weekly radio show featuring many of the country’s leading experts in adoption, third party reproduction, and infertility.
The Donor Conception Network (www.dcnetwork.org) A supportive network of 1,600 mainly UK based families with children conceived with donated sperm, eggs or embryos, those considering or undergoing donor conception procedures; and donor conceived people. Publishes a number of titles for these families.
The Donor Sibling Registry (www.donorsiblingregistry.com) The focus of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR) is to assist individuals conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation that are seeking to make mutually desired contact with others with whom they share genetic ties.
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (www.eshre.eu) The main aim of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology is to promote interest in and understanding of, reproductive biology and medicine. It facilitates research and subsequent dissemination of research findings in human reproduction and embryology to the general public, scientists, clinicians and patient associations; it also works to inform politicians and policy makers throughout Europe.
Fertile Action (www.fertileaction.org) Fertile Action helps women touched by cancer become mothers by helping connect patients with affordable fertility preservation and infertility services across the country. They provide peer-to-peer support, patient advocacy, pro-bono egg freezing, reduced embryo freezing, and insurance advocacy services to those touched by cancer. Their #1 mission is to ensure all patients have the option to become parents.
Fertile Hope (www.fertilehope.org) Fertile Hope is a LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
GRIEF HAVEN (www.griefhaven.org) Founded by a mother who lost her only child to Cancer. “Providing Loving Guidance and support to all who are grieving.” Located in Pacific Palisades, CA.
The Infertility Network (www.infertilitynetwork.org/home)
Information on all aspects of infertility including Child Free Living, including lists of books and DVD’s for children conceived using donor eggs, sperm or embryos.
Infertility Resources for Consumers (www.IHR.com) This website provides extensive information about IVF, ICSI, infertility clinics, donor egg and surrogacy services (e.g., surrogate mothers), tubal reversal doctors, vasectomy reversal doctors, natural infertility treatment, male infertility services, sperm banks, pharmacies, infertility books and videotapes, sperm testing, infertility support, and drugs and medications.
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (www.inciid.org) INCIID (pronounced “inside”) is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and couples explore their family-building options. Topics include infertility, miscarriage and loss, pregnancy, adoption, parenting and more. Includes links to additional online resources.
No Kidding! An International Social club for childfree couples and singles. www.nokidding.net
The Organization of Parents Through Surrogacy (www.opts.com) The Organization of Parents Through Surrogacy (OPTS) is a national, not-for-profit, all volunteer organization with some international members. OPTS provides information, support, networking and advocacy for families built through surrogate parenting. Members include parents, prospective parents, surrogate mothers, fertility centers and supporters of reproductive choice in 48 U.S. states and 5 foreign countries. Established in 1988, OPTS is a well-respected support and advocacy group…supported by many agencies, clinics, physicians, attorneys, psychologists and other professionals in the field. OPTS is an independent organization, supported by dues and donations, and is not run by any particular surrogacy service or practitioner. It offers support services to all parents of surrogate-born children regardless of whether they have gone independently or through an agency.
Parents via Egg Donation (www.parentsviaeggdonation.org)
Parents Via Egg Donation, or PVED, was created to provide an informational and supportive environment where parents and parents-to-be can learn and share information about all facets of the egg donation process. Their mission is to educate, support, and empower families and individuals at any stage of the process who choose to use egg donation to build a family. They share information about agencies, legal and medical professionals, treatment centers, mental health therapists, pharmaceutical companies, and other resources. Their site contains a wide variety of information and ideas to help you in your family-building journey.
Resolve: The National Infertility Association (www.resolve.org)
RESOLVE, the National Infertility Organization, dedicated to providing education, advocacy, and support for men and women facing infertility. The site contains information about the organization’s mission and activities, facts and articles about infertility and adoption, legislative updates and other information of interest to those building families through infertility treatment or adoption, and lists of affiliated groups, physicians, and other health professionals. It also hosts online chats with doctors, lawyers, and other professionals concerned with infertility and adoption issue. It’s stated mission is, “To provide timely, compassionate support and information to people who are experiencing infertility and to increase awareness of infertility issues through public education and advocacy.” RESOLVE is a nationwide education, advocacy and support network with branches in many cities including Los Angeles and Orange County.
SANDS (www.sands.org.uk) Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Located in the U.K., SANDS offers support to anyone affected by miscarriage, newborn death and still birth, working to improve the care bereaved parents receive, and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
SHARE (www.nationalshare.com) and The Pregnancy Loss Support Program of the National Council of Jewish Women-NY. Patients can download an excellent pamphlet entitled, Understanding Your Pregnancy Loss, which will soon be updated, as well.
Single Mothers By Choice (www.singlemothersbychoice.org)
Single Mothers by Choice (SMC) declares its primary purpose is to provide support and information to single women who are considering, or have chosen, single motherhood. SMC members meet with one another all over the United States, and in Canada, Europe, and beyond. Participants network with each other and share information and resources about donor insemination, adoption, and parenting at local levels and/or through lively online discussion forums and newsletters.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (www.sart.org)
SART is the primary organization of professionals dedicated to the practice of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the United States. ART includes the practice of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The mission of the organization is to set and help maintain the standards for ART in an effort to better serve our members and our patients.
Tears and Hope: The Infertility Awareness Project (www.tearsandhope.com) Great video to help you explain infertility to friends and family that just do not understand why it’s so hard.
Books
Before You Were Born. Our Wish for a Baby. by J. Grimes, 2003
Birds of a Different Feather by Kelley Wendell, 2011. A children’s book (ages 4 and up), which normalizes non-traditional families, including children conceived with double gamete donation (sperm and egg)
Building a Family by Ken Daniels, 2004. Addresses Using a Donor
“Confessions of the Other Mother: Nonbiological Lesbian Moms” Harlan Aizeley, Editor, Beacon Press, 2006
Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar’s Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility, by Alice D. Domar, 2004
Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation by Glazer, E., and Sterling, E., 2005
Hope & Will Have a Baby: The Gift of Sperm Donation. by Irene Celcer, 2007
Hugs of Three, My Daddies & Me and Hugs of Three, My Mommies & Me. Published by Footsteps Forward. http://www.forwardfootsteps.com
Inheritance A Memoir of Genealogy Paternity and Love by Dani Shapiro, Random House, 2019
The Kangaroo Pouch, A Story About Gestational Surrogacy for Young Children by Sarah Phillips Pellet, 2001
Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy? Where Babies Come From.” by Elaine Gordon, 1992
A Matter of Trust: The Guide to Gestational Surrogacy, by Gail Dutton, 1997
Our Story: For Children Conceived Through Double or Embryo Donation, Alison McKee. Donor Conception Network 2002. Order from www.dcnetwork.org
Random Families: Genetic Strangers, Sperm Donor Siblings and the Creation of New Kin by Rosanna Hertz & Margaret Nelson, 2018
Resolving Infertility, by Diane Aronson and the staff of RESOLVE, 2001
Surrogacy Helps Make a Family Grow by Sharon La Mothe & Tina Rella, 2010
A Time to Decide, A Time To Heal: For Parents Making Difficult Decisions about Babies They Love, Minnick, M., Delp, K., and Ciotti, M. 2004
The Ultimate Insiders Guide to Adoption: Everything You Need to Know About Domestic and International Adoption, by Falker, E. 2006
What Makes a Baby, a book for every kind of family by Cory Silverberg. 2013. Triangle Square Simple concepts for preschool age group – a sperm, an egg and a uterus and great colorful pictures too – it goes a little into birth stories etc.… Great for 3rd party reproduction, great for adoption, also appropriate with transgender persons (even teens ) as they are deciding about preserving their family building options before medical transition because none of the photos are gender specific.
Miscarriage/Infant Loss/Medical Terminations Assistance
A Silent Sorrow by Ingrid Kohn and Perry-Lynn Moffitt
Coping with Miscarriage: A Simple, Reassuring Guide to Emotional and Physical Healing by Mimi Luebbermann, Crown Publishing Group 1994
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart, Surviving the Death of Your Baby, Revised Edition by Deborah Davis, 1996
Our Heartbreaking Choices edited by Christie Brooks–it’s a compilation of stories. There is a wonderful website that offers a forum for online support: www.aheartbreakingchoice.yuku.com. Another site is www.Babycenter.com
“PRECIOUS LIVES, PAINFUL CHOICES: A PRENATAL DECISION GUIDE”, by Sherokee Ilse. Practical, non-judgmental pros and cons for couples to think about and process regarding medical terminations. It’s a short and inexpensive book, available at Amazon.com.
Unspeakable Losses by Kim Kluger-Bell
Living Childfree
I’m Taking My Eggs and Going Home: How One Woman Dared to Say no to Motherhood by Lisa Manterfield (2011).
Life Without Baby: Surviving and Thriving When Motherhood Doesn’t Happen by Lisa Manterfield (2016)
Living The Life Unexpected: Plan B to Living Your Life Without Children by Jody Day (2013)
Non-English Speaking Resources
See http://booksfordonoroffspring.blogspot.ca/ for a list of books in
Spanish (as well as English, French, Dutch, German, Hebrew, Portuguese, Italian, Finnish & Japanese) to help parents explain assisted reproduction to their children.
Epigenetics
Inheritance: How our Genes Change our Lives and our Lives Change our Genes by Sharon Maolem.
Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives by Annie Murphy Paul