The latest statistics show that one in six couples experiences infertility in some form, so chances are, we all know someone who can benefit from this new book by Shari DeGraff Stewart and Julia Fichtner Krahm.

The AFA’s Corey Whelan reviews their new book “Do You Love Someone Who is Infertile?” which offers some great advice on how to support a loved one who is experiencing infertility. She writes, “In the same way that it is hard to comfort someone who has recently lost a loved one, or who has just gotten a diagnosis of cancer, it is often difficult to find the right words to say to who is going through infertility.”

Check it out

http://www.examiner.com/x-24753-Brooklyn-Infertility—Miscarriage-Examiner~y2009m12d14-Do-you-love-someone-who-is-infertile–A-book-review-for-the-holidays

The In The Know Short Film Competition sought to eliminate the stigma of infertility and encourage couples who have struggled with infertility to share their stories and lend support for other couples hesitant in openly discussing their journey. The winners were announced in November, watch each of the top three most compelling short films here.

http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/film/

More progress in Israel for third-party reproduction. At present no doctor in Israel is authorized to extract eggs from a healthy woman and transfer them to another woman, but new legislation is expected to permit egg donations in Israel, and is expected to substantially reduce the current demand among Israelis for egg donations from abroad.

Read on:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1131609.html

Another great resource from the AFA for those who:

• are considering the use of donor sperm, egg, or embryo to create their children

• are already parenting children created by donor sperm, egg, or embryo

During this one hour group conference call, you’ll receive information on:

• The pros and cons of disclosure to children of their genetic origin

• What and when to share this information with children if you so choose

• How or whether to share this information with family or friends

Check it out at:
http://theafa.org/community/event/free_coaching_group_via_your_telephone_parenting_children_conceived_with_do

A great piece written by Diana LaRose about the challenges of embracing the donor egg option. A refreshing perspective of how to move past the negative and toward feeling truly good about the decision to work with an egg donor.

http://beyondjane.com/family/motherhood/how-to-accept-the-egg-donor-option-and-even-be-happy-about-it/

Once again the white-hot topic at ASRM’s annual meeting this year, egg freezing makes news as the experts unite and discuss the latest developments.

http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/10/28/more-good-fertility-news-egg-freezing-ivf-and-academics/

Didn’t make it to ASRM in Atlanta this year? Follow all the happenings as they happen on AFA’s supercharged Twitter page. It’s almost as if you were there!

http://twitter.com/theafa

Yesterday’s article from the Boston Globe regarding the range of opinions regarding the rights of the donor-conceived and the rights of the donor. This is a topic we are sure to be hearing much more about as the number of donor-conceived children reaching adulthood grows dramatically each year. The comment section on this piece is interesting and worth a look as well.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/11/for_sperm_bank_era_courts_need_clearer_rules/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6

A very sweet and touching video of a family’s journey through surrogacy. We dare you to watch without feeling a little tug at the heartstrings:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgT7rbyixso

An interesting look at the progress of gestational surrogacy in Utah four years after Utah Legislature approved gestational agreements as part of the Uniform Parentage Act. Utah and 13 other states have laws that allow surrogacy contracts. Approximately 11 states prohibit surrogacy, while laws are unclear or do not directly address surrogacy in the remaining states.