The American Fertility Association

Contents

ED Message

Up Front: News In Brief

Adoption Special - CHINA

Feature Well

Op Ed

Support Services

Chat Schedule

The American Fertility Association’s Monthly Newsletter

October 30, 2007

OVUM DONATION SEMINAR
FALL SERIES 2007

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring a six week Ovum Donation Seminar Series beginning Monday, October 29th and continuing, after a one week break, weekly on Mondays for a total of six weeks. Topics that will be discussed by our distinguished faculty will include:

October 29:	PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES: IS THIS OPTION RIGHT FOR YOU? Speaker : Laura Joseph, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Donor Oocyte Program, Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility
November 12:	THE MEDICAL OVERVIEW Speaker : Serena Chen, MD, Director Ovum Donation at Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Sciences at St. Barnabas, NJ
November 19:	FINDING A DONOR PROGRAM AND A DONOR Speaker: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist
November 26:	DONOR REGISTRIES AND FINDERS Speaker: Patricia Mendell, LCSW, BCD, Psychotherapist
December 3:	ANONYMOUS DONORS: MATCHING AND CYCLING Speaker: Tanmoy Mukherjee, MD, Co-Director of RMA of New York
December 10:	PANEL OF PARENTS AND DONORS OF OVUM DONOR CHILDREN Moderator : TBA

Where:	902 Broadway (20th Street), 13th Floor
When:	Mondays , 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost:	$200 for the series per Household (Must be an AFA Member)
Contact:	Patricia Mendell at (718) 230-9383 to register - space is limited

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AFA Phone Coaching Group

Phone-based coaching groups provide a convenient and personal way for you to take part in a supportive and educational group experience from the comfort of your home or work place. These phone coaching groups meet for one hour via a phone bridgeline. A bridgeline allows all participants to hear and speak with each other via the telephone. No special phone is required. All groups are led by licensed mental health professionals with an expertise and personal experience in infertility treatment and/or adoption.

TOPIC: Reducing Stress and Getting Pregnant: The Evidence

Recently a study suggested that chronic stress may prevent ovulation and that relaxation techniques may be the key to a successful pregnancy. This hypothesis has become highly controversial. Before you throw out your drugs, cease exercising, and cancel your IVF, join us for a discussion on the truth and myths of this latest research. All of us CAN benefit from less stress in our daily lives. We will explore and share some helpful strategies for dealing with anxiety while we go through infertility. Don’t miss this interesting phone coaching session !!

WHEN: Wednesday, November 7, 2007

TIME: 9:00 pm EST

FACILITATED BY:
Emily Laitmon, LCSW

NO FEE for AFA MEMBERS!

For further information and to register, please e-mail
laitmon@aol.com or 914 633- 4224

Emily Laitmon LCSW is a psychotherapist and coach in private practice in NYC and also in New Rochelle. (Westchester) She works with women and couples in marital counseling, infertility, and loss. She conducts workshops and is a group facilitator for the AFA. Insurance may be accepted.

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NEW YORK CITY WOMEN'S IN-PERSON OVER FORTY SUPPORT GROUP FORMING NOW

Do you feel alone? Are you stuck in feeling anxious or depressed? Does the majority of your life focus on starting a family? Are you confused or unsure what your next step is? This Support Group will help you deal with these issues and move toward resolution of your fertility struggle.

Facilitated by Joan Winograd, LCSW, American Fertility Association Support Group Leader

Space is Limited. You may contact Joan at 212-362-4003 or e-mail at Joanwino@aol.com

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NEW YORK CITY WOMEN’S IN-PERSON MIND/BODY SUPPORT GROUPS

A few spaces are available for this unique group

Connect with other women who are going through a similar journey.
Experience an array of Mind/Body techniques that increase resilience, optimism and a sense of wellness.
Discover the power and benefits of mutual support.

Group is meeting at 85 Fifth Ave. (near Union Square)
Facilitated by Izetta Siegal Stern, LCSW, BCD, AFA Support Group Leader and Coach. Call Izetta at 212-691-1266 or
e-mail ISiegalStern@aol.com

This group is low-cost and can be considered a medical deduction.

Since l986, Ms. Stern has counseled women and couples facing fertility challenges. She has been a support group facilitator in the reproductive field for many years. As a speaker at national fertility conferences, she has presented on topics including a Mind/Body approach to supporting fertility, resolving partner differences in family building and dealing with pregnancy loss.

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WEST COAST PROGRAMS

Four Seminars Offered

EGG DONATION: WORKING WITH A THIRD PARTY
CHOOSING SINGLE PARENTING
CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SURROGATE ARRANGEMENT
GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTING

The American Fertility Association is sponsoring separate discussion groups for patients considering alternative family building options. The emotional, medical and practical aspects of each of these arrangements will be explored, such that prospective parents can make an informed decision about whether these plans are the “right” choice for them.

Elaine R. Gordon, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in reproductive medicine. She has worked in the field for twenty years helping individuals and couples build families through non-traditional options. She is the author of “Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy? Where some Babies Come From”.

Ellen Speyer, M.A., M.S., MFT. is a psychotherapist with twenty years with working with assisted reproduction, pregnancy loss, surrogacy, and adoption. She is a retired Chair of the Education Committee for the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Location: Groups will be offered both in Orange County and Los Angeles
Dates: Call for meeting dates	Phone: (310) 454-0502 or (949) 252-1525
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m	Fee: $30 individual; $40 per couple
*Group Size Limited, Reservations Required*

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The American Fertility Association, 305 Madison Avenue Suite 449, New York NY 10165.
Support Line: 888-917-3777. Fax: 718-601-7722. www.afafamilymatters.com