Are You My Mother? The Changing Norms of Adoption and Donation - The Huffington Post

I don't have a problem with how Lisa Belkins frames this but I do have a problem with the title of this article and the quotes by Elizabeth Marquardt on the topic.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/lisa-belkin/adoption-egg-sperm-donation_b_1372049.html

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Infertile woman: Should a man leave a woman because she can’t have kids?

Good advice on sorting out feelings for both genders.

http://slate.com/articles/life/dear_prudence/2012/03/infertile_woman_should_a_man_leave_a_woman_because_she_can_t_have_kids_.html

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

THE EMOTIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF EMBRYO DISPOSITION : SPECIAL EVENT TUESDAY MARCH 20TH

On Tuesday March 20th we will have a special presentation on Embryo Disposition covering the emotional and legal aspects of this important decision-making process. Here is a note from Amy Demma, Esq:
We understand that many who have struggled with infertility and particularly those who have relied on egg donation for family building may, some time later, be dealing with excess embryo disposition. Many feel stuck in their decision making about embryos left-over from previous IVF cycles while others are seeking information about disposition options.

New York Attorney Amy Demma, someone both with personally and professionally experienced with residual embryo disposition will offer information about disposition options both in a legal and practical context.

Anne F Malave, PhD will share with the group the outcome of much research on the emotional aspects of this matter. We intend to offer both information and strategies on making a final decision regarding excess embryos.
I am happy to offer a gratis phone consult. We need to start talking about residual embryos, we need to start getting good information out to those who may be otherwise indecisive about disposition.

This is a dinner event in Midtown with a $10-20 average cost, min $5.
Please contact me directly for more info asap and to confirm your reservation.

Thanks and best to all,

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
http://donorgroupsnyc.blogspot.com/
http://www.meetup.com/New-York-PVED

Is the Egg Donor Given Too Much Attention and Status in the Disclosure Discussion?

These are the questions raised during a recent dinner with a friend and colleague, and fellow Mom Via Egg Donation. What part or role does or should the donor play in our family life?


Is there really a person who should be part of the family tree or is this the person to whom we are infinitely grateful for providing the help we needed (a tissue donation) in our being able to get conceive and carry a child?


If Egg Donors are signing off to not have a legal claim to the child, not interested in identity release or an open (known) donation, then why do we make more meaning of it when it comes to our own families?  Or is it our community of mental health professionals making more meaning of the donor?

I've met many parents and IP's via Donor Conception. They represent a wide range of people, with as many variations and opinions as there are on any topic involving babies and children... Birth, conception, child care, nutrition, immunization, education, to name a few.


People in general are very opinionated and for some reason more vocal about these issues than they are about equally charged topics such as politics and sex (our current media and entertainment culture notwithstanding). We seem particularly interested, once we are however involved in Donor Conception, in imparting our belief systems onto other, equally qualified individuals, who are making choices and caring for their families. We all want to think we know what's best for our, or all, children.


In every family, Donor Conceived or not, they will surely tell us at some point whether we were right or wrong, and everything and anything in between.

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

JPost: Another Landmark Case Decided in Israel - An Egg Donor is Not The Mom.

JPost Article Of Special Interest to Jewish Parents via Egg Donation and Surrogacy.
..."Further, the ministry argued that Israeli law provides that in cases of egg donation, only the birth mother is considered the mother of a baby, not the egg donor."
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/NYCAbout.aspx
Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Landmark case developing in Australia : Millionaire sperm donor in Australia fights for custody of child, ProudParenting.com

Landmark case developing in Australia :
Millionaire sperm donor in Australia fights for custody of child,
ProudParenting.comhttp://www.proudparenting.com/node/16750
Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

SPECIAL EVENT & PRESENTATION OF THE NYC GATHERING TUESDAY MARCH 20TH

On Tuesday March 20th we will have a special presentation on Embryo Disposition covering the emotional and legal aspects of this important decision-making process. Here is a note from Amy Demma, Esq:

We understand that many who have struggled with infertility and particularly those who have relied on egg donation for family building may, some time later, be dealing with excess embryo disposition. Many feel stuck in their decision making about embryos left-over from previous IVF cycles while others are seeking information about disposition options.

New York Attorney Amy Demma, someone both with personally and professionally experienced with residual embryo disposition will offer information about disposition options both in a legal and practical context.

Anne F Malave, PhD will share with the group the outcome of much research on the emotional aspects of this matter. We intend to offer both information and strategies on making a final decision regarding excess embryos.


I am happy to offer a gratis phone consult. We need to start talking about residual embryos, we need to start getting good information out to those who may be otherwise indecisive about disposition.

This is a dinner event in Midtown with a $10-20 average cost, min $5.

Please contact me directly for more info asap and to confirm your reservation.
Thanks and best to all,

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
http://donorgroupsnyc.blogspot.com/
http://www.meetup.com/New-York-PVED

Family StoriesWorkshop, Talking to Children about Donor Origins by Judith Kottick, LCSW

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR PARENTS, parents-to-be and professionals who would like to learn how to talk to children about their family origins.

For additional information call (973) 746-7370 or email judykottick@comcast.net.

12:30-12:45 Registration

12:45-2:00 Creating the Family Story: Conversations for parents about donor and surrogacy

2:00-2:45 Donor Parenting in the 21st Century: Available resources

2:45-3.15 Refreshments/Group Discussion

3:15-4:15 Panel discussion: Parents and donor-conceived children bring to life the disclosure process

4:15-4:30 Questions/Comments

JUDITH KOTTICK, LCSW  Director of Fertility Counseling and Consulting Services, a psychotherapist and recognized expert in the field of reproductive counseling. Consultant to fertility practices, donor agencies, reproductive attorneys and surrogacy agencies. Private practice in Montclair, NJ.

Judith Kottick, LCSW (http://www.jkfertilitycounseling.com/)
  Consultant to RMA, NJ and private psychotherapy practice in Summit,

Jennifer Gamper Meenan, RN, BSN, LCSW

NJ. Former nurse at the Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Sciences at St. Barnabas Medical Center and RMA NJ.

ROFESSIONALLY LED WORKSHOP DEVELOPED BY JUDITH KOTTICK, LCSWSSISTED BY JENNIFER GAMPER MEENAN, RN, BSN, LCSW

Workshop Schedule