Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation: Second Edition - Hardcover

Weidman Sterling, Evelina Weidman; Glazer, Ellen Sarasohn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1849059071 ISBN 13: 9781849059077

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012

Synopsis

Increasingly, friends, family members or physicians are asking, Have you thought about egg donation? It is asked of women who have lost ovaries (or ovarian function) to cancer treatment, women born without ovaries or having lost them to surgery, women unable to attempt pregnancy until over 30, young women being diagnosed with premature ovarian failure, and gay couples, more and more of whom are considering parenthood. Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation is a comprehensive book for people considering parenthood through donated ova, and those supporting them. It takes readers through the decision-making process, focusing on questions they are likely to be asking themselves, including: Are we candidates for egg donation? Will it work? How much does it cost? How do we find a donor? How do we talk about our decision with others? How will we tell our children? Ethical questions related to egg donation are also examined: Can a donor truly have informed consent Is it ethically correct for donors to receive payment, and, if so, is the payment for 'time and effort' or for their eggs? In simple, clear, informative, and sensitive language, the book addresses feelings that arise for individuals and couples facing egg donation decisions and provides information, understanding and guidance for prospective families and the professionals who support them in their the journey.

About this title

Review:

“Evelina Sterling and Ellen Glazer have provided a comprehensive, to-the-point treatment of egg donation, one of the most recently developed technologies in reproductive medicine. The issues covered in this nicely arranged volume range from technical to the philosophical, providing a matter-of-fact assessment of the procedures involved in the user of donor eggs and the interactions associated with them. Every aspect of egg donation is covered with clarity and precision with illustrative vignettes highlighting true to life situations associated with donor egg use. This volume will find a welcome place in the lives of infertile couples as they are asked to consider donor egg procedures as a treatment option. Such issues as who should consider egg donation, what factors affect the decision making process, evaluation of programs offering the service, the role of lawyers and counselors, and ethical and religious concerns are considered in detail and each is placed in balanced perspective. Clinics which offer this service will find Having Your Baby through Egg Donation a useful adjuvant in day-to-day patient management. It is factual and humane and a must read for the myriad of professionals who have focused their efforts on application and refinement of ovum donation procedures.” Author: Luigi Mastroianni, Jr., M.D., The William Goodell Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

Having Your Baby through Egg Donation is an indispensable resource for all parties involved in reproductive medicine: married couples, single individuals, gay and lesbian couples; donors and gestational carriers; medical personnel; and friends and family who need to understand and provide support to all considering and/or choosing egg donation as a means of creating their families.

Its examination of the multiple and complex issues that are a part of both anonymous and known egg donation is thorough and includes the psychological, medical, legal, and ethical concerns of this process. Even an interesting history of egg donation is included as well as the various ways it is practiced in other parts of the world.

A very important theme in this book is the need for all of us “to think outside the box” as we examine egg donation and to remember that “reproductive medicine is a changing field.” The personal stories within its pages help the readers to understand the tangible losses that precede the use of egg donation. Congratulations to Ellen Glazer and Evelina Sterling on their accomplishment.”

Author: Patricia Mahlstedt , ED.D, Psychologist, Private Practice, Houston, Texas

“At long last there is a comprehensive guide for those considering ovum donation. This amazing book, chocked full of information and resources, covers the medical, ethical and psychological aspects of this family building option more completely than anything previously available.

Beginning with helping an individual or couple to make the decision to use donor eggs, the authors take the reader on a journey through every aspect of this choice. It includes who to share the information with, how much it will cost, how to proceed with the legal contracts, how to talk with kids and the importance of resolving infertility before moving on.

The book portrays families created through ovum donation in the positive light it deserves, reminding readers that our families are joyous, honest and grateful and very much like all families, but with a difference.

I will definitely be recommending this book to all my clients who are considering pursuing ovum donation as a path to parenthood.”

Author: Carole LieberWilkins, M.A., Marriage and Family Therapist, Los Angeles

“Having Your Baby through Egg Donation is the first book that offers a thorough exploration and discussion of major issues relevant to individuals and couples considering egg donation. In very basic language and terminology, Glazer and Sterling guide the reader through the maze of feelings and considerations. Using a tremendous amount of empathy and support, the authors offer the first real support in print for potential egg donor recipients. This book is a “must have” for those beginning the journey of egg donation.” Author: Andrea Mechanick Braverman, Ph.D., Director of Psychological Services, Pennsylvania Reproductive Associates of the Woman's Institute

“This is an important event. At last we have all in one place a that addresses the emotions, ethics, psychology and practical tasks faced by any woman (and her partner) contemplating building a family with the help of egg donation and then raising those children.

Ellen and Evelina write from long experience of supporting families using donated gametes. They clearly listen to what people say and the book is full of lively case studies illustrating the varied situations and feelings of individuals and families. Although they recognise and respect difference, they also give clear guidance, for instance about the importance of openness with children, when they believe the issue is a key one.

Although there are parts of this book that are not relevant for the UK reader, all the ethical and emotional issues are familiar and addressed in depth. Indeed there are some assumptions and practices that challenge current thinking in the UK and provide fresh perspective. I will be very happy to recommend this book to our members.”

Author: Olivia Monuschi, Founder Member Donor Conception Network UK, Mother of two donor-conceived young people

“This valuable book draws out the range of issues to be faced by anyone involved with egg donation. Even raising ethical controversies and medical challenges, the author offers an optimistic and reassuring view.” Author: Carol Frost, LICSW, co-author of Helping the Stork, Infertility Counselor in Woburn, MA

From the Author:

Ellen Sarasohn Glazer is a clinical social worker based at a private practice in Newton, Massachusetts specializing in infertility, adoption, third party reproduction, pregnancy loss and parenting after infertility. The long awaited arrivals of daughters Elizabeth and Mollie inspired Ellen's work in the field of reproductive medicine.

Evelina Weidman Sterling is a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at Georgia State University. An experienced Certified Health Education Specialist, she has worked for the American association for Health Education, Health Resources and the American Heart Association. Evelina lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1849059071
• ISBN 13: 9781849059077
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384