Building your family

3 Tips To Manage Stress During Fertility Treatment

In a previous episode, I discuss a wide range of fertility tips.  This week, I wanted to give you some ideas that can help you get through treatment. 
After decades in the field of fertility, I have found that there are helpful ideas to consider, and actions to take, to make the journey better and easier.  The three tips presented in this video are a few of the ideas that people don't typically think about, so I wanted to share them all with you, with the hope that they will help you too. 
I hope you find them useful and feel free to connect with us at www.familybuilding.net, and sign up for our newsletter so you won’t miss a beat.
Xo 
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
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Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
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Gay Dad To Be Finds Family

Joseph Tito is a Canadian influencer and author of the dad diaries.  He is a happy married man and the father of two beautiful twin girls.  But life was not always this way.   While going through a breakup, Joseph pursued donor conception and surrogacy alone in a foreign country. He had no idea how his story would end, but he had no other choice. He did not have the funds to pursue a surrogacy journey in the US or Canada, his home country, so he took his chances and almost did not make it back home. Many people in a similar spot would not have taken the risks that Joseph took, but people like Joseph find a way to make their dreams happen. Even if this is not your story, listening to Joseph is inspiring and reminds us that everyone is entitled to have the family of their dreams. 
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
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Oprah’s choice filmmaker shares insights

Oprah’s film pick, Eggs Over Easy, was directed by this week's guest, Chiquita Lockely, who is a ray of sunshine and hope.  She has created a platform for fertility treatment for women of color and has been a leader in advocacy and support in her community. 
In this episode, Chiquita dove into big issues like inequality for people of color, why black men are reluctant to donate their sperm, cultural issues that the black community faces around therapy, fertility, and more.
She hopes to continue to help educate and inspire the black community to get the resources they need to build their families, increase awareness, and garner support for inclusion, outreach, and improved access to fertility treatment.
If you have ever been interested in any of these topics, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Chiquita has amazing insights and generously shares them with us.
This podcast helps me share good information at no cost to you.  So, if you like the episode, please give it a thumbs up and make sure to press the subscribe button.
Thank you.
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
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Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Surrogacy part 2: What you need to know about the legal and practical aspects of the process.

I hope you enjoyed part one of this two-part series on surrogacy. If you have not yet seen part one, I urge you to watch it. It is full of useful information to help you have the best relationship with your surrogate. This is important for you, and for your surrogate, but it's also important to be able to have a beautiful journey that you can document for your future child to treasure forever.  For more information on chronicling your journey, please take a look at My Lifebook at ( https://familybuilding.net/product/). This week’s focus is the practical and legal issues you will need to address on your surrogacy journey. I'll give you some ideas to help you separate what is important from what is not important in planning for your journey.  I will also help you understand the limits of your legal contract, and provide guidance on how to address some important issues with your surrogate so you will have an extra layer of legal protection (and why that is particularly important now). While these two episodes will not cover my full consultation, they will give you some tips I have learned over my decades of experience.  I hope it helps.
This podcast helps me share good information at no cost to you. So, if you like the episode, please give it a thumbs up and press subscribe.
Thank you.
Lisa
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
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Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Surogacy Part 1: How to have a good relationship

For two consecutive weeks, I will be talking about surrogacy.  This first episode will cover some ways to optimize your relationship with your gestational carrier. This is incredibly important.  It is important for all involved to have a meaningful journey, and those positive experiences can be documented and used as part of your child’s narrative (for more information see My Lifebook https://familybuilding.net/product/), Last, if something goes wrong (and hopefully it won’t), everyone will have the tools in place to make decisions together more productively.  If you, or someone you care for, is considering using a gestational carrier to have a child, I suggest that you check out these episodes. They provide some of the highlights of my consultations with intended parents and although the entirety of my consultation is not covered, these short episodes will give you many helpful tools to use on your journey.
And if you like the episode please give it a thumbs up and subscribe.
Thank you for tuning in.
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Good Egg filmmaker finds purpose

Nicole Gomez Fisher is the writer, director and producer of the feature film “Sleeping with the Fishes” and “The Good Egg” which was inspired by her fertility journey and decision to use donor eggs to build her family.  Her films have been featured on HBO and are available on Amazon Prime Video. Nicole has also acted and worked on many other films and television shows, but her favorite role, by far, is mom.
In this week’s podcast you will hear about her many struggles and circuitous pathway to parenthood.  
Sharing her feelings on social media has been difficult for Nicole.  Sadly, she has received backlash in many online communities for discussing her inner conflicts.  I applaud Nicole for her openness. Many women with infertility experience the same feelings that Nicole has felt and feel fearful about sharing them publicly.
Listen to Nicole share her journey, how she finally built her family, and why she decided to turn her heartache into a full-length feature comedy.
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
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Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Today Show Chloe Melas fertility journey

Chloe Melas is a reporter for the Today Show, an author, and an advocate.  In this episode you will hear about all of her incredible pursuits and most of all, her infertility journey, which led to her two beautiful boys.  After much heartache, Chloe decided to open up about her experiences to People magazine, CNN and now to us. Chloe recounts her treatment failures, marital struggles and battle with feelings of depression and anxiety. She has now decided to become an advocate for progress and spreading good information so more people can receive the assistance they need and feel less alone.    I am sure you will feel as moved and inspired by her story as I did. And please don’t forget to subscribe, give it a thumbs up if you like it, and share it with someone who can use it.
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Tara Lipinski shares her heart and her story

The gold medalist joins us on the show to share her difficulties through her five year journey to have a baby, including all of the losses and treatments she endured.  Tara reflects on how the attributes that made her an international superstar also made fertility treatment more difficult, how she and her husband Todd, struggled with their different perspectives and through their hurts, developed a greater closeness.
She opens up about her fears of pregnancy and loss and how her experiences have changed her life forever.  This journey led Tara and her husband to create their podcast, called "Unexpecting", where they chronicle their journey and speak openly about feelings and experiences they never spoke about before with the wish that their story will give others hope, and comfort in knowing that they are not alone.
Tara is brave, resilient, and so incredibly articulate about feelings that so many of us have, but so few share.  This is an episode not to be missed!
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Secrecy vs Privacy

Most of us know that if you used a third party to help you build your family, or if you are adopting, it is essential to share this with your child. We also know that "early and often" works best for the children and the parents.  Talking to your child early and often helps your child integrate their sense of who they are from the beginning.  It has also been shown to help children have better relationships with their parents and to have a positive impact on their teen years. 
When we practice things, we get better, and sharing with your child how you built your family can feel uncomfortable or even awkward at best.  Practicing your narrative, trying on different versions of your story and getting to a place where you can craft a narrative that feels like it suits your family is an important process. Practicing that story will help you get the kinks out and help your child feel more comfortable with their story as well.  By the time it becomes natural for you to tell it, your child will begin to hear the story, or even just pick up words or phrases and those words will feel natural. This in turn can help your child feel like their story is a good story, and their story is simply the way you created your family.
So, what about telling others your story?  The nosy aunt for example? The neighbors who stare at you and your child back and forth, looking for some resemblance as you ride the elevator each morning?  What about the PTA president or the soccer coach who makes comments about your child having inherited your genetics?  These are all situations that are unique to each family. they are also unique to each person, which means a difference of opinion can cause conflict.  As you will hear in this week's episode, it can also cause issues that are tough to unwind. 
So why not practice your story? Practicing this with your partner, if you have one, or a trusted friend can help you anticipate, and possibly prevent difficulties down the road. 
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
 

Donor conceived advocate shares problems and solutions

Peter Boni was donor conceived long before 23 and Me was even an idea.  So you can imagine how difficult it was, especially when there was even more shame around donor conception, to come to terms with it and then search for genetic relatives.  As with most people, there were other issues in his life that made making peace with being donor conceived even more difficult.
Peter has written a book about his experiences and has become an advocate of rights for the donor conceived community. In this episode, he will share his journey to discovery.   
Peter will also discuss some ways to fix the problems in the industry and will offer some suggestions for putting guard rails on the process to minimize the number of people who can donate multiple times and create tens, and even hundreds of donor related siblings.
This episode is a little different from previous episodes because it focuses on the donor conception industry, rather than conceiving or parenting, but is also very important for us to understand.
 
 
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM