Our Blog
What Do Sport Injuries and Male-Factor Infertility Have in Common?
It is not easy to be a man in America. Cultural and media messages seem to provide an ever-moving target for male identity. “Be sensitive, but not too sensitive.” “Anger is acceptable, sadness is not.” “Take care of your problems, do not ask for help.” “Relationships...
Accepting Your Donor Conceived Child
Picture it: you planned to meet someone at a party, only to arrive and realize they are not there. Do you go from room to room looking for them? Or step back outside to wait for them? Does it make you feel uneasy being amongst others who clearly know each other at...
CMV and Embryo Adoption
Did you know that June is National CMV Awareness Month? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus, closely resembling a common cold, which affects over half the adult population by the age of 40. If infected, you are often unaware because most people don’t show...
Forever Grateful
In 2016, after 8 months of trying and not being able to conceive, we found out we were unable to have biological children. We were absolutely heartbroken. After taking the time to grieve, we began to think through what the Lord would have for us next. We found...
I Want to Donate My Embryos, But Where?
You have come to the decision that you would like to donate your remaining embryos to a recipient. Great! You may be thinking though, “Where in the world should I donate them? Who should I donate them to? Can I choose the family they go to? Do I have to communicate...
Celiac Disease & Embryo Adoption
May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When an individual with celiac disease ingests gluten, it triggers a reaction in the small intestine. This eventually will damage...
Infertility Survival Day
The month of May can be a very difficult time of year for some women. The second Sunday of May is Mother’s Day. A day that can trigger deep emotion, anguish, sorrow, and grief for those who want more than anything to add a child to their home. Did you know the Sunday...
Why the Secrecy?
There are many adults and children living in the U.S. and the world who are a secret. No, they aren’t spies, nor are they hidden away. What is secret being how they came to exist. Donor conception has been around since the 1880s, and there are no signs of it slowing...
Infertility Awareness Week 2020
Infertility is a disease or condition associated with the reproductive system. It is often diagnosed after a couple has tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for one year, or if the woman has suffered from multiple miscarriages and is under 35 years of age. If the...
Embryo Adoption and the Adoption Tax Credit
April 15th is Tax Day!* Filing your taxes can be a stressful time of the year. But understanding what you can credit or deduct can help make the process a bit smoother. There are many ways you may be able to reduce your tax burden—charitable donations, interest...
The Link Between Stress and Infertility
Did you know April is Stress Awareness Month? The link between stress levels and it’s affects on an individual’s fertility has been debated for years. It's no secret that infertility can cause depression and stress (in fact, depression levels in patients with...
Fertility Isn’t Funny: How Pregnancy Jokes Can Hurt
Every year, on April 1st, there is a popular joke people like to play on their friends and family members. You know the one, right? It is usually done over social media. The one where it shows an ultrasound photo of an unborn baby, or that positive pregnancy test...
The Logistics of Shipping Frozen Embryos
There are people all over the United States with remaining embryos in frozen storage. They will not be using them for their own family building purposes. Some of them may use one of the many social media platforms or online databases to “self-match” with a recipient...
Six FAQs About the Embryo Adoption Home Study
We spoke with Beth Button, a social worker with Nightlight Christian Adoptions, and asked what were the most commonly asked questions she gets about the embryo adoption specific home study, or Snowflakes Family Evaluation. Here are her answers to six questions she...
It’s 2020. Why Are We Terrified of Adoption Telling?
This blog was originally published on LavenderLuz.com. How do I tell my child he’s adopted? And when? Rant: I’m frustrated that these questions still come up (and surprised because my readers are adoption-savvy, so I start thinking everyone is). Who is preparing...