Once upon a time, it was simple. Medical options were limited and you either got pregnant, or you didn’t. You tried on the idea of adoption for size and either it felt like a fit, or it didn’t. You moved on with your life with or without children and lived happily ever after, or you didn’t. But that was a long time ago. Medical procedures for infertility have increased many-fold, creating both a blessing and a curse for those who see no end in sight to treatments that may or may not work. Egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy may present viable family building options for single men and women both gay and straight, as well as for those who have not found success through infertility treatment. “You can always adopt,” is no longer a mantra assumed a lock for anyone wishing for a baby. So, you find yourself at a crossroads. Which road to parenthood do you choose? A free, telephone-coaching support group may provide you with the answers.
“I have seen people struggle with this challenge,” says event co-facilitator, Carolyn Berger LCSW. “Many people come to a fork in the road during their family-building journey. One road leads to reproductive options that rely upon donated eggs, embryos or sperm. The other leads to adoption. The purpose of this event is to give people tools and help them thoughtfully learn about their options. With a well thought out decision, they can then go on to build their family with confidence.”
Event co-creator, Patricia Mendell LCSW, agrees. “For many, the path to parenthood will present unexpected challenges, causing even the most confident individuals to question their determination. Understandably, alternative choices can create an even greater feeling of overwhelm. Effective decision making can best happen when one understands the questions that need to be asked so as to help determine which options are right for you. This group helps to define not only the answers, but the questions as well.”
This event, sponsored by the non-profit American Fertility Association, will take place from 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Feb. 27 and is free, but pre-registration and a telephone are required. For more information or to register, call 212.819.1778 or email pmendell@aol.com.
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