afterword... The Fertility Show

This weekend's Fertility Show was very busy - more than 3,600 visitors over the weekend - and it was lovely to meet some of you and to find many old friends too.  The seminar programme this year was fantastic with really interesting topics addressed by some of the world's leading experts in their fields and most of the talks appeared to be packed out.

There were quite a few clinics from the UK exhibiting at the Show, mainly from London and the South East, but they were rather outnumbered by their counterparts from overseas who have clearly realised that more and more people are considering travelling for fertility treatment.  There were fertility specialists from Spain, Russia, Latvia, Georgia, Italy, Barbados, the Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Sweden and across the USA from Florida to Chicago. I spoke to a number of people who were considering treatment overseas and they'd found it really helpful to have so many different clinics from around the world all gathered under one roof.  It can be very hard to distinguish between one and another when you're only judging them on their websites and email communications, and the opportunity to meet staff face to face and get a feel for the clinics and what they can offer is quite unique.

For me, it was really good to see so many patient support organisations there too - Infertility Network UK, the Donor Conception Network, International Asherman's Association, Klinefelter's Syndrome Association, Fleur and the lovely team from Verity PCOS who must be congratulated on their purple theme which even went as far as a rather wonderful pair of handmade purple earings...

As it is National Adoption Week, it was heartening to see that a number of fostering and adoption agencies were represented too as this is an alternative route to parenthood that some may want to consider.

Everyone I spoke to who'd visited the Show had found it to be a beneficial experience.  I know some people do feel it is a rather commercial affair for a medical problem, but fertility treatment is a massive commercial industry. Personally, I think the opportunities a weekend at The Fertility Show can offer outweigh any such concerns.  If you're not into fertility astrology or crystal therapy, you don't need to spend time at the stands offering them. It's a matter of picking and choosing the things that you want to know more about and making the most of the opportunities the weekend can afford.

Mixed Blessings

I've just been reading a great new booklet from the Donor Conception Network written for anyone who is creating a family that includes children conceived without the help of a donor and also children conceived with donor sperm and/or eggs - hence the booklet title 'Mixed Blessings'.

The Donor Conception Network had seen an increasing number of families in this situation, or considering donor treatment after having a first child either naturally or with treatment such as IVF or ICSI. It was apparent that they wanted specific help and information, and that's the reason the booklet was written.

It has a reassuring common sense tone, and not only gives lots of practical advice and information, but also includes the experiences of a number of parents. Their situations are all very different but their stories help explain the many reasons why people may have a family where their children are conceived both with and without donor gametes.

I'd really recommend this booklet if you're in this situation - you can download it through the Donor Conception Network website here.

Talking and telling

The Donor Conception Network are organising more of their special 'Talking and Telling' workshops for anyone who has children conceived using donor eggs and/or sperm. The last series of workshops were hugely successful and the Network is now offering places in London, Southampton, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Sheffield, There's a special course in Central London for single parents only, and another for parents who have children of eight and over. You can find out all the details, and pick up a booking form at www.donor-conception-network.org

Talking and Telling for donor parents

You may have read here before about the "talking and telling" workshops for parents of donor conceived children, or anyone pregnant with a donor conceived baby. The series of events have now kicked off successfully with a first meeting in Oxford, and another this weekend in London. They've been filling up quickly, and the London dates are now full with waiting lists, but there are still some spaces at most of the other workshops if you haven't had a chance to book. The Donor Conception Network, who are responsible for organising the workshops, say they'll be arranging another date in London in the Autumn, and if you're interested in learning more about the workshops, or booking, you can do so via their website at www.donor-conception-network.org

Support for single women

If you're a single woman contemplating motherhood alone, you may be interested to know that the Donor Conception Network now has a web page for those in your situation. Not all of the single women in the network have fertility problems, but some do and it may be helpful just to talk to other women who are considering becoming single parents using donor sperm.

The network has contacts around the country and can put you in touch with other women in your area, which can be an invaluable source of support. You can see the new page on the Donor Conception Network website at www.donor-conception-network.org/single_wmen .

You may also be interested in the chapter in my book, The Complete Guide to Female Fertility which considers going it alone to become a mother.

Workshops for donor parents

Bookings are now open for the first dates in a series of workshops aimed at parents who have used donor eggs, sperm or embryos. The one-day courses are also open to anyone expecting a baby conceived using donor gametes.

The "Talking and Telling" workshops are organised by the Donor Conception Network, a self-help organisation for families created with the help of donor eggs, sperm or embryos and for those who are hoping to start a family this way. The network also supports adults who were conceived using donor gametes.

The workshops will look at how and when parents can tell children about their conception, and will also provide a valuable opportunity to get to know others in the same situation; whether other parents, or others who are expecting a child.

The first workshop is on May 10 in Oxford, followed by May 17 in Twickenham, June 7 in Amesbury, June 21 in Bristol and July 5 in Bloomsbury.

The Donor Conception Network is also planning some workshops to help those who are considering parenthood using donor eggs, sperm or embryos but the dates and locations have yet to be set for these.

You can find out more on their website www.dcnetwork.org