Jan. 21 was the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the ruling that legalized abortion. Even though it has been 35 years, there is still a lot of opposition to it.  According to USA Today, since 1990 the rate of abortions has gone done by nearly 25%. There has been a lot of pressure applied to abortion providers as well. The number of abortion providers has also gone down 25% in the past 15 years. It seems that women are finding some abortion alternatives.

Abortion seems to be a hot topic lately, especially since politics have been increasingly in the media. As reported by the Concord Monitor, the Democratic party is pushing a new bill which will require that all minors have abortion counseling from doctors, nurses, or licensed counselors before deciding.  This bill is in opposition to the Republican-backed bill to reinstate the parental notification law for minors, which was repealed just last year.

Maybe in 15 more years, we will see if the statistics of abortions performed as well as abortion providers has gone down another 25%. It will definitely be interesting to see how all of this progresses.

…on the hot topic of abortion?

Abortion has been a controversial issue since its inception during the 1820s. But with furthering technological advances and the impending 2008 presidential election, the controversy has become more heated, litigious, and controversial than ever before.

Abortion remains such a deeply rooted issue in America because of religious and moral factors and what are deemed as inherent constitutional freedoms. Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, there is no denying that abortion has found its way into politics and will remain a defining issue not only in this upcoming election, but for years to come.

So the question remains, where do your favorite candidates stand on the issue? Donor Review takes a look at the top runners….

Barack Obama (D)

A supporter of Roe v. Wade, Obama’s stand to protect a woman’s right to choose remains firm. He says the government should trust a woman to make her own decision on partial-birth abortions and he also voted no on a bill that would require minors who receive out-of-state abortions to notify their parents.

Mitt Romney (R)

Once tolerant of abortion (during his term as Massachusetts governor), Romney is now steadfastly pro-life and says his anti-abortion views have “evolved and deepened.” He also supports the repeal of Roe v. Wade and in the past has sanctioned the legalization of RU-486, an artificial steroid that blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary to remain pregnant.

Hillary Clinton (D)

Much like her democrat counterpart, Clinton has voted no on banning partial-birth abortions and remains anchored in her belief of a woman’s right to choose. While she does want to keep abortions safe, legal, albeit rare, she does support parental notification and family planning in cases of teen pregnancy. Clinton also voted yes on a bill that would fund $100 million for education and contraceptives in order to reduce teen pregnancy.

Rudy Guilliani (R)

Guilliani (like many Republicans) is personally pro-life and against abortion although he respects the choices of others in regards to abortion. He formerly did not support a ban on partial-birth abortions but now is in full favor of one. Guilliani also encourages adoption as an abortion alternative and would support the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

Click here to see where all presidential candidates stand on abortion and other issues.

 November is National Adoption Awareness Month.  Originally started in Massachusetts, the effort to promote awareness for national adoption efforts quickly spread throughout the nation.  Today, events and campaigns are organized to build awareness for children all over the country in need of permanent families.

If you are interested in adoption, we would encourage you to contact private adoption agencies as well as social services (foster care adoption) for information about different types of adoption and what options are available for you

Adoption is often the last resort for couples unable to conceive, but it can be just as rewarding as any other infertility service with the right frame of mind.

Often times couples mourn the loss of biological children they never even had after all attempts of assisted reproduction have failed. Such feelings are completely normal but adoption specialists encourage couples to receive counseling and assistance before any decisions regarding adoption are made.

Finding the right adoption center is key to helping couples begin this next step in their quest to start a family. Infertility treatments can often be miserable and even dehumanizing, so finding an adoption agency that handles each and every case in a compassionate and empathetic way is vital.

In states that allow surrogacy, the most frequent and most prudent method of finding or becoming a surrogate is through a surrogacy agency.  Not only will you have the ability to choose from approved surrogates, using an agency ensures you are operating within all legal precepts in regards to surrogacy. 

Surrogacy agencies will conduct an approval process for each potential surrogate.  They will administer medical and psychological tests to make sure the woman is physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy enough to serve as a surrogate.  This will also ensure that the surrogate understands what the process entails and that they can legally enter into a contract with the agency.

On the other hand, couples in search of a surrogate as an infertility alternative sign on with an agency and then begin the search of the perfect surrogate among the agency’s listed potential surrogates.  It is recommended that the couple have their own lawyers to protect their rights, while agencies will have lawyers of their own to protect their rights. 

I came across a really informative book about the egg donation process for couples researching it as an infertility alternative.  “Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation” is extremely helpful and informative without utilizing convoluted medical lexicon and remains sensitive to the difficulties and challenges many infertile couples face. 

The egg donation industry is rapidly gaining popularity and the demand for young women’s eggs has skyrocketed. 

 However, not all women are able to donate eggs. While programs differ in their regulations and the qualities they prefer, there is some criteria that remains fairly common. 

 Generally, an egg donor must be at least 21 years of age to ensure that they can legally into a contract. The maximum age is typically around 35 years due to the fact that older women do not respond as well to fertility drugs; the older a woman gets, the more likely her eggs may be abnormal or not healthy enough to result in a pregnancy or may increase the risk of a birth defect. 

 Such policies are implemented for a number of reasons.  First, legal concerns must be addressed by making sure a young woman is old enough to make such a commitment.  Second, regulations are designed to help increase the chance that a pregnancy will occur and that the egg donation process will be safe for both the donor and recipient.

 For further information, contact an infertility clinic that specializes in egg donation; each clinic will have their own preferred qualities and standards you must meet.

Thousands of couples that want to start a family find it difficult or impossible to conceive.  Using advanced reproductive technology and techniques, couples now have the option to conceive through the process of egg donation. Women whose ovaries do not produce enough of adequately healthy eggs, are able to become pregnant using donated eggs from another woman. 

Couples who are dealing with infertility have a number of viable options when it comes to having children of their own.  Egg donation is a popular option which allows the woman to still carry and give birth to the child (through means of in vitro fertilization).  Surrogacy is another option which allows couples to choose the woman who will carry their child to term.  For couples that are unable to conceive at all through infertility services, adoption is a great alternative; an unplanned pregnancy occurs to thousands of women and young girls every year, opening the door for couples to fulfill their dreams through the method of adoption.

Check back for further information about the egg donation process and other infertility treatment options.