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Quick Links
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
Superior success rates for the past decade. Have a baby from IVF or egg donation- or get your money back.
Advanced Reproductive Care Inc. (ARC) Making treatment affordable since 1998. Call 1-888-990-2727 - ask about ARC Refund Guarantee Program™ - get money back if no live birth occurs.
New England Fertility
20 Years of Fertility Expertise.
Large Egg Donor Registry and Bank. Internationally recognized IVF Program.
Annual ART Success Rates Report
Pens That Communicate
Now supplying IVF Clinics in the USAwith a Custom Color Liquid Sperm Pensfor IVF Marketing.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
Annual ART Success Rates
Report
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Every month in Connect, The AFA will feature a different list of supporters, professional members, and donors. This month, we'd like to thank the following:
Platinum Sponsors
Fertility Centers of Illinois
IVF Florida Reproductive Associates
Reproductive Biology Associates
Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York
Shady Grove Fertility Centers
Gold Sponsors
California Fertility Partners
Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine
Fertility Center of the Carolinas
Reproductive Science Center of New England
Silver Sponsors
Adoptions from the Heart
Boca Fertility
Building Families, Inc.
California Cryobank
Center for Male Reproductive Medicine
Extraordinary Conceptions
Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine
Happy Beginnings, LLC
Heartfelt Egg Donation
Judith Hoechst, Esq.
Lotus Blossom Consulting
Metro Drugs
New England Cryogenic Center
Open Arms Consultants
Pacific Reproductive Services Sperm & Fertility Center
Reproductive Possibilities, LLC
SCSA Diagnostics, Inc.
Steven H. Snyder & Associates
Professional Members
Carole Lieber Wilkikns, M.A., M.F.T.
Leia Ogburn, L.C.S.W., C.A.D.C.
Lois Nachamie, L.C.S.W., B.C.D.
Poonam Sharma, Ph.D.
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Spring's Hope
 The winter that wasn't has finally said goodbye. Like many people, I remembered last year's unending snow and readied myself for a siege that didn't come. I think it's good to be prepared, but also, it's good to hold out hope that our worst fears will not be realized. I think that people are sometimes afraid to hope, for fear that the letdown will be too great if their fondest dreams do not come true. I know that's how it was for me when I was trying to conceive. So afraid to hope that I pretended I didn't care, and didn't want children after all.
Please, have hope. It is Spring. And you have a right to Spring's hope. Make a decision that it belongs to you, that right to hope, and it will. And The AFA will hold out that hope for you too, that your fondest dream will come true.
Also in this issue are some written rays of Spring's hope. A fantastic article by Ellen Glazer on coping tips for the changing season and upcoming holidays is here, as is the hilarious fertility blogger, Infertile Naomi's take on my favorite holiday - St. Patrick's Day. The AFA's tips on infertility and spring rejuvenation are a must-read. So read them!
We know this time of year can be hard. We are here for you and wish you gentle hoping, and happy reading. - The AFA Editor
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Endometriosis: A Medical Disease With Emotional Side Effects
By Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D.
 Endometriosis is a disease caused when tissue lining the uterus migrates and grows outside of the uterus, for example, on the outer walls of the uterus, the ovaries, or the fallopian tubes. When the hormone changes occurring during a normal menstrual cycle cause the tissue of the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for embryo implantation, these same hormones also cause the endometrial tissue outside of the uterus to grow. Yet, these extraneous tissues are not expelled from the body with a menstrual cycle and can cause damage in the form of adhesions to the ovaries or fallopian tubes, sometimes making getting pregnancy more difficult. It is unknown, at present, what causes endometriosis. Read More
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Adoption Tax Credit: Claim It and Add Your Voice
By Rita L. Soronen, President & CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
In response to the financial demands on families who step forward to adopt, particularly those who adopt special needs children, the adoption tax credit was enacted in 1996. The Small Business Job Protection Act provided the first "Adoption Assistance" tax credit for families. Since the 1996 groundbreaking legislative effort, the adoption tax credit has been increased, extended and renewed across political party lines and administrations and with significant ongoing Congressional support.
Curiously, though, the credit has not been made a permanent part of the tax code, but rather frequently has changed in amounts allowable and how it is reimbursed.
Read more.
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Spring Rejuvenation
By Ellen Glazer, LCSW
Spring may feel like a time of renewal and hope for many, but poses special challenges for individuals who are trying to conceive, and can't. A leading therapist in the field gives concrete advise to those in this situation, plus a message of hope. _
First, the bad news: Spring is not an easy time to be going through infertility. Nice weather prompts people to shed their heavy winter coats and expose their pregnant bellies. Trees and flowers in bloom can be painful reminders that life is not yet growing inside you (or your partner). And the Spring holidays-Easter and Passover-are filled with symbols of fertility and celebrated with children. Spring can be a time when infertile people want to duck and cover and avoid the reminders of fertility that seem to be everywhere. Read more.
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St. Patrick's Day - Infertile Style
by Infertile Naomi
 During infertility, you tend to hate all holidays. A babyless Christmas was not fun. Your birthday was the worst. Mothers Day/Fathers Day made you turn to drinking and even International Asparagus Day made you a little teary eyed. But it's almost St. Patty's Day. The day where fertiles are banned from all bars and you can wallow in your sorrows by drinking green beer! St. Patty's Day is the day of Irish luck and green beer and you will take full advantage of this holiday! Here are some tips on how to spend St.Patty's Day... Infertile Style!
- Start your day with Lucky Charms cereal to give you some luck.
- Ask your fertility doctor to paint your fertilized embryos green.
- Find a leprechaun to rub your belly.
- Ask your partner to dress like a leprechaun and get busy.
- Pour some green food coloring into your husband's semen analysis cup.
- Paint your face green and pretend that you have morning sickness.
- Find a four leaf clover and ask your RE to insert it directly into your uterus.
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The AFA's Top Five Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Fertility
1 - Lucky us, it's allergy season. Did you know that those  easy-to-pop over-the-counter medications can impact negatively your fertility? According to infertility blogger extraordinaire, Lee Trask over at Daily Strength, antihistamines dry out the mucus membranes, including cervical mucus in the vaginal canal making it harder for sperm to swim on over to egg. Tell your RE about all medications you are currently taking, no matter how banal you think they are.
2 - It's time to put Winter's heavy food behind us and learn to love salad. The news has been full of stories lately about obesity and sperm quality. Remember that food is not the enemy and go for nature's palate of colorful veggies instead of chemically-colored and overly-processed foods. It's not your job to keep Frito-Lay in business.
3 - When was the last time you went to the dentist? Multiple studies link oral health to optimum fertility. And remember how good it feels when you leave the office and run your tongue over your teeth?
4 - Have you been hybernating and feeling sluggish? Spring's a great time to get back into the swing of physical activity. Movement of any kind like yoga, running, walking and biking, will lift your spirits and get you feeling healthy and strong, reduce your stress and up your fertility meter.
5 - Please don't tell me you're still smoking! Stop. Right. Now. And thank you.
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The AFA's Event Calendar
There are events taking place across the country to help educate and support you on your family building journey. Please take a look through our calendar to find classes, discussion groups, workshops and emotional support groups on infertility, adoption, third party reproduction and LGBT family building.
To learn about all of The AFA's support groups, including those for Mind/Body and Over 40 issues,click here.
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The AFA's Latest Tool Kits Are Now Available for Sale in our Store!
Check Out "What's a Young Woman To Do The Pro's and Con's of Social Egg Freezing"
and
"But Can We Afford It? How to Pay for Infertility Treatment" here!
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Circle + Bloom offers a 30 minute Relaxation For Men Mp3 download and you can now get this program at 50% through AFA. This special 30 minute mind-body program is an enjoyable, easy-to-use, and relaxing program that taps into the powerful mind-body connection for the male partner of the TTC couple. Helps to not only reduce the effects of stress, which may be hampering male fertility, but provides greater feelings of control and optimism. In order to receive the 50% discount just use discount code AFA50 at time of check out.
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