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5 Lesser Known Customs Once Used as Fertility Treatments
Fertility treatment is common for the 1 in 6 people struggling with infertility. But what about infertility and fertility customs throughout cultures and history? I often write about infertility and assisted reproductive therapies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). I thought it might be interesting to research some fertility customs and traditions throughout history. Before modern science, humans used rituals as their fertility treatments, trying almost everything under the sun to get pregnant. Fertility Treatments – Some Oddball Approaches There have been some highly creative customs and rituals used by people over time to get pregnant. These fertility treatments were thought to increase the likelihood of pregnancy for any number of reasons.…
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Nine More Things We Want You To Know About Infertility. All The Feelings Are Real #ohip4ivf #onpoli
There are babies everywhere right now. Facebook is a constant eruption of sonogram pictures and people are forever happily announcing the birth of their babies. It’s a super challenging time of year for so many reasons. Spring and summer forces everyone outdoors and strollers are plentiful, which is wonderful for so many reasons AND it’s also painful for those still trying to conceive. It can be even more devastating for those who have recently miscarried. [tweetthis]1 in 6 struggle 2 conceive. Many r infertile as a result of other health issues #ohip4ivf #onpoli[/tweetthis] 1 in 6 struggle to conceive. Many are infertile as a result of other health conditions. Cancer,…
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Advocacy Goals After the 2015 IVF Funding Program is in Ontario #ohip4ivf #onpoli
This week we had a Linked Moms conversation with patient group Conceivable Dreams about advocacy and the shape that can take after a major goal has been reached. With a 2015 IVF funding program on the way by end of year it’s important that patient advocates continue to brainstorm what their advocacy looks like after the program is in place. This is what that conversation looked like: [View the story “Thoughts From Conceivable Dreams Infertility Patient Advocates in Ontario AFTER The #ohip4ivf Program Arrives #onpoli” on Storify]
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What’s Next for Infertility Patients in Ontario? #ohip4ivf #onpoli Twitter Chat Live June 10 at 8 p.m. EST
How does a patient group like Conceivable Dreams evolve once they’ve met one of their biggest advocacy goals? This is the topic we’ll talk about on Wednesday night at a special Linked Moms twitter chat at 8 p.m. EST. Infertility patients in Ontario are invited to brainstorm what shape their advocacy should take next. In fact, this is an important topic for any advocacy group, charity or non profit. It’s not uncommon for a group to come together with one goal as a mission. But a successful group needs to consider the future too. Succession planning and remaining focused are crucial to long-term success. Right now infertility patients everywhere are…
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Nine Things We Want You To Know About Infertility – #IVF4ON #ONPOLI
It must be spring because everyone is suddenly pregnant, or posting a photo of their new arrival on Facebook. At this time of year with Spring, plus Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Infertility Awareness Month all wrapped up in one big bundle, family is everywhere. The triggers for infertility patients are seemingly endless. Even I am feeling it this year and we adopted our children 13 years ago. I guess that’s proof the emotions of infertility never go away. With spring comes the constant reminders of people who have suddenly succeeded at getting pregnant. That’s hard for so very many people waiting, or in the process of undergoing treatment for infertility.…
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MLA Rick Fraser on the Calgary Marathon and Why Infertility Patients and IVF Funding Alberta Captured His Heart #abhc4ivf #abpoli
Generations of Hope is a group of amazing, passionate, volunteers and infertility patients who are driven and talented and inspiring. They believe an accessible health care system also includes infertility treatment and funding for in vitro fertilization. They are smart and motivated and they work hard to help people understand why infertility patients and IVF funding Alberta matters. Together they champion better lives for infertility patients, and they envision a better future for their province. This weekend members will be running in the Calgary Marathon to raise funds and awareness to help others needing in vitro fertilization to build healthy families. They will be joined by MLA Rick Fraser who is…
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One Year Later: Happy Anniversary to Infertility Patients And What is Happening with IVF Funding in Ontario 2015
One year ago so many infertility patients in Ontario breathed a huge sigh of relief. I remember ecstatic voices and many tears too. I remember this post from last year and the patient reactions. It was an exciting time to be involved in this advocacy effort striving to generate support and IVF funding for infertility patients in Ontario. When the announcement came I remember being here watching it all unfold on television. Right before an election was called. The election plunged everyone into a period of high activity, anxiety and nerves too. It was a roller coaster ride added to the already brutally bumpy ride that is the infertility journey.…
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Should Sex Education Curriculum in Ontario Also Include Infertility and Fertility?
Starting in September 2015, Ontario’s schools are working with a new updated sex education curriculum. I am happy to hear that the new Ontario school sex education curriculum will include topics such as transgendered people, homosexuality, sexting and consent. This conversation inside a school might make kids a bit squeamish while sitting through it, but it’s important for life. One morning before school this month, my daughter and I had an open conversation about transgendered people. She legitimately wanted to know something about someone she met while travelling one weekend to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, where we learned to ski. “Mom,” she asked, “was that a boy or a girl in the airport?”…
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No Such Thing As Synthetic Children: On #IVF, Same Sex #adoption and Boycotting Dolce and Gabbana
Last night I was scouring twitter to check my messages when I spied a new friend talking about IVF, in vitro fertilization. She was clearly upset. I asked her what I had missed that had her so fired up and she sent me the link to the Dolce and Gabbana statement about IVF children being synthetic. The statement hit on same sex adoption as well. Did you Miss it? In an Italian magazine called Panorama Magazine Dolce and Gabbana, world renowned celebrity fashion designers, were quoted stating that IVF children are synthetic. They went on to add that they oppose same sex adoption. “The only family is the traditional one,” they said.…
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Ontario Infertility Patient Chat Tonight #ohip4ivf #onpoli
Ontario is the province I call home. Many of my readers also live in Ontario. I believe strongly in the leadership of this province and I believe also that Ontario values families. There is no greater evidence of this than the recent commitment to fund IVF for people struggling with infertility. Infertile couples will soon have access to vital efficient fertility treatment. Why is that such a big deal? WELL, let me tell you: 1. Funding IVF (in vitro fertilization) with SET ( single embryo transfer) saves money. When couples must pay 10,000 to $13,000 for a round of IVF that ends up being extremely cost prohibitive. Some couples borrow,…
