Unexplained Infertility Resolved for One 97 Year Old Woman

She was 97 and having an ultrasound done for maybe the 2nd time in her life. Her granddaughter was standing next to her worried and asking the technician all kinds of questions as the tech checked to see if the fall the older woman had taken had broken any pelvic bones or had caused any internal damage. Already it was determined that the left hip was broken and would need surgery.

As the wand glided over a flat abdomen the tech, seemingly speaking to herself, "Well, your uterus is really tipped". The granddaughter looked at her grandmother in surprise and then asked the technician if that would be a good reason why her grandmother (in her much younger years) couldn't become pregnant. And, of course, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" Apparently it was tipped THAT much!

So at age 97 a woman finally found out, after adopting one son, living through a couple of world wars, a man landing on the moon, welcoming three grandchildren into the world, outliving her husband, moving in with her granddaughter and losing her only son, why she never became pregnant. After years of trying and years of acceptance a mystery was solved. The wonder of the unexplained infertility was over...and a peace of mind was had.



My grandmother lived to be 100 years old and died peacefully in her sleep in 1999 while I was carrying twins as a Gestational Surrogate. She is still greatly missed by all!

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/

Borya and the Burps An Eastern European Adoption Story by Joan McNamara: A LaMothe Book Review

Borya and the Burps An Eastern European Adoption Story by Joan McNamara looks and feels like a children's book but once you start to read it clearly is for adults or for older children about to add a sibling to their family via adoption. This story explains what it is like in an orphanage in some far off European country, who takes care of the babies and what the routine might be like. The book focuses on a baby boy named Borya and what his routine is day in and day out and how he feels when one of the 7 babies in his room adopted, and finally how he feels when he is chosen by an American family. This information maybe very helpful to parents who want to acclimate their newly adopted child into their home.

Having said that, Borya is often confused in this story and has his own special concerns and worries. All very well and good for parents to read and learn about but not necessarily child friendly.

Adoption Is A Family Affair by Pat Johnston: A LaMothe Book Review

Just in time for the end of our National Adoption Month!

 

Adoption Is A Family Affair  by Pat Johnston, is an easy read in less then 150 pages and a great resource  for relatives and friends of those in the process of adoption. Yes, it is simple and touches briefly on many of the issues and concerns that might be brought to the family table but it is also insightful and full of great advice for those who don't know what to say of do to help welcome a new family member via adoption. All ages and stages are touched on as well as great reading recommendations for more information. I particularly liked The Five Hot Buttons Not To Push  and the Expanding the Family Culture chapters. This had lessons that everyone can learn from. We all bring something to the table and it all can work if respect, understanding and open communication is included.  I highly recommend Adoption Is A Family Affair as a resource for family members, friends and for those going through the personal and rewarding journey of becoming parents through adoption.

November 20, 2010, Will Mark the 11th Year for Adoption Day

The History of National Adoption Day
2000 - National Adoption Day began with the Alliance for Children's Rights and support from the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and others. Hundreds of adoptions were finalized in 9 jurisdictions.

2001 - The number of jurisdictions increased to 17.

2002 - Assistance from Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Target. This support brought 34 jurisdictions to National Adoption Day and 1,350 adoptions were finalized.

2003 - 3,100 adoptions were finalized and 120 jurisdictions participated in the event.

2004 - 3,400 adoptions finalized at 200 events in 37 states.

2005 - The largest number of coast-to-coast celebrations for National Adoption Day to date! More than 3,300 children's adoptions were finalized from foster care in 227 events in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

2006 - More than 250 events in all fifty states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico! More than 3,300 adoption were finalized.

2007 - More than 300 events were held in all fifty states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

2008 - More than 4,000 children across all 50 states found loving, permanent homes.

2009 - A total of 345 Adoption Day events in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with more than 4,500 children adopted from foster care!
Each year, more and more children are being adopted on Adoption Day and the events are becoming more widespread. In total more than 30,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.

Goals of Adoption Day 2010

Finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states

Celebrate and honor all families that adopt

Raise awareness about the 123,000 children in foster care waiting for adoption

Encourage others to adopt children from foster care

Build collaboration among local adoption agencies, courts and advocacy organizations

For More Information on Adoption Day and to Find Activities in Your Area: http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/

Lets Celebrate National Adoption Month!!

There is a lot going on in the month of November...Not only is Thanksgiving right around the corner, the start of the Holiday Season and National Diabetes Awareness month but it is ALSO National Adoption Month!

It is also my fathers birth month (rest in peace) and he happened to be adopted by a wonderful couple, my grandparents, after living over 10 years without a child in their lives. My father was the only one they adopted and it is an interesting story. Way back in the good ole days of the 1930's there was very little paper work involved. As a matter of fact, in my fathers case, there was next to none. My grandparents had put the word out to their friends in the community of Bath, Maine that they would be open to adopt a baby. They had a friend that worked down at the court house and one day my grandmother received a phone call saying that an eight month baby boy was just 'dropped off' and would she be interested in coming down and taking a look. She and my grandfather rushed right down to find a very healthy baby boy being doted on by all of the employees of the court house. They said yes and gathered up his few things and took him home. It was easy as that. (although I would hope that some sort of paper work was signed but I found no adoption certificate at all)

When my grandmother passed away at age 100 I found among her belongings my fathers original birth certificate with both parents listed and place of birth, several hours away from where my grandparents resided. Although my father did have the opportunity to meet his biological mother he never did meet his biological father. I have yet to investigate this avenue and I am not really sure why I am not more curious. I also found the clothes he came home in from the court house, the cute little shoes and linen coat and shorts.

That is my personal story and because of this adoption that offered me a wonderful set of grandparents I will be celebrating National Adoption Month!

Sharon

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. This year's National Adoption Month initiative targets adoption professionals by focusing on ways to recruit and retain parents for the 115,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive families.

Activities and celebrations are kicked off with a Presidential Proclamation, and while efforts made at the national level certainly help build awareness of adoption, participation in local programs, events, and activities by those of us with a direct connection to adoption can often be the most effective way to promote positive perceptions, debunk the myths, and draw attention to the tens of thousands of children in foster care who wait and hope for permanent families.

Calling Intended Parents! Be a part of a groundbreaking documentary series for Lifetime TV

Be a part of a groundbreaking documentary series for Lifetime TV. We are currently casting individuals or couples who want to create a family but are struggling to conceive.

We are looking for individuals or couples undergoing treatment who are willing to share their experiences with the world in the hopes of providing support, education, and guidance about a subject that many people still know very little about – infertility.

We are committed to telling the real stories of those of you that are currently navigating your way through the world of infertility treatments and we hope this will draw attention to the struggles that you endure in your journey to have a family.

We know that there are many, many eye opening stories to tell; whether you’re a single woman who has made the courageous decision to go it alone, a couple who has decided to turn to surrogacy, a same sex couple trying to build a family, a couple about to go through their first cycle of IVF, or a couple that has chosen adoption as their path. We know that you have unique stories that have the power to inform and shed light on an issue that most know nothing about.

If you have a unique story we want to talk to you.

Contact Information:
Shannon Gibson
Left/Right Productions
O: 212.695.2092
C: 917.428.9851
sgibson@leftright.tv