In this episode, Julio and Richard discuss their experiences at a Men Having Babies conference in Berlin and the importance of educating people about the basics of IVF and surrogacy. They highlight the mix of attendees at the conference, from newbies to those who have done extensive research. They emphasize the need for more education and understanding about fertility and the various paths to building a family. The conversation also touches on personal topics such as divorce and the emotional challenges of deciding what to do with frozen embryos.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting

00:30 Attending the Men Having Babies Conference in Berlin

07:14 Starting Conversations and Providing Support

12:02 The Emotional Challenges of Divorce and Frozen Embryos

23:19 Legally Owning Embryos and Future Decisions

26:34 The Emotional Impact of Protecting Children

29:29 The Importance of Providing Information and Personal Experiences

34:57 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Keywords

IVF, surrogacy, Men Having Babies, conference, education, fertility, basics, attendees, research, paths to parenthood, divorce, frozen embryos

Takeaways

Men Having Babies conferences provide valuable information and resources for those interested in IVF and surrogacy.

There is a need for more education and understanding about fertility and the different paths to building a family.

The emotional challenges of divorce and deciding what to do with frozen embryos can be difficult to navigate.

Open and honest conversations about these topics can help provide support and guidance for others going through similar experiences.

Sound Bites

"There is a need for people to understand the basics."

"The need for people to understand the basics."

"Starting the conversation, whether it is good comments or bad comments, it allows us to listen."

In this episode, the guest shares her experience as a Black transgender woman going through the IVF and surrogacy process in New York City. She discusses the importance of understanding empathy and the challenges faced by minority groups in the United States. She also highlights the disparities in access to healthcare for Black women and the high maternal mortality rates. The guest emphasizes the significance of building relationships and finding a supportive community during the IVF journey. She talks about her criteria for choosing an agency and the obstacles she faced in finding information and support.

Takeaways

Understanding empathy is crucial in supporting minority groups going through the IVF and surrogacy process.

There are disparities in access to healthcare and high maternal mortality rates for Black women.

Building relationships and finding a supportive community is important during the IVF journey.

Choosing an agency that aligns with personal values and provides a sense of affinity can enhance the experience.

Finding information and support can be challenging, but connecting with others who have gone through a similar journey can be invaluable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: A Powerful Story of Identity and Activism

03:16 Chapter 1: Empathy and Activism: Understanding the Challenges Faced by Minority Groups

16:14 Chapter 2: Building Relationships and Finding Support in the IVF Process

28:58 Chapter 4: Overcoming Obstacles: Finding Information and Support

Sound Bites

"A powerful story of identity and activism"

"New York City: A welcoming and diverse environment for the IVF journey"

"The importance of love and family beyond genetics"

Sound Bites

"A powerful story of identity and activism"

"New York City: A welcoming and diverse environment for the IVF journey"

"The importance of love and family beyond genetics"

Summary

Dr. Amy Kaing discusses the basics of IVF and the process of residency and fellowship in the medical field. She explains that IVF involves taking eggs and sperm and developing embryos in a laboratory before transferring them to the uterus. She also explains the concept of ectopic pregnancy and the importance of the uterus for a successful pregnancy. Dr. Kaing emphasizes the importance of early fertility planning and recommends getting an AMH test to assess ovarian reserve. She also discusses the challenges faced by individuals with low ovarian reserve and the options available for preserving fertility. Dr. Kaing touches on the topic of transgender individuals and their fertility planning, as well as the impact of age on the success of egg and sperm freezing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:06 Importance of Early Fertility Planning

14:58 Challenges and Options for Low Ovarian Reserve

23:23 Fertility Planning for Transgender Individuals

Takeaways

IVF involves taking eggs and sperm and developing embryos in a laboratory before transferring them to the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

Early fertility planning is important, and an AMH test can assess ovarian reserve.

Individuals with low ovarian reserve may face challenges in conceiving and may need to consider options like egg donation.

Transgender individuals may need to plan for fertility preservation before starting hormone therapy.

Age is a factor in the success of egg and sperm freezing.

Keywords

IVF, residency, fellowship, basics, ectopic pregnancy, uterus, AMH test, ovarian reserve, fertility planning, low ovarian reserve, preserving fertility, transgender, age, egg freezing, sperm freezing

Sound Bites

"IVF is basically a process of taking eggs and putting it together with sperm in a laboratory setting and developing embryos that we can then grow to a certain stage before we put it back into a uterus."

"Ectopics in general are just pregnancies outside of the uterus where they're meant to grow."

"I'm seeing people in their late 20s, early 30s that are just thinking about their fertility. They aren't actively trying, they're not technically infertile, but they're trying to plan ahead."