Should a wife have to consent for a man to be able to donate sperm?

A British woman is campaigning for the legal right to veto her husband's choice to donate sperm, it has emerged. The unidentified complainant says her partner volunteered samples of his semen to a registered clinic after becoming stressed by the birth of their child, reported MailOnline. Disgruntled, the mother-of-one from Surrey has contacted the Human Fertilisation And Embryology Authority, arguing that women across the UK should be able to deny their spouse's free will on the matter - because sperm is a 'marital asset'. She's wrong. As a men's rights activist and someone whose mother was a counsellor in Liverpool's British Pregnancy Advisory Service, where I spent considerable time as a boy, I value the importance of choice massively. But it cuts both ways. The old maxim of 'my body, my choice' is one that applies to both genders, not just women. Whatever a man chooses to do with his sperm - his lineage, DNA and personification of reproductive liberty - is his decision and his alone, regardless of marital status. And given that a man's permission isn't needed for the termination of a pregnancy, I find this woman's plea particularly offensive. 'What a terrible reason to deny somebody the chance of legitimately fathering children: inconvenience' Yes, he probably had a moral obligation to inform his wife, but he certainly didn't have a legal one - and never should he. After all, a woman should never need a man's approval to donate her eggs, whether she is married to him or not. This man clearly made his decision freely and within the medical world's rigid guidelines. He also never retracted his consent, which is precisely what this issue boils down to. Well, that and spousal control. This woman claims she's concerned about the psychological effect any children fathered by her husband will have on her. She's equally worried that they might 'disrupt' her family life. But what a terrible reason to deny somebody the chance of legitimately fathering children: inconvenience. Personally, I suspect this woman is angry because she cannot trap her partner. Forever, getting pregnant has been a trump card used by some women in the so-called gender war. But suddenly there's a loophole. I'm sorry, this is not a reason to change the law; to compromise a patient's right to confidentiality or to deny infertile couples the opportunity to have a family. Not least because men already suffer from insufficient rights when it comes to paternity. Men are regularly denied access to their children (but forced to financially support them), yet - even when they obtain visitation orders via the courts - they rarely get them enforced. Likewise, look at the scores of men who are victims of paternity fraud. The same men who request DNA testing for a newborn, only to be denied it unless the mother consents. Where is there fairness in that? Last year, in Australia, a man's name was taken off the birth certificate of his daughter - simply because the mother and her female partner wanted to erase any trace of his (crucial) involvement. Stripping men of any more paternal rights would be inhumane. Yes, women face issues over parenthood too - but nobody is trying to marginalise their rights. Personally, I suspect this woman wants to limit her husband's choice for the sake of control, when - really - she should be asking why he suffered post-traumatic stress in the first place. If this woman is successful in changing the law, where would it end? What other body parts could a partner claim to co-own? Could a man stop a woman from becoming a surrogate mother? Could a woman stop a man from having a vasectomy? Either marriage is about ownership or it isn't. Personally, I believe it's about partnership. But I'm not sure she does. She has been quoted several times explaining how this situation affected her, but never her husband. That's a bad sign. Yes, it may have repercussions on her - but she chose to marry him, for better and for worse. I sympathise that his decision may emotionally affect her, but that's life. It doesn't mean we should go changing the law. More importantly, the truth remains the same: a man's body is a man's choice. And I'll throw myself in front of the (future) king's horse if that ever changes. Article: by Peter Lloyd 28th August 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk Comment by Erika - Pride Angel: It is understandable that this lady has her own concerns and fears regarding the unknown possible implications of her husband’s donations. Her fears may reflect her own feeling regarding her husband not wanting more children with his wife, but being prepared to help others. It is also her concern that the donor children may threaten her own family life if they were to make contact in the future. However in reality this may not affect her family’s life or her children’s, if her husband’s donations are explained to her children in a positive and open manner. The HFEA have stated that counseling was offered but cannot always be enforced. The key issue here is that men choosing to donate do need to consider the implications and feelings of their family and that good communication in of paramount importance. However we cannot surely enforce a situation whereby consent from a partner, wife or husband needs to be achieved before donations can be given. It is after all an individual’s choice to give the gift of life.

Pride Angel at this years Manchester Pride

This year’s Manchester Pride was a great success with thousands of people who marched through the streets of Manchester for the annual Pride parade. More than 100 floats made their way through the city centre, setting off from Deansgate at 13:00 BST. Crowds of people waved rainbow flags and Pride Angel flags. The floats travelled through the city and finished on Whitworth Street, just outside the gay village. The parade was part of the Pride Big Weekend, the festival held each year to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life. Events started on Friday and ran until Monday. This year's parade theme was "Queer'd Science" in honour of computer pioneer Alan Turing. The gay codebreaker was convicted of gross indecency in 1952, when homosexual acts were illegal in the UK. He died from cyanide poisoning two years later and it was ruled at his inquest that he had committed suicide. Manchester's Pride festival began in 1990 as a collection of bring-and-buy stalls outside a pub. As well as the parade, the festival now includes a weekend of live music, including this year from Steps, Amelia Lily and Alison Moyet, and a candlelit vigil to remember those who have died after contracting HIV, or are living with the condition. Manchester Pride also included ‘The Lifestyle Expo’ which had another busy and successful year with 50 stalls, covering information on community groups, parenting, health and sports. Erika from Pride Angel said ‘ We were delighted to speak with so many people who came to chat with us over the weekend and it was so lovely to see 5 babies who had been created with the help of Pride Angel. It certainly makes all our hard work worthwhile’. Read more about gay and lesbian parenting options at www.prideangel.com

Manchester Pride Big Weekend 25-27th August 2012

Manchester Pride 2012 will be an out, loud and proud celebration with music, comedy, dancing, theatre – and above all fun. Pride runs from August 17 to August 27 including the Pride Fringe and the Big Weekend, which starts this Friday. It celebrates the city’s thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Thousands of visitors are expected for the Big Weekend, a non-stop party between August 24 and 27. The Gaydar main arena on Bloom Street/Sackville Street will host some of the hottest acts. Confirmed artists include Steps, Amelia Lily, 2 Shoes,Alexander Stewart Bjorn Again, Scarletts Rose, Louise Dearman, Alison Moyet and Cleo Sol. On stage at Sackville Gardens there is a programme of live bands with new talent and more established acts performing throughout the weekend. Between 4pm and 11pm on the Sunday the focus will be on female bands, performers and comedians. One of the highlights of Pride is the Parade on Saturday August 25 from 1pm. More than 100 floats will make their way through the city’s streets providing a carnival of colour and attracting thousands of spectators. It starts on Deansgate opposite the Hilton Hotel and finishes on Whitworth Street, just outside the Gay Village. Details of the full route is here. This year’s theme is ‘Queer’d Science’ to honour the 100th anniversary of codebreaker Alan Turing whose work at Bletchley Park helped crack the Nazi enigma cipher. The gay computer pioneer was prosecuted for gross indecency for having relations with another man in 1952 when it was illegal. He committed suicide two years later. A legal bid to clear his name has been launched in the Lords. The village market will be on throughout the Big Weekend with stalls selling treats including sweets, clothing, jewellery. The Lifestyle Expo will run between 11am and 6pm from Saturday August 25 to Monday, August 27 with information about community groups, health and sports clubs as well as legal advice. Visit Pride Angel at the Lifestyle expo. The pace of the weekend will slow on Monday August 27 at 9.15pm with the George House Trust candlelit vigil to remember those who have lost their lives to HIV and those who are fighting the epidemic worldwide. The vigil, which takes place in Sackville Gardens, closes Pride week. A Pride wristband is needed to get into the Big Weekend site around Canal Street, but not for the Parade or the candlelit vigil. A weekend ticket for the festival is £20 and a day pass £12. Child weekend tickets are £7.50 and day passes, £5. Why not come along to the Lifestyle Expo to chat with Pride Angel about gay and lesbian parenting options. Article: 24th August 2012 www.menmedia.co.uk

Mail on Sunday would like to hear from Children raised in same-sex families

A Features Writer for the Mail on Sunday is looking for anyone who might be able help with a positive feature they are working on for this Sunday’s newspaper. They are looking to speak to young people, aged between six and 30, about their experience of being raised by same-sex parents. (They would also like to speak to one of their parents as well, if possible). The tone of this article would be 100% positive. It is in response to Sir Elton John’s concerns this week that his son Zachary will have a ‘very difficult’ childhood because he is raised by same-sex parents. 'We want our case studies to say why this isn’t the case' said Laura. Ideally, they would love them to talk a little about their childhood and highlight why it was a positive experience and they wouldn’t change it at all. Laura the features writer would be really grateful if you’d get in touch to laura.powell@mailonsunday.co.uk and liz.sanderson@mailonsunday.co.uk. Alternatively, their office line is 020 3615 3239. Many thanks. or if you just want a little more information please contact us at Pride Angel.

The Building Families Show - London April 2013

The Building Families Show 2013 will be bringing together the world’s leading IVF, fertility and surrogacy specialists together under one roof. Here, they will showcase the variety of methods and cutting edge technologies to make surrogacy and gamete donation work for you. Each year Building Families will aim to hold two or more exhibitions around the world, one in Europe then branching out to the United States, Asia and Australia. We will also be holding seminars and workshops throughout each show, with leading industry experts taking pole position providing full and informative talks in their chosen specialist field. Building Families is dedicated to providing its visitors with the highest quality of companies, experts and agencies to showcase their innovative methods which lead to countless successes. Building Families is an exhibition for anybody, whether a couple or individual that wishes to start or extend their family. “With 1 in 6 couples seeking help in trying for a child, infertility has become an epidemic of our generation”. The inaugural exhibition will be held on 6th April 2013, at The Hilton, London Metropole in their largest space, The Monarch Suite. The Building Families Show 2013 has already amassed a great amount of support from many of the clinics, agencies, legal firms and media outlets involved within the industry and the headline sponsors of the show, The British Surrogacy Centre, New England Fertility Institute, California Fertility Partners, Dawson Cornwell and The Reproductive Law Centre are some of the world’s foremost pioneers in their fields. Our seminar programme for the London show has the highest calibre of speakers from around the world, including Barrie Drewitt-Barlow – The British Surrogacy Centre, Dr Gad Lavy – New England Fertility Institute, Dr Susan Treiser – IVF New Jersey and Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE – Dawson Cornwell. They will all be hosting seminars on chosen topics to cover all aspects from immigration, egg & sperm donation, to IVF and fertility treatments. Amongst our growing list of exhibitors are Pride Angel, IVF New Jersey, DuoFertility, The Essex Sperm Bank, A City Law Firm and Natalie Gamble Associates, along with our headline sponsors. Our current media partnerships are with Pride Life magazine, GayTimes and Diva magazines, Pink Parenting and Fertility Road magazines, GayNI magazine, along with Gaydar and Gaydio radio stations. This opportunity is too big to miss out on. You can register online for FREE admission at www.buildingfamilies.co.uk Click on FREE ADMISSION to register to get your free tickets today. If you have any questions or queries regarding the show please contact David Farr – Director of Events on +44 (0)1621 878 658, or via email david@redcowevents.com We look forward to seeing you at what is already being described as the largest show of its kind anywhere in Europe. Article: 22nd August 2012 www.buildingfamilies.co.uk

Daily Mirror looking to speak to co-parenting families

The Daily Mirror's Your Life Section is looking for families with a unique co-parenting set up that would be interested in being interviewed for a feature on this subject. They are looking to run three separate stories which will give an insight into the decision making background to your alternative co-parenting arrangements and also how it works at the moment. The Daily Mail are looking to hear from a variety of different parents, from a woman who decided she wanted to have children but not the relationship, to a dad who prefers to be involved in a lighter way in parent-hood. Their aim is to do a feature that is insightful and informative about modern family arrangements. Any case studies would need to be named and pictured. More more information please contact us at info@prideangel.com

America's fertility rate now lower than the UK and France

America's fertility rate, once the envy of the developed world, has fallen to 1.9, below the "replacement rate" of 2.1 at which a population is said to be stable. That drop, now below France's birth rate, seems to have occurred in conjunction with the recession. "Conservative Americans like to contrast the vigor and virility of their own country with the decadence and decline of Europe," noted the Economist this week. "Demography is exhibit A in their argument. Mitt Romney, for example, talked about Europe's 'demographic disaster' as he ended his presidential bid in 2008, calling it 'the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality.'" The total fertility rate is a key measure of that so-called virility. But in 2011, America's rate fell below not only replacement level, but also some large European countries, including France and England. The Economist says France's rate is stable, while England's is growing a little. The decreased rate occurring in lockstep with the faltering economic likely centers on the fact that, absent ample work and bright fiscal prospects, many migrants are choosing to go back to their native countries. Immigrants typically have somewhat larger families. And young couples are putting off starting families, citing economic factors, according to an article in USA Today. A forecast presented by Demographic Intelligence in July predicted that the birth rate in America will fall to 1.87 this year and 1.86 next year. That's the lowest it has been since 1987, said the Virginia-based company, which provides quarterly birth forecasts to companies that produce products for families, among others. In a written statement reported earlier in the Deseret News, the demographer group noted that the decline is striking and unexpected, given that the children of baby boomers, a large group referred to as the Echo Boom generation, is of child-bearing age, "which should have led to an increase in the overall number of children born each year. But this baby boomlet has so far failed to materialize because today's young adults are concerned about their current employment status and future economic prospects." Article: 17th August www.deseretnews.com Read more about fertility and how to boost your chances of getting pregnant at www.prideangel.com

DuoFertility - Your very own fertility PA

A new fertility product to help you conceive naturally How the DuoFertility programme can help you overcome the fertility challenge and take control of an emotional journey. Lara’s story Lara heard about DuoFertility from her mum, after she read about it in the paper. ‘DuoFertility was just what I needed. I wanted to be reassured that I was actually ovulating and if possible avoid, or even just identify whether I might need fertility treatment. DuoFertility helped us do this effectively and in the shortest amount of time possible so we didn’t delay.’ DuoFertility kept a close eye on Lara’s cycles and the DuoFertility reports gave her the information she was looking for. ‘It was great to see that I was ovulating every month and this really put my mind at rest, especially because I knew age was a big factor in fertility.’ ‘I really liked being able to ring up and speak to someone about my charts too for that extra detail about my cycles. Although I thought I was reading the graphs properly, it was reassuring to talk things through with a fertility advisor to make sure I didn’t come to the wrong conclusions.’ ‘In the end, we didn’t need any treatments because DuoFertility had helped us conceive after only five months into the monitoring programme’ After receiving her kit, Lara quickly found DuoFertility was really simple to use. ‘I do lots of swimming and exercise so at first I was unsure how I would get on with attaching the sensor every day. My bra strap secured the sensor in place and so I felt comfortable wearing it. I soon forgot I was wearing the sensor at all.’ Lara wanted to share her experiences with others to encourage them to consider what DuoFertility can offer. ‘I have talked to colleagues about DuoFertility. They confided in me about their infertility issues after I opened up about my own journey. I knew they could also benefit from the support DuoFertility gave me.’ DuoFertility is an extremely accurate yet simple to use fertility monitoring service. Get the convenience of fertility predictions up to six days in advance of your fertile window, giving you plenty of time to plan ahead. As well as the fertility predictions, the monitor confirms ovulation actually occurred which is that extra reassurance your cycle is working as it should be. From the comfort of your own home, your plug-in device connects to the DuoFertility Centre via your computer. The team of fertility experts will review any unusual patterns in the menstrual cycle in case there are reasons to follow up on testing or treatment with your doctor – which can help avoid any further delays in conceiving. The DuoFertility Money back guarantee Qualifying couples can apply to use DuoFertility on a 12 month programme with the promise of their money back if they don’t manage to conceive naturally The reassuring element to DuoFertility is that all couples can seek advice from the expert team whenever they have questions. This includes being able to ask the team of advisers whether DuoFertility is suitable in exactly your own situation. Find out if DuoFertility is right for you by using the online tool Article: 18th August 2012 www.duofertility.com

DuoFertility - Your very own fertility PA

A new fertility product to help you conceive naturally How the DuoFertility programme can help you overcome the fertility challenge and take control of an emotional journey. Lara’s story Lara heard about DuoFertility from her mum, after she read about it in the paper. ‘DuoFertility was just what I needed. I wanted to be reassured that I was actually ovulating and if possible avoid, or even just identify whether I might need fertility treatment. DuoFertility helped us do this effectively and in the shortest amount of time possible so we didn’t delay.’ DuoFertility kept a close eye on Lara’s cycles and the DuoFertility reports gave her the information she was looking for. ‘It was great to see that I was ovulating every month and this really put my mind at rest, especially because I knew age was a big factor in fertility.’ ‘I really liked being able to ring up and speak to someone about my charts too for that extra detail about my cycles. Although I thought I was reading the graphs properly, it was reassuring to talk things through with a fertility advisor to make sure I didn’t come to the wrong conclusions.’ ‘In the end, we didn’t need any treatments because DuoFertility had helped us conceive after only five months into the monitoring programme’ After receiving her kit, Lara quickly found DuoFertility was really simple to use. ‘I do lots of swimming and exercise so at first I was unsure how I would get on with attaching the sensor every day. My bra strap secured the sensor in place and so I felt comfortable wearing it. I soon forgot I was wearing the sensor at all.’ Lara wanted to share her experiences with others to encourage them to consider what DuoFertility can offer. ‘I have talked to colleagues about DuoFertility. They confided in me about their infertility issues after I opened up about my own journey. I knew they could also benefit from the support DuoFertility gave me.’ DuoFertility is an extremely accurate yet simple to use fertility monitoring service. Get the convenience of fertility predictions up to six days in advance of your fertile window, giving you plenty of time to plan ahead. As well as the fertility predictions, the monitor confirms ovulation actually occurred which is that extra reassurance your cycle is working as it should be. From the comfort of your own home, your plug-in device connects to the DuoFertility Centre via your computer. The team of fertility experts will review any unusual patterns in the menstrual cycle in case there are reasons to follow up on testing or treatment with your doctor – which can help avoid any further delays in conceiving. The DuoFertility Money back guarantee Qualifying couples can apply to use DuoFertility on a 12 month programme with the promise of their money back if they don’t manage to conceive naturally The reassuring element to DuoFertility is that all couples can seek advice from the expert team whenever they have questions. This includes being able to ask the team of advisers whether DuoFertility is suitable in exactly your own situation. Find out if DuoFertility is right for you by using the online tool Article: 18th August 2012 www.duofertility.com

Daily Mail looking to speak to co-parenting families

The Daily Mirror's Your Life Section is looking for families with a unique co-parenting set up that would be interested in being interviewed for a feature on this subject. They are looking to run three separate stories which will give an insight into the decision making background to your alternative co-parenting arrangements and also how it works at the moment. The Daily Mail are looking to hear from a variety of different parents, from a woman who decided she wanted to have children but not the relationship, to a dad who prefers to be involved in a lighter way in parent-hood. Their aim is to do a feature that is insightful and informative about modern family arrangements. Any case studies would need to be named and pictured. More more information please contact us at info@prideangel.com Article: 15th August Pride Angel

Sperm donor or Dad? what is the law regarding known donors?

What happens when you have a baby with a sperm donor who is known to you? An old friend maybe, or a friend of a friend. Sarah Wood-Heath from fertility lawyers Natalie Gamble Associates looks at the recent change in the law and how it could affect you. “So, what do you think? I want a baby and if you’re happy to help that would be great. I don’t want anything from you, no money, involvement... although if we did have a baby I would like him or her to at least know you. I think it’s important for them to know their origins but I certainly would not want you to be part of their life, I will be their mother...” says Linda. Mark replies: “Sure, it sounds great. I’ve known you for so long I would be happy to help. I’m not ready to be a dad and am not even sure that is something I would ever want to be. I certainly don’t want to be known as dad or anything or have any involvement in their life. May be I could just see them a couple of times a year”. And so the stage is set. More often than not known donation arrangements like Mark and Linda’s are entered into with the best of intentions. One party desperate for a baby, the other happy to help as long as there are no strings attached. Assurances are made all round that the mum will not seek financial assistance and the donor will not have substantial involvement . Many known donation arrangements are very successful, particularly where the adults spend a long time considering their wishes and feelings and thrashing out between them what they each expect in terms of a relationship. However,sometimes things do not go so smoothly, and an underlying mismatch of expectations and the arrival of someone so cute and adorable can spell disaster. Suddenly the donor realises that he helped to create this little person and feelings which were entirely unexpected begin to brew. He thinks “Maybe, just maybe, I do want to be dad!’. So arrives Benny. Mark says “He is so cute. I can’t believe I made him and he is mine. When can I see him next? I can pop over tomorrow if that is ok. Don’t forget, when you need a rest I’m here. Maybe he could stay overnight with me on Saturday?” Linda says “Hang on, this isn’t what we agreed. You didn’t want to be a part of his life. I never expected this and it is not the way I wanted to bring Benny up. He will only have limited contact with you so he knows where he came from”. When positions are so far apart how do you unravel the mess? Bitter disputes such as these often end up in the courts where judges have to decide whether there should be contact between Mark and Benny as well as whether it would be in Benny’s best interests to have a full relationship with Mark (including staying the night and going on holiday). Up until now, the courts have been supportive of what everyone agreed before the baby was born and would often make a decision on that basis. However, the Court of Appeal has recently changed things with a landmark decision that a donor father should have a significant relationship with his child even though this was not what everyone had agreed at the outset. The court ruled that one cannot predict the future or account for the fact that there may be a change of feelings. If a donor father decides he wants a relationship with the child, it may not be wrong to stop this just because originally he did not want one. In fact, the relationship could be a good thing for the child. But there are no hard and fast rules to this as each case has its own circumstances and permutations. This is a sad and difficult position for everyone involved - Linda who entered the arrangement on the basis and understanding that she would be the sole carer; Mark who entered into the arrangement unaware that the little bundle of joy would evoke such feelings in him. In this case, the law could come down on the side of the Mark. I for one would not wish for the job of a judge in such disputes, having to weigh in the balance so many conflicting interests, but ultimately the decision is what is in the best interests of the child, not what the adults agreed. So, is Mark a sperm donor or dad? It seems that now, he can change his mind! Article:7th August www.g3mag.co.uk

Canadian sperm donor refused access to 18 month toddler until trial

The potential risk of introducing a Northern Ontario toddler to his genetic father at this point in his life is too major to be ignored, a judge has ruled in turning down a sperm donor’s bid for interim access to the boy, now being raised by his biological mother and her lesbian partner. The decision marks the first round in a key test case of the uncertain law around exchanges of human sperm and egg, as increasing numbers of Canadian children are born by “assisted” reproduction. A full trial is scheduled for this October to consider the man’s demand for paternity rights – and add some clarity to the tangled issue – but Rene deBlois had requested access to the boy pending the final wrap-up of the case. The two women had argued that Tyler Lavigne, who has never met Mr. deBlois, might become confused and insecure if the 22-month-old encountered the donor now, noted Justice Norman Karam of the Ontario Superior Court in Cochrane, Ont. “Despite the child’s young age, it is impossible to know what disclosure of [Mr. deBlois’s] status as his parent might mean,” said the judge. “All circumstances considered, the risk of there being an adverse effect to the child is too great to ignore.” Justice Karam said he considered imposing limitations on the access to deal with those concerns, but decided the restrictions would be virtually impossible to enforce. He said he also found “very convincing” the couple’s argument that by allowing access to the child now, he could inadvertently affect the outcome of the trial, expected to be closely watched by legal analysts, parent groups and others. Selena Kazimierski and Nicole Lavigne say the donor – a former high-school acquaintance of Ms. Lavigne – signed an agreement that he would never contact the baby born in October, 2010, with the help of his artificially inseminated sperm. They fear the family life they have built for their son would be unduly disrupted if he that changed. The donor says he no longer honours the deal, partly because Ms. Lavigne failed to follow through on her verbal commitment to have a baby for him, too. It is common sense to delay creating a relationship between a child and a stranger unless there is a guarantee that the relationship will continue Legal experts say the case offers up a relatively straightforward set of facts, allowing the court to directly tackle a question overhanging many such arrangements. Growing numbers of children are being born in Canada as a result of in-vitro fertilization and other forms of assisted reproduction, often to same-sex couples. When donations are obtained anonymously from sperm banks, and in the few provinces with relevant laws, parenthood is generally uncontested. In situations where couples and single people make arrangements with sperm donors they know, however – especially in provinces that lack such legislation – the rights of the various parties remain largely unresolved. A smattering of mostly lower-court rulings have addressed the question, but most of the cases have had complicating factors, such as a past relationship between the donor and recipient. Lucia Mendonca, Mr. deBlois’s lawyer, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Ms. Lavigne voiced relief at the ruling on interim access, saying it would have been too disruptive for everyone to allow the genetic father and son to meet, when the trial might rule Mr. deBlois has no paternity rights. “It would …. just cause pain on all sides,” she said. “It would be hard on him, if he got attached, and now ‘You’re never going to see him again.’ ” The decision correctly analyzed the law – and applied pure common sense to the situation, said Michelle Flowerday, the Toronto-based fertility and family-law lawyer representing the couple. “It is common sense to delay creating a relationship between a child and a stranger unless there is a guarantee that the relationship will continue,” she said. “There is no guarantee here. We may well succeed at trial.” The judge also said that he would not consider a legal motion by the couple to reverse an earlier decision, made when the women were represented by a different lawyer, to essentially void the sperm-donation contract. It is expected that issue will be considered at the trial, due to start Oct. 21. Justice Karam also rejected a request by Mr. deBlois for an investigation by Ontario’s Office of the Children’s Lawyer – which represents the interests of children in custody disputes – saying such a probe would be “of little value.” Article: 8th August 2012 www.nationalpost.com

Excess body hair in women may be a sign of infertility

Every morning before her husband Bill wakes, Marianne Ponsonby-White leaps out of bed and rushes to the bathroom to scrutinise her face in the mirror. She isn’t looking for spots or wrinkles but for unwanted hairs. ‘Every morning, without fail, at least a dozen thick black hairs have appeared on my cheeks and chin,’ Marianne confides. The 30-year-old sales and marketing manager from Buckinghamshire has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance in which women’s ovaries produce excessive amounts of the male hormone testosterone. This results in the formation of small harmless cysts as well as symptoms such as excessive hair growth (known as hirsutism), baldness, erratic periods, weight gain, acne and fertility problems. The condition, which affects one in ten British women, should not be confused with polycystic ovaries, which merely describes the appearance of small cysts on the ovaries. (Roughly 20 per cent of women have this condition with no effects at all and no problems conceiving.) Women with PCOS have both the cysts and the symptoms caused by excess testosterone. While Marianne is fortunate to have few of the symptoms, she is blighted by excess hair, which she says makes her feel utterly unfeminine. ‘As well as waxing my face every fortnight, I use an epilator on my abdomen,’ she says. ‘If I didn’t, the hair on my face and body, which is thick and very dark, would be grotesque. ‘Bill is sweet and maintains he doesn’t notice a thing, but it’s impossible for him not to see the hair growth. ‘I hate it. I’m fighting what feels like a losing battle against hair sprouting in places no woman should have it.’ The condition can run in families and Marianne believes a great-aunt had it. ‘She didn’t have children, and I remember her whiskery chin very clearly,’ she says. Polycystic ovary syndrome can be devastating to women’s self-esteem, says Rachel Hawkes of Verity, a support group for sufferers. ‘I have had members contemplating suicide because they simply can’t cope any longer with excessive hair or the constant struggle with weight. 'One poor woman has to shave three times a day. She takes her razor to work so she can shave at lunchtime.’ Polycystic ovary syndrome affects around three million women, but some experts say GPs fail to take it seriously and that there should be more help available for sufferers, including counselling. ‘The condition can have serious repercussions in terms of mental health,’ says Professor Helen Mason, an endocrinologist who specialises in PCOS at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London. ‘I have come across women who simply refuse to leave the house.’ Despite its prevalance, there are issues with underdiagnosis. ‘Some GPs are unwilling to diagnose it because they worry that patients will panic about infertility,’ adds Professor Mason. ‘But it is better for women to know that they have PCOS because there are steps they can take to alleviate their symptoms. ‘Lots of women just put up with very irregular cycles, bad skin and excess hair — but missing periods is not normal, and if your cycle hasn’t settled down by about age 16 and you have at least one other symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome you should ask your GP to check for the condition,’ she emphasises. As well as underdiagnosis, lack of help is another problem. Verity says 75 per cent of sufferers are offered no help with hair removal on the NHS. ‘For a woman, growing a beard and moustache is absolutely devastating — this is not a cosmetic condition,’ says Rachel Hawkes. ‘There is almost no NHS-funded treatment for hair removal. ‘It’s wrong that women should either have to pay for treatment themselves or just put up with it.’ Vaniqa, a prescription cream which inhibits hair growth, is available in some areas. But at £57 for 30g, many primary healthcare trusts do not fund it. There is a similar postcode lottery for laser hair removal. Some women are prescribed the contraceptive pill Dianette, which blocks the action of male hormones, to help with hirsutism. ‘But lots of women can’t tolerate Dianette, and many doctors are unwilling to prescribe it long-term,’ says Professor Mason, explaining there are concerns about side-effects such as deep vein thrombosis, though these have not been proven. She says losing weight is the best way to minimise symptoms of PCOS, but patients are often given insufficient dietary advice. ‘Controlling weight is absolutely vital to managing the symptoms of PCOS,’ she explains. This is not only because the condition causes weight gain — and so raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes — but also because being overweight exacerbates the symptoms. Fat cells produce more insulin, which in turn increases the production of male hormones. Although women are born with the condition, many are not diagnosed until they are in their early 20s. This is because lifestyle changes during early adulthood exacerbate the symptoms. ‘In young adulthood, many women leave home. They eat less healthily, do less exercise and they have stopped growing — all factors that can lead to weight gain,’ says Dr Gerard Conway, an endocrinologist at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London. However Marianne, who is a size 14, says losing weight didn’t make any difference to her hirsutism. She first noticed excess facial hair when she was 22. ‘I suddenly started to grow whiskers and a moustache and thick dark hair on my body — it was horrific.’ She put up with the problem for two years before seeking help from her GP. ‘I just kept thinking it would go away,’ she explains. She was referred for an ultrasound scan which confirmed it was due to PCOS. But although she now knew what was causing her excessive hair growth, Marianne didn’t get any help or advice, and was left to research the condition herself. She was also shocked to discover that many women with the syndrome have problems conceiving. About 40 per cent of women with PCOS will experience fertility problems. Raised testosterone levels mean that sufferers ovulate very irregularly, and so find it harder to get pregnant naturally. Marianne was fortunate. She conceived her daughter Beatrice naturally five years ago at the age of 25, and is now eight months pregnant with her second child. ‘I am very lucky,’ she says. Around a quarter of women with PCOS will need assistance with conception, but experts say weight loss will often help sufferers to become pregnant. Anna Thorpe, 30, a teacher from Preston, believes losing weight helped her to ovulate normally. ‘Because I have PCOS, I only had a period about once every 18 months,’ she says. ‘My partner Steven and I want to start a family. At 13st, I was advised to lose weight to try to kickstart my ovaries into action.’ Over the past year she has lost 2st — and for the first time ever she is having regular periods. ‘Having a baby finally feels like a real possibility,’ she says happily. If losing weight does not help, women may be prescribed Clomid to stimulate ovulation. Marianne says that, for her, one of the worst things about having to live with PCOS is fear of the unknown. ‘At the moment, I don’t have to contend with acne or baldness, but I can’t help wondering if that’s what’s in store for me in the future.’ The best thing a woman can do, Professor Mason says, is maintain a healthy weight. ‘It is key to managing the condition,’ she stresses. For more information about PCOS visit www.verity-pcos.org.uk Read more about infertility. Article: 7th August 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk

Adoption of babies in UK down by 20 per cent in the last year

The number of babies being adopted in Britain has plunged by 20 per cent in the last year, Government figures have shown. Only 76 children under one were permanently taken on by UK families in 2011, down from 95 in 2010. David Cameron is trying to speed up the process because many children are stuck in care for long periods from birth, despite prospective parents being desperate to adopt them. At the moment people have to wait on average two and a half years to have their application processed but the Prime Minister wants this down to three months. Adoptions also increased in Scotland between 2010 and 2011 by 6 per cent, from 466 in 2010 to 494 in 2011. Mission: David Cameron has said he is determined to speed up the adoption process, which currently takes more than two years In a reverse of last year’s figures, 49 per cent of children adopted in 2011 were male and 51 per cent were female. Since 1998, the number of male and female adoptions has been fairly even, the ONS said. Nearly two-thirds - 62 per cent - of children adopted in Britain last year were aged between one and four. The proportion of adopted children aged one to four has steadily increased since 1998. Last year’s figure is almost double the proportion in 1998. Meanwhile, the proportions of adoptions of other age groups has decreased. For children aged between five and nine, the proportion has decreased from more than a third in 1998 to just under a quarter in 2011. The percentage of children between 10 and 14 being adopted has more than halved from over one in five in 1998 to one in 10 in 2011. The percentage of adopted children aged 15 to 17 has decreased to 2 per cent, from 5 per cent in 1998. Under Mr Cameron's plans youngsters will be able to move in with their possible future permanent families before lengthy legal procedures are finalised, the Prime Minister said last month. He hopes the Fostering For Adoption scheme will give children a better start in life by ensuring they have a stable home as quickly as possible. Under the plans, men and women who have been cleared as adopters can become a child’s foster parent until they are legally allowed to adopt them. Now, local authorities generally wait until court orders are made before beginning their search for a permanent home. The move will not pre-empt any legal ruling, meaning the youngsters could be returned to their birth parents or other carers. But the Government hopes it will mean the interests of the children are put first. Article: 7th August 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk

Liverpool Pride 2012 attracted thousands of visitors

LIVERPOOL PRIDE saw a record crowd of more than 50,000 people bring the city to life in a rainbow of colour. The huge crowds – including Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard and wife Alex Curran – converged on the Pier Head and the city’s Gay Quarter. Despite teeming rain more than 6,000 people took to the streets for the annual Pride March, which snaked from St George’s Plateau to Mann Island in a tide of colour, music and celebration Led by Wallasey MP Angela Eagle, the Pride patron, the march also featured representatives from both Liverpool and Everton clubs. Revellers were treated to a day of live music, with stand-out performances from Crosby X Factor star Marcus Collins and ex-Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon. Festival spokesman John Bridge said the day was “a resounding success”. He told the ECHO: “We increased our visitor numbers by something like 15,000 on last year and every single one of those people will have had an amazing time. Everyone was really thrilled by it. “For a young festival, and a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) festival, to grow so much in three years is incredible. “We are quite overwhelmed with the response we have had from across Liverpool – not just the LGBT community, but from families and the straight community who turned out in their droves to support us. “It shows Liverpool as the forward-thinking, tolerant and vibrant city it is.” The festival, now the UK’s biggest free pride event outside of London, themed the celebrations ‘Nautical but Nice’ – commemorating 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic. Article: 5th August 2012 www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Calendar date - Insem 6:30pm

We’d had it pencilled in the diary for three months. Our first insemination. In fact we hadn’t pencilled it in at all: there was just an ominous unmarked weekend on the calendar; a question mark by Days 11 and 13 on my chart; a pair of affectionate parentheses in my diary, embracing nothing. There’s an element of trying to be discreet – when I jot down the time of my next dental appointment, I don’t want Brenda on the surgery reception to glance across and see…well, what? What would you write? “Man we met on internet coming to masturbate into cup 6.30pm”. Clearly that’s far too convoluted, but the five-syllable “Insemination” doesn’t seem much shorter – “Insem 6.30pm perhaps? At least its obscurity would tick the box for discretion – it sounds like a business meeting with a software company. It was fortunate I’d been at work during the designated day. Despite occasional surges of excited panic, my mind had been distracted from the evening ahead. My partner, however, had been at home, which was useful in the sense that she was able to review the instructions and put together a checklist, scatter a few candles about in our bedroom for ambience, and place a specimen cup in the spare room (with a bottle of water and a tube of Smarties as light refreshments). Meanwhile without the distraction of work, her brain had been free to muse on our plans. “What are we doing?!” she asked, on my return from work and I felt the bile of panic rise. There were two things going on here: 1. We return to that ‘man we met on Internet coming to masturbate into cup 6.30pm’, but with the added entry of ‘Insert product of said masturbation into me.’ 2. To continue in diary entry style, ‘Sacrifice next 20 years of life to child/ren At that moment, an hour before our donor was due to arrive, it all felt so rushed. It felt like we had just decided on a whim, to have a baby, and having recently read that your nine months start from the first day of your last period, I realised that I was feasibly already two weeks pregnant, and we hadn’t even done it yet. I had to remind myself that we’d talked about this. For, ominously, nine months, we’d talked about this. We had to rely on the fact that whatever panic we felt in this moment, we’d made a careful, considered decision. The familiarity of the sound of the doorbell was strangely comforting, amid the chaos of my mind and the impending awkwardness of “when he arrives”. Unfamiliar with the etiquette of receiving a sperm donor, since we’re English, we resorted to the offer of a cup of tea, which, to our relief, was gratefully accepted. Thence an hour of polite conversation before he suggested perhaps it was time he got on with it. Meanwhile, leaving him in privacy upstairs, the two of us headed down to the kitchen and nervously completed a week’s worth of housework in about fifteen minutes (‘nesting ‘, I’ve decided, is actually just a fevered release of nervous energy encountered by expectant parents). Anyway, just as we got the iron board folded back up, he popped his head round the door and was ready to get off home; we all knew it was advisable not to leave the stuff lying around cooling down for long. My partner put the sample bottle down her bra for warmth while I prepared to be bedbound for an hour or two, by gathering personal possessions like someone about to be deposited on a desert island for ten years. I arranged myself on the bed, with my hips propped up on a pile of pillows in a position which I very much doubt is listed in the Kama Sutra, and my partner used my tummy as a handy table for her list of instructions. I closed my eyes and waited to feel the squirt of the syringe, but when it happened, I felt nothing. I opened my eyes and we smiled at each other in nervous collusion. After twenty minutes lying on my back, I rolled over and did five minutes on each side, and then on my front, like an obedient sausage turning itself on the grill. Then, nicely browned on all sides, I watched as my partner snuffed out the candles and, exhausted, we settled down to sleep. Somewhere very nearby, a million or so little beings had just woken up and were starting to have a look around… Article: 3rd August 2012 by Lindsey, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom To read more personal experiences click here.

New IVF proposals for same sex couples and women up to 42 years

Same-sex couples and women aged up to 42 may soon be eligible for IVF treatment, according to new draft guidelines published today. The proposals were issued by the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and featured prominently in the news, although they also include a range of recommendations not covered by the media. NICE last issued full guidelines on IVF in 2004, but since then there have been advances in the drugs and techniques available. To take these changes and recent evidence into account, NICE has drawn up new extensive guidelines on everything from who should get IVF to the individual drugs that should be used. The provisional recommendations include raising the upper age limit for IVF from 39 to 42 for some women and offering fertility treatments to same-sex couples, people whose disability prevents them having sex and people whose fertility might be damaged by cancer treatment. Despite the tone of some newspaper coverage, the guidelines are currently at a provisional “consultation stage” where outside parties can voice their views on what should be included. The recommendations are not final, and could change significantly before they are officially published later this year. Have the guidelines changed? NICE is the body responsible for setting out the guidance and standards for treating specific diseases and conditions within the NHS in England and Wales. NICE last published full guidance on IVF in 2004, and since then there have been advances in research and fertility treatments, which means there is now a better understanding of different fertility techniques. Further to these developments, NICE has begun updating its guidance on IVF and has released a draft version proposing new recommendations on the way infertility is assessed and treated. The draft update includes several new recommendations. It is important to note that the recommendations in the draft guidance are only provisional, and that these may change following consultation with various organisations and experts in the field, including medical bodies and charities. The final guidelines are set for publication around the end of 2012. What do the new proposals say? The updated draft guidelines released today for public consultation include the following key suggested changes: - extending the upper age limit of women who can receive one cycle of IVF to 42 years old - increasing the number of embryos implanted into the womb during a cycle of IVF - excluding oral ovarian stimulation agents that have previously been recommended - making new groups of the population eligible to receive fertility treatment The draft proposals suggest making IVF available to: - people who are unable to have sexual intercourse (such as those with a physical disability) - people preparing for cancer treatment who may wish to preserve their fertility (some cancer treatments damage fertility) - same-sex couples - people carrying an infectious disease, such as hepatitis B or HIV Under the draft guidelines, some of these groups would be granted access to IVF under slightly different criteria from “conventional infertility treatment”, as their circumstances may warrant modified approaches. For example, the regular eligibility criteria normally applied to freezing eggs would no longer apply when trying to preserve the fertility of women awaiting cancer treatment. When discussing the guidelines, Dr Gill Leng, deputy chief executive at NICE, said: “Infertility is a medical condition that can cause significant distress for those trying to have a baby. This distress can have a real impact on people's lives, potentially leading to depression and the breakdown of relationships. “The aim of these new and updated recommendations is to ensure that everyone who has problems with fertility has access to the best levels of help,” Dr Leng added. Who is currently eligible for IVF? The current 2004 NICE guidelines recommend that three stimulated cycles of IVF treatment should be offered to couples with identified fertility problems or infertility for at least three years if the female partner is aged between 23 and 39 years old. What happens next? The draft NICE clinical practice guideline on fertility will now undergo a period of external consultation until July 2012. Relevant interested parties and experts in the field are invited to make comments on the guidelines if they feel there are elements that may need reviewing or altering. When published, the update will replace some, but not all, of the original guideline. The guideline is likely to be finalised towards the end of 2012 and, until final publication of the updated guidelines, NHS bodies should continue to follow the recommendations set in the current 2004 guidelines Article: 1st August 2012 www.eastlothiannews.co.uk