The Agora Fertility Journals

Donor Conception and Vasectomy reversal: Julie and Mike

In this episode, Julie and Mike spoke to Natalie, with baby Finley on their lap so you will hear baby noises and we wanted to make sure you were aware, in case it may be a trigger for you.  Julie and Mike talk through their incredible journey of reversing procedures, failed treatment, serious health issues and amazing family members as well as dealing with loss and how they celebrate their family as a whole. Julie had the condition hypogonadism, which meant hormonal stimulation of the ovary wasn't working and once she started to think about having a family her fertility was already starting to decline. Julie was advised to consider egg donation. Mike had also had a vasectomy and therefore had to have a reversal. Julie talks about the amazing conversations she had with her sister who offered to donate her eggs,  however Julie was taken ill with a brain tumour which meant they had to halt all treatment.  Once she recovered they continued with IVF however the treatment was unsuccessful and the couple had to try again, this time they were successful but lost the baby.  Julie and Mike share their grieving process so openly and honestly and it's amazing to hear.  The pair went on to have ultimately have successful treatment, and their son Finley is who you can hear in the podcast.  Visit our website [https://agoraclinic.co.uk/] for more info SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agorafertility/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/agorafertility] Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/AgoraFertility/] You Tube  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KYZw6h59Tvwl5W5N5NgPA] The Fertility Podcast  [https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/]

Same Sex Parenting: Thomas and Jason

In this episode, Thomas and Jason tell us about their surrogacy journey. It’s a whirlwind of emotions between finding an egg donor, a surrogate and learning about their own fertility health! But the best part is all the difficult yet inspiring conversations their route to parenthood has opened up with both their friends and family Thomas and Jason talk about reaching their decision to start a family and how they are looking at surrogacy now and later have plans to adopt.  They explain where they went to find the right information and support from charities to clinics as well as the legal support they sought out.  They explain the fertility tests they both had to have and their surprise when they both discovered they had issues, how they then began their search for an egg donor and the open conversations they have had with their family and friends about their journey so far. Also, they talk about how they’ve managed their expectations, how their family and friends feel about it,  what they have learnt and the issues they have overcome Visit our website [https://agoraclinic.co.uk/] for more info SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agorafertility/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/agorafertility] Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/AgoraFertility/] You Tube  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KYZw6h59Tvwl5W5N5NgPA] The Fertility Podcast  [https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/]

Fertility Preservation: Satch

Satch talked about the hurdles he had to overcome in order to preserve his fertility before transitioning and his experience of treatment and how he feels about having 12 embryos to use with his fiancee Lisa when they are ready to start their family. Satch talked so honestly about the wild femininity of what it is for a man to go through and talked through his experience of fertility preservation treatment and the challenges it presented. From having the examinations to choosing a sperm donor and the triggers along the way.  He spoke about how before he went onto testosterone he had signed up to the Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) and how it is explained to you that before you have testosterone the side effects are explained,  one of them is that you will likely lose fertility.  Therefore made the decision to have the treatment before this stage.  Satch talked about the struggle to find information,  how most transgender health information online isn't reliable, that is is mainly for Cisgender and heteronormative couples with some for gay and lesbian families. He talks about how the forms they were filling in had the wrong pronouns and how that can be very triggering. Satch has been working with The Agora on their paperwork.  Visit our website [https://agoraclinic.co.uk/] for more info SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agorafertility/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/agorafertility] Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/AgoraFertility/] You Tube  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KYZw6h59Tvwl5W5N5NgPA] The Fertility Podcast  [https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/]

Egg Donation: Laura

In this episode we hear from Nurse manager Laura, who coordinates the egg donation programme and explains how she helps patients get their head around using a donor egg if they’ve have failed treatment as well as working with people have always known they will need to use a donor, regarding the waiting list the counselling also about the Agora’s egg sharing programme and who is eligible. Laura explains how you have to be under 36 to share or donate eggs and how there is a 'Sharer guarantee. The donor has to produce a minimum of eight eggs on the day, they only got seven on the day the egg shared would have to keep them, as the law is to protect them You can egg share 3 time and you can change their mind along the way. As an egg sharer - if you’ve had a successful collection, you can be aware to find out what happened with the recipient.. and they can share with you. Laura explains the basic fertility tests  A lot of egg sharers are gay women, who require donor sperm to have a family, so their philosophy is that if nobody helped them, they wouldn't have a family so I’ll help others.  When it comes to egg donation - common questions are the reasons why people do it, how long will it take, egg donation costs. A Heterosexual couple will need semen analysis and initial conversation £300 - £400. If you’re matched to an egg sharer costs are approximately £8000. If it’s a full donor £9000 Recipients are keen to know if egg donor has had children before. There are different laws in certain countries, some the egg donor is completely anonymous. In the UK it is a known donor.  Laura spoke about the support The Agora offer, such as putting potential recipients can be put in touch with people who have already been through it as patients will worry they won't feel the same love towards their child.  Visit our website [https://agoraclinic.co.uk/] for more info SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agorafertility/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/agorafertility] Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/AgoraFertility/] You Tube  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KYZw6h59Tvwl5W5N5NgPA] The Fertility Podcast  [https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/]

The Sonographer: Jane Brooke

In this episode, Natalie speaks to  spoke with Ultrasonographer and expert on psychosexual issues Jane Brooke and we discussed some of the issues and struggles she has to address with her patients regarding examinations and the internal investigations Jane talked through how she works very closely with patients to ensure they are comfortable with the procedures talking through what they will involve and also discussing sedation options.  She talks about the support she offers to everyone she sees, how everyone's problems are individual and how she works with everyone on a case by case basis.  Jane explains how when it comes to transvaginal procedures, there are a lot of things that only come up when people realise what the procedure involves once they are in the clinic and there are other ways to consider - particularly with same-sex and transgender clients and Jane has been doing further research into psychosexual medicine.  Jane also talks about the assumptions we make about women and how they function and how as a Sonographer she explains to her clients that she will work with them to find a way around the problems and explains how she supports people through the actual IVF treatment, as the most important thing at The Agora is that everyone who wants to have a baby, has a chance to.  If you have any questions regarding what has been discussed in this episode please do get in touch with us.  Visit our website [https://agoraclinic.co.uk/] for more info SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agorafertility/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/agorafertility] Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/AgoraFertility/] You Tube  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KYZw6h59Tvwl5W5N5NgPA] The Fertility Podcast  [https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/]