Andrea Mechanick Braverman

Gestational Carrier Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of a gestational carrier program in terms of pregnancy rates in fresh and cryopreserved cycles. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Private IVF program. PATIENT(S) Women with uterine or medical reasons for unsuccessful gestation. INTERVENTION(S) In vitro fertilization of oocytes with fresh or cryopreserved ET to gestational carriers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Pregnancy rates and deliveries. RESULT(S) A PR of 56.3% and a cycle rate of 30.8% was achieved in each patient <40 years of age in 117 cycles of fresh or cryopreserved ET. There were no pregnancies for nine patients >40 years of age in 27 cycles. CONCLUSION(S) Carrier gestation offers a satisfactory solution to childlessness caused by uterine or major medical factors.

Mental health counseling in third-party reproduction in the United States: evaluation, psychoeducation, or ethical gatekeeping?

The role of mental health professionals (MHPs) in third-party reproduction has grown and evolved in service to patient care and the needs of medical infertility practices. The need for mental health evaluation and psychoeducation has increased as the psychosocial considerations for the stakeholders and families created through gamete donation and surrogacy are increasingly understood and considered. The conflicting definitions of these roles of evaluation and psychoeducation often leave MHPs in the role of de facto ethical gatekeepers in third-party reproduction. Both the medical team and the MHP need to clarify their role effectively, for themselves, as well as any intended parent.

Psychosocial Implications of Recurrent Implantation Failure

Infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss after infertility are increasingly recognized as experiences encompassing not only medical but also emotional, cognitive, economic, spiritual, and social realms for patients. Keeping pace with developments in reproductive medicine, psychological research regarding infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss has focused on the associated psychosocial factors and the impact of these factors on treatment and outcomes. This review of the psychological research reveals that the impact of the psychosocial functioning and mental health of infertility patients during all phases of treatment is far-reaching, influencing treatment initiation, dropout rates, treatment compliance, and the pursuit of psychological services and other interventions such as psychotropic medication. Knowledge of these psychosocial factors, along with the provision of psychological screenings and interventions, has the potential to positively impact outcomes for infertility patients, including those experiencing repeated implantation failure or pregnancy loss.

Introduction: Role of mental health professionals in the care of infertile patients

The authors of this Views and Reviews describe the evolution of the role of mental health counseling in infertility care. As the use of assisted reproductive technologies and third-party reproduction has grown, so too has the interest and demand for mental health services. A historical perspective is presented that sets the stage for subsequent discussions of key areas where mental health practitioners are able to contribute to the utility and outcomes of infertile patients as well as those involved in their care. This series of articles stresses the value of more comprehensive integration of mental health support into infertility practice and highlights practical opportunities to do so.

Introduction: Mental health counseling in third party reproduction

Mental health professionals serve an important role in guiding intended parents through a myriad of considerations from donor or surrogate selection to issues of disclosure with children. This role has evolved due to many considerations including evolving practice and ethics guidelines, as well as other factors such as access to the internet. This Views and Reviews will explore how team care, inclusive of the mental health professional, serves the interests of patients and provides a strong foundation for families created with the help of donors and/or surrogates.

Defining, Understanding, and Managing the Complex Psychological Aspects of Third-Party Reproduction

Allusions to third-party reproduction have existed since biblical times when Sarah and Abraham used Hagar as their surrogate to beget Ishmael. Surrogacy has come a long way since then; today it is a global business. Sperm donation has also been used since biblical days and has since evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry. Ovum donation is a relative newcomer to third-party reproduction, but its use has grown quickly since its introduction in the 1980s.

WITHDRAWN: Initiation of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Donor Egg Registry: a report from the Donor Egg Registry Task Force

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

A comparison of oocyte donors and gestational carrier/surrogate attitudes towards third party reproduction.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare levels of satisfaction for ovum donors and gestational carriers/surrogates (GCS), investigate attitudes, and explore beliefs about the role genetics, gestation, and environment play in various characteristics.