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Endometriosis and Acupunture

by jacqui on April 1, 2011

In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, my friend and well respected industry colleague has written two perspectives on endometriosis.  First is the Western medical point of view and second is an Eastern medical point of view.  I share with my readers these differences as they are very educational and of course helpful in the decision making process.
A Western Medical Perspective
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body. The endometrium is the innermost lining of the uterus and it contains endometrial cells. Endometriosis tissue growth can be referred to as implants and/or lesions.  The lesions typically occur in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. These lesions can also be found in casearin-section scars and laparoscopy scars. However, the implants can occur in other areas of the body, too-although this is rare. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years (between menarche and menopause).
Every month during a menstrual cycle, a woman’s ovaries produce hormones that stimulate the cells of the endometrium to multiply and prepare for a fertilized egg. The lining swells and becomes thicker. If the endometrial cells grow outside the uterus, endometriosis is the result. There are many cells normally found in the uterus that are shed during menstruation. Although, the ones outside the uterus (these endometrial cells) stay in place. They sometimes bleed, but then they heal and are stimulated again during the next cycle. This continual process from month to month may lead to symptoms of endometriosis and can cause scarring on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding structures in the pelvis. The endometrial implants are sensitive to estrogen so the monthly fluctuations of estrogen that occur with every monthly menses lends to more endometriosis symptoms.
Although the cause of endometriosis is unknown, there are a number of theories. One theory is called retrograde menstruation. This is when the endometrial cells that become loose during menstruation may “back up” through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis. After they have traveled into the pelvic area, the cells implant and grow in the pelvic or abdominal cavities. Although the retrograde flow happens in a large percentage of women who do not have endometriosis. So it is thought that endometriosis may also be associated with an immune system abnormality.
Research does show that first-degree relatives of women who have endometriosis are more likely to develop it as well. A few other theories that are thought to possibly be a cause of endometriosis are lymphatic and vascular distribution, metaplasia, immune system disorder, and environmental influences. Environmental toxins such as PCBs and dioxin have been mentioned as possible causes linked to the symptoms.
The most common symptom for women with endometriosis is pelvic pain, also referred to as dysmenorrhea. The pain usually correlates with the menstrual cycle but it can occur anytime throughout the month. The pain can occur during ovulation, with bowel movements, during or after sexual intercourse, and in the low back. Sometime the symptoms are so severe and become debilitating for many women. Other symptoms include constipation and diarrhea, bloating, irregular bleeding, and fatigue. On the other end of the spectrum, for some women, there are no symptoms at all. Their diagnosis of endometriosis only occurs when infertility testing or other testing may come about. Infertility is one of the more common symptoms among women with endometriosis.
Research shows that 5-10% of all women have endometriosis, although most of these women are not infertile. It also shows that 30-40% of infertile women have endometriosis. Since endometriosis may implant on the fallopian tubes and ovaries, it can prevent pregnancy. The implants may block the tubes or the ovaries may contain endometrial cysts that may adhere to the uterus-all of these symptoms may lead to infertility.
Several tests are used to diagnose endometriosis. They include pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, and laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is the definitive test in which a biopsy of the tissue is taken as well. A thorough discussion of a woman’s medical history and symptoms can also conclude to an endometriosis diagnosis.
Treatment for endometriosis depends on each individual’s symptoms, age, and fertility wishes.
To treat the pain, analgesics and mild narcotics may be prescribed. Since endometriosis is thought to be exacerbated by estrogen, hormone therapy is an option-such as the birth control pill and danazol. Other treatments include laparoscopic surgery, hysterectomy, nutritional therapies, and specific exercises.
A Traditional Chinese Medical Perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an umbrella of many therapies and modalities. Acupuncture being the most commonly known treatment. TCM also includes Chinese herbology, tui na, cupping, moxibustion, and qi gong. Along with these TCM therapies, meditation is woven into treatments-as it serves well to treat the mind, body, spirit. TCM is a holistic therapy that treats the symptom and its’ causes. It is the root and branch of an illness that is treated-the “root” is the cause and the “branch” is the symptom. TCM theory states that when there is an imbalance of qi, “life energy”, along the meridians of the body, then there is disease. Acupuncture and the like therapies encourage harmonious flow of the qi throughout the body, which eliminates the symptoms and brings about health.
A traditional Chinese medical diagnosis is made by determining a characteristic pattern from symptoms presented by the patient along with pulse and tongue diagnosis. The named TCM patterns of endometriosis symptoms are categorized the same according to symptom differentiation of Western diagnosis. For example in TCM terms, pelvic pain can be referred to as “painful periods”. In TCM, the primary pattern that causes endometriosis is blood stasis. Blood stasis can be brought about by emotional disturbance, chronic illness, exposure to cold temperatures, surgery, and genital infections. When the pattern of disease is blood stasis, the treatment is to invigorate blood and remove the stasis. By using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs there is an increase of circulation, which will eliminate the blood stasis. These two modalities encourage the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the body to bring about a balance of health. Blood stasis can occur in a variety of patterns causing a myriad of symptoms-one of the primary ones being pain. Rather it is pain associated with endometriosis, headaches, back pain-the actual stagnation of blood is what causes the pain and discomfort in the body. Acupuncture is known to successfully treat pain caused by many different sources and reasons. Other patterns that may lead to endometriosis are phlegm-damp, blood deficiency, qi stagnation, and qi deficiency. These different patterns can be caused by many internal and external factors. For example, along with other dysfunctions, phlegm-damp can be a result of consuming too much dairy-especially from ice cream. This may result in stagnation of the energy and blood in the pelvic area causing abdominal cramping and low back discomfort. All of these patterns can lead to painful endometriosis symptoms. A study conducted by Lorno and Burani presents the positive effects of acupuncture to decrease dysmenorrhea in patients whose symptoms were resistant to traditional treatment with NSAIDs (1). This study describes how acupuncture can decrease the pain in intensity and the duration of how long the pain occurred for the participants.
Along with acupuncture and herbs, Chinese nutritional recommendations, yoga, and meditation are strongly recommended. Food choices are an important element in controlling endometriosis. Chinese nutritional perspective looks at the yin and yang of a food and how it affects the yin and yang of our bodies. This perspective addresses the hot and cold properties of foods and how they are digested by the body. Poor digestion can easily lead to a slow circulation throughout the body-including the circulation to the reproductive system and its’ organs. A low-fat, high-fiber, dairy-free diet is recommended, along with the addition of certain foods such as daikon radish and kelp. Gentle and nourishing exercises and breathing techniques practiced through yoga have calming affects on endometriosis symptoms. Yoga incorporates deep breathing and stretching that can decrease pelvic pain and also enhance deep sleep. Meditation has been shown to have dramatic physiological affects that restore balance and peace through the mind, body, and spirit. Meditation is a relaxation technique that calms the mind, allowing all bodily processes to slow down and work more efficiently. The relaxation brought on through meditation can move through the entire mind, body, spirit allowing the nourishing energy to flow in a harmonious course. A study conducted by Meissner, Bohling, and Schweizer-Arau (2) demonstrates the positive affects of acupuncture and hypnotherapy on severe endometriosis. This research concluded a decrease in the painful symptoms along with increased birth rates from the research participants.
Research cited:
(1)Lorno, V; Burani, R; Bianchini, B; Minelli, E; Martinelli, F; Ciatto, S. (2008); Acupuncture Treatment of Dysmenorrhea Resistant to Conventional Medical Treatment;
Evidence-based Complementary Medicine (Online) 5(2), p.227-230 Retrieved 2008 June,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396472/?tool=pubmed
(2) Meissnera, K; Barbara, B; Schweizer-Arauc, A (2010); Long-Term Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hypnotherapy in Patients with Severe Endometriosis-a Retrospective Evaluation; Forsch Komplementmed (Online) 17(6), p.314-20 Retrieved 2010 Dec 9,
http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?DOI=000322890&typ=pdf
Caroline Jung, MSOM, Dipl. Ac

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The Baby Shower

by jacqui on April 1, 2011

I was so touched by the following letter I received from a new found friend struggling with infertility.  I felt compelled to share this very hopeful and thoughtful message.  Donna, thank you for allowing me to share with so many in your situation.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me”  – Psalm 23: 4
If you don’t know how baby showers and the valley of death go together you have not been dealing with infertility for very long.  When I first heard the diagnosis of infertility it was quickly followed by an optimistic treatment plan by a well-regarded physician and so I thought this would be taken care of with the same medical precision and success as my other medical conditions had been.  Now almost 4 years later I realize that this is a journey and I need to set my perspective and thinking a bit differently that I had originally anticipated.  Therein lies the walk through the valley of death.  I have known no greater sadness, no greater depth of despair than I have experiencing this inability to conceive and carry a child, to create a family through my body from the love of my husband and God.  Despite overcoming inflammatory disease, transplantation and divorce, nothing until this walk through this valley caused me to fear the death of my dreams, my joy, and myself.  This has been by far the roughest terrain.
Reading, truly reading, this passage from the 23rd Psalm (the one everyone knows and often recites without thinking), made me realize a few things that have brightened my outlook, and I hope they brighten yours if you are behind me a few steps on the path:

• 1.This is a “walk through” not a “stuck in” the valley.  There was a peak before and there will assuredly be a peak after. Something great lies on the other side if we keep walking.
• 2.It is only the “shadow of death”, not real death.  Only a pale imitation.  Wiping the tears from my eyes I can see that I have much in my life for which to be thankful – my wonderful husband, my health otherwise ( just hiked 4 miles in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona), great friends, loving family. No death here.
• 3.Furthermore, for there to be a shadow at all, there must be a light source.  I remembered that from physics class.  That brings me to the “Thou art with me” part.  God is with me.  If you are not religious believe that there is something bigger than you and I, a universal source of power, goodness, and light who bends to comfort us.

So actually, when you think about it, we are just taking a walk with a friend. That’s not something to be sad about.  And it is with that revelation that I was able to greet the news that one of my friends had gotten happily pregnant by accident and was having a baby shower, with excitement and generosity rather than resentment, anger, or disappointment.  Not only that, I helped host the shower and had a fabulous weekend laughing with the other women hosting (big slumber party), oohing over baby gifts, and enjoying the brief escape from January temperatures in the northeast.
And so I walk with my friend, fearing no evil, and finding little things to enjoy along the way. If it seems extra hard some times that must mean I am almost to the top. Who knows what is around the bend.

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Honoring the Promise

by jacqui on November 16, 2010

October is breast cancer awareness month.  A topic I am very passionate about.  With 1 in every 8 diagnosed it is no surprise that I personally know too many friends, colleagues, clients and even my own mother who have endured this devastating diagnosis.

This past weekend, I had the distinct privilege of being a sponsor at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Awards which was held at the beautiful Kennedy Center in Washington DC.  The production was flawlessly produced by my previous client and now very dear friend, Joy Zucker-Tiemann.  This past summer Joy offered me a ticket to the show and I respectfully declined her kind offer and said, “Heck no, such an important cause, I need to be a sponsor!”

With behind the scenes access, Saturday day and evening at the Komen event was truly humbling.  I met so many wonderful and very talented fund raisers, committed scientists working to end breast cancer and thousands of dedicated volunteers all to raise awareness and education for early detection and the need for more research.  I met celebrities, Olivia Newton John, Lynda Carter, Cynthia Nixon and Stephanie Mills to name just a few.  I heard the stories of global leaders like Ida Odinga, a dynamic woman who empowers Kenyan women to have a voice.  I saw Laura Bush receive a well deserved lifetime achievement award for launching groundbreaking educational and healthcare programs for women in more than 75 countries globally.  The celebrity voices of Ricardo Chavira, Jennifer Griffin and Andrea Mitchell rang loudly to emphasize that we will not stop until breast cancer is curable.  The sheer scope of commitments, efforts, talents and hope was endless.

But for me the highlight of the weekend was meeting Robin Roberts.  Robin’s poise, compassion and graceful demeanor made her the most eloquent voice in the house.  As Master of Ceremonies, Robin was truly a master!

Robin had been my idol for many years.  Even before she she earned her stripes as a breast cancer survivor, Robin always symbolized for me devotion, hard work, commitment and integrity.  I learned this about Robin while reading her book “From the Heart: Eight Rules to Live By” which speaks directly to her special character.  Her goals, dreams and commitment to self are clearly identified in her candid writing.

As a true leader, Robin led the audience through a very emotional, informative yet hopeful two hour award ceremony.  Robin spoke “from the heart” about her own battle with triple negative breast cancer and how support from Susan G. Komen organization, colleagues, close friends, and strong family helped her to endure her journey through cancer treatment.  Robin’s eloquent plea for advocacy, raising awareness, offering education about early detection and the importance of raising additional funds for more research resonated loud and clear nationally.  Compelling videos clips of cancer survivors emphasized these topics and solidified Robin’s powerful message.  Robin had always been my idol, but after this weekend she is not only my idol but also my hero.

The memory of the weekend would not be complete with out accolades for the lady whose vision became a reality, Nancy Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  Since 1983, Nancy had created the largest organization for education and fundraising for cancer victims.  This organization has helped millions of women and their families to identify valuable resources  before during and after diagnosis.  Nancy too is a pillar of strength and has made it her primary mission to put cancer at the top of the World Health Organization’s agenda.

I too had an opportunity to share my small part in raising awareness with Barbara Harrison on NBC.  In a short segment I believe that together we were able to disseminate valuable information on advocacy and fertility preservation options for those facing any dreaded cancer diagnosis.

It was definitely an action packed weekend and I am so blessed to have played even a small part of to help promote the cause.  Thank you Joy for your friendship, the sisterhood that has bonded between us, the many opportunities you gave to me including sharing a special morning with your beautiful daughter Jade!

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Using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to Achieve a Family: An Industry Insider’s Tips on Managing Your Treatment

by Mindy on November 10, 2010

Fourteen years ago, I was confronted with my own infertility struggles: after having a successful first pregnancy, my husband and I were not able to get pregnant a second time and I was eventually diagnosed with unknown secondary infertility. Over several years’ time, I went through numerous insemination cycles and several in vitro fertilization cycles before becoming pregnant with twin boys. Treatment was difficult, both physically and emotionally and at times strained what was, until then, a very happy union.

Going through all this instilled in me a desire to help others through their own infertility cycles, and eventually lead me to start my own company, Lotus Blossom Consulting. What I present in this article are the lessons I learned not only from my own treatment, but also the sum of over fourteen years’ experience working in the industry and walking with others through their cycles.

I hope that this toolbox of ideas and pointers helps you as much as it does all my other clients.

ART is a full time job

For many who have not gone through infertility treatment, or who may have just started, they might wonder why there is so much fuss about injections and cycles, and treatment. We quickly realize that it is not just the stress of not being able to have your own child; assisted reproductive technology, in all its glory, is extremely hard to undergo financially, emotionally and physically.

Infertility cycles using ART require a strict and sometimes painful treatment regimen, involving heavy dosages of injectable medications, needles, policies about when to have sex, and frequent trips to the physician. Women may need several days off over the course of treatment for recovery. On top of it all, ART is not cheap, and if you are lucky, insurance might cover some of the cost. Finally, significant gaps of time pass with no results. There is a lot of “wait and see” in an ART cycle.

For many, such a strain on time, body and budget inevitably impacts their professional and personal relationships. Will you be able to get time off without having the entire office know? Do you tell your family? Will they be supportive? How long will it take to get pregnant? Can you afford more than one cycle? These issues along with a host of others create stress even in good situations. Managing all of these physical, emotional and financial arms is what makes an ART cycle another full time job. What this leads to is extreme stress, and it is clear that people make bad decisions under duress. My system encourages you to think about the whole picture and lay a foundation before treatment, so that decisions you make, at the time you make them, are the ones in hindsight you are glad you made.

7 effective strategies to maximize your opportunity

I have seven points that I go through with all of my clients when I first meet with them. This helps us clarify goals, examine differences of opinion and determine answers to “if, then” scenarios. This is the foundation of the family building plan. Talking through these points alleviates some of the stress that can crop up later, and allows you to move forward more quickly and confidently when treatment does not go as planned.

Enlist a team approach including multi disciplinary professionals to address specific needs
“Enlisting a team approach” means relying on the professionals available to you for their area of expertise. What I often see are people who look to their physician or nurses for emotional support and counseling as well as legal and financial advice. As wonderful and caring as these people are, oftentimes they are unable to fulfill this role. Not only is this not their function, but they simply do not have the time to be the emotional ballast for all of their patients. People become unhappy with their doctor when there is no fault to blame. The solution is to rely on them for their subject matter expertise and use your friends, family and a therapist for emotional support. Use your legal counsel for your contracts in a third party cycle, and your accountant or financial planner for help planning costs.

Establish a foundation of financial resources

Speaking of financial planners, the second step I review with clients is making sure that at the outset, they have enough funds set aside not only to pay for one treatment cycle, but to cover all potential costs involved with two cycles. It is a very real possibility, especially depending upon your diagnosis, that the first cycle might not be successful. Balancing hope with caution is an essential element to staying positive and clear when treatment does not go as planned, and having the financial resources available to move immediately to the next step if necessary takes some strain out of the situation.

Define the end family building goal

Understanding how big you want your family to be drives early decisions, particularly financial planning. Additionally, this impacts how you might use your insurance benefits and how you handle third party cycles.

Set financial parameters and timeframes to help guide you through treatment options and establish indicators to know when to change the course of treatment

Establishing financial parameters and timeframes means discussing the common “if, then” scenarios encountered with ART as well as your own personal situation. It involves taking an honest look at your diagnosis and realistic outcomes in terms of your family’s financial plan. Although this is difficult, it is easier to do when you, your partner and physician are not already invested in one, two, or however many cycles down the road; it is easier now than when you are already tapped out financially and have used up all of your insurance benefits. Having the discussion as part of the foundation building component of your treatment allows for an optimal decision. You avoid having the decision tainted by any other undue stress.

Analyze each chance of success in conjunction with the financial outlay. Enlist an independent unbiased perspective to help you since judgment is often clouded by intense emotions.

As I mentioned just a moment ago, part of setting parameters and timeframes is taking an honest look at your diagnosis and the average success rate given your situation. Use an infertility consultant or other professional whose opinion you value to help guide you and your partner through this process.

Communicate often and openly with your partner to identify and address each others’ concerns. Work together to be effective team leaders.

We hear this often enough to know that this is a fundamental truth to any good relationship. Easier said than done, right? If you find it hard to communicate with your partner, enlist a professional to help you with this. Infertility treatment is well known to cause stress and strain even in a good, solid partnership. Break the ice; bring up the issue- do what you need to keep the relationship healthy through the stress.

Make informed medical decisions and be confident in your decisions as you work to achieve results.

In order to be confident with your decisions and secure in your plan, you need to make informed medical decisions. Knowing at the highest point of stress, or when the worst “what if” scenario becomes a reality, that you made your decisions in good stead with open and honest communication with your partner and your team gives a great sense of comfort and eases the pain.

Making an informed decision involves educating yourself about your diagnosis and the available treatment options for your condition. It means realistically analyzing the chance of success for each treatment option in light of your financial situation. Do not be afraid to ask your physicians all the questions you have, and seek a second opinion if you feel you need to. Additionally, do your insurance homework to ensure that you maximize all your lifetime benefits. Call your provider more than once if need be and send a letter to them requesting your benefits in writing.

Also, plan for multiple cycles and if you are using a third party, identify the best possible resources for donors or surrogates. Identifying a candidate that closely meets your criteria affords a confidence level for the cycle, and with resources available nationwide there is no need to settle for a candidate.

ART does not have to be overwhelming. ART can be challenging, sometimes scary, often exciting and always very powerful. Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek help. The rewards you reap as a result of your effort and hard work building the foundation for your cycle will be well worth the time and effort devoted to the journey.

About Mindy Berkson and Lotus Blossom Consulting

As one of the first infertility consultancies in the United States, Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC was founded by Mindy Berkson in 2005. With more than a decade of experience at physician’s offices, and egg donor and surrogacy agencies, Berkson assists individuals working through the often-challenging roadblocks of infertility, by providing the best information and resources available to them from around the world – all in one location.

Lotus Blossom Consulting works with individuals on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration clients’ emotional, physical and financial infertility issues and then develops an individualized, comprehensive plan, to help clients make informed decisions and pull together a team of unbiased professionals to accomplish a treatment cycle. Mindy is a sought-after infertility expert and has appeared on countless media programs and speaker panels educating audiences on the topic of infertility, egg banking and surrogacy. For more information about Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC, call toll free (877) 881-2685, email mindy@lotusblossomconsulting.com or visit the web at www.lotusblossomconsulting.com or www.infertilityconsultant.com.

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Building the Foundation for Surrogacy Brick by Brick

by Mindy on November 10, 2010

With so many moving parts to surrogacy it is no wonder the process can be overwhelming. Learning to be your own best advocate, effectively planning financially, physically and financially help you maximize your chances of success and minimize your financial expenditure.

The first step in building the foundation is preparing to pay for treatment and the ancillary costs associated with surrogacy. Finances are specific to individual circumstances. Sometimes savings are available, often the sale of portfolio items are used to fund treatment. A third popular option are various borrowing opportunities. All of the above should be discussed with a tax professional and or financial planner in the context of your individualized circumstances. It is also vital to plan and prepare for multiple treatment cycles. In my experience balancing hope with caution is what helps my clients to approach treatment with clear expectations and realistic parameters.

The second step in building the foundation is to identify the fertility center, the Reproductive Endocrinologist and the Embryologist who have above national average success rates for the type of treatment you are exploring as well as a specialty in treating your specific diagnosis.

The next resource is identifying the right donor and/or surrogate. Seeking ideal criteria in a perfect stranger is often a very intimate process. There is always some level of risk in the decision making process. Being your own best advocate is helpful in mitigating and or eliminating potential stumbling blocks. Identifying a candidate on line can be risky since they are not screened and you will not have the benefits of a third party to act as an intermediary. On the other hand, it is necessary to be aware of onerous contracts with recruiting agencies.

The fourth brick in the foundation is understanding the legal terrain and how it affects your specific situation. Surrogate friendly states vary across the country. Surrogate friendly means that parentage can be achieved at some future point after birth. But from state to state this varies greatly. Some states require pre birth orders to get intended parents names on the birth certificate after the birth and other states require a formal adoption after the surrogate delivers. Other states are favorable in getting intended parents names on the birth certificate at birth, as long as one parent is biologically related to the child. Furthermore, often how the embryos are created, and with whose biological material is relevant to the big picture. Thus, the individualized situation can and does impact the selection of a surrogate candidate from state to state. Finally, selecting a surrogate with like-minded intentions for the term of the pregnancy is essential.

There is still more to consider. Most health insurance policies have exclusions for surrogates. Therefore, it is essential to analyze policy alternatives that may help you to save thousands of dollars in the future. Some states offer maternity policies, other states offer nothing. Disability and complications only polices can often be purchased to offset financial risk. But it is the gap analysis performed by the licensed insurance agent that can help uncover what is best for your given situation, the surrogate, the state where she will deliver, and how these factors impact your individual risk adversity given your personal financial situation.

Another extremely important and often overlooked resource in family building is estate planning. Prior to surrogates going to embryo transfer it is essential to engage an estate planner to draft directives and desires and prepare effectively for any unforeseen circumstances. This provides the most protections for all involved parties.

Building the foundation for treatment is essential. Knowing all available options, researching the viability of each options, interviewing several reproductive specialists to determine if you are in the right place are all very relevant and key factors to consider before patients begin the journey.

When making educated decisions to pursue treatment options, I encourage my clients to take into consideration all the facts. Because making informed medical decisions is the best way to maximize their chances of success and minimize their financial expenditure.

As one of the first infertility consultancies in the United States, Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC was founded by Mindy Berkson in 2005. With more than a decade of experience at physician’s offices, and egg donor and surrogacy agencies, Berkson assists individuals working through the often-challenging roadblocks of infertility, by providing the best information and resources available to them from around the world – all in one location.

Lotus Blossom Consulting works with individuals on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration clients’ emotional, physical and financial infertility issues and then develops an individualized, comprehensive plan, to help clients make informed decisions and pull together a team of unbiased professionals to accomplish a treatment cycle. Mindy is a sought-after infertility expert and has appeared on countless media programs and speaker panels educating audiences on the topic of infertility, egg banking and surrogacy. For more information about Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC, call toll free (877) 881-2685, email mindy@lotusblossomconsulting.com or visit the web at www.lotusblossomconsulting.com or www.infertilityconsultant.com.

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Navigating the Infertility Maze Abroad

by Mindy on November 10, 2010

With the donor egg and sperm shortage, anonymity laws and the limited access to surrogate candidates, more and more consumers / patients from European countries are traveling abroad to seek treatment options that will help them have their own biological children.

The term “Medical Tourism” has gained popularity over the years, but it truly involves embarking on an unknown journey when exploring healthcare options in foreign countries.  Knowing how to identify appropriate resources and engaging unbiased professionals can be risky and sometimes a bit overwhelming and scary.  Healthcare decisions and most importantly, the operation of the healthcare system in the US in particular, is very different than the healthcare networks in other continents.

At Lotus Blossom Consulting (LBC) our mission as patient advocate is to arm consumers/patients with information and education to make the best medical choices abroad. Providing clients with targeted questions specific to their diagnosis, identifying resources to suit individual criteria and securing a team of unbiased multi-disciplinary professionals are all essential elements to successfully overcoming infertility. Working with the Consultants at LBC, you will be assisted every step of the way from securing your hotel and travel accommodations to identifying your ideal team of worldwide professionals which includes reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, attorneys, financial and estate planners, insurance agents, immigration attorneys, and translators, to help you through a successful fertility arrangement.

One factor that can significantly increase the overall price of treatment for international clients is the lack of insurance coverage. In our experience, the best insurance options are selected after a thorough evaluation performed by a licensed insurance agent to make the best possible choices available to mitigate financial risk factors while simultaneously addressing individual risk adversity. LBC Consultants work very closely with teams of insurance agents to identify policies and plans that suit all parties in the surrogacy arrangement.

Working with our consultants will help streamline the fertility process from beginning to birth, and most importantly, help maximize your chances of success and minimize your financial expenditure. But our work does not stop there.  Even after the birth, we work closely with teams of immigration attorneys and estate planners to ensure that intended parent(s) are well informed and educated about the advantages and disadvantages of various options. This is critical to the decision making process at birth, as it can greatly affect the ability to legally return to your home country with your child(ren), as well as impact the future lifestyle of your new family unit.

Lotus Blossom Consulting works with individuals from across the globe on a case-by-case basis to help facilitate the infertility process, taking into consideration clients’ emotional, physical and financial infertility issues and then develops an individualized, comprehensive plan, to help clients make informed decisions and pull together a team of unbiased professionals to accomplish a treatment cycle. Mindy is a sought-after infertility expert and has appeared on countless media programs and speaker panels educating audiences on the topic of infertility, egg banking and surrogacy.

For more information about Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC, 00 1 847 881 2685, email mindy@lotusblossomconsulting.com or visit the web at www.lotusblossomconsulting.com or www.infertilityconsultant.com

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Conceivable Options™ – When The Pathway to Parenthood is Not Linear

by Mindy on November 10, 2010

As children and young adults many of us were raised to grow up and become not just well established adults, but moms and dads. It is often a natural progression to graduate school, focus on career, marry and raise a family. Kids are the ultimate goal and accomplishment.

Today however, given the rise in infertility one in five couples today, or 7.3 million Americans struggle with infertility — the biological inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to full term. Many factors can contribute to this staggering and continually growing statistic. Most common are delayed child bearing, advanced maternal age, medical conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, obesity and environmental factors. As women continue to work and delay having children, their needs with regard to infertility treatment has also continued to grow.

The infertility diagnosis can be devastating and demoralizing. Unable to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term, women often feel inadequate, alone and depressed. Infertility treatment is costly and invasive. Success rates are not guaranteed and insurance benefits are often limited. The emotional, physical and financial stressors associated with the infertility process are often challenging and overwhelming.

Age matters in many aspects of life and definitely in the creation of life. Women are most fertile between the ages of 20 to 28 with their fertility decreasing in half by the time they reach 35 years of age. By age 45, only a 1% chance remains each month of conceiving naturally. This is a startling fact considering the average age a woman has her first child has risen to a record high of 25.1 years with 20% of women waiting until they are 35 years old to begin their family.

An increasing number of women choose to delay childbearing due to further schooling, career choice, or are waiting to find their perfect partner. Many individuals are choosing to be single parents. While those choices are understandable and personal, as women naturally age so do their ovaries; affecting their fertility. Oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as egg banking, generally provides women up to the age of 38 a chance to stop their biological clock and effectively plan and preserve their fertility for the future.

Other treatment options to help overcome infertility include egg donation and surrogacy. Egg donation involves retrieving eggs from a donor between the ages of 21 and 32. Since success rates are linked to the age of the egg, using an egg donor can greatly impact the success rates for pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization treatments. It is most common to use an egg donor in an anonymous arrangement. Legal contracts are necessary to outline the roles of all parties and to have the egg donor relinquish all rights to offspring produced from the treatment cycle.

Surrogacy is another widely available option to help overcome infertility. Over the past decade surrogacy has become more acceptable as the laws in certain states have enabled couples and individuals to establish parentage at birth or shortly thereafter. The most prevalent form of surrogacy today is gestational surrogacy where the surrogate candidate is not biologically related to the offspring.

The pathway to parenthood is not always linear. But understanding the treatment options available will help you to determine your emotional tolerances and physical endurance for exploring treatment and reaching the American dream of becoming a mom and dad.

About Mindy Berkson and Lotus Blossom Consulting

As one of the first infertility consultancies in the United States, Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC was founded by Mindy Berkson in 2005. With more than a decade of experience at physician’s offices, and egg donor and surrogacy agencies, Berkson assists individuals working through the often-challenging roadblocks of infertility, by providing the best information and resources available to them from around the world – all in one location.

Lotus Blossom Consulting works with individuals on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration clients’ emotional, physical and financial infertility issues and then develops an individualized, comprehensive plan, to help clients make informed decisions. Mindy is a sought-after infertility expert and has appeared on countless media programs and speaker panels educating audiences on the topic of infertility, egg banking and surrogacy. For more information about Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC, call toll free (877) 881-2685, email mindy@lotusblossomconsulting.com or visit the web at www.lotusblossomconsulting.com or www.infertilityconsultant.com.

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Women’s Bar Association Byline

by Mindy on January 8, 2010

WBA Post

I am honored that the Women’s Bar Association in Washington D.C. included one of my bylined articles in its “Raising the Bar” newsletter on the topic of delayed childbearing . You can read the full piece at the “WBA Post” link above.

In regards to the law, I have found that family planning can be a tricky area to navigate, especially when infertility treatments are necessary.   For example, legal considerations specific to each state may influence a couple’s decision to pursue a certain treatment option.  I have hosted various sessions at WBA groups across the U.S. addressing this very topic.  I recently held this seminar in the Washington D.C. area and was able to educate female lawyers on the ramifications of delayed childbearing, estate and family planning issues, wealth preservation and state laws regarding surrogacy and other fertility treatments.  I hope to continue these sessions with other WBA groups in 2010.

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Working Mother Magazine, Considering Surrogacy

by Mindy on January 6, 2010

Earlier this year, I interviewed with one of the health editors at Working Mother Magazine on the topic of surrogacy.  Her article, “Considering Surrogacy,” appeared in the November 2009 issue. 

In the article, I discuss why many people turn to surrogacy as a way to expand their families.  The piece also explains the differences between gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy, as well as the legal implications and how to find the best surrogate mother. 

I was very happy to be included in this article because Lotus Blossom Consulting is committed to helping couples through the entire surrogacy process.   We are proud of the work we have done in this area and look forward to helping more people achieve their dream of being a parent.  And a big thanks to Working Mother Magazine for raising awareness of this important issue!

Read the full article here. 

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Washington Times Article – Navigating the Fertility Maze

by Mindy on December 21, 2009

As one of the first infertility consultants in the U.S., I am very happy and honored to be featured in a recent Washington Times article about a new area cropping up in the fertility industry — fertility consultants.  For couples who need help conceiving, a fertility consultant can help navigate the whole process including medical, emotional, financial and legal options.  As the article states, a ”fertility consultant is part researcher, part consumer advocate and part sympathetic ear.”

My most important asset is my advocacy piece.  With egg donations, I can help widen the potential donor pool. This cuts down on wait time while also increasing the likelihood of getting the requested genetic attributes from donors. I can also help patients maximize dollars by reviewing insurance coverage and drug benefits.

To read more about the benefits of hiring a fertility consultant, click here for the full article.

Thank you!

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