Conference moira::parenting

    Jim, my wife and I also wanted children VERY badly
    and had none.  Although you have a daughter, I can really
    understand your desire both for a sibling and a baby.

    This is a very difficult issue for anyone to offer advice.
    Mine would be to continue trying to build your family
    through Adoption rather than taking extreme medical measures.

    We were able to adopt 3 beautiful children who are as much
    'ours' as any children can be.  Its a wonderful way to
    build a family.

    I wish you luck in however you proceed.
    bob

    I don't know if what you're asking about is possible, but I would think
    that you would be able to get some answers and pointers by contacting
    RESOLVE.  They're an organization that helps infertile couples deal
    with all the procedures and such, and they may have a pointer. I don't
    have a current address anymore, but I know it's in this file somewhere.
    They used to be headquartered in Arlington, MA.
    
    Or try calling a few of the infertility specialists in your area.  In
    Boston, I can think of Boston IVF, IVF America, and one of the
    hospitals -- either Brigham & Women's or Beth Israel -- I can't
    remember.
    
    I've never heard of what you're looking for, but I stopped keeping up
    on infertility stuff after we had our GIFT twins.  Perhaps someone else
    has more up-to-date information.
    
    Cathy

RESOLVE's address and phone number are in 21.122.

Is a partial hysterectomy when the uterus is removed but the ovaries remain?
If so I suspect that it won't be possible for your wife to gestate, but it
would be possible for a surrogate to carry the genetic child of you and your
wife.  RESOLVE should be able to give you information of surrogacy and any
other options.

    
    While I have no experience on this subject first hand, it seems to me
    that if your wife is still producing an egg, that artifical
    insemination would be a definate possibility.
    
    Cathy's idea about going to see a infertility specialist is the first
    thing you should do.  
    
    If things don't work out and you want to adopt, I have heard every
    morning now for over a week a spot on the radio that is an adoption
    agency saying that they have babies that need families.  I will listen
    more carefully for the name.
    
    Good luck.  My prayers will be with you.  I was told after an ovary was
    taken two years ago that it would be very hard for me to get pregnant,
    if at all possible.  My birth control went out the window and three
    months later I was pregnant.  I have a healthy baby boy who will be a
    year old next month.  
    
    cj 

    cj,
    
    You can still produce eggs, and not have a uterus, but without a
    uterus, the chances of carrying a pregnancy are slim to none.  I know
    of no technology in the womb transplantation business that would work
    for you all.
    
    I know this is hard, i had freinds go through the same thing, to the
    point that my friend was convinced she was pregnant for a few weeks.  I
    am glad she met a compassionate gyn/ob who could explain things without
    making her feel she was crazy.  The right adoption situation did come
    around for them though.  I agree with contacting Resolve.  I am sure
    they will have more ideas.
    
    meg

    
    Cathy's information and places of referral are what I was going to
    suggest.  My son is a result of the GIFT procedure. I also had several
    IVF's.  If the ovaries are working, to my knowledge, your wife could have 
    the first part of an Invetro Fertilization and a surrigate to carry the
    eggs. She would be put on hormones which will make her produce many eggs, 
    at ovulation they will retrieve the eggs through a vaginal procedure 
    (done as day surgery). They mix the eggs with your treated sperm and if
    they grow into embryos (takes a few days) they will then transfer the
    embryos (usually 4 the maximum) into the surrogate.  Insurance might
    pay for your wife's medical expenses but definitely not for the
    surrogate. You would have to pay for her hormones, treatment, etc.
    during the cycle. If she became pregnant you would have to pay for the
    maternity expenses unless she had insurance and was willing to use it.
    This might surprise you but a complete IVF/GIFT  cycle when I was doing 
    this from 1989-1992 was 8-10K. Fortunately, insurance picked up these 
    charges.
    
    By contacting some of the suggested agencies you can determine if this
    is something you would be willing to do given the many things to
    consider.  It could be difficult and/or a long time to wait for a 
    surrogate. But, you never know! I think there are more women willing to 
    donate eggs rather than a uterus.  You might know someone who is willing 
    to carry embryo(s) for you (sisters/relatives/friends) and if so this 
    would likely be the speediest route.
    
    Since you mentioned you were open to adoption, and if foreign adoption is 
    a possibility I wonder if you have checked into this aspect yet. The
    waiting times might be less tho not less costly. 
    
    By the way, Boston IVF is in Brookline, IVF America is in Waltham. I
    used both of these places recommend them. Both Beth Israel 
    and Brigham and Women's (I used B&W and had negative experiences.) have 
    an infertility program.  There is also a clinic or 2 in Stoneham tho I 
    don't know their names except to say a Dr. Cardone is one of the top
    specialists in that geographic area. He used to be at one of the larger
    clinic in Stoneham and recently opened his own. 
     
    Good luck,
                                            
    Kathy

    There's an organization called HERS - Hystorectomy Education Research
    (Something) that acts as a clearinghouse for information related to
    hysterectomy.  They also have an annual conference, usually in the
    Washington, DC area, I think.  I can't remember where they're based,
    but you may be able to find them through a library.  Sorry I can't give
    you specifics.  This is my last day at DEC and I can't log in from home
    with the address.
    
    I believe the focus of their work is to educate the public about the
    massive problem of unnecessary hysterectomies that occur in the US, and
    to offer information and support to women who've been told they need
    one.  But I imagine they could point you to information on options that
    women who've had them have discovered.
    
    I can understand your heartache around wanting children.  I went
    through a classic midlife crisis with my hysterectomy years ago. 
    However, as someone who recently adopted an amazing little child, I can
    say that for me the frustration was definitely worth the effort.  You
    may be aware that many support groups and resources are available for
    parents who are trying to adopt.  I'm now a very outspoken advocate for
    adoption, for a wide range of reasons.
    
    Best to you in whatever you end up doing.
    
    Lynn
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Thank You all for your reply's I know I could count on you all to pick 
    me up and get me pointed in the right direction.
     
     I have contacted Resolve,they are going to mail us info.
    I have gotten 3 GYO doctors in the MTHP in our area.
    Are goal maybe to find a Surrogate and do an egg/sperm placement since
    both are working fine.
    I would like to get more info on Adoption success stories and who you
    went through because we didn't have good luck. I would be interested in
    Adoption agency's in New Hampshire.
    There is hope and thank you all for your input.
    
                           JC