614th Issue of the LFCA

Welcome to today's edition of Connections Abound. The point of Lost and Found is to level the support playing field. When LFCA works correctly, the newest blogger with the smallest readership can receive the same level of support as the oldest blogger with the largest readership. Anyone can submit news to LFCA by clicking here.

Lost and Found is open to anyone in the infertility, pregnancy loss, adoption, pregnancy-and-parenting after infertility, assisted conception, living child-free after infertility or loss community (as well as anyone I inadvertently missed on that list). Please support the list as well as anyone posting announcements below.

Connections Abound

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
New

• Today is the third anniversary of the LFCA. What started on this date as a single post over at Stirrup Queens that was to serve as a trading post of information, became the LFCA as you see today at this site by August 13th. Happy birthday, LFCA.
  
• Cake Extravaganza: Friday is the 200th/300th Friday Blog Roundup cake extravaganza. On Friday, upload a picture of a piece of cake (and don’t get hung up on the words “a piece of cake” — if you want to bake a whole cake or celebrate with an oreo or simply walk by the bakery and take a picture and not put anything in your piehole, it’s all good) and then link to your blog post using the linky function that will be in the Friday Blog Roundup. It would be lovely if you wrote something about what community means to you. Why you love being part of the ALI community, and how you feel when you read a particularly satisfying blog post.
• Announcement: The Naked Ovary is back and posting again. A heads up for all who missed her.
  

Old

• Question: One Year Later writes, "I am reaching out to the blog-world for some advice. I work for a law firm - and was just recently informed that maternity leave is 14 paid weeks - but adoption "maternity" leave is 2 weeks paid. I am having a difficult time processing this discrimination and trying to figure out what to do with this and how to go about handling it. I live in the state of Ohio, and there are laws here about discriminating against women for pregnancy related medical issues - and I believe one could make the case that I am being discriminated against for infertility. Because I cannot actually give birth to a baby - I am not entitled to the same maternity leave? Has anyone ever heard of this - or does anyone have any advice? Thanks!"
• IComLeavWe: a new list has opened for the month of August.
• Giveaway: Erica is celebrating 400 followers at PFM with her first giveaway. Open until Wednesday, August 6. Details on the blog.
• First Time Reading the LFCA: If this is your first time reading the LFCA or you need a refresher about how the LFCA works, please read this post. It has everything you need to know about getting your news in the LFCA.
• Quicklink Resources: Regular ALI Blogroll: If you would like your blog added to the ALI blogroll, please email me directly with your blog url and category pick. More information about being added is contained in that link. Password-Protected Blogroll: If you would like your password-protected blog added to the blogroll, please fill out the form.

NEW BLOGS (started in July or August 2010)

• None Today.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES (celebrate your birthday or blogoversary with the community. Send me date at any point and I'll post them on the correct day)

• This Wednesday is the 3 year anniversary of the LFCA.
• Life After D&C is celebrating her anniversary on Friday. Go wish them congratulations.
• Searching for Serenity is celebrating her birthday on Wednesday. Go sing her a little song.
  

LOSS REMEMBRANCES (send in the dates of loss anniversaries and I will post them on the correct day)

• This can be a difficult time of year for Lori. Next Thursday marks the day that she learned that Katie's heart had stopped and the Saturday after that, Katie was born still. Please give her support.
• Next Saturday is also the loss date of Carena (in 1998). Please support JuliaS as she remembers.

LOSS ANNOUNCEMENTS

• None Today.
  

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT AND CELEBRATIONS (scary scans, anxious waits, OHSS, and a host of other reasons why these bloggers could use some additional support right now. Also, celebratory retrievals, transfers, and other good news)

• After keeping her in a holding pattern for 4 days, Gwinne's RE is letting her start an IVF cycle despite an elevated E2 level. Has anyone done this? Success stories (or any stories!) would be appreciated.
• Her three year old son asked "When is he going to be a Big Brother?" April is having a difficult time explaining to him when he will become one!
• Her Womb, Our Hearts has matched with an expectant mom whose daughter is due this month.
  

BEDREST BABES: on bedrest following infertility or loss and needing support. Drop in on them and keep them company.

• Eileen hit 31 weeks with her boy/girl twins and is now confined to her hospital room until after her babies are delivered. She was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. The doctors determined that she would need constant monitoring of the babies and her extreme swelling and blood pressure issues.
  
• Romancing the Stone is home from the hospital.
• Emily has been put on modified bedrest with her twins.

PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

• Holly had a great third beta, and is anxiously waiting for her Monday ultrasound.
• Where Love and Chaos Reign received discouraging (but inconclusive) news at her ultrasound. Please keep her company as she straddles hope and pragmatism, awaiting a final answer.
  

BIRTH AND ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Michelle gave birth via c-section to a gorgeous little girl, Kaitlin on Tuesday morning. Momma & baby are doing great!
  

Read and Support