748th 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

• Cyclesista: It's a brand new month over at Cyclesista! Please click over to add your name to the list or to support those undergoing treatments this month.
• Study: Premature Ovarian Failure Study: "I am a Physician Assistant student working on a study being conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas involving women with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) who have become pregnant without the use of donor eggs.  I am working on this research study in conjunction with Michael J. Heard, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. This study is designed to look for potential similarities among women with POF who have become pregnant with their own eggs compared to those with POF who have not had a pregnancy since their diagnosis. This is the fourth year for this study and so far the results are promising for future women diagnosed with POF who desire pregnancy.  Pregnancy after being diagnosed with POF is possible, and 5 to 10 percent of patients with POF will become pregnant without the use of donor eggs.  Eligible participants include those who have been diagnosed with POF by a health care provider with lab results revealing a serum FSH level over 30 mIU/mL on two or more occasions greater than four weeks apart.  Study participants are organized into one of two groups.  The first group includes women with a diagnosis of POF that have become pregnant without the use of donor eggs, and the second group consists of those with POF who have not become pregnant since diagnosis.  Women who have become pregnant through IVF using donor eggs are excluded from the study.  We invite and encourage all who are eligible to participate in this survey-based research project.  Please feel free to contact me at POFstudy@gmail.com. I am more than happy to provide any further information to ensure your comfort with the authenticity of this study before providing any personal information. [Caitlin Stanton, PA-S3 Baylor College of Medicine POFstudy@gmail.com.]"
• Study: Jody Madeira, a professor at Indiana University, is conducting telephone interviews with MALE PARTNERS in couples who have gone through an IVF cycle in the past 5 years. The interview (app. 1 hour) is about how IVF patients experience informed consent and make treatment decisions. Participants will receive a $30 Amazon gift card, and responses will be kept anonymous and confidential in transcripts and research publications. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Jody Madeira at jmadeira@indiana.edu.
• Fundraiser: Bon writes, "My friend Beth and I are opening up the blog Give1Save1 to help families in the domestic adoption process. If you are in the process of adopting domestically and you are needing assistance with raising funds to cover the costs, please contact me at onesweetworld67 at gmail dot com. The blog is currently open to helping families in the Haiti and African adoption process with raising funds BUT we will soon be opening this up to domestic families as well. Let me know if you would be interested in fundraising help and would like an application to become a  featured family."
• Question: Tigger writes, "My SIL and her husband would like to have children at some point. She has lupus and a blood disorder called spherocytosis, he had a vasectomy long before they met. She is very disheartened at their chances. With her permission, I am looking for someone with similar issues who can help her understand her chances, what she's looking at if she decides to try treatments. Is there anyone out there who has lupus and children, or attempted pregnancies? How about treatments with someone who has had a vasectomy?"

Old

• 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 May or June 2012)

• My Sweet Angel Clara (stillbirth)
• Stupid Stork (general IF)

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)

• Womb for Improvement is celebrating her birthday next Saturday.  Go over and sing her a little song.

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

• Adrift on a Dandelion Breeze is remembering Gabrielle's due date, two years later.

LOSS ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Nancy at The New Life of Nancy passed away unexpectedly on Monday. She was known for her wicked sense of humor, bad-ass attitude, and lust for life. Perhaps we can honor her memory by leaving a favorite Nancy story in the comments of her last post.
• AplusB suffered a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks after a surprise BFP. She could use some love and advice.
• Birdie's ultrasound at 16 weeks showed no heartbeat, and Turtle was born still on Sunday July 1.

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)

• July 1st marks In Due Time's 8 years TTC.
• Courtney had her egg retrieval on June 20 and began having intense pain shortly thereafter.  She had been warned that she was at risk for OHSS early on.  They prescribed Dostinex, bed rest, and a high proten diet to try to combat OHSS.  At the day of Embryo Transfer on June 25, she was still in a great amount of pain.  Courtney's doctor decided to hospitalize her immediately and freeze her embryos for later use.  They are planning to put a catheter into her belly to drain the excess fluid on June 26.  This is the couple's  first IVF attempt after trying to conceive for two years with multiple surgeries and MFI.
• Please send support to My Infertility Woes. Her second FET was unsuccessful and she is going through a tough time as she gears up for another fresh IVF cycle in August.
• Krystyn (Bring on the Babies!) had a really negative encounter with an OB, and could use some encouragement.

BEDREST BABES: on bedrest following infertility or loss and needing support. Drop in on them and keep them company. Blurbs running underneath the "new" line are from this week, and the ones above that line will disappear on Sunday. Please do not re-list bedrest blurbs.

• Almost There is on temporary bedrest at almost 38 weeks due to intense pain. Her mom is also not doing well so that is added stress.

PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

• Mummy-in-Waiting got a positive beta!  Go wish her congratulations.
• Amanda got a surprise BFP in between treatments. 
• A Daily Miracle got a surprise BFP while on a TTC break.
• Infertile First Mom is 6.5 weeks pregnant, not from her last-ditch IVF cycle, but the natural cycle after that!  Stop by and give her some love.
• Hoping Lightning Will Strike Twice had a good first beta! After multiple losses, she is nervous, but glad to be where they are now.
• After six consecutive miscarriages, Mo and Will have reached viability (24 weeks pregnant) with a little girl and are starting to cautiously hope they may make it out the other side to a live baby.

BIRTH AND ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Burble gave birth to her son Felix by emergency C-Section on 18th June at 36 weeks 4 days. At birth a true knot was found in his cord making him one very lucky boy.
• Amy welcomed Isaac (Baby Ike) on June 18th.  His safe arrival still seems surreal after four early miscarriages over the course of the past nearly six years since her first BFP.  Come raise a glass - to hope!
• Birds and Squirrels welcomed baby Jacob on Thursday June 28th.  Go wish her congratulations.
• Mina was induced on July 4th and had her second baby on July 5th. Wishing little Steve all the best and hoping he sleeps better than his big brother. 

Read and Support