Third Party Fertility Misconceptions with Center for Family Building Founder, Lisa Schuman, LCSW 

Written By Lora Shahine, MD

For many struggling with infertility, building a family may take more than two people. Egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy or using a gestational carrier can be a beautiful way to build a family, but the process can be full of many questions and misconceptions along the way. 

Why do egg and sperm donors donate? Can third-party donors really be anonymous in this age of in-home genetic testing? Should parents be open with their children about their biological origins? If so, when is the right time to share or disclose this? Finally, is it possible a parent won’t bond with their baby if there’s no biological connection between them?

In Part Two of their discussion on the myths and misconceptions around fertility, Dr Shahine and licensed therapist Lisa Schuman tackle questions about third-party family building.

Lisa Schuman is an award-winning researcher, therapist, author, and expert in donor conception, surrogacy and fertility treatment. Her organization, The Center for Family Building, is dedicated to helping people have an easier journey to becoming parents.

In this episode you’ll hear:

[0:00] What is “third-party reproduction”?

Why do egg and sperm donors donate?

The healing power of donation, a patient story

Lisa discusses the growing trend of knowing gamete donors

[6:24] Do you disclose to your children that they are the result of donation?

Is anonymity even possible any more?

Should you disclose to your child? Why and when?

Practice the conversation to make it easier for parent and child

Why it’s a good and powerful thing to “own your story” 

[13:50] Bonding with your child

Dealing with the continuing stigma of infertility

Understanding parents’ concerns over bonding with donor-conceived children

Where does that bond truly come from?

Developing trust between parents and children

[20:29] Myths around third party family building

The role of genetics

How family bonds happen

Resources mentioned: 

Center for Family Building

familybuilding.net/author/lisa-schuman-lcsw

Subscribe to Lisa’s podcast, “Building Your Family”: spotify.com/show/1iPTI62w2fANnkOLaSjsCe

Pacific Northwest Fertility Center Egg Donation Program: 

httpnwfertility.com/donor-egg-program/

Stay Up to Date in Fertility News and Events:  Weekly Newsletter

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Lora Shahine, MD

Dr. Lora Shahine, reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific NW Fertility and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, completed her residency in OBGYN at the University of California in San Francisco and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Stanford University. She is dedicated to educating and advocating for increased awareness of infertility, miscarriage, and the impact on environmental toxins on health through an active social media presence, teaching, clinical research, and authoring multiple blogs and books including best selling, ‘Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.’

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