Testimonials

Pathways To Parenthood Welcomes Dr. Courtney Marsh to Kansas City!

Pathways to Parenthood is very excited to welcome Dr. Courtney Marsh to The Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine at KU Medical Center.  Dr. Marsh began her medical career at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.  She completed her residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and then went on to the University of Michigan for her Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.  As she now specializes in treating infertility, PCOS and obesity, we are thrilled to have Dr. Marsh back and practicing in the Kansas City area.  We are fortunate to have another high quality reproductive endocrinologist practicing in the Kansas City area.

Choosing An Egg Donor In Kansas City

Using an egg donor to attempt conception is an amazing family building option for women who are not able to provide their own viable eggs.  However, choosing an egg donor can be overwhelming and scary.  Some people have equated looking at donor profiles to being on match.com.  In some ways, it is like match.com.  But the process can be easier and less stressful if you are prepared, and know what is important to you before looking at potential egg donor profiles.

Some important points to consider:

-Is the donor’s religious background important to you?

-What physical and personality traits are you looking for?

-Are academic achievements important to you?

-What type of medical history are you willing to accept?

It is important to consider these points for yourself, and also talk with your partner about them.  Ranking which points are most important, and which points are desirable but not necessary can also be helpful.  No potential egg donor will be perfect, as none of us are, but it is important to find the donor that is perfect for you.

For assistance in finding your “perfect” donor, contact us today!

The Topic of Disclosure: To Tell Or Not To Tell When Conceiving A Child Through Egg Donation

The decision to have a child with donor eggs is an emotional journey. The path up to making the decision is one that has been rocky and laden with obstacles and hurdles. Fortunately most couples that decide to use an egg donor to build their family eventually feel relief and hope that they have an alternative way to build their family. Unfortunately, along with that relief and hope usually comes fear and uncertainty about answering the questions, “Do we tell our child?” and “How do we tell our child?”

Most mental health professionals support disclosing to children the origins of their conception. The belief is based in part on the notion that people have a right to know their genetic origins. Deciding to disclose or not is a personal choice, and one that can only be made by mom and dad. It is an extremely important and impactful decision that will have lifelong implications. It is important to be well informed of consequences of disclosing or not. One excellent article that offers such information can be found here on the Resolve website at www.resolve.org. You can find the article “Disclosure Issues Fact Sheet” on the downloads/factsheets page of their website.

For information on using egg donation to build your family, contact us today!

Epigenetics and Donor Egg Conception in Kansas City

The theory of epigenetics, which has been supported by research findings, gives mothers who conceive utilizing an egg donor assurance they are uniquely influencing the development of their baby.  This fascinating field offers much needed reassurance to intended mothers who utilize an egg donor to conceive, that they are the biological mother to their child.

The field of epigenetics states that the “activation” of genes is greatly influenced by many different factors that are outside of the gene itself.  These factors are termed epigenetic factors.  What we know about epigenetic factors inform us that the expression of genes begins in the womb.  The woman carrying the child, and her internal environment, greatly influence how a baby’s genes are expressed.

Those considering utilizing an egg donor to have a baby can now know that the birth mother influences what her child will be like at a genetic level.  Your child will be biologically and uniquely influenced by you before he/she is even born!  To learn more about using an egg donor in to have a baby, contact us today.