Episode 82 Family Building Through Donor Conception and Egg Freezing with Fertility Journey Expert Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, founding director of the Center for Family Building, shares invaluable insights about modern fertility treatments and family-building options. Drawing from both personal experience and professional expertise, Schuman discusses the complex emotional and physical challenges of infertility, which she notes can be as mentally taxing as receiving a cancer diagnosis. She breaks down the evolving landscape of donor conception, including egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation, while emphasizing the importance of proper psychological screening and genetic testing.
The conversation delves into critical topics like egg freezing, age considerations for starting a family, and the growing trend of employer coverage for fertility treatments. Schuman advocates for early fertility awareness, suggesting that women should consider fertility workups earlier in life rather than waiting until issues arise. Throughout the episode, she stresses the importance of open communication about donor conception with children and addresses the shifting landscape of donor anonymity in an era of DNA testing and social media.
Lisa is the co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception.
Episode recorded September 5, 2024, at the LMC Media Podcast Studio
Additional Reading
Benjamin Ramsey, Ann Bednash, and John Folks (2022, January 11) Retaining Female Leaders: A Key Readiness Issue. 960cyber.afrc.af.mil
University of Utah (June 19, 2019) Infertility and Mental Health. healthcare.utah.edu. ("The stress level for infertility is comparable to the stress level of being diagnosed with cancer," says Jamie Hales, a licensed clinical social worker at Huntsman Mental Health Institute.)
The Mom Who Moved In With Her Sperm Donor. thecut.com
Greg Ip and Janet Adamy (May 13, 2024) Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed. wsj.com
Kevin Dolak (May 13, 2024) Olivia Munn Reveals Hysterectomy, Freezing Her Eggs After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. hollywoodreporter.com