#Egg retrieval procedure

[answersfromzestual]

Egg Retrieval- Basic Facts.

If you are considering "freezing your eggs (Oocyte cryopreservation) " here is an article for you.

So the process of "harvesting" your eggs prior to either IVF or Freezing, is called: Oocyte Retrieval.

The process of Oocyte Retrieval is rather simple and does not take much time. It requires four months off of testosterone and the time until your procedure (aprox another 14-15 days). Meaning you would be off testosterone for four and a half months total approx (everyone is different, ovulation schedules are different).

They start with timing your ovulation cycle and using that to determine a time that would be best to perform the procedure.

The average time range where you would have a stimulation cycle where you would be taking a "stimulating" medicine of some sort, takes 10-14 days total. This depends on your ovulation cycle, reproductive health, and other bodily factors can vary the days slightly more.

After that 10-14 days (on average) the procedure itself would be performed. The procedure takes approximately half an hour, I've read some doctors using general anesthesia without intubation (you're not 100% out, they may tell you it's like a "twilight state"), or with a strong oral seditative. This varies clinc to clinic.

The procedure itself should not be painful.

Post procedure you may feel abdominal cramping and general discomfort for up to a day or two.

prior to any of these procedures you will need to make an appointment with a gynecologist where they would have to do some minor testing that may take some time. This may include ultrasounds (inside and out), a general care appointment if you are a new client, blood testing, and sometimes they may want other forms of testing done as well depending on you and your reproduction cycle and health.

Any of these following symptoms see a physician right away!

If you have any sign of fever

If you have any signs of infection (such as foul smelling discharge)

Extreme discomfort

Not being able to eat and drink.

I also included a link specifically on the complications of this procedure. Find it here or in the source section.

Also you can re-start your hormone therapy after your procedure is done.

The quality and quantity of the eggs is very similar to a cis female.

Sources:

https://www.pfcla.com/blog/ivf-timeline-how-long-is-the-ivf-process-from-start-to-finish#:~:text=The%20average%20time%20for%20the,for%20the%20egg%20retrieval%20procedure.

https://www.pfcla.com/blog/what-to-expect-for-an-egg-retrieval-cycle

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/multimedia/egg-retrieval-technique/img-20008644

https://www.cofertility.com/freeze-learn/egg-freezing-for-transgender-men#:~:text=More%20than%20half%20of%20the,before%20starting%20their%20treatment%20cycle.

[ivflondon]

Advanced Sperm Retrieval for Fertility Treatment in IVF London

Discover the process of surgically retrieved sperm, extracting sperm directly from the epididymis or testicles for fertility treatments.

[amvihospital]

If you're in search of "IVF Centers Near Me

If you're in search of "IVF Centers Near Me," then visit AMVI Hospital today! We are a leading healthcare facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to providing comprehensive fertility and IVF services. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to helping couples on their journey to parenthood. We offer state-of-the-art infertility treatments in a compassionate and supportive environment. Your dreams of starting or expanding your family are important to us. Learn more about our IVF services at https://amvihospitals.com/ and take the first step toward realizing your parenthood dreams.

[drforambhuta]

The following are the primary techniques in assisted reproductive procedures:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): IUI is a minimally invasive method placing sperm directly into the uterus, useful for male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or cervical mucus issues, with a 10-20% pregnancy chance per cycle.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF procedure involves egg retrieval, fertilization in a lab dish, and embryo transfer into the uterus. It's recommended for various infertility issues, with a 40% average success rate.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): ICSI enhances fertilization in severe male factor infertility cases, resembling IVF success rates.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): GIFT combines IVF and IUI elements, suitable for couples with religious objections to embryo culture, with success rates similar to IVF.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): PGT screens embryos for genetic abnormalities during IVF, reducing genetic disorder risks but with ethical considerations.

Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): Egg freezing preserves eggs for future use, influenced by the woman's age, career, health, or personal reasons.

Sperm Retrieval Techniques: TESE and PESA retrieve sperm for men with male factor infertility issues, depending on the type of azoospermia.

Donor Gametes and Embryos: Donor gametes are options for individuals unable to use their own due to genetic disorders or other factors, with ethical considerations.

Surrogacy: Gestational surrogacy is common, involving contracts and counseling. Traditional surrogacy is less frequent due to legal and emotional complexities.

Emerging Technologies: ART advances with technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) and artificial gametes, offering new possibilities for infertility treatment and personalized medicine.

You can contact the best fertility specialist in Mumbai, Dr. Firuza Parikh, who is currently working at H N Reliance Hospital, for a thorough evaluation and fertility treatment plan based on your health condition.

[w0nderland]

today i learned how ivf egg retrieval works and ugh why is having a uterus so complicated

[sk270114]

If a patient has endometriosis and are trying to conceive, there are several steps she can take to increase the chances of getting pregnant. Keep in mind that every individual's situation is unique, so it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider, preferably a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist, for personalized advice and guidance. Here are some general steps you can consider:

Get a proper diagnosis and evaluation: If you suspect you have endometriosis or have been diagnosed with the condition, consult with a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of your endometriosis. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, to visualize the extent of endometrial growths.

Address lifestyle factors: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can positively impact fertility. Ensure you have a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, manage stress, and avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and illicit drugs.

Track ovulation: Understanding your menstrual cycle and identifying your fertile window can be beneficial when trying to conceive. You can use ovulation predictor kits or track basal body temperature and cervical mucus changes to predict ovulation.

Consider fertility treatments: Depending on the severity of endometriosis and other factors, your doctor may recommend fertility treatments. These may include ovulation induction with medication, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Laparoscopic surgery: In some cases, surgical removal of endometrial growths (laparoscopic excision) can improve fertility. The procedure aims to eliminate adhesions, restore normal pelvic anatomy, and potentially enhance natural conception.

Hormonal therapy: Hormonal treatments such as oral contraceptives, progestins, or GnRH agonists may be prescribed to manage endometriosis symptoms. These medications can help control the growth of endometrial tissue and may improve fertility in some cases.

Explore assisted reproductive technologies (ART): If natural conception is challenging, ART procedures like IVF can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy. During IVF, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus.

Seek emotional support: Coping with the challenges of endometriosis and infertility can be emotionally taxing. Consider seeking support from a therapist, counselor, or support group to help you navigate this journey.

Fertility treatment success rates can vary based on individual circumstances, including age, severity of endometriosis, and overall health. It's crucial to work closely with a qualified healthcare provider who specializes in fertility and endometriosis to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. There are best ivf specialists like Dr Firuza Parekh who can guide you with information on endometriosis treatment, assisted reproduction, ivf, ivf treatment, ivf procedure, cost of IVF in Mumbai.

[russo-woso]

Adventures | Leah Williamson x singer!reader

Request | Masterlist | prompt list

Part two for biggest fan.

A/N wrote most of this and forgot to save it 😭😭

Warning talks of miscarriage, pregnancy, morning sickness

Summary You and Leah start a family

Since the end of your tour, you and Leah had been desperate to start the course of IVF.

Having a family had been in yours and Leah visions for years, both of you wanting to have a family of your own.

So when you approached a fertility clinic and they explained the procedure, you were ecstatic.

You and Leah would potentially have a baby within the next year.

The process started the week following the appointment.

Leah had an egg retrieval procedure.

You stayed by her side the whole time, holding her hand tightly.

The following steps were far too scientific for you to understand.

Then came the final moment.

The embryo transfer.

Similarly what you did to Leah, she held your hand through the procedure, kissing your forehead every so often.

You both walked out the hospital, smiling at the thought of what nine months from now might look like.

—

The 29th of March held so many memories.

It was one of the best days of the year.

On that day, you get to celebrate your girl.

Over the years, you’d gone all out for Leah birthday, wearing to spoil her the best you could.

You’d wake up early, make her breakfast, bring it to her in bed.

But this year was different.

This year, you still woke up early, but with a sudden wave of nausea.

You jumped up from bed, trying your hardest to not wake Leah, and ran to the bathroom.

You barely made it before throwing your head in the toilet.

You felt Leah’s hand on your back, rubbing it comfortingly as you continued to throw up.

Once you’d finished, you sat back against the wall, Leah coming to sit down next to you.

“I’m so sorry, le. This isn’t how today was supposed to start. I was gonna make you breakfast and now—” You said, tears welling in your eyes.

“—Baby, hey, it’s okay. Don’t cry. As long as I’m with you, it’s perfect. Look, I’ll go down and make some breakfast and bring it upstairs.” Leah told you and you weakly nodded.

Leah left the bathroom soon after to go make pancakes.

As you were getting up, your eyes focused on a small box on top of the cabinet.

You picked the box up, taking a test out and unwrapping it.

You quickly took it, setting it down on the bathroom counter.

You wanted Leah to be with you when you looked, but you didn’t want her to be upset on her birthday if it was negative.

It was still a few days early to take the test.

The doctors recommended at least three weeks and it had only been two and a half but you were certain.

You hadn’t realised how much time had gone by until Leah walked upstairs with two plates of pancakes in her hands.

You walked over to the bed, getting comfy before Leah handed you breakfast.

Lying in bed next to you, Leah looked cautiously over to you.

“Baby, have you taken a test yet?” Leah asked

“I’ve just taken one. I haven’t looked yet. I wanted you to be there.” You explained and Leah took your hand in hers. “I don’t want you to be disappointed on your birthday if it’s negative.”

“Y/N, I don’t care if it’s negative, baby. It’s okay if this time hasn’t worked, it’s the first time. We can try again. Well go look after breakfast, okay?”

You nodded, Leah pressing a kiss to your cheek.

It had been a while and you and Leah still hadn’t looked at the test.

It wasn’t until you went through to the bathroom, that you decided to call Leah through to do it.

Leah wrapped an arm around you, her hand rubbing up and down your side.

“Remember, it doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative.” Leah reminded you, kissing your temple.

“3, 2, 1…” you both counted, before flipping the test.

You mouths dropped as you read the word on it.

Pregnant

“You’re pregnant, baby!” Leah exclaimed, picking you up and twirling you.

“We’re gonna have a baby.” You smiled, leaning in to kiss Leah.

“This is the best birthday ever. I love you so much.”

—

“Le! Come here!” You exclaimed, Leah running through to the living room where you were sat.

“What? Is something wrong?” Leah asked, panicked.

“They kicked. I definitely just felt a kick. Come.” You told her, grabbing her hand and resting it on your now 18 week bump.

“Come on, bubba. Kick for mummy.” Leah whispered, rubbing your bump.

As she finished her words, a small kick was felt.

Leah gleamed up at you, the most biggest smile on her face.

“Did you feel it?”

She nodded quickly, going back to focus on your bump.

Every time Leah spoke to your baby, they kicked.

And every time they didn’t kick, Leah would wait until they did.

Leah stayed there for at least an hour, just talking to your baby.

—

Christmas was your favourite time of the year.

The aesthetics, the weather, the fact you got to spend time with loved ones.

It all just made you happy.

This year though, was quite the opposite.

Yes, the aesthetics hadn’t changed, and the weather remained the same and you still got to spend time with family.

But this year, you were nine months pregnant.

You have been trying to induce yourself into labour for the past week.

You’d spent hours bouncing up and down on the yoga ball.

You’d gone on several walks, curb walking, hoping that it could help.

Long story short, it didn’t. Because you’re sat here on the morning of Christmas Eve still nine months pregnant.

“Le, please come tell your daughter to just come already.” You sighed, flopping against the sofa, exhausted because you’d had to stand for more than five minutes.

“Hi, bubba.” Leah began, lying in between your legs, her head resting on the side of your bump. “Me and mama really want to meet you. Come on, bubba. I know you’re comfy in there, but you have to come meet us.”

Your baby girl just responded with a hard kick to your bladder.

“I need to go to the toilet now.” You groaned, Leah helping you up as you waddled to the toilet. “Fuck. Leah!”

Leah ran through to the hallway, seeing you standing there, holding your bump as you looked down to a puddle on the floor.

“Baby time?” Leah questioned, a panicked look on her face.

“Baby time.” You confirmed

Leah started running round like a headless chicken.

Running upstairs to get the bag, then running to get the car seat, then into the bedroom to get you some spare clothes.

“Le, baby, we’ve still got plenty of time. Calm down. Let’s put on a movie, I’ll go get changed.” You told her, pressing a kiss to her cheek before grabbing the clothes from her.

The rest of the morning went quite quickly. Your contractions were now six minutes apart.

Leah had been so good, rubbing your back, getting you whatever you needed.

It was at 1 o’clock when you finally made your way to hospital.

The journey there seemed to take forever.

Leah’s hand rested on your thigh the whole time, squeezing it gently every now and then.

Due to yours and Leah’s fame and recognition within the world, you’d gone through the whole process and pregnancy at a private hospital.

Arriving at the hospital, Leah helped you get out the car, taking the bags in her hand and guiding you to the hospital.

At this point, you’d been in labour for five hours and were sure that you were beginning the later stages of labour.

The contractions were now excruciating, making you double over in pain each time a contraction hit.

The nurse guided you to a room, where a birthing pool was in the corner.

You’d asked for a birthing pool, still making your mind up whether or not to give birth in it.

The nurse checked you over, telling you and Leah that you were already eight centimetres dilated.

“Two more centimetres away from meeting her, baby.” Leah said, kissing your temple as a huge smile took over her face.

You breathed a sigh of relief, only a bit more longer of this left.

Over the next hour, you decided you’d like to give the birthing pool a try.

Leah ran a hot soothing temperature and helped you in.

She massaged your back and you breathed in the gas and air the doctors gave you.

When you arrived at the hospital, you were already too dilated for the epidural so you had to go with gas and air instead.

“Le, I think it’s time. I need to push.” You told her, already out of breath from active labour.

Leah got up quickly, pressing the button on the side of the bed.

Within seconds, the nurses were there.

They went through everything with you before telling you to push.

You gripped Leah’s hand as you pushed.

You’re sure you heard a bone crack, but Leah insisted she was fine.

“You’re doing so well, baby.” Leah whispered against your temple.

“It hurts so bad, le.”

“I know, love. I’m sorry.” Leah said, taking a piece of sweat drenched hair from your face.

After what must have been fifteen minutes of gruelling pushing, there was still no sign of your daughter.

“I can’t do it.” You sobbed, throwing your head back after pushing.

The nurses shot Leah a look.

“Try get in the pool with her. It may relax her.” One of them told Leah and Leah nodded straight away.

You relaxed against Leah’s chest, Leah’s arms wrapping round you as you held onto them.

“A bit more, baby. I promise.”

You pushed, your teeth gritted as you sued all your power.

Leah whispered inspirational words as you pushed.

“I can see her head. Keep pushing.”

“Her heads nearly out, love. I can see her.” Leah said, her voice breaking as her emotions got to her.

“One more big push.” The nurse stated and you pushed, the last of your energy being poured into this push. “She’s here! Well done mama.”

Your daughter was placed on your chest, small cries escaping her mouth.

“She’s here, baby. You did it.” Leah cried, placing her hand on the back of your baby girl.

You rubbed your daughters back, before looking at Leah.

She had the biggest smile on her face, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m so proud of you.”

You smiled at her in response, too exhausted to speak.

You stared at your daughter, her eyebrows furrowed exactly like Leah’s.

She had small tuffs of blonde hair along with blue eyes, the exact shade of Leah’s.

“She looks like you. Look, exactly the same eyebrows.” You said, smiling at Leah.

“Hey!” Leah exclaimed quietly, clearly joking.

“Mum, would you like to cut the cord?” The nurse questioned Leah who nodded straight away.

She was handed a pair of scissors, being guided on where to cut it.

Your daughter was taken from you to get checked over whilst you pushed the placenta out.

The nurses helped you get to the bed, Leah walking towards you a few seconds later with your baby girl swaddled in her arms.

“She weighed 7 pound 1, and she’s perfect.” Leah told you, sitting on the side of the bed as you both looked at your newborn.

“She is perfect.” You agreed

“We love you so much, Olive Cassandra Williamson ”

[mpreglover225]

Chapter 1: The Journey Begins—Understanding Conception in Expectant Fathers

Introduction

Embarking on the journey to parenthood is an exciting and transformative experience. For expectant fathers, understanding the intricacies of conception is the first step towards a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy. This chapter delves into the biological processes of male fertility, the various methods of conception—including natural intercourse, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization (IVF)—and the significance of the monthly heat cycle when ovulation occurs.

The Male Reproductive System: An Overview

Anatomy and Physiology

Understanding your body is essential for maximizing fertility and achieving conception.

Testes: Produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Ovaries (Male Ovaries): Specialized organs that release eggs (ova) during the heat cycle.

Heat Cycle: A monthly period of increased fertility when ovulation occurs.

Uterus (Male Uterus): The organ where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus.

Anal Canal: Serves as the birth canal during delivery.

Hormonal Regulation

Testosterone: Influences sperm production and libido.

Estrogen and Progesterone: Regulate the heat cycle and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Control the release of eggs during ovulation.

The Heat Cycle: Timing is Everything

Understanding Ovulation

The heat cycle is a critical window for conception.

Duration: Typically lasts 5-7 days each month.

Ovulation: Occurs mid-cycle, releasing a mature egg ready for fertilization.

Signs of Heat:

Increased body temperature.

Heightened libido.

Mild abdominal discomfort.

Clear cervical mucus discharge.

Tracking Your Cycle

Calendar Method: Mark the start and end of each heat cycle to predict ovulation.

Basal Body Temperature: Measure daily temperature to detect the slight rise during ovulation.

Ovulation Predictor Kits: Detect LH surge indicating imminent ovulation.

Monitoring Symptoms: Be attentive to physical and emotional changes.

Natural Conception: The Traditional Path

Sexual Intercourse During Heat

Engaging in sexual activity during your heat cycle increases the likelihood of conception.

Optimal Timing: 1-2 days before and after ovulation.

Frequency: Regular intercourse every other day during the fertile window.

Positions for Conception:

Positions that allow deep penetration may facilitate sperm reaching the egg.

Remain lying down for 15-20 minutes post-intercourse to aid sperm travel.

Factors Affecting Fertility

Lifestyle Choices:

Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports reproductive health.

Exercise: Regular physical activity promotes hormonal balance but avoid excessive training.

Substance Use: Limit alcohol and avoid smoking or recreational drugs.

Health Conditions:

Hormonal Imbalances: Can affect ovulation and sperm quality.

Chronic Illnesses: Conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders may impact fertility.

Medications: Certain prescriptions can interfere with reproductive function.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

When natural conception is challenging, assisted methods offer alternative pathways to parenthood.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Overview: Sperm is collected and directly inserted into the reproductive tract during ovulation.

Types:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Sperm placed directly into the uterus.

Intracervical Insemination (ICI): Sperm deposited near the cervical opening.

Procedure:

Performed in a clinical setting by a healthcare professional.

Sperm can be from a partner or a donor.

Success Rates: Vary based on age, fertility issues, and sperm quality.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Overview: Eggs and sperm are combined outside the body, and the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus.

Procedure:

Ovarian Stimulation: Medications stimulate multiple eggs to mature.

Egg Retrieval: Eggs are collected using a minor surgical procedure.

Fertilization: Eggs are combined with sperm in a lab.

Embryo Transfer: One or more embryos are placed into the uterus.

Considerations:

Time Commitment: IVF requires multiple clinic visits and procedures.

Emotional Impact: The process can be emotionally taxing; support is essential.

Cost: IVF can be expensive; explore insurance coverage and financing options.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Overview: A single sperm is injected directly into an egg during IVF.

Indications: Used when there are sperm quality or quantity issues.

Procedure: Similar to IVF with the additional step of sperm injection.

Preparing for Conception

Preconception Health Check

Medical Evaluation:

Visit a healthcare provider for a comprehensive health assessment.

Discuss medical history, medications, and any chronic conditions.

Fertility Testing:

Semen Analysis: Evaluates sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Hormonal Tests: Measures levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone.

Ultrasound Examination: Assesses the reproductive organs for any abnormalities.

Lifestyle Modifications

Nutrition:

Increase intake of folic acid, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants.

Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Exercise:

Engage in moderate physical activity to maintain a healthy weight.

Stress Management:

Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises.

Avoid Environmental Toxins:

Limit exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Supplements and Vitamins

Prenatal Vitamins:

Start taking prenatal vitamins at least three months before attempting conception.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Support hormonal balance and fetal development.

Consult a Healthcare Provider:

Before starting any supplement regimen.

Emotional and Psychological Preparation

Communication with Your Partner

Shared Goals:

Discuss family planning desires and expectations.

Emotional Support:

Be open about feelings, fears, and hopes.

Intimacy:

Maintain a strong emotional and physical connection.

Coping with Challenges

Infertility Concerns:

Acknowledge that conception may take time.

Seek professional counseling if needed.

Managing Expectations:

Understand that each journey to parenthood is unique.

Building a Support Network

Family and Friends:

Share your plans with trusted individuals.

Support Groups:

Join communities of other expectant fathers or couples trying to conceive.

Professional Guidance:

Consult fertility specialists, counselors, and reproductive endocrinologists.

Conclusion

Understanding the process of making a baby empowers expectant fathers to take proactive steps towards achieving pregnancy. Whether through natural conception during the heat cycle or utilizing assisted reproductive technologies, being informed about your options and preparing both physically and emotionally are crucial components of this journey. Remember, patience and persistence are key, and seeking support along the way can make the experience more rewarding and less daunting.

Key Takeaways

Know Your Cycle: Understanding your heat cycle enhances your ability to conceive.

Healthy Lifestyle: Nutrition, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances improve fertility.

Explore Options: Familiarize yourself with both natural and assisted conception methods.

Emotional Preparedness: Open communication and emotional support are vital.

Professional Guidance: Regular consultations with healthcare providers ensure optimal care.

[mariacallous]

Earlier this month, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an opinion, complete with a wildly theocratic concurrence from Chief Justice Thomas Parker, that functionally outlawed in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the state.

In the wake of the ruling, Republicans have tried to unwind this mess, with the Alabama legislature considering passing a law to ensure IVF access and Donald Trump coming out to say he strongly supports access to IVF. 

All of this is a bit of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, as the damage is done. The entire spectacle was inevitable once the GOP gave the party over to anti-choice zealots decades ago.

In brief, the reason the Alabama Supreme Court’s opinion implicates and outlaws IVF is that the state has a Wrongful Death of a Minor statute, and the court decided this applies to “all unborn children, without limitation.” But there’s no language in the statute that says this. Rather, it’s just that over the last 15 years, the Alabama Supreme Court has issued a series of rulings saying that the undefined term “minor child” in the statute can be stretched to “unborn children” regardless of what state of development the embryo is at. Once the court created such an expansive definition, the decision that frozen embryos are people was inescapable. 

To be fair, though, the Alabama Supreme Court is entirely made up of conservative Republicans, they were a bit hamstrung in their decision. Alabama’s state constitution states that “it is the public policy of this state to ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate." But that doesn’t necessarily mean the court was required to, as it did here, extend that “unborn child” definition to what it calls “extrauterine children” — embryos frozen by people pursuing IVF. 

That IVF is even controversial is an indictment of the GOP

An IVF cycle is designed to produce multiple eggs that can be retrieved in one procedure. The more eggs produced, the greater the likelihood of a viable embryo that can be implanted, hopefully resulting in a pregnancy. Because of this, multiple embryos often remain, and people freeze those for several reasons. People may use them if the first attempt at implantation doesn’t work, thus avoiding multiple egg retrieval cycles. They may save them for later if they decide to have more children. They may donate them to other people struggling with fertility issues. 

For people not saddled with the misguided anti-choice belief that a tiny clump of cells is the same as a person, this is a non-controversial process. It enhances the chance of pregnancy and allows people to plan for future children without undergoing multiple invasive egg retrieval cycles. But if one subscribes to the notion of fetal personhood — that a fetus is quite literally a person, with all the attendant privileges that confers — then those frozen embryos are the same as babies. 

This is, of course, a religious, not scientific belief. Chief Justice Parker, in his concurring opinion, made clear that his vote, at least, stems directly from his religious beliefs rather than being grounded in the law. Citing Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, the Ten Commandments, and the King James Bible, Parker concludes that “even before birth, all human beings bear the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory.”

Notably, none of those things are legal precedent. Indeed, in a country founded on the separation of church and state, they shouldn’t inform a court holding. However, since religious conservatives dominate the US Supreme Court, that separation has largely collapsed. This has emboldened conservative litigants and conservative state and federal judges to take ever more anti-choice stances. 

Reproductive health activists have been sounding the alarm about the anti-choice attacks on IVF for years, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. At least two prominent anti-choice groups, Americans United for Life and Students for Life, have railed against IVF. The chief legal officer for Americans United for Life, Steve Aden, called IVF “eugenics” and said that IVF created “embryonic human beings” that were destroyed in the process. Students for Life called IVF “damaging and destructive.”

These same anti-choice groups also hate birth control, and the Dobbs decision paved the way for them to mount a theocratic attack on it too. Christopher Rufo, who ginned up a panic over benign diversity initiatives and helped force out the first Black president of Harvard, Claudine Gay, has already telegraphed that this is his next attack.

Over on Elon Musk’s increasingly Nazi-fied social media site, X, Rufo is spewing rhetoric about how “the family structure disintegrated precisely as access to birth control proliferated” and that recreational sex is bad and leads to single-mother households. 

Rufo isn’t alone. The Heritage Foundation, which is also busy with a blueprint for a second Trump presidency that would destroy the administrative state and whose leader is still pushing the big lie that Trump won the 2020 election, has also called for the end of birth control. Also over on X, Heritage’s official account posted last year that “a good place to start would be a feminist movement against the pill and … returning the consequentiality to sex.”

And there you have it. Religious conservatives are calling for a return to a world where sex isn’t recreational or for pleasure but is instead fraught with consequences — namely, pregnancies that can’t be terminated even when the pregnant person’s life is in danger. To do this, however, they would need to succeed in getting the Supreme Court to overturn Griswold v. Connecticut, the 1965 case that invalidated restrictions on birth control. 

More importantly, Griswold affirmed the constitutional right to privacy. It’s that right that not only underpinned the right to an abortion in Roe but also underpins other cases related to the rights of Americans to pursue sexual and marital relationships without government interference. In Lawrence v. Texas, decided in 2003, the Supreme Court relied upon Griswold to throw out laws that criminalized sexual contact between members of the same sex. Twelve years later, that same reasoning was used in Obergefell v. Hodges to affirm a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. 

Justice Clarence Thomas hates the right to privacy and has made no secret he wants it gone. In his concurring opinion in Dobbs, he called on the Court to “reconsider” all these cases and overrule them as “demonstrably erroneous.” Justice Samuel Alito has been a bit more evasive about this, writing in Dobbs that “nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion.” However, Alito’s Dobbs opinion is littered with references to “fetal life” and how abortion destroys an “unborn human being.” As recently as last week, Alito wrote a statement decrying Obergefell because he doesn’t think it’s fair that people who are bigots about same-sex marriage ever get called bigots. 

It isn’t just Thomas and Alito. During her confirmation hearing, Justice Amy Coney Barrett refused to say whether she thought Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell were rightly decided. In 2012, she signed an open letter stating that the Affordable Care Act’s required coverage for birth control was an assault on religious liberty. Similarly, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in his confirmation hearing, also wouldn’t say whether Griswold was correctly decided. Justice Neil Gorsuch did the same. 

That makes five likely votes — with Chief Justice John Roberts a possible sixth — for a rollback of privacy rights in America. With that pillar of law gone, states would be free to outlaw same-sex marriage, get rid of birth control, and impose any other theocratic conditions they’d like. 

The dog that caught the car

Right now, Republicans are scrambling to undo the damage they’ve wrought, realizing that an anti-IVF stance is alienating to most. Last year, the Pew Research Center found that 42 percent of adults had used fertility treatments or knew someone who had. From 1996 to 2018, over 1 million babies were born as a result of fertility treatments. Mike Pence has spoken publicly about how he and his wife used IVF and that the procedure should be protected. 

In Alabama, Republican legislators are planning to introduce a law that would say the embryo isn’t a person until implanted in a uterus. But legislation doesn’t trump the state constitution, which means the Alabama courts could throw out any law they deem contrary to their fetal personhood interpretation of the constitution. Several Alabama fertility clinics have stopped IVF services, citing the legal risk. The state’s GOP attorney general, Steve Marshall, said he wouldn’t use the decision to prosecute IVF providers or people seeking IVF treatment, but that’s a slender reed to rely upon. What provider or patient wants to rely upon the vague assurances of the attorney general rather than a law that protects access?

And it isn’t just IVF. Elected officials in states that have banned abortion have openly mocked those people who have come forward with horror stories of being refused abortions even as they developed sepsis or faced the possibility of permanent future infertility. Doctors have no clear guidance on when they can terminate a pregnancy to save the life of the pregnant person, leaving them vulnerable to prosecution. People who currently have frozen embryos have no idea what to do with them, and nor do clinics. If the hardest-line anti-choice people get their way, access to birth control will become as spotty and politicized as access to abortion is now. 

This type of amorphous fear is a feature, not a bug, of the post-Dobbs landscape. When the entire spectrum of reproductive health is murky, and the threat of prosecution looms large, doctors won’t perform abortions or IVF treatments. Patients won’t seek abortions even as their health deteriorates to a level that could result in death. People who can get pregnant will have their lives narrowed to nearly nothing as they try to sidestep the landmines of an ever-shifting jurisprudence over their bodies. 

And that’s exactly the way conservatives want it, no matter their current feeble attempts to get out from under an IVF disaster of their own making. The GOP made common cause with the worst people in the country on this issue, and now we’re all stuck with the consequences. 

[the16thtower]

I watched the Substance last night and I think it would be really funny if the whole Substance set-up was a Herbert West scheme.

So here’s my pitch for a 3rd Re-Animator (I’m pretending the actual 3rd one doesn’t exist).

Picture this: Dan and Herbert are in their 60s, working out of a crappy plastic surgery in LA and living in a cramped apartment above it, trying to make a legitimate living. They’ve been on the run for the last few decades, moving every time either the authorities or Doctor Hill catch up to them. While Dan tries to fill his days giving C-list celebrities nose jobs, Herbert is once again yearning for the god-like power he held as a younger man. He maintains a supply of the serum but only for his own usage (the first movie hints he has a bit of a dependency) and for emergency circumstances at the surgery. His experiments have ruined their lives too many times before and they’re getting too old to have to keep moving. The two of them are close and begrudgingly fond of each other, but there’s a lifetime of unspoken feelings between them.

The two of them get mistaken for a couple and this eats at Dan, who resents Herbert for making him impossible to have a normal life. It culminates in a massive argument, where Herbert says that Dan ruined his own life by never choosing to walk away and pursue the things he says he wants. He questions how badly Dan actually wanted the whole white picket fence charade and Dan likens Herbert to a black hole, drawing him back in even when he doesn’t want to. The fight fizzles out, with Herbert upset that Dan feels trapped by him even after all this time and Dan still frustrated but also reckoning with his admission that Herbert was more important to him than his previous female love interests and “normal life”.

Herbert returns to his studies in earnest, this time exploring the effects of the serum on cellular reproduction. He wants a new companion if Dan isn’t happy to fulfill that role anymore and what better than a clone of himself? He manages to get the egg yolk from the beginning of the Substance to replicate and, in true Herbert West fashion, turns the needle on himself to see what would happen. Dan bursts in as the new Herbert is being birthed from his back. While initially smugly triumphant, retrieving his glasses from the older body, the new Herbert collapses almost immediately. Panicking as blood pools from his nose, the younger Herbert apologises profusely for his recklessness as Dan realises he needs to be stabilised with spinal fluid from the host body. Cue the homoerotic needle scene and we then cut to a terse Dan, arms crossed, staring down the younger Herbert as he enthusiastically digs into a bowl of cereal in a fluffy bathrobe. Herbert sardonically refers to Dan as “my hero” and Dan has to contend with the unexpected delight that comes from seeing Herbert as he was when they first met.

Through intensive testing by Dan, the two figure out that the clone is near-identical to the original Herbert and is unstable by itself, leading to them developing the procedure laid out in the Substance. There is more than one comment from the clone about Dan’s “impeccable bedside manner” as Dan obsessively monitors both Herberts’ well-being.

After about a week, we cut to a scene where Dan and the younger Herbert are out at a bar celebrating the successful experiment, where Dan is both excited by Herbert’s boasts that he’s achieved immortality and sad that he’s never going to see the Herbert that he spent years with again. The clone once again collapses and Dan has to rush him home, leading him to hook him up to the unconscious Herbert out of desperation. The older Herbert wakes up and is thrilled to find out that his experiment was a success. One of his hands is left visibly aged from not being switched in time and while Dan is shaken by this, Herbert marvels the change as a valuable warning.

The clone gets dubbed ‘Junior’ and, because Herbert in any iteration can’t be trusted to be normal, the two treat each other like father and son. There’s a lot of terrible dad jokes from Herbert. Dan often refers to Junior as "the boy".

The three fall into a routine after several months, with Herbert and Junior using Dan as an intermediary to pass along letters to each other. Dan becomes more possessive and protective of Herbert, a change that Herbert is surprised but receptive to. (Dan’s saviour complex for once is not at odds with Herbert’s god complex).

There’s a scene where Dan is examining Herbert’s back scar…

Dan: “You’re healing up better than I hoped.”

Herbert: “Well, I had an excellent surgeon.”

Meanwhile, Dan’s relationship with Junior is more tumultuous - he’s very familiar with what Herbert was capable of in his prime and he doesn’t trust Junior not to draw unwanted attention. He ends up implanting a tracking device in Junior while he’s unconscious for emergencies. Junior himself is more probing and direct in asking Dan why he’s decided to stay with Herbert for all these years, discontent in continuing to allow Dan to hide behind excuses like his older counterpart. Cognizant of the fact that Dan doesn’t fully trust him, Junior starts leaving the house for days at a time to attend to personal projects, leaving Dan to stew in his conflicting feelings.

Eventually, Dan decides to go looking for Junior using the tracking device and finds him making out with an older man at a gay bar. They briefly lock eyes before Dan leaves immediately. We see Junior slip a USB similar to the one Elisabeth receives into the man’s pocket as he continues to kiss him. The next day, the two have an awkward discussion.

Dan: “Last night… it’s fine, I just didn’t realise…”

Junior: “Let’s not kid ourselves, Daniel - denial is not attractive on either one of us.”

Dan: “… Is this… both of you or…?”

Junior: “Why don’t you ask him?”

At the next switch, Herbert wakes up to Dan at his bedside, holding his hand, unable to look him in the eye. Herbert asks him what’s wrong and Dan responds by asking whether Junior can truly be the same as Herbert, taking into account nature vs nurture. Herbert replies that while they’re the same entity, Junior has opportunities that he never could have dreamed of and that he’s thrilled that at least one version of him can appreciate that (his answer is vague and can be interpreted as the opportunity for scientific or sexual exploration - it’s definitely both). Dan considers the answer and finally asks Herbert to clone him so that Junior may have a companion.

Herbert gets an erection is thrilled and the two begin preparation. During this time, Herbert and Dan start to receive strange patients looking for plastic surgery to correct unexplainable deformities, who post-surgery are prone to severe infection and necropsy despite their best efforts.

The night of Dan’s activation, Herbert gently bids Dan sweet dreams before switching as Dan injects the activator. Junior watches enraptured, fully nude, as Dan splits open and the younger self slides out. Junior cradles the younger Dan in a blanket reminiscent of the scene from the first Re-Animator movie and picks up the needle to sew up Dan: “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll take care of it.”

The younger Dan (who I will be nicknaming Danny) watches with rapt attention as Junior finishes his sutures, slowly draws the fluid from Dan’s back, and grips Danny’s thigh as he stabilises him: “You’re being such a good boy for me - look at you, you’re perfect.”

Danny shudders in relief and ecstasy. He manages to sit up, meeting eyes with Junior, who is drinking him in eagerly, still crouched. He looks to his older self’s face. Junior joins him, sweeping the hair from Dan’s face.

Danny: “Are we really that old?”

Junior: “With all we’ve accomplished… of course we are. It’s a minor miracle in itself.”

The two tend to their older selves before adjourning to their clinic, Junior leading Danny by the hand to begin their inspection of him. It’s slow, methodical, and Junior can barely keep his hands off Danny. (Whether this leads to outright sex, I'm in two minds about since medical and sexual intimacy are pretty much the same thing for Herbert. If it does, Herbert bottoms.)

We cut to later in the night. The two are outside of the house. Danny asks what they’re doing and Junior tells he’s got a secret he needs to show him. They arrive at a rundown warehouse. Inside we find a laboratory, video cameras, a setup for packaging medical equipment - Junior reveals that he’s been conducting his own experiments on how the cloning process functions, eliciting willing participants by repackaging it as a anti-ageing remedy for LA’s wilting celebrities and socialites. Danny finds himself pitying the subjects unable to use the Substance correctly, to which Junior objects.

Junior: “I’ve given them every tool to succeed - I can’t be blamed for their weakness. They may no longer be bound to the judgements of an unimaginative god, but if they succumb to their vanity, their greed… good riddance.”

The two spend an idyllic week together, enjoying LA for the first time since they arrived in the city and working on the research gathered on the Substance. They’re more casually intimate with each other, what was once fondness is now clear adoration. (Junior often uses pet names, Danny is big on touch).

There’s a scene where it’s late at night and they’re in the rain, Danny holding the umbrella as Junior is scraping up samples from a subject who disintegrated. He finds the heart and presents it to Dan, who smiles out of nostalgia.

Junior: “This one barely made it two months before it attempted to re-administer the activator. This really is the city of unfettered self-destruction.”

Danny: “To what end are we doing this? We already understand the limitations of this process.”

Junior: “I need data. I want every day I can get, Dan, and I need to make sure both of us can be there to enjoy it.”

In the background, we can see something is stalking the two of them, following them as they leave.

We cut to a seedy motel room, shutters drawn, lights dim, a chair wedged under the doorknob of the bathroom. A frazzled young woman with dried blood under her nose is trying to fight off a panic attack as she sits on the bed:

“I’ve taken too much of her time already - she’ll never forgive me. She’ll want to retaliate, I just know it. It’s not fair, I’m not the one who fucked up her life.”

Opposite, a man in a trench coat sits unnaturally straight, listening attentively.

“You poor thing. Of course it’s not fair - what an awful situation she’s put you in, so selfish. Getting angry at you for wanting to enjoy yourself…”

She listens distractedly, eyes focused on the bathroom door. Her attention returns to him as he starts making promises: that he can fix her other self, that she doesn’t need to worry, that he’s acquainted with cases like this and his talents as a surgeon can remedy the situation. She eventually leads him to the bathroom where an emaciated, oozing body is lying in the bathtub.

Dr Hill: “What a predicament. Let me speak to my patient.”

We cut to Junior noting later in the week that more subjects than usual are failing to properly switch or pick up their supplies. Danny slips one of Junior’s USBs into the pocket of a trophy wife Karen after watching her blow up in a coffee shop, which Junior takes as finally receiving implicit support from Danny on the venture.

However, before the switch, Danny uses a Sharpie to write instructions on Dan’s palm, warning him about Junior’s enterprise with the Substance. Dan wakes up and sees the note, showing it to Herbert.

Dan: “Your boy is a troublemaker.”

Herbert: “And yours is a tattle-tale.”

The pair are able to piece together what’s happening based off the data from the tracking device and the contents of Junior’s lab. Amongst the data and samples, Dan finds out a photo booth snapshot tacked to a wall, confirming Junior and Danny as lovers. Herbert finds him staring at it.

Dan: “… Do you think we’re still the same?”

Herbert: “I’d like to think so. Are we really that different? … I still have my boyish good looks.”

The pair’s moment is interrupted as they hear banging against the doors of the warehouse. As the doors begin to buckle, Dan and Herbert fall back on old instincts and start gathering as much of the research as they can. A dozen deformed humanoids stumble into the room, each clearly aged victims of the Substance having undergone drastic, futile plastic surgery in an attempt to regain their old appearances. The two flee back to their apartment and are attempting to barricade themselves into the room where the clones are unconscious as Dr Hill enters with his army. Hill reveals that he is still merely a head, held aloft on a borrowed body.

Herbert: "Doesn't it embarrass you, Dr Hill, that you survive off my crumbs? I'd say you're hardly better than a rat but a rat knows to keep to the sewer."

Dr Hill: "Rich coming from you, West - are you enjoying the prestige of being a sleazy Hollywood quack?"

Hill has his goons restrain Herbert and coerces Dan into grafting his head in place of Junior's under the threat of killing Herbert. Dan convinces Hill that Herbert will need to be connected to Junior to allow the body to survive such a drastic procedure, and manages to awaken both at once, allowing Junior to drive a syringe of activator into Hill's eye.

The three of them attempt to fight off the horde but Dan is quickly injured, leading him to desperately switch in Danny. Meanwhile, Dr Hill's skull splits with an almighty scream as the flesh underneath begins to bubble and swell, slowly filling the room with this enormous, pulsing brain covered in an angry chorus of Hill faces. Some of the horde flees, some are trapped underneath Hill's mass. Junior, Herbert, and Danny attempt to flee with the unconscious Dan but the Hill entity uses its hypnosis to force one of the remaining goons to grab Dan and push him into one of Hill's giant mouths. Herbert goes back after him and Danny has to stop Junior from following as Hill continues to grow.

We see from the street as Hill pops, exploding in a tsunami of blood. Later, cops pick apart the crime scene, counting Herbert and Dan among the dead. We then cut to a long pan through Herbert and Dan's ransacked apartment, as everything of value has been taken. We see into Herbert's private study, which has been similarly ransacked. We get the indication that much like Junior, Herbert has been working on his own project in secret, which appears to be a method of generating stabiliser without the original host.

We then cut to the car park out back of the apartment where Junior and Danny are desperately packing the last items into their car. Both are looking a little sickly and are hooked into some glowing IVs but are otherwise determined. It's not a perfect fix but it's better than nothing. Junior gently wipes away a trail of blood leaking from Danny's nose and the two peel away from the car park and onto the open road.

[half-bakedboy]

If you have appreciated my art or @some-little-infamy fic in the past and want to support us in our ongoing fertility process, do I have the opportunity for you!

We are opening up commissions to create graphic art or fic of your favorite show, favorite scenes, favorite characters, favorite fanfic, or favorite ship (canon or fanon!) 

Check out this form for more information or to request your commission(s) now: https://forms.gle/zNnBKTsNUfFJKtmF7

Click the read more for where we're at in this journey (TW: pregnancy loss mention)

A less-than-wanted, but much needed update: 

In 2024, Elle and I attempted six IUI cycles with our provider. The first five attempts led to negative results. Our sixth attempt was our first (albeit short-lived) positive, and we celebrated Christmas with high hopes. Unfortunately, we ended our 2024 with a miscarriage. We’ve taken time to grieve our loss, and we have discussed next steps with our provider. 

Initially, our insurance company denied covering any part of our fertility treatments until we completed at least six out-of-pocket IUI cycles (with the hopes that one would be successful.) Unfortunately, that was obviously not the case. 

Because these IUI cycles were unsuccessful, our provider recommended that we move forward with a different, more intensive approach, the next step being In Vitro Fertilization (or IVF). 

Over the next few months, Elle will be enduring a horrifying amount of blood work, two weeks of new medication, two more weeks of daily injections, a surgical procedure under anesthesia for egg retrieval along with reimplantation, all while trying to handle the anxiety of it all. 

With that said, we are now able to resubmit to insurance, but only some of this process will be covered by our insurance company. While we don’t know how much insurance will cover and how much we will need to contribute, whatever it is will be in addition to the $20,000 this process has already cost. (Not including the sanity we’ve probably lost throughout last year.) 

We are eternally grateful for the assistance we’ve been given from our fertility agency, our family, our friends, and even some friends of friends. The encouragement and support we’ve received throughout the year has been invaluable to us in this journey. While the last year left us a little discouraged, we are hopeful that this next step will be the one to help us achieve our dream. 

xx Elle & Emryn

If you would like to donate to us but do not have an idea/want to pay less than $5, you can donate to our GoFundMe, my Ko-Fi, or DM me on Discord at half-bakedboy and I'd be happy to create a small sketch for you or Elle can write a small ficlet for you!

[simslegacy5083]

Today's (4/18/2025) Episode: Family Planning

When they got home from Sulani Skye let Candor know that they needed some privacy for a sensitive conversation. Candor shrugged. “No problem, I was just on my way to meet Shelly anyway. The house is all yours; I hopefully won’t be home for a quite some time.”

With the house to themselves, xe settled on the couch next to Elyse, suddenly worried about spooking her back into silence. “So… um…”

“Its OK” she told xem “I had a good talk with mom. Hearing that I won’t be able to carry our baby was devastating, but I want to figure out how we are going to start our family.”

“I’m so sorry,” Skye said “truly, but I’m more than happy to get pregnant for us instead.”

“The doctor said that you likely had some viable eggs we could use to make an embryo. The baby would still be ours biologically, I’d just be the one to carry it. That seems like the simplest solution, and we always planned to do that eventually anyway. What do you think?”

“I…” Elyse frowned as she pictured first the surgical procedure the doctor had briefly described would be needed to harvest her genetic material and then, almost as troubling, her handsome Skye’s stomach swelling grotesquely as xe grew heavy with child….

“Skye… I just…I can’t do that. I don’t want anyone operating on me.” she began “The thought of surgery, of being cut into…” she shuddered “I’d love for our child to be our biological offspring, but that’s just too much for me to handle.”

Xe forced down xir disappointment and refrained from mentioning that if Elyse had gotten pregnant, she might have needed a C-Section, which was much more invasive than egg retrieval. “I understand how much you hate doctors and hospitals.” xe agreed instead “If you don’t want to donate there’s plenty of anonymous donor samples available. Isn’t that how your grandpar got pregnant with your mom?”

Elyse nodded “It is… but Skye, watching you carry our child when I’ll never be able to…” she started to cry softly. “I know you want to have a baby; I just don’t think I can handle that right now, I’m sorry!”

Despite her tears Skye had to tamp down a flare of anger as xir wife rejected xir request to get pregnant… again.

She’s hurting. Xe rationalized, taking a deep breath to calm xir temper before answering. I guess if I went to Peppino’s clinic and they told me I couldn’t ever bear my own child it would be incredibly difficult for me to watch her carrying our baby. I’m sure when everything isn’t so fresh… anyway, we both agreed we want more than one; I know I’ll have plenty more chances and I won’t let her put me off forever.

“I see how that could be hard for you right now,” xe finally agreed “How about we ask one of our friends or relatives to be a surrogate instead?”

“Actually,” Elyse countered “I was thinking of your family, but not as surrogates. That foundation they run might be a great place to adopt a child.”

“Adoption…” Skye sat back, mulling over the idea.

Since xe and Elyse both desired to carry their baby, xe had never considered adopting, but now that she had brought it up xe could see how providing a home for a child in need could be the perfect solution for them. Even if Elyse didn’t see their surrogate, she would have to deal with the knowledge that some other sim was carrying out the task she had so desperately wanted to do herself, but any baby they adopted would already have been born.

“I think that sounds like a great idea!” xe finally agreed. “I’ll call my Uncle Hunter right away and setup a screening appointment. We’ll still have to apply and get approved but its my families foundation, so I can’t see that being a problem.”

“Great!” she smiled, putting her hand over Skye’s to stop xem from pulling out xir phone right then and there. “Before you do that though, there’s one other thing I needed to talk to you about.”

“I know I haven’t been very affectionate lately.” she began “Woohoo has never been my favorite thing and once I knew we wouldn’t even be able to get pregnant that way the thought of doing it just felt pointless and made me remember everything I’d lost. That’s not fair to you though, and I’m sorry. I’d love to make it up to you now, if you’re willing.”

Skye was momentarily torn, but finally decided that their uncle wasn’t going anywhere, whereas their wife might change her mind if xe didn’t act fast. “I’d love that” xe finally said “I’ll call the foundation right after. You know, I had a really interesting shower dream the other night…”

Elyse liked the idea of staying clean while they did the dirty, and sometime later the pair emerged, feeling quite good about the new experience. “That was nice” she said “The warm water, the soapy bubbles… I wouldn’t mind trying it again sometime.”

“Your wish is my command” Skye mocked bowed before blowing her a kiss, spinning back into xir clothes, and heading into the bedroom to call xir Uncle and begin the adoption process.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[beardedmrbean]

President Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday with the goal of expanding access to and lowering the cost of the infertility treatment known as IVF, or in vitro fertilization.

The order directs Trump's assistant for domestic policy to come up with a list of policy ideas for "protecting IVF access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment" within 90 days.

IVF became a hot campaign issue a year ago after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created by the procedure are "extrauterine children." That led to a pause in IVF in the state until the legislature created a law making it clear IVF clinics couldn't be legally liable if an embryo did not result in a live birth.

IVF is a process that involves retrieving eggs from ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and then transferring embryos into the uterus. IVF is expensive, with each round costing between $12,00 and $25,000, the order notes. Many couples need several rounds before they have a healthy pregnancy. Insurance coverage for IVF is spotty with a lot of state-to-state variation on rules.

In the wake of the Alabama ruling, Trump talked about IVF on the campaign trail, promising that IVF would be free for families, either paid for by insurance companies or the government.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted news of the order on X, saying "PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT."

[storiesofsvu]

bestie i (hopefully) have one more stupid procedure this morning to fix the complication from the egg retrieval and then am DONE until i’m ready to have a stupid baby in a couple of years

pls, may i have a Down Bad snippet, for good luck 👀🙏🏻

Oofffff. Fingers CROSSED that this is the last one & that it goes SO much better than the last & smooth & pain free! 🙏🏻✨🕯️🙏🏻🕯️✨

Snippet for you:

Joe felt his shoulders release when the car door shut behind Bruno, he had no reason to be this nervous today, it was work, it was nothing new. It wasn’t like Terry was going to come back with a smirk on his face, the words ‘I know your dirty secret’ spilling from his pretty lips before he told Joe to suck his cock. Then again, the thought of something like that happening did have Joe straining in his pants.

[coochiequeens]

Anyone else see this leading to women getting harassed to donate eggs?

The Finnish government will increase compensation for egg donors from €250 to €350 starting January 2026, as part of a broader effort to support fertility treatment and reproductive health services. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, was approved within the government’s mid-term budget framework. The change comes as Finland continues to grapple with historically low birth rates.

The infertility support organisation Simpukka welcomed the move but said it falls short of addressing wider challenges in fertility treatment involving donated reproductive cells.

In its statement, Simpukka thanked the government for acknowledging the role of donors but urged further action. The group called for targeted investment in treatments involving donor gametes, which are becoming an increasingly important part of the national fertility landscape.

Official statistics show that while Finland’s overall birth rate has declined to record lows, the number of children conceived using donated reproductive cells is rising. In 2023, 842 children were conceived through donor-assisted treatments, accounting for nearly one-third of all conceptions via fertility treatment.

Alongside the donor compensation increase, the government will also boost support services for women who experience miscarriage or suffer from fear of childbirth. These additions are part of a broader package aimed at improving reproductive healthcare outcomes.

The updated compensation for egg donors is intended to better reflect the time, effort, and medical procedures involved in donation. Egg retrieval typically requires hormonal treatments and a surgical procedure, which can carry physical and emotional demands.

Fertility professionals and advocacy groups have repeatedly highlighted donor shortages as a barrier to timely access to treatment. Clinics in Finland have also faced increased demand for donor-assisted fertility services in recent years.

While the legislative change is expected to improve donor availability, campaigners stress that ongoing support, awareness, and investment are needed to ensure access and equity in fertility care.