INFERTILITY AND
ADOPTION
GUIDELINES FOR THE REFLECTION PAPER
1
page
Single space
Prescribed format (can be
downloaded from our website,
www.famipop.weebly.com)
Use at least 10 concepts learned in
class when you write your essay.
Underline those concepts.
 One
of the challenges that many
couples face today is infertility.
 The
desire to have children is a
human instinct.
 Infertility….
the state of being
unable to produce offspring; in a
woman it is an inability to conceive;
in a man it is an inability to
impregnate.
SOCIAL PRESSURES TO HAVE
CHILDREN




Our society has a pronatalist bias.
Pressure to have children can come from the
parents, the family, peers, and relatives and
even the society in general.
Some societies have negative notions toward
women who cannot bear a child.
Others will stigmatize men who cannot
impregnate women, less masculine.
SOCIO-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING OF
INFERTILITY
 Childless
woman may be ostracized.
 Ghana:
One tribe calls infertile
woman as Kono which means
barrenness, emptiness or
worthlessness.
 Kono
is a derogatory term, outcast.
INFERTILITY AND DEATH


In a tribe in Ghana, when a childless woman
dies, they use some local medicine called anya to
bury her.
Anya is like a leaf which is tied around her waist
before burying her. This is done to convey a
message that when she is coming back, she
should not come back barren. (From an elder)
Source:
http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/9829/
ajnm_v10_n1_a3.pdf?sequence=1
CONSEQUENCES OF INFERTILITY
Children-Free
Adoption
Surrogate
Motherhood

Primary
infertility- No
history of conception
Secondary
infertility-
Unable to conceive after a
successful birth delivery.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF INFERTILITY
Female Factors
 Infections:
Vaginitis (see video) &
Cervicitis – makes environment hostile to
sperm.
 Cervical
Problems – can affect survival or
mobility of sperm. Vagina [because of
acidity] normally is a hostile environment
for sperm.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

Vaginitis
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

Cervicitis
Endometriosis – endometrial tissue grows
outside uterine cavity.
Male Factors
Primary Causes of Male Infertility: Impaired sperm
production/mobility/delivery; Testosterone deficiency
(hypogonadism). Can be congenital or acquired.
Problems in Sperm Production
 Average # deposited is 70 million/ml in 2-6 ml.
 Sperm count 20 million or less in 2-6 ml. suggests
inadequate production.
Causes:
 Infections - HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, epididymitis,
testicular inflammation (orchitis) [mumps as adult]
 High fever from prolonged elevation of scrotal
temperature; can cause irreversible infertility if before
puberty
 Diseases; Testicular Cancer
 Testosterone deficiency - disorder in hypothalamicpituitary-gonadal axis .
 Men with obesity, diabetes
 Smoking and drinking and use of some drugs
The Sperm Analysis
 You should get the sample to the lab within 30 minutes.
 A laboratory specialist must look at the sample within 2 hours of the
collection.
 The earlier the sample is analysed, the more reliable the results. The
following things will be evaluated:
•
•
•
•
•
•
How the semen thickens into a solid and turns to liquid
Fluid thickness, acidity, and sugar content
Resistance to flow (viscosity)
Movement of the sperm (motility)
Number and structure of the sperm
Volume of semen
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003627.htm
Combined Problems [Male/Female]
– Sexual technique
Sexual Technique/Timing - Provide
counseling on:

Lay in bed for 10-15 mins. after
the intercourse

Fertility best if intercourse timed
around ovulation.

Infrequent intercourse: may lower
sperm motility.

Frequent: may lower # mature
sperm.
HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE
OVULATING?

Insert Video
IMPACTS OF INFERTILITY ON WOMEN
(WOMEN’S HEALTH QUEENSLAND WIDE, INC.)
May feel angry for not being able to have children
 Resentment towards other pregnant women
 Feeling of guilt
Infertility as a punishment (career)
Previous termination
 Feeling of inadequacy (dysfunctional self)
 A diagnosis of infertility will often lead to feelings of
grief associated with the loss of control over
reproductive capabilities, plans and goals.

IMPACTS OF INFERTILITY ON WOMEN
(WOMEN’S HEALTH QUEENSLAND WIDE, INC.)
 Some
may feel uneasy when surrounded
with children
 Withdrawal
or social isolation
IMPACTS OF INFERTILITY ON MEN (WOMEN’S
HEALTH QUEENSLAND WIDE, INC.)


If the couple’s infertility is a result of
sperm dysfunction, the man may feel
inadequate and feel that his sense of
masculinity is challenged.
The strong societal link between fertility
and virility causes many men to keep
their infertility a secret, in turn
increasing their feeling of isolation.
IMPACTS OF INFERTILITY ON MARITAL
RELATIONSHIP (WOMEN’S HEALTH
QUEENSLAND WIDE, INC.)


Infertility can place great strain on a
relationship, particularly where the
diagnosis relates to only one partner.
The infertile partner may fear being left for
another (fertile) person, while the fertile
partner may blame or feel anger towards
their partner.
IMPACTS OF INFERTILITY ON MARITAL
RELATIONSHIP (WOMEN’S HEALTH
QUEENSLAND WIDE, INC.)



Differing levels of enthusiasm for pursuing
treatment can occur, particularly in couples
where one partner already has children.
Agreeing on what fertility tests to perform,
which treatment options to pursue and when to
stop treatment can all cause conflict.
If one partner does not want to begin or continue
with treatment, the other partner may feel they
are being denied the chance to have a child and
become resentful.
COMING INTO TERMS WITH INFERTILITY



While some couples may not consider treatment,
others may spend years pursuing treatment to have a
child.
Infertility treatment is emotionally and financially
demanding.
It is therefore important to come to an agreement,
preferably before treatment will start, on the types of
treatments, number of attempts, overall length of
time and amount of money they will commit towards
having a child.
(Women’s Health Queensland Wide, Inc.)
 For
couples who can afford, the option
is in-vitro fertilization.
Step 1. Stimulation or super ovulation (fertility
drug)
Step 2. Egg Retrieval (Follicular aspiration, a
minor surgery)..If cannot produce, donation is the
option.
 For
couples who can afford, the option
is in vetro infertilization.
Step 3. Insemination and Fertilization---intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Step 4. Embryo Culture (when the egg divides)
Step 5. Embryo Transfer- Embryos are placed into
the woman’s womb 3 - 5 days after egg retrieval
and fertilization…The doctor inserts a thin tube
containing the embryos into the woman’s vagina,
through the cervix, and up into the womb.
COST

In the United States, a
cycle of in vitro
fertilization costs
approximately $10,000
to $15,000.
INSERT VIDEO
 IVF
“The idea behind the underwear is that tests of men with fertility problems tend
to "be naturally warmer by an average of over one degree Celsius". That little
number adds up to a big difference and by lowering temperature in the precious
area can improve the motility of the sperm.”
“The Snowballs underwear is made from organic cotton and cools with freezable
gel packs in a wedge shape made of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium.”
Source: http://sploid.gizmodo.com/this-tingly-cold-pair-of-underwear-will-makeyour-sperm-1497544777
CULTURAL PRACTICES (OTHER REMEDIES)
OTHER REMEDIES



Herbal Medicine
Spiritual means if they think infertility is caused
by evil spirits.
Massage (Lingam Massage for Erectile
Dysfunction)…a sensual massage

Acupuncture

Yoga
ADOPTION
 This
is an alternative to infertility
treatment.
 By
definition (DWSD), “this refers the
socio-legal process of providing a
permanent family to a child whose
parents have voluntarily or involuntarily
relinquished parental authority over the
child.”
WHO USUALLY ADOPTS?
 Homosexual
 Parents
parents
who cannot produce offspring
 Parents
who just want to have children
but do not want to engage in sexual
relationships
 Altruistic
reasons
JASON HANNA AND JOE RIGGS, TEXAS GAY
FATHERS, DENIED LEGAL PARENTHOOD OF
TWIN SONS

“In order to grant a
second-parent adoption it
has to be between two
married people,” Jason
explained. “And so,
considering we’re not
legally married in the eyes
of Texas, they don’t have
to grant that secondparent adoption because
they don’t recognize our
marriage…It’s up to the
judge’s discretion on
whether or not to grant it.”
ADOPTION IS A PROCESS
Adoption
Adoption
is not time bound.
involves people, the
adoptees, the adoptive parents,
and the birth parents.
TYPES OF ADOPTION


Public Adoption: An adoption that occurs through
licensed public agencies (DSWD)
Private Adoption: An adoption arranged directly
between adoptive parents an the biological birth
mother, usually with the assistance of an
attorney
Transracial
Adoptions
Single-Parent Adoptions
Adoptions by Gays and
Lesbians
International Adoptions
ADOPTIONS
Closed Adoption: An adoption where identifying
information is sealed and unavailable to all parties
Open Adoption: A type of adoption that involves direct
contact between the biological and adoptive parents
INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS (U.S.)


About 18,000 adoptions in 2000 were of children
from outside the country.
48% of all children who have been adopted from
overseas by American parents were from Asia,
33% percent from Latin America, and 11% from
Europe.
UK ADOPTION TODAY

In the UK today there are 4 main
areas of adoption:
Adoption of step-children
 Babies and children with disabilities
 Children who have been removed from
their families


Babies and young children from overseas
COMPONENTS OF ADOPTION (DSWD)
The following are components of adoption:
 Recruitment of potential adoptive families who may
provide a home to a child;
 Development of adoptive applicants as parents to a
particular child in need of a home;
 Selection of a family who can best contribute to the
total development of a particular child;
 Preparation of the child and family prior to
placement to insure acceptance and readiness for
the new relationship;
COMPONENTS OF ADOPTION (DSWD)
The following are components of adoption:
 Supervision of trial custody for at least six months to facilitate
the child’s adjustment in the family prior to the completion of
adoption;
 Preparation for removal of the child from the adoptive home if
the placement disrupts while alternative plans are being
worked out;
 Finalization of adoption and termination of service with
issuance of the final decree of adoption and amended birth
certificate;
 Organization of groups of adoptive parents as part of support
system; and
 Post-legal adoption counselling when adoptive family and
adoptee need further counselling related to information about
adoptee’s background and search for his/her biological
parents.
HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIVE PARENTS



Do children under homosexual families grow
differently?
A study by Farr, Forssell, and Patterson (2010)
reveals that gender orientation is not really
significant to cause children’s adjustment.
What matters most according to them is parental
relationship, parenting, and parenting stress.
IMPACTS OF ADOPTION ON BIRTH PARENTS
( CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION GATEWAY ,
2013)
It
is a traumatic experience
Thinking about the child
Guilt and shame
Identity issues
Effect on other relationships
INSERT VIDEO

Beautiful Woman
LEGAL INSTRUMENT


Republic Act 8552 Domestic Adoption Act of
1998
Republic Act 8043 Inter-Country Adoption
Act of 1995.
RA 8552
[1] Birth certificates, marriage certificate,
proof of financial capacity (like ITR, bank
deposit, etc), clearances (barangay, police,
NBI, fiscal, court), and others as proof of
good moral character, good health, etc.
[2] Upon payment of the filing or docket
fee, the petition is raffled to a Family
Court (of the city nearest the place where
the petitioner resides).
[3] Newspaper Publication
RA 8552
[4] Before the initial hearing, the social worker conducts a case study and home
visit. The social worker submits his investigation report and recommendations to
the court before the initial hearing.
[5] On the date of the initial hearing, the petitioner and the prospective adoptee
must be present. The lawyer presents what are known as the jurisdictional facts
(petition, proof of publication in newspaper, notice to the Office of the Solicitor
General, etc).
[6] If there is no opposition to the petition for adoption by any party, then the
lawyer asks the court permission for an ex-parte presentation of evidence, done
before only the court stenographer and the court appointed commissioner (the
branch clerk of court). The court however can require presentation of evidence in
open court. All in all, the case could take up to about a year to finish.
[7] If the court decision is favorable and there is no appeal by any party, then the
court issues a Certificate of Finality. The lawyer then coordinates with the Local
Civil Registrar (of the town or city where the court is located, and the adoptee’s
birthplace) and the National Statistics Office for the issuance of a new birth
certificate bearing the petitioner’s surname.
ADOPTION REUNIONS
 This
is the process/time when the
adoptee and his/her biological
parents meet.
This could be a negative or positive
experience on the child and the
couples (biological and adoptive
parents).
SURROGACY



Hagar (mother of Ishmael)
Abraham-Sarah-Hagar triad is a type of blended
family, only that this is not a result of divorce or
death or separation.
Latin surrogātus, assimilated variant of
subrogātus; see subrogate…meaning substitute
for another


Surrogacy: The act of giving birth to a child for
another person or a couple who then adopts or
takes legal custody of the child
Traditional Surrogacy: A type of surrogacy where
the man’s sperm is implanted in the surrogate
through artificial insemination
TYPES OF SURROGACY
Traditional Surrogacy
 The mother is both a biological parent and the
carrying mother.
 Gestational Surrogacy
 The carrying mother is not biologically
related to the foetus
 Altruistic surrogacy
 The surrogacy as a kind gesture
 Commercial surrogacy
 A contract for money

BABY M
 In
1986, Mary Beth Whitehead gave birth to
Sara following artificial insemination
 She had agreed a contract with William Stern

$10,000 plus medical expenses
 Mary
Beth changed her mind, and told Stern
he could keep his money.
 At 5 weeks old a court ordered her to give up
Sara to William and Elizabeth Stern

Sara became Melissa
BABY M
 The
Judge decided that the case was a custody
case, rather than a surrogacy case.
 William Stern had a right to the baby as a
biological father.
 Mary Beth was deemed an unfit mother

her other children were never taken into care.
 Later
the court of appeals overruled this
decision, reinstating Mary Beth as the baby's
legal mother but decided it was in Melissa’s
best interest to stay with the Sterns
DILEMMAS OF SURROGACY
 Many
surrogate mothers feel a sense
of achievement
 Some women go through the
surrogate process time and time
again
 They also benefit from the money
and/or expenses
 They assist people to have a child of
their own