Thursday, February 28, 2013

2013 Conference Registration Has Begun!!!

Registration for the 2013 Family Building Conference has begun!!!
 
To register, click here.

To learn more information about the 2013 conference, click here.
 
We look forward to meeting you on April 27th! If you have any questions, please email us at kcinfertilityawareness@hotmail.com
If your plans change and you can no longer attend anytime between now and April 27th, please email us. If you would like to change the breakout sessions you chose anytime between now and April 27th, please email us.
Would you be wiling to deliver flyers to your OB-GYN or any other places?  We'd love your help in spreading the word.  Please email us so we may mail you hard copies of this flyer.  Thanks!
 
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

2013 Family Building Conference Information

We invite you to attend the 3rd Annual Kansas City Infertility Awareness & Family Building Conference.  This is a FREE event for all interested...men, women, and couples struggling to build a family, loved ones of those struggling to build a family, healthcare professionals, anyone!  Registration begins March 1st on the 2013 Conference page of this website. 

Saturday, April 27, 2013
Check-in & continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.
Conference is from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Penn Valley Community College
3201 Southwest Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64111
Click here for driving directions.

This event has been a HUGE success the past two years wtih 200+ attendees each year. This year's format will be similar to last year's format of choosing breakout sessions to attend.  This year's breakout sessions include...
  • IVF & Beyond
  • Embryo Adoption
  • Evaluation of the Male Partner
  • Adoption
  • Faith & Infertility
  • Recurrent Pregnancy Loss & Mind-Body Therapy Program
Click here to learn the conference schedule and to more details about each breakout session.

Click here to access the PDF version of this year's flyer.

We can't wait to see some of you again...and meet some new people at this year's conference.  Do you have any questions?  We'd love to answer them.  Email us at kcinfertilityawareness@hotmail.com.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

3rd Annual Conference Date!!!!

Great news!!!!!  The 3rd Annual Kansas City Infertility Awareness and Family Building Conference will be Saturday, April 27th.  Stay tuned to learn more information about times, schedule, speakers, and venue. The 3rd annual conference will be even bigger and better than last year's event...each year keeps getting better and better!!!

Some more great news...we've expanded our team!!!  We, the co-founders, are thrilled to welcome four wonderful ladies to our Board who will help the co-founders plan the 3rd annual conference.  Their perspective and fresh, new ideas will make this year's conference even better.  Please join us in welcoming Jenny Matthews (our emcee for the inaugural and 2nd annual conference), Jaclyn Alcantara, Angie Shemwell, and Michele Corniels. 

We greatly appreciate your support; we could not do this without you!  If you know of anyone struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, and/or adoption, PLEASE refer them to this website and our Facebook page.  Also, our email is kcinfertilityawareness@hotmail.com; please feel free to email us with questions and/or concerns regarding your journey.  If we don't know the answer, we can surely point you in the right direction!

Graciously,
Allison, Nicolle, Meagan, and Tami
KCIA co-founders

Monday, April 23, 2012

2012 Conference Giveaways...updated 4/23/12

Below are giveaways you may win at the 2nd Annual Kansas City Infertility Awareness & Family Building Conference!  The list will continue to grow...check back often.

****MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN GIVEAWAYS!****

Giveaways from Infertility Professionals
  • 2 $500 gift certificates towards the family building method of the winners' choice (i.e. medical treatment, acupuncture, counseling, adoption, etc.) from the KCIA Foundation
  • 2 initial consultations (one IUI and one IVF) and a spa basket from Reproductive Resource Center
  • Day spa gift from Reproductive Medicine & Infertility
  • 3 acupuncture consultations, 3 chiropractic consultations, and 1 acupucture treatment from Mary Zhang Chinese Medicine Clinic
  • 2 hour adoption consultation from Kris Probasco of Adoption and Fertility Resources
  • iPad or Kindle Fire from Midwest Women's Healthcare Specialists
  • 2 counseling sessions with Audra Bell, LSCSW from Behavioral Midwest Specialists, Inc.
  • 2 consultations from Midwest Reproductive Center
  • Initial application fee waived from American Adoptions
  • TBA from Perry Drug
  • Items from Fairhaven Health
    • FertilAid for Women vitamins (multiple bottles)
    • FertilAid for Men vitamins (multiple bottles)
    • FertileCM vitamins (multiple bottles)
    • Fertile-Focus (personal ovulation microscope)
    • Basal temperature theromometers (mutiple theromometers)
    • Ovulation predictor kits (multiple kits)
  • Free one-month membership to My Hopeful Journey for EVERY ATTENDEE (web-based organizer to track your cycle related data when trying IUI, IVF, and/or to conceive naturally)
  • Free Naturopathic consultation with Dr. Krukowski from Aveno Naturpath

Giveaways from Other Professionals/Businesses
  • 2 tickets to Hot Chelle Rae concert on May 1st, CDs, and DVDs gift basket from Mix 93.3
  • Handbag, wallet, and scarf from Lauren Corcoran of Elle Elyse Handbags and Accessories ($100 value)
  • Thirty-One Bags donation from consultant Shanen Middendorf
  • Thiry-One Bags donation from consultant Angie Archer
  • Thirty-One Bags donation from consultant Karin Maybell
  • Hair products gift basket from Zuri Salon & Color Studio
  • Free haircut & brow wax from Frannie Bollinger at Studio 500
  • Celebrating Home pottery donation from consultant Jean Gard
  • Mary Kay gift basket from consultant Jamie Conaty
  • Mary Kay gift basket from consultant Vicki Kraft
  • Arbonne gift basket from consultant Christy Fansher
  • Arbonne gift basket from consultant Jessica Vandenbos
  • Arbonne gift (3 facials & $50 gift card) from consultant Tara McGraw
  • $25 Jack Stack BBQ gift card
  • Free photo session gift basket from Allison Carenza Photography
  • Massage gift certificate from Tranquil Moments
  • Massage gift certificate from Caring Touch Massage, LLC

Books, CDs, and DVDs Giveaways
  • Love and Infertility by Kristen Magnacca
  • Tuesday's Grace by Sara M. Howard
  • On Fertile Ground, Healing Infertility by Helen Adrienne
  • The Infertility Companion by Sandra L. Glahn & William R. Cutrer, M.D.
  • Moments for Couples Who Long for Children by Ginger Garret
  • How to Get Pregnant by Sherman J. Silber, M.D.
  • Hannah's Hope by Jennifer Saake (multiple copies)
  • The Empty Picture Frame by Jenna Currier Nadeau
  • Empty Womb, Aching Heart by Marlo Schalesky
  • Infertility: Help, Hope, & Healing by Kerstin Daynes
  • Christians and IVF: Wise Choices and Life-Affirming Options by John and Sylvia Van Regenmorter
  • Fertility: A Naturopathic Approach by Jane Semple, MA, ND
  • Pregnant with Hope by Susan Radulovacki (multiple copies)
  • The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, PhD (multiple copies)
  • If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky
  • When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden by Sandra Glahn and William Cutrer, MD (multiple copies)
  • When God Lets You Down by Alex Gee (multiple copies)
  • How to Make Love to a Plastic Cup by Greg Wolfe
  • Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption by Scott Simon
  • If at First You Don't Conceive by William Schoolcraft, M.D.
  • A Graceful Waiting by Jan Frank (multiple copies)
  • When Love and Sorry Embrace: The Sufficiency of God's Grace Through the Heartache of Misscarriage by Beth Forbus
  • Surrogacy, and Embryo, Sperm, and Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking by Theresa M. Erickson
  • Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility by Sami S. David, MD and Jill Blakeway, LAc
  • Self Fertility Massage DVD with Hethir Rodriguez, CMT, MH (multiple copies)
  • Dear God, Why Can't I Have a Baby? by Janet Thompson (multiple copies)
  • Beside the Empty Cradle: Finding Peace with Childlessness by Pamela Sonnenmoser
  • The Daughter of Dreams (written about adoption) by Beverly Barna
  • Surviving Infertility: An In-Depth Study of God's Word by Beth Forbus (multiple copies)
  • In-Vitro Fertilization by Geoffrey Sher, M.D.
  • Infertility's Anguish by Jan and Dan Davis
  • Step Right Up & Take Your Chances by Maureen Linse-Adras
  • Riding the Infertility Roller Coaster by Iris Waichler, MSW, LCSW
  • Resolving Infertility by the staff of RESOLVE
  • Infertility: A Practical Guide for the Physician

Friday, February 17, 2012

Word of Wisdom from Drs. Brabec & Riggs

KCIA has asked Drs. Celeste Brabec and Ryan Riggs from Reproductive Resource Center to share with you important infertility-related information. Dr. Riggs was a speaker at the 2011 conference, and Reproductive Resource Center was a platinum sponsor.  Dr. Brabec will be a speaker at the upcoming 2012 conference.  We look forward to working with their office again this year.   We are delighted to have both Drs. Brabec and Riggs as guest writers for our website.



The team at Reproductive Resource Center (RRC) understands how difficult struggling with infertility is for our patients.  At the RRC we are committed to providing only the best possible care to couples with a compassionate and candid approach.  Over the decades, our culture of innovation and highest-quality service has resulted in enormous achievements in infertility treatment - and we are eager to share our success with you!  Utilizing the best possible treatment and technology, RRC has helped with over 10,000 births to date and through IVF treatment alone - over 3,800 births.


Although 1 in 6 women (couples) suffer from infertility, not everyone needs high-tech treatment (IVF) for infertility concerns.  Because age is often the biggest predictor of treatment success, the sooner you see us, the more likely we can help you build or expand your family.  Together with you, the doctors and staff at RRC will develop an individualized treatment plan to address even the most challenging infertility problems.  We look forward to helping patients succeed against any odds and have experience utilizing infertility treatments for a wide range of conditions, including endometriosis, PCOS, age-related infertility, tubal disease, fertility preservation, and in instances of genetic disease.


As highly-trained infertility specialists, the doctors and staff at RRC offer an unprecedented experience base to treat infertility issues.  Collectively, our staff has more 100 years of experience treating infertility.  Equally, important, some of us have struggled with infertility ourselves!  Both board-certified in fertility treatment, the physicians at RRC are fellowship-trained Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialists.  Dr. Celeste Brabec trained at Harvard University, joining the practice in 1999, and now serves as our medical director. Dr. Ryan Riggs completed his fellowship at the distinguished Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in 2009 - the site of the first successful IVF baby in the US - and joined RRC later that same year.


Established in 1988, RRC is a privately-held clinic, where the doctors have complete control over their practices, allowing them to focus solely on patient care. Our clinic provides a complete portfolio of infertility services and treatments. For those individuals or families who are seeking responsible fertility treatment, our CAP Accredited IVF lab offers high pregnancy and low multiple birth rates.  The Reproductive Resource Center is a Kansas City based reproductive health, infertility, and in-vitro fertilization (or IVF) center.


Reproductive Resource Center
12200 West 106th Street
Suite 120
Overland Park, KS 66215
Local Phone: (913) 894-2323
Toll-Free Phone:  (877) 221-2323
Fax: (913) 894-0841

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Words of Wisdom from Dr. Gehlbach

KCIA has asked Dr. Dan Gehlbach from Midwest Reproductive Center to share with you important infertility-related information.  Dr. Gehlbach was a speaker at the 2011 conference, and Midwest Reproductive Center was a platinum sponsor.  He will be a speaker again at the upcoming 2012 conference.  We look forward to working again with Dr. Gehlbach and his office.  Recently, Midwest Reproductive Center opened another office in the Northland; their original office is in Olathe.   We are delighted to have him as a guest writer for our website.  After the article, you will find Dr. Gehlbach's biography originally printed in the 2011 conference program.

Male Infertility Myths

Myth: Infertility is a woman’s issue.
            A male factor is found in at least half of all infertile couples, which is why semen analysis is recommended early in the evaluation of the couple.

Myth: Age does not affect a man’s fertility.
            The age of the woman has a much greater effect upon fertility, but men’s sperm count declines gradually over time. There is also an increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of men as they get older.

Myth: I should switch from boxers to briefs.
            Heat can lower sperm counts, and men should avoid excessive heat exposure, such as saunas or hot tubs. Fortunately the choice of underwear does not result in infertility.

 
Myth: The longer I abstain from sex, the better my sperm count.
            Having sex too often can sometimes lower a man’s sperm count, but abstaining for 7 days or longer can also hurt the quality of the sperm sample. Two or three days of abstinence is recommended before semen analysis. Similarly, having intercourse every other day around ovulation time is a common practice for couples trying to conceive.


 
Myth: Taking a vacation will help us get pregnant.
            Stress is often blamed for infertility. However, stress has not been shown to affect a man’s sperm count and there is no evidence it causes infertility. Taking a vacation or a break from treatment may reduce stress levels temporarily, but it does not help your chance of getting pregnant.
 

Myth: There are no fertility drugs for men.
            While fertility drugs are often used for women undergoing fertility treatment, there are much fewer situations where medication can help improve a man’s sperm count. When the man’s pituitary gland does not produce the hormones necessary for sperm production; fertility drugs can restore a normal sperm count.

Myth: There are no effective treatments for male infertility.
            Actually there are several very successful treatments for male infertility. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) can help by placing the processed sperm sample into the woman’s uterus, usually while she is taking fertility drugs to release several eggs at one time. For men with extremely low sperm counts, IVF is much more successful, because the sperm are injected directly into the eggs to fertilize them. Even in situations where the man has a zero sperm count, such as following a vasectomy, sperm can be taken from the testicles by an office biopsy and used in IVF, again with excellent pregnancy rates.

Olathe Location
20375 W. 151st Street, Suite 403
Doctors Building 1
Olathe, KS 66061
913-780-4300
913-780-4250 fax
http://www.midwestreproductive.com/

Northland Location
Medical Plaza North
2750 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 604
North Kansas City, MO 64116
913-780-4300
913-780-4250 fax
http://www.midwestreproductive.com/



Biography of Dan Gehlbach, M.D.
Dr. Dan Gehlbach, MD, Founder and Director of Midwest Reproductive Center, PA, is Board Certified in both OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Gehlbach graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point as a Distinguished Graduate in the top 5% of his class. While attending the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree, he was awarded membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed his residency in OB/GYN at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. He received his fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where his research interests focused on uterine leiomyoma (fibroids). Dr. Gehlbach developed the first In Vitro Fertilization program in the Army and served as Director of the Reproductive Endocrine Division at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He served as an associate clinical professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also served as Director of the Advanced Laparoscopy Training program for the military. Dr. Gehlbach has served as the Army Section Chairman of the Armed Forces District of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. While in the military he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and has published numerous medical studies and articles and received awards for his scientific presentations and clinical teaching. Upon leaving the military, Dr. Gehlbach has devoted his full-time efforts to clinical practice and opened his private practice in Olathe in 2004. His practice was the first in Kansas City to have an office-based IVF program. He has served on the Board of Directors for the KC Gynecological Society and currently holds the office of Treasurer.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Marriage Retreat for Couples Struggling to Build their Family

Exciting news!!!!  Beside the Empty Cradle, a ministry dedicated to helping childless couples find healing and joy, is hosting its first-ever marriage retreat.  For more information, go to http://www.besidetheemptycradle.com/, and scroll down to "Marriage Retreat Information."  Click here to learn more and register.

The marriage retreat will take place on Friday, May 10th, and Saturday, May 11th at the Ramada Inn in St. Joseph, Missouri (30 minutes north of Kansas City).  Registration is $200 and includes accommodations, Friday night reception, Saturday breakfast and lunch, handouts, prizes, and so much more.  Wow...what a deal! 

If you were one of the five couples who received FREE registration at our 2011 conference, you may register now and include the certificate number on the registration form.

We are so excited to have this resource available to couples who need support and encouragement!  We know this will be an amazing weekend for couples.