Sarah Jessica Parker surrogacy stories raise false hopes for women

This is a really short-sighted article, with fully ONE quote from a doctor. I would venture a guess that Dr. Branigan's quote was taken at least partially out of context. Even if the doctor's quote was not taken out of context, it blatantly ignores the fact that there are myriad reasons some women necessarily delay childbearing--not just because they're "busy" with other things into their late 30s or 40s.

I speak from experience here: I'm 38 and the mother of 10 month old twins who were conceived from MY very very healthy eggs and my husband's very healthy sperm. They were carried by a gestational surrogate (who's 41!!) not because I had some egg-related fertility issue, but because my issue is a uterine anomaly. I literally cannot carry a child, even though I'm a Fertile Myrtle of mythic proportions (8 miscarriages preceded our surrogacy journey).

So, I beg readers AND writers--please show the whole side of the story. Sarah Jessica Parker is not obligated to discuss her reproductive health with the world any more than you're obligated to share your personal, private details. Respect the fact that there are many reasons why some couples need to turn to surrogacy: uterine anomalies, cancer or other illnesses, and yes, sometimes just because they waited to find the right partner with whom to raise their children.

"One doctor, Bellingham IVF & Fertility Care's director, Dr. Emmett Branigan, told me: "If they [women] are in their 40s with twins, you can almost be assured it’s a donor egg." "

Please let Dr. Branigan know he is simply mistaken. I am 42 and currently pregnant with twins and yes, they are my own eggs! While I may be an exception to the rule, Dr. Branigan is mistaken.

Interesting, because your chances of conceiving twins actually goes up as you age:

"Your chances of having twins increases as you grow older. Women produce more ovulation-stimulating hormone as they age, increasing your chance of releasing more than one egg during ovulation. The chance of having twins rises to 4% between the ages of 30 and 34, and to 5% between the ages of 35 and 39. If you are over 45, your chance of having twins is 17%."

I so got tired of being told it was impossible to get pregnant after 40 without donor eggs, after I unexpectedly found myself pregnant at 49. So I started collecting stories of pregnancies & births over 44 years old, and have found 5,100 stories online so far!

Most of the stories happened before the donor egg era, or were an unexpected surprise to the mom - so how can it be so rare or impossible?

QUOTE: "In 2007, there were more than 105,000 births in the United States to women ages 40 through 44, and over 7,349 to women 45 to 54. In 2007, there were 2,274 live births to women over 42, using donor eggs."

http://bit.ly/C8Fue
~*~ Catherine

I work in a fertility clinica and i can assure you alot of ladies in their 40's have twins with their own eggs, so don'y know what the "DR" is tlaking about

While there are exceptions to every rule, being a nurse in the Infertility field, I completely agree with Dr. Branigan's quote. The biological clock is not some myth, but unfortunate truth.

No one is debating the fact that it can happen in some cases, but 44 year old eggs are different from 38 and even 42 year old eggs. SJP doesn't have to share any information, obviously this is her business. However, it does create a misconception to many women out there who are delaying childbearing due to their thoughts that visible women (celebrities, politicians, etc) are doing it, so why can't they?

These are the same women we see in our office with tears streaming down their faces asking why didn't someone tell them earlier...I just hate perpetuating that myth, though obviously understand a person's need for privacy. It can be a vicious circle.

Cynthia, were they able to identify a specific uterine anomaly in your case? I've had six miscarriages and am not sure if I should turn to a surrogate carrier or keep trying (I'm 36). Any advice (from you or anyone else)?

I am also a nurse in the infertility field and I completely agree with JM. All these very lucky women stating here that they were able to get pregnant in their forties are indeed lucky and blessed. I see thousands of women who heard these stories from women telling them "Don't listen to the doctors, I got pregnant with twins at 44 with out a problem." And women listen to them then come into my office wondering why they are 39,40,41 etc and can't get pregnant. Just remember by telling these women how the doctors don't know what they are talking about and you can wait until the 40s to have a child is essentially sending these women on a potentially very painful path.