The Fertility World need more of THIS

Something I wish someone had told me when I started this journey was that there was a plethora of information and people willing to help if only you knew where to look, and who to talk to. The one thing that still gets me everytime I encounter someone going through fertility treatments is how alone they feel. This shouldn't be something that a woman has to hide. Fertility struggles happen to 1 in 6 Canadian couples, which is a staggering statistic. As much as we feel alone in this struggle, that's not the case and that's what I was so excited when I heard about the Canadian Fertility Show that will not only bring these topics to the forefront but also allow couples to talk with specialists and learn what the right path is for them.

The first-ever Canadian Fertility Show will bring together experts in the fields of reproductive medicine, natural medicine and psychological support to provide education and support for prospective parents. This is not just a show for couples struggling with fertility but also for couples who are thinking about expanding their family in a number of different ways; including adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing etc. What I love about a convention like this is that it not only supports couples wanting to expand their family but also allows single people to explore options on how to become parents. 

Here are some examples of some of the issues being tackled:

• IVF and advances in innovative reproductive technologies
• The optimal diet for improving the health of sperm and eggs
• How to optimize your health and that of your future children
• Options for egg and sperm donors as well as Surrogacy
• Emotional support for your fertility journey

Now, you may be wondering why I'm talking about this. You might also ask if this is an ad, and the answer to that is two-fold. On one hand, I was asked by the creators of this convention to mention it in a blog post, but on the other hand, I am so freaking excited that this exists. Even if I wasn't going to go (which I am) I would have told everyone I knew going through this journey to look into it because not only will you have doctors and physicians at your fingertips, but you will also be surrounded by people going through the exact same thing you are, and that is something you don't get on this journey. Fertility is a lonely place to be when it doesn't go your way and this is an opportunity to get the information you need and meet people who know EXACTLY what you're going through. 

The Canadian Fertility Show will happen on April 14th, 2018 from 10am to 5pm at the International Center in Mississauga. Tickets are already on sale for $12 until April 8th and they will rise to $15 after that date. Visit www.canadianfertilityshow.ca for more info on tickets, speakers, and sponsors. 

Here are the speakers scheduled to participate:

• Dr. Jodie Peackock, ND is a Naturopathic doctor at The Root of Health in Oakville.
• Dr. Marjorie Dixon, MD opened Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health in 2016, the first full-service IVF center in Canada exclusively focused on reproductive medicine and women’s health.
• Dr. Dan Nayot, MD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Dr. Olivia Rose, ND is the director of Fertility Acupuncture Services, a program that brings acupuncture to couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination to Toronto fertility clinics.
• Dr. Tracy Malone, ND is the Co-founder and Medical Director of Conceive Health Clinic – Canada’s Naturopathic Reproductive Medical Clinic specializing in Integrative Fertility Care, Preconception Care, and In Vitro Fertilization support.
• Shirley Levitan, LLB is a lawyer who works with clinics, hospitals, intended parents, egg/sperm donors and gestational carriers. 
• Mary Wong, BSc., R-TCMP, R.Ac is the founder and CEO of ALIVE Holistic Health Clinic and was an expert panel advisor to the Canadian government on infertility and adoption. 
• Dr. Jen Fitzgerald, ND is a Naturopathic doctor, speaker, and co-founder of Conceive Health Clinic, Canada’s first Naturopathic Reproductive Medical Clinic specializing in Integrative Fertility Care and In Vitro Fertilization support.
• Dr. Shannon Corbett, MD, FRCSC, OBGYN, GREI is a fertility specialist at The Reproductive Care Center Fertility Clinic.
• Dara Roth Edney, MSW, RSW is a Reproductive Counsellor and the founder of Informed Fertility.
• Dr. Julia Sen, Ph.D. is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in fertility counseling.
• Amira Posner is a Social Worker in Toronto, Ontario. She works with individuals and couples who are struggling with infertility.
• Dr. Danielle O'Connor, BSc, ND, FMAPS is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor that graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003.
• Timear Belej-Rak, Bsc, Msc, MD, FRCSC, GREI, IFMCP is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University and is actively involved in medical student education. 
• Dr. Zeynep Uraz, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and an Associate Professor at The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine where she teaches Women’s Health and Gynecology and leads the fertility-focused shift at the RSNC 
• Dr. Joseph Doyle MD is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, for which he has developed education modules and served as an ad hoc reviewer and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
• Jan Silverman has worked in the field of Reproductive Health for the past 26 years supporting, educating and advocating €on behalf of women and men struggling with issues of infertility. 

*I want to add that one of the sponsors of this convention is the Reproductive Care Centre in Mississauga. I spent 6 months at that clinic and I loved that experience there. They were caring, respectful and sensitive to the hardships that come with months and months of tests. I couldn't be happier that they are sharing their knowledge and expertise to this cause.