5 reasons why you should go to the Canadian Fertility Show

First, let me start off by saying that the Canadian Fertility Show is not paying me to write a #sponsored post (emphasis on the hashtag!) as I am not a digital influencer. In fact, I've never connected with the show's planners or organizers and they have no idea that I'm encouraging people to visit. Unfortunately, my schedule does not permit me to attend this year and I know I'll be missing out on a lot, so that's why I think if you live in Southern Ontario and can fit it into your plans on Saturday February 23rd, then you absolutely should go. This is only the second year for the now-annual show and I was so happy when I heard the announcement that it was coming back in 2019. 

The inaugural Canadian Fertility Show was held on April 14, 2018 in the midst of a two-day snow and ice storm that slammed across the Greater Toronto Area and left tens of thousands of homes and business without power. Dennis and I drove out to neighbouring Mississauga in a flurry of ice pellets and -10 C temperatures, which aren't exactly pleasant for the middle of April in Southern Ontario. Because of the weather conditions, I don't think the attendance was as high as it could have been and we did notice dwindling numbers as the day wore on, with the seats at the final lecture of the day only about one-tenth full. It did, however, allow for more one-on-one time with the experts, many of whom came up from more southern locations in the United States and were rather shocked at how nasty mother nature could be in the middle of spring. Everyone seemed thrilled to be there, though, and the atmosphere was extremely warm and inviting. And despite the few people left late in the day, earlier lectures were packed right to the back of the room, with some people spilling out into the hallways and trying to peek over others' heads. 

When the Canadian Fertility Show returns to the International Centre for its second year a week and a half from now - hopefully with better weather this year but who knows - here are some of the highlights that you can expect:

1. SO MUCH FREE STUFF!

If you're one of the first 500 people to get there, you get a free goody bag - and it's per person, not per couple! Because there were two of us, I saved some items from the second bag for a friend of mine dealing with infertility who also wanted to attend but was unable to. Among the favourite items in the goody bag where chocolate - oh so much chocolate! - samples of special fertility supplements, natural lubricants and a glow-in-the-dark sperm keychain. Dennis and I hadn't eaten breakfast so the chocolate helped to tide us over until lunch. 

Can't make it in time for the 9:30 a.m. opening? You'll still be able to collect tons of free stuff from all the booths on-site. I'm still using my purple canvas bag from the Canadian Surrogacy Options booth and my pens from about one third of all the exhibitors there. You can also pick up information pamphlets and folders jam-packed with interesting literature from about every single booth. (And once you've read all the material, save the folders to use for when you file your taxes - errrrr, maybe that's just ol' frugal me!)

2. DARA ROTH EDNEY

Roth Edney, who is a reproductive counsellor and has her own business, was the speaker who stood out from the rest for all the right reasons. She's had children through surrogacy herself and was able to use her own personal experience to help explain the pros and cons of informing children born through surrogacy, egg donation or sperm donation about where they came from and the process that was involved in making them who they are. Entitled "Bringing Light into the Shadows: Discussions of Disclosure, Privacy and Secrecy in Assisted Human Reproduction, Donation & Surrogacy," Roth Edney was honest, sincere and brought a more emotional and intellectual perspective to a process that's mostly discussed in medical terms. She also touches on how to explain your journey to family and friends, and what to do in tricky situations. Even though she'll be giving the same lecture this year, I'm a bit disappointed I won't get to see it again, as it would have an even greater meaning for us this year. You can hear her in Phoenix C Lecture Hall at 3:15 p.m. 

3. MEET OTHERS LIKE YOU

Many individuals in our situations feel alone and may not know others going through a similar journey to have their children - at least not in the real world. While it's great to connect with surrogates, other intended parents and agency owners in the surrogacy groups on Facebook, there are few opportunities to talk to these individuals in real life. The Canadian Fertility Show provides that opportunity in a safe, non-judgmental space. After all, everyone is there for a good reason! On that final lecture of the day that we attended last year - when most people had already left to try to avoid the worst of the ice storm - there was enough space and time to connect with other couples and I ended up chatting with another woman who was planning to pursue surrogacy. We exchanged numbers and even though we never ended up connecting later, it was the first time I'd met someone in person who would going through the same process as me to have a baby. 

4. THERE'S NOT JUST CANADIAN OPTIONS

As I mentioned above, several of the exhibitors come in from south of the border and offer a wide range of services. While many fertility clinics within Canada generally recommend finding an altruistic egg or embryo donor here at home, those who are able to afford it have the option of seeking these in the U.S. (and in fact one of the clinics we started out with was pointing us in the direction of an American egg bank). In the U.S., donors are paid for their services and some intended parents may find that works better for them and offers them more options. What stood out most for me here was the lecture given by Dr. Joseph Doyle from Shady Grove Fertility in Washington D.C. Funny and extremely friendly, Dr. Doyle is someone who knows his stuff and explains it well. He even showed photos of what Washington D.C. looks like for those who may have never ventured so close to the White House and the President of the United States before. Several months after meeting him, I found out someone I knew was headed for Shady Grove for eggs ahead of her pregnancy journey and we both agreed on how awesome he was. But beyond Dr. Doyle's expertise, you will find a number of experts from the U.S., showing intended parents that there are choices on both sides of the border.

5. IT'S NOT JUST SCIENCE!

I touched on this a bit earlier when I mentioned how Dara Roth Edney provided an emotional and intellectual look at the process of third-party reproduction and how to tell your future child about where they came from. But the entire show embraces the fact that having a baby assisted by science also involves a whole lot of moving parts that have nothing to do with science! You can hear experts talking about mind-body connections, look into supplements that can naturally boost fertility, and new this year - you can learn more about adoption if that's an option for you. I was really happy to hear that adoption is a topic for discussion this year as wading through those waters can be even more difficult than egg donation and surrogacy. 

Whatever help you need building your family, the Canadian Fertility Show can help with that. I can say that once we left the International Centre for the day and headed home on those icy, slippery roads, I was so glad we braved the conditions. Dennis and I left feeling more informed and more excited about what was to come. We met face to face with lawyer Sara Cohen and others who we had only spoken to by phone and email. We spoke with Jan Silverman who works on the counselling side of Create Fertility, who remembered us when we walked in three weeks later for our consultation. This was - and will be again - the optimal opportunity to meet some of the people who may end up helping you achieve the biggest goal of your life. 

The Canadian Fertility Show is being held Saturday February 23, 2019 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. For more information and a list of exhibitors and speakers, click here.