The majority of surrogate births occur at a significant distance from your home. In many cases, the distance will necessitate a plane ride home with your newborn. This reality can send chills down the back of any new parent. Flying with a newborn doesn’t have to be a stressful event; it just takes a little pre-planning and a lot of patience.

How To Fly With a Newborn 

#1. Travel Documents

As an intended parent, you’ll want to make sure you have your paperwork updated and easily available. 

• For domestic births, this simply means calling the airline after the birth to add an infant in lap to your ticket. 

• For international couples you’ll need to add the infant to your reservation as well as ensure that your child’s passport is ready and stored with your own. 

#2. Be Flexible

Be prepared for anything. Many times, a newborn’s behavior during that first flight will vary slightly from what you’re becoming used to. Regularly hearty eaters may sleep through feedings, while a light eater may consume twice the amount they normally do. Try to follow your newborn’s lead.

#3. Prepare for In-Air Feedings

Plan on having more food on hand than your newborn would usually consume. If using formula, have it pre-measured (single-use packets or snack-sized Zip-Lock baggies work great) and in an easily accessible location. 

Airports in the U.S. do allow unlimited ounces of breast milk and baby formula to be brought through security, despite the standardly enforced three-ounce maximum rule. Your fluids may be subject to additional screening, but they should not be confiscated.

#4. Pack Plenty of Changing Supplies

Also plan on having more diapers than you think you could need. Perhaps the only thing worse than running out of food is running out of clean diapers! While you’re at it, you may want to throw in a spare outfit or two in case of a diaper blowout. An aisle seat may also be a good idea for ease of diaper change and bathroom trips.

#5. Dress (You & Your Baby) for Success

Another great tip is to dress your newborn in layers. Airplanes are predictably unpredictable when it comes to the onboard temperature, and you’ll want to make sure your child is prepared for both hot, stuffy environments as well as cool, breezy ones. This is also a solid tip for yourself. Layers can help not only your comfort, but your potential need for a change of shirt in the event of spit up or a bad diaper encounter.

#6. Choose the Right Airline

Remember that not all airlines are created equal when it comes to caring for their tiniest passengers. Before you book your flights you may be well served to look into a few different airlines and compare their newborn policies against each other. This is especially important for international intended parents. (Read our related blog post for information about the best airlines for international travel with a baby.)

#7. Try To Relax

Finally, try not to stress over the flight too much. It’s been a long journey just to get to this flight, try to take time to enjoy the moment as you fly home with your new family. Not only will this more relaxed approach benefit your stress levels, but research suggests it can prevent your baby from feeling stressed too.

Growing Generations attends to your needs throughout your surrogacy journey. If you're ready to take the next step toward building your family through surrogacy—and looking forward to flying home with your new baby—contact Growing Generations. You can also apply today online to get started.

Planning to arrive in your surrogate’s hometown in time for the birth of your child can be especially difficult when you’re traveling from another country. While it is important to arrive in town early, international intended parents also have to plan accordingly for the time they’ll need to be stateside following the birth as well. This can turn your stateside visit into a lengthy one.

First of all, understand that most babies are not born on their due dates. In fact, studies estimate only about 5% of babies are actually born on their due dates, the rest falling within two weeks to either side of the due date.

For this reason, we strongly urge our international intended parents to arrive in town no later than 38 weeks gestation for a singleton, and 36 weeks gestation for a multiples pregnancy. Many intended parents will choose to arrive even earlier as, in many cases, the travel time from their home to their surrogate’s home can be in excess of 24 hours, leaving little chance to make it in time for delivery if labor begins earlier than expected. If you are unable to travel this far in advance of your expected due date, we advise that you’re able to “drop everything and go” when you receive the call that your surrogate is in active labor.

In the final weeks of pregnancy your surrogate and her OB will be paying very careful attention to your surrogate’s body as it prepares for labor and child birth. Her OB will be monitoring her swelling, blood pressure, and the heart rate of the baby to ensure that no one is in distress. Elevated levels could lead to a medical induction. The OB will also be performing internal exams on your surrogate’s cervical opening to check for softening, thinning, or dilation, as these can mean labor is approaching.

Some women who have experienced childbirth many times say that they are able to tell when labor is nearing and may be able to share her instincts with you in the final weeks. Of course, there is no exact science and false alarms can happen to anyone.

A defined plan of action leading into the final weeks of the pregnancy can provide the most relief possible as you await the birth of your child. Whatever your plan is, due try to relax and enjoy the final weeks and days of your journey as much as possible.

 

Once you have confirmed the match with your surrogate, you will move into the contracting phase of your journey. During this time, you will be working with lawyers who are very well versed in fertility and reproductive law in the United States to draft and execute your surrogacy agreement.

Many states require a legal contract between the surrogate and the intended parents. This contract, commonly known as the surrogacy agreement, will be catered to suit the laws of the states/countries that are included as well as any specific requests you and your surrogate have agreed upon.

The main purpose of the contract is to specify and clarify the outcomes of any issues that may arise during the course of the pregnancy. 

Examples include:

• What will happen to the child should something happen to the intended parents before the baby is born

• What would happen if the baby were diagnosed with a genetic illness while in utero.

• How many fetuses is the surrogate willing to carry

The contract is designed to protect all parties and prevent potential disputes.

Most IVF clinics will stipulate that a surrogacy agreement be in place before any medical procedures begin.

Later on in your journey, you will need to manage more legal paperwork to establish parental rights. Final parental establishment for the intended parents is acquired via a court order declaring the parental rights and obligations of the intended parents. At this point, you will be identified as the sole legal parents. The court order will also include directions for the department of Vital Records to issue a birth certificate for the child, upon which will be placed the names of the intended parents. This is usually done before the end of the third trimester, though this may vary from state to state.

Occasionally, a woman will come to our egg donation program with the desire to donate her eggs after completing her family. If the potential egg donor has had her “tubes tied,” she might feel that she is unable to donate as a result. This is a myth. You can donate eggs if your tubes are tied. 

HOW CAN YOU BE AN EGG DONOR IF YOUR TUBES ARE TIED?

Following a tubal ligation, women are still able to donate eggs because the process of egg retrieval removes the eggs directly from follicles, before they are released into the body. Cut fallopian tubes do not have an impact on the body’s ability to produce mature, fertile eggs.

HOW DO YOU DONATE EGGS AFTER TUBAL LIGATION?

The egg donor process is no different for a donor that has undergone a tubal ligation than it is for any other donor. You will still be required to take injectable medications and attend several monitoring appointments leading up to the retrieval. The medical process for retrieval will be completed the same way it would if your tubes remained intact. Recovery will also be similar, and side effects will still consist of mild cramping and bloating. You can learn more about egg donation from ReproductiveFacts.

Interestingly enough, a woman who has had a tubal ligation is also able to be a surrogate. With the help of science, it is entirely possible for a child to be born without the use of fallopian tubes. 

Complete our online form to apply to be an egg donor and discover the Growing Generations difference.

Toxemia, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, & HELLP syndrome are all very serious diagnoses that can happen to a woman in pregnancy. In general, these conditions are all varying degrees of the same problem, centered around high blood pressure in pregnancy. While we hope that you’ll never be faced with any of these complications of pregnancy during your surrogacy journey, it is helpful to understand the differences of toxemia vs. preeclampsia and similar complications.

TOXEMIA

Toxemia is a condition that can occur both during and after pregnancy. In the most general of terms, toxemia means pregnancy-induced hypertension or high blood pressure. Occurring in roughly 7% of pregnant women, this condition can vary in severity. The condition can begin as early as when the placenta begins to form, affecting people who are pregnant for the first time more frequently than those who have previously experienced pregnancy. Symptoms include protein in the urine and bloating in the face, hands, or feet. With proper detection and an increase in rest, this condition can generally be controlled with little risk to the carrier or fetus. However, if left untreated, it can develop into pre-eclampsia. 

PRE-ECLAMPSIA

This is a condition that exists only during pregnancy and is generally linked to gestational hypertension, protein in the urine, and increased swelling. The only cure is delivery of the fetus. The severity of the condition can be wide ranging. 

Treatment will vary based on the gestational age of the fetus and severity of the pre-eclampsia. In some cases, all that may be needed is bed rest and an increase in fluid intake. In other cases, an immediate delivery may be required. 

If not treated, pre-eclampsia can lead to eclampsia, renal failure, or death to the carrier. Risks to the fetus included diminished oxygen and food supply from the placenta, often resulting in low birth weight. While this condition can happen to any pregnant woman, it tends to affect women who are under 20, over 40, have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or who are carrying multiples more frequently. This condition is expected to appear in roughly 5% to 8% of all pregnancies. 

ECLAMPSIA

Eclampsia has many of the same markers as pre-eclampsia and is generally recognized as the same disorder. However, eclampsia is the more serious of the two conditions. While many of the risks to the person who is pregnant and baby remain the same, eclampsia also carries the risk of seizures. When someone is diagnosed with eclampsia, it is best to deliver all babies as soon as possible, regardless of gestational age. Generally the baby will be delivered via Cesarean section once the surrogate’s medical condition has been stabilized.

HELLP SYNDROME

HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening condition believed by many to be a complication of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. It can pop up before and after childbirth. The condition gets its name from the common indications of its presentation: 

• Hemolysis (red blood cell destruction)

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Low platelet count

While some patients are already being monitored for an eclamptic condition, many others will not appear to be in distress, exhibiting only minor symptoms including increased heartburn, headache, and nausea/vomiting. 

HELLP Syndrome is more rare than pre-eclampsia, estimated to occur in less than 1% of pregnancies. However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, 4% to 12% of women with pre-eclampsia will go on to develop HELLP. 

Because this syndrome is rare and often mimics pre-eclampsia, it is often misdiagnosed. Blood tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment includes bed rest, blood pressure medication, magnesium medication to prevent seizures, and potential blood transfusions. Following a diagnosis of HELLP Syndrome, a swift delivery is often recommended. 

Growing Generations is a premier surrogacy agency providing attentive, concierge-level services to intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors. If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, contact us online or complete our surrogate application.

Intended parents and surrogates often have questions about the types of insurance coverages used during the surrogacy process. Growing Generations (GG) is here to help intended parents understand how they can limit financial exposure and to help surrogates understand how insurance is used to provide them with safety and security. GG will be with you to provide guidance and connect you with top insurance providers as needed.

Here are the different types of insurance that will be discussed.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY

What is it?

This insurance is designed to cover routine pregnancy and delivery care as well as any complications that may arise.

How Does it Work?

Pregnancy and delivery are covered in the following ways:

• A surrogate’s existing health insurance policy

• The Affordable Care Act (ACA)

• A specialty surrogate maternity product underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.

During a surrogate’s admissions process, GG will review her personal insurance to determine whether it is acceptable to use. If it is not, we may ask the surrogate to apply for an ACA insurance policy. ACA insurance policies are only available during an “open enrollment” period that most commonly occurs in December of each year. If we cannot use a surrogate’s existing insurance or an ACA policy, Lloyd’s of London’s specialty surrogate insurance will be used.

Once we’ve determined the method of coverage, we will create an insurance coverage plan outlining the type of insurance which will be used for maternity care along with cost information for intended parents.

Why it’s Important?

Medical care in the United States is known for being top notch but very costly. Health insurance is designed to offer financial security no matter the level of care a surrogate may need during pregnancy and delivery.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NEWBORN BABY CARE

What is it?

This insurance is designed to cover medical care for baby once born.

How Does it Work?

For intended parents living withing the United States, they will simply add their child as a legal dependent to their own insurance policy within 30 days of birth. For intended parents living outside of the United States, policies are offered through Allianz and Lloyd’ s of London.

Why it’s Important?

Again, medical care in the United States is known for top notch but very costly. Health insurance for the newborn is designed to offer financial security in the event the baby needs care beyond what is considered “well baby care.”  Babies that are born prematurely or born with other health conditions will often result in medical bills in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars and health insurance  helps to mitigate this financial risk for the intended parents.

Cycle Insurance

What is it?

Cycle insurance is designed to cover complications arising from IVF protocols and procedures.

How does it Work?

Your case specialist will request cycle insurance as soon as an IVF calendar is received.

Why it’s Important?

While complications are rare, we want to ensure that should a complication arise, there is no delay in obtaining medical care, and there are no surprise costs for intended parents.

LIFE INSURANCE, TOTAL DISABILITY, AND LOSS OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

What is it?

This policy pays a benefit to the surrogate or the surrogate’s named beneficiary should she lose a reproductive organ, experience complete disability, or lose her life because of pregnancy or childbirth.

How Does it Work?

Upon confirmation of pregnancy, your case specialist will request that the policy be placed.

Why it’s Important?

As unpleasant as it is to think of an extreme outcome, like most things in life, pregnancy is not without risk. The health and safety of our surrogates is a top priority, and as a result, surrogates are specifically screened to make sure they are ideal candidates for pregnancy. Despite best efforts, no one can completely remove risk, so we require that all surrogates be provided this policy.

We know insurance can be complex but remember that we are here to help guide you along the way.  Our insurance specialist will work with and connect you with respected insurance professionals as needed.