Surrogacy is a family-making process that’s growing rapidly. From celebrities to single parents, gay men, and everyday couples, it’s a process that many different types of families are turning to in order to create or grow their families. Perhaps you know someone who has been or has used a surrogate, or maybe you’re just starting to explore the idea on your own. Here’s a look at a few of the first questions that intended parents (that’s you!) tend to have, but may be a bit too timid to ask. Continue reading →

First of all, understand that all pregnant women will be tested for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Even if they’ve had no prior issues with blood sugar levels in their day-to-day life or in previous pregnancies, they will still be tested during this surrogate pregnancy.

While being a surrogate does not raise the odds of developing gestational diabetes, Continue reading →

A failed transfer can be incredibly disappointing and confusing. News that the transfer did not result in a pregnancy is difficult to understand, especially when your surrogate’s progress looked great, the embryos looked great, and the transfer went off without a hitch. The truth is, Continue reading →

In simplest terms, diabetes is heightened insulin resistance. All humans have some level of reaction to insulin, but this resistance changes during pregnancy, and sometimes results in a form of diabetes that exists only during the pregnancy. The American Diabetes Association admits that the exact cause of gestational diabetes isn’t fully understood, but estimates that as many as Continue reading →

As your projected due date draws near, you may find that your surrogate and her care provider are talking about the potential need or desire for an induction of labor. In simplest terms, a labor induction is a medically caused labor. Some intended parents even desire an induced labor so that they can have better odds at planning for and being present at the time of birth.

You should know that many doctors and hospitals will have policy and rules surrounding when an induction can be done. Most medical professionals will not allow an induction for non-medical reasons before the 37^th (and often not before the 38^th) week of pregnancy. In most cases doctors will not allow an induction unless the benefits of ending the pregnancy early outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy.  Continue reading →

You’ve just had your first ultrasound and everything looks great. In fact, it looks perfect. Your surrogate has just been confirmed with two heartbeats. Twins. Two babies. You’re over the moon. But everyone is telling you to calm down, and not start buying everything in duplicate just yet. What gives?

The reason behind the apprehension is simple. The unfortunate reality is that, Continue reading →

Your surrogate will be on a closely monitored medical protocol for a long time. Beginning roughly a month before your embryo transfer, and lasting many weeks into a confirmed pregnancy, it can feel like she’s taking medications endlessly. We understand that there is some peace of mind that comes with the announcement that she has been released from medications, and that the moment you receive that message is highly anticipated.

In most basic terms, this announcement signifies that doctors believe her body is able to sustain the pregnancy on its own without medical intervention. And that is a really good feeling for any intended parent.

When your surrogate will be weaned off of her medications is based on Continue reading →

It is our belief that very few people are outwardly mean or seeking to offend or hurt those around them. Even so, and especially in situations that are difficult emotionally, people will often make comments from a place of ignorance and with the best of intentions that wind up being unintentionally hurtful. With that in mind, here’s a brief list of a few things you may want to avoid saying to someone living with infertility, or who needs the help of a surrogate for other reasons, in order to make their family dreams a reality.

1. Stop trying so hard.

This phrase is often the little brother of, “Just relax, let it happen naturally,” and can be quite infuriating to those struggling with infertility. Understand that, Continue reading →

As you prepare to embark upon your egg donation or surrogacy journey, it is incredibly common to question how your family will function once your new baby arrives. Pondering the potential connection with a child that does not share your genetics is an emotional hurdle many intended parents must face before they move forward.

Understand that a family is created from the same four components no matter what the family structure is. These components include: Continue reading →

RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, reports that one in 8 U.S. couples of childbearing years will experience some level of infertility in their quest to create a family.  Add to that the rising costs of infertility testing, diagnosis, treatment and In Vitro Fertilization and it starts to become clear why more and more couples are starting to get creative about ways to fund their future families.

As of 2016, just 13 states had laws on the books that require insurance companies to pay for infertility related claims, leaving the majority of Americans facing infertility staring down the barrel at mounting costs. In fact, RESOLVE estimates that the current cost of a single IVF cycle is well over $12,000. Continue reading →