Shipping eggs & embryos by courier instead of in-person donations has become popular during the recent travel restrictions. But bringing oocytes into the U.S. can be nightmarishly complicated — and in many cases it may not be possible at all.
Category Archives: Ask the Surrogacy Experts…
Questions from the Sensible Surrogacy community, answered by our team of consultants…
PLEASE NOTE: Information in this website is based on personal experience gained over many years of assisting infertile couples. Comments are intended as a Guide for those in need, but should not replace professional medical or legal advise. Any medical questions should ALWAYS be referred to a credentialed medical specialist before beginning any treatment.
How to Find Surrogacy “Close to Home”
Some states are friendlier to surrogacy than others. Some fully support your parental rights, while others may prosecute you. The most critical requirement is that the baby is born in a state that recognizes the Surrogacy Contract, because that will determine if you are the legal parents on the birth certificate are not.
Know the Risks for a Surrogate with Twins
If medical risks aren’t persuasive, there is also a financial argument against having twins. A twins pregnancy doesn’t mean you get an extra baby at no cost… You can expect to pay extra charges for the extra effort and risks.
What’s the likelihood that I will (or won’t) get pregnant?
Hello Mark: The typical IVF cycle conceives 5 to 6 high-quality embryos, and you will attempt embryo transfer multiple times. Each attempt has about 82% likelihood of a pregnancy (73% in Mexico, 60% overseas). So assuming the egg and sperm donors are both healthy, it’s unlikely that you would not eventually achieve a pregnancy.
How do you start the surrogacy process?
Just like a surrogate mother, every Intended Parent needs to qualify before starting a surrogacy journey. Whether in Kiev or California, a reputable clinic will ask you to prove that you are Healthy, Fertile & Safe. Here’s what that means…
Where in the world can Gay couples afford surrogacy?
Surrogacy options suck for gay couples. There are only 2 or 3 destinations where surrogacy is explicitly supported for gay couples, which often leads couples to shady programs in developing countries like Kenya, or pretending to be straight to arrange a legally murky journey in Ukraine or Cyprus.
Should we do PGS testing on Day 3 embryos?
I have a clinic India that still likes to freeze embryos at Day 3. The rationale is that the embryos will develop better in their natural ‘in utero’ environment. I prefer Day 5 embryos, but I defer to the doctors on these types of issues– but there are exceptions, and PGS/PGD analysis is one of those exceptions.
Where is an affordable IVF option if I don’t need a surrogate?
If you don’t need a surrogate at all, then there are a multitude of affordable options for IVF. The better American IVF clinics are ranked on the CDC website. If you are looking for an even lower price, I would recommend an IVF program overseas. But you won’t be able to bring your embryos into the US without jumping some complex hurdles.
What should I include in my Independent surrogacy agreement?
Setting the terms of your surrogacy agreement is a two-way conversation. You are not in a position to make demands; but it is absolutely your right to make requests. Do it NOW rather than later. Here are some things you may consider…
Will hiring two surrogates leave us stranded overseas for months?
Babies born from two surrogates can be weeks (or even months) apart. When I had my journey, our two surrogates were scheduled to deliver in June and August. We left for Mumbai expecting that my husband and I would take turns staying in Mumbai for 3 months. But we learned there are ways that you can have two babies and not suffer too much.
