Navigating Family Gatherings

Navigating Family Gatherings

Fertility treatments can be stressful and emotionally draining for couples who are trying to conceive. Failed stimulation cycles, failure to fertilize, repeated failed IVF cycle and miscarriage can cause serious emotional fatigue and before you know it you are touching the boundaries of depression, maybe you have already stepped over that line.  Family gatherings, such as holidays, baby showers and weddings, can be particularly difficult for those undergoing fertility treatments due to the constant questioning,…

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How to Compare Agencies – PART 2

How to Compare Agencies – PART 2

Part 2 – When the Match Falls Apart Continuing our multi-part series on ‘How to Compare Agencies’, we now turn our attention to one of the more difficult aspects of the process that needs to be considered. As previously mentioned, a surrogate undergoes extensive screening before she can undergo an embryo transfer.  Most agencies report that they must screen at least 20 applicants before they find that one gem who will make it to a…

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It’s time to tell

It’s time to tell

With the rise of increasingly sophisticated technology – such as facial recognition and DNA testing (23&Me, Ancestry, etc.), these innovations have almost eliminated the possibility of anonymous egg donation. If you think about it, if anyone in a donor’s family or extended family does a test and registers on one of these DNA testing sites, chances are good that a donor-conceived child can find them or a member of their extended family.  Intended Parents need…

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“ONGOING” Counseling OR “AS NEEDED” Counseling

“ONGOING” Counseling OR “AS NEEDED” Counseling

Journey Counseling   Ongoing or journey counseling is the situation where a counselor starts from day 1, i.e. from before a pregnancy occurs, throughout the entire pregnancy and for a period after the pregnancy.  The counselor frequently offers services to the intended parents and the surrogate.  Essentially her job is to support all parties via counseling in order to keep the case on track. By predicting potential conflicts and offering pro-active solutions, options can be discussed before the situation turns into an actual conflict…

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Tips for Psychologically Screening Surrogates

Tips for Psychologically Screening Surrogates

Recommended criteria to be satisfied before being interviewed:   She has given birth and has or is raising that child.  She has self-reported that her pregnancies were uncomplicated  She should be between the ages 21-42 (exceptions may be made by a medical professional on the upper age limit).  However, because of the risks involved in carrying a pregnancy, it is recommended that she be at least 25 years old.  Special attention needs to be made if…

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