What an amazing opportunity it is to give the gift of life, especially for another person via surrogacy. This gift comes with a lot of responsibility and expectation to create a healthy baby—and it all begins in pregnancy. During your surrogate pregnancy, you are eating and living for two, so it’s important to get informed to make the best decisions for an optimal pregnancy. Here are a few top wellness tips for being your best during the next exciting nine months of your journey as a surrogate.

Eat and Cook Fresh Foods. Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to get balanced nutrition. Avoid packaged foods that have artificial ingredients, are loaded with preservatives, provide little to no nutritional value, and are typically high in sodium. Make sure foods are cooked thoroughly to avoid ingestion of bacteria that could harm the baby.

Keep a Healthy Weight. Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is important to manage. Here are recommendations from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on weight gain guidelines during gestation, including calorie intake based on Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity.

Eat Mini Meals Daily. Kick off the day with breakfast and eat every two to three hours. These mini meals should be 200-300 calories and include a mix of protein, whole grains, and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar, ultimately regulating hunger and mood.

Boost Your Nutrition. During pregnancy, there are several nutrients of which you need more, including protein, iron, calcium, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids or DHAs. As a critical insurance measure, you should be taking your doctor’s recommended multivitamin daily

Exercise Daily. Being active boosts your metabolism and mood. Continue with your exercise routine and keep it consistent.

Smile and Laugh…A Lot. Spend time with your support system during your surrogacy. Research suggests that the child’s well-being is linked to the woman’s mental health during pregnancy. If a dark chocolate treat makes you happy, go for it!

Keep a Journal. Track your food and mood so you can see if there are changes, e.g. allergies, food aversions, etc., that you should discuss with your intended parents and doctor on your next checkup.

Stay Hydrated! Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Set an alarm for every two hours as a reminder to guzzle up more H2O.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine. It’s best to stay “clean” during this nine-month period because the baby takes in what you consume.

Get Plenty of Rest. Get eight to 10 hours of sleep a night so you can keep your stress level down and eat more consistently. Guided meditations and instrumental music are great tools to help you get your rest.

Stay on track with this wellness plan and review it with your intended parents and our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, to reassure them that you’re taking initiative to create a healthy baby!

Although rewarding, the surrogacy process and its lingo can be confusing at times. Not to worry as our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, has defined common terms you’ll come across during your surrogacy  journey to make the experience as seamless as possible. 

1. Carrier/Surrogate/Surrogate Mother: We use these terms interchangeably. However, a general surrogate definition is a woman carrying a child for intended parents who are unable to build a family on their own. There are two types of surrogates: traditional surrogates and gestational surrogates.

2. Gestational Surrogacy: Pregnancy where the surrogate is genetically unrelated to the baby. The embryos are created using the eggs from the intended mother or an egg donor and sperm from the intended father(s) or a sperm donor.

3. Traditional Surrogacy: Pregnancy where the surrogate is genetically related to the baby and becomes pregnant through artificial insemination. While it used to be common, most surrogacy arrangements today involve gestational surrogacy.

4. Intended Parent: Person or persons who become the legal parent of a child born through surrogacy.

5. Matching: A process in which a surrogate or egg donor is matched with intended parents. At our surrogacy, Shared Conception, our team works together to identify surrogates and intended parents who would be good matches based on legal requirements, personality compatibility and shared expectations.

6. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A process by which eggs are fertilized by sperm outside the womb in a controlled environment: either a test tube or Petri dish. The process is performed by a reproductive endocrinologist at an IVF clinic.

7. Frozen Embryo Transfer: A process that occurs when a frozen embryo (an already fertilized and frozen egg) is thawed and transferred into a surrogate.

8. Beta Testing: A blood test used to help indicate whether a woman is pregnant approximately 10 days after an embryo transfer. It measures levels of Estradiol, Progesterone, LH, and HCG (which indicate pregnancy).

9. Amniocentesis: A test used to detect any chromosomal problems through the examination of the cells in the amniotic fluid around the baby. This test is done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (usually around week 16).

10. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A test performed between 10 and 12 weeks to look at cells in the placenta by inserting a thin flexible tube (catheter) into the uterus though the vagina or by inserting a needle through the belly into the uterus. Similar to an amniocentesis, a CVS procedure can be used to find chromosomal birth defects, such as Down syndrome.

11. Blastocyst or “Blast”: The last stage of development an embryo must reach before it is implanted in the uterine wall. About 40 percent of human embryos reach this stage of development in the IVF laboratory after five to six days of incubation.

12. Carrier Agreement/Surrogacy Contract: A legal contract between the surrogate and intended parents. The terms of the contract are negotiated by the parties through their legal representation. Once the contract is signed, the terms of the contract govern the parties’ interactions. It is very important for both the intended parents and the surrogate to read the contract carefully so that all conditions are understood.

13. Cycle Schedule: A timeline that lists important local monitoring appointment dates leading up to the transfer. This is usually created by an IVF clinic.

14. Egg Retrieval: The process by which eggs are removed from the egg donor for fertilization.

15. Pre-Birth Order: A court issued order that is acquired before the birth of the child. Typically, it will place the names on the birth certificate and allow you access to the child while he/she is in the hospital.

16. Post-Birth Order: A court issued order that is acquired after the birth of the child. Typically, it will replace the surrogate with the intended parents on the newborn’s birth certificate.

17. Egg Donor: A woman who donates eggs, or oocytes, for assisted reproduction via IVF.

Need further explanations or have questions? Call us here at Shared Conception. We can answer your questions and address any concerns. 

As a surrogate, when the time comes to deliver the baby, there are so many emotions racing. We want to be sure everything is ready and in place well before the actual delivery day. There will be a cute bundle of joy (or two or three!) that will take center stage, of course.

For the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the IVF clinic will continue to monitor your progress. Then, the surrogate will be released to the OB/GYN of her choosing. Many times, this is the doctor she has used for her previous children's births and delivery. If there are multiple babies, many times the surrogates will be asked to come to the doctor's office for more frequent visits to ensure the health of the babies and the surrogate.

After the birth, the baby is handed to the intended parents first. It's nice, too, if the intended parents ask the surrogate if she wants to hold the baby. A lot of the times, the surrogate also provides pumped breast milk (or actually, colostrum) for the baby in the hospital if the IPs and surrogate agree to that up front and have arrangements in place.

Furthermore, the hospital usually reserves a close-by room for the intended parents so that the baby can stay in there with them and bond. Usually, it's also a nice gesture if the intended parents take the baby and go visit the surrogate in her hospital room.

Once the baby is released by the pediatrician, the intended parents will leave the hospital with their child. The surrogate will leave the hospital with her family plus savor the wonderful feeling of helping a couple become a family.

Do you have questions about being a surrogate or the process on delivery day? Our surrogacy, Shared Conception, would love to answer any questions you may have. Call us!

•  In 1934 at Harvard University, scientist Gregory Pincus conducts IVF experiments on rabbits. Results suggest that similar fertilization is possible in humans.

•  A few years later, John Rock and Miriam Menkin succeed in the first IVF of human eggs. However, implanting a fertilized egg into a woman has yet to be attempted.

•  Fast forward 30 years, British scientist Robert Edwards heads to America to meet with Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones at John Hopkins University. They continue their research on fertilizing eggs in vitro.

•  Edwards meets Dr. Patrick Steptoe who developed laparoscopy— the retrieval of a mature human egg. The two join forces and further their research.

•  Lesley Brown and her husband John meet with Edwards and Steptoe. The duo heard about new research into IVF where eggs are fertilized with sperm outside the body in a lab and implanted into the womb.

•  Moving forward with the process in 1977, Steptoe removes an egg from Brown’s ovaries that is later fertilized. The egg develops into an embryo and is implanted into Brown’s uterus. Edwards and Steptoe discover that the fertilized egg was the first to grow in utero via IVF.

•  Born in 1978, Louise Brown was the first human to be conceived through the IVF process. She is now 38 years old.

From this point, assisted reproduction began taking off, giving hope to millions of infertile people and couples. Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, is proud to be a part of this movement. Call us as you think about enhancing your family. We can help you. 

One of the hardest things to do in surrogacy is wait.  This goes for all parties:  the IPs, the surrogate, the egg donor, the agency coordinator, etc.  It's so hard to wait when something so amazing is almost in your grasp; you just have to put the final pieces of the puzzle into place.  Waiting is also one of the most important things in surrogacy.  Imagine rushing into any other type of commitment and the consequences it can have.  You might meet a lovely couple or a lovely woman wanting to be a surrogate and think, "this is it!  Let's get this show on the road!" but there are so many important factors to consider.

The BIG questions have to be discussed before you ever move forward.  How many embryos will we transfer?  Are we open to reduction/termination?  What will our fees be?  What type of birthing situation would we like?  A good agency can and should help you to dicuss these items and may even do some of this screening before you even meet in person.  It may seem a little odd to talk about so many intimate details right off the bat, but it's important to be sure everyone is on the same page.  

One of the things I've seen so many people do is compromise their true desires and end up disappointed or in a position they did not want to be in.  The effects of this decision can run the range from casting a shadow of awkwardness over the journey to ending up with procedures you agreed to, on paper, but never thought you'd have to actually go through with.  True matching should go over the seemingly trivial details and the hard, heavy items ad naseum so that no one has regrets later down the line.  People tend to get caught up in the emotion of the process and think, "This is almost what I want so those few things won't matter."  Trust me, they matter.  They matter a lot.  So, slow down, think it through, stick to what you originally want for your journey..  You might have to wait a little longer, but the wait is worth it. Not much is finite and predictable in surrogacy (or life!) but the more solid foundation you lay, the better the process will be.  Trying to shove pieces together that don't fit never works out well.  Practicing patience to find that perfect match is one of the smartest decisions anyone involved in surrogacy can make.

Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, loves receiving your questions about surrogacy so please keep them coming. One question that weighs on most people's minds is this: Is there a weight requirement to become a surrogate?

There is no weight requirement but there is typically a BMI, or Body Mass Index, requirement.

Why does BMI matter for Surrogates?

BMI is a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight. The requirement is put in place for your safety and to also ensure that the transfer and pregnancy has the best possibly chance of being successful. Shared Conception typically screens surrogates because we want to make sure that a surrogacy journey is going to be the right choice for each individual who applies.

Each fertility clinic has their own BMI limit but most require the surrogate’s BMI to be 32 and under.

Calculate your BMI:

http://www.bmi-calculator.net

Stay in touch with us and, as always, let us know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Our surrogacy agency is here to help and advise you along the way.

A recent YouGov poll asked U.S. citizens what they thought about surrogacy. Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception,  was not surprised to learn that 71 percent of people polled said they approved of surrogacy. To give you a gender breakdown, women approved of the practice at a rate of 73 percent, while 69 percent of men were in favor of surrogacy.

Vocal celebrities speaking out about their surrogacy journeys as well as their infertility struggles may be contributing to the favorable public opinion.

In addition to celebs shining a positive light on surrogacy, generally Americans may feel deep empathy for individuals who cannot have biological children any other way than through surrogacy. Of those surveyed, 58 percent said having a biological child was important.

Majority support for surrogacy extended across all age ranges, political affiliations, and geographic regions. Most notably, the Midwest and the West proved to be slightly more supportive of surrogacy than other regions. Also, people between 30 and 44 years old were more likely to strongly support surrogacy than any other age range.

The Americans polled also supported compensated surrogacy–they believe a woman deserves to be paid to be a surrogate. Moreover, 57 percent of people polled approved of legislation in favor of compensated surrogacy.

Given our long history of successful surrogacy arrangements, favorable surrogacy law in most states, and the increased awareness for alternative parenting options, we were not surprised that YouGov’s poll showed most Americans approve of surrogacy.

This culture of support coupled with excellent health care continues to make the United States the best place in the world for surrogacy. Call the best place to start your surrogacy journey, Shared Conception. We are here to help!

A successful surrogacy is a team effort. It means the cooperation of surrogates, egg donors, intended parents, doctors, nurses, social workers, attorneys, and coordinators. Focusing on openness, honesty, and communication can help make a good journey great.

But we don’t often recognize the role of support people in ensuring everything goes smoothly. Spouses, partners, family members, and friends who stand beside surrogates are an important part of the team. So what makes an exceptional support person?

Awareness about surrogacy. Great surrogate candidates have spent considerable time researching the process of surrogacy. And a great support person has an understanding of what the process means as well.

Open conversations. On a related note, support people need to be communicating with the surrogates about what surrogacy will look like for their family.

Desire to participate. When both a surrogate and her husband, partner, or spouse click with intended parents, a vibrant relationship can grow. “We’re not just matching surrogates. Really, we’re matching families.” Support people often travel with surrogates to medical appointments and transfers.

Willingness to help out. Support people can help with the emotional journey of surrogacy, but also with childcare and helping around the house.

Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception,  thanks all of our stellar support people for their help in making surrogacy work. Call on us and let us be a part of your surrogacy support network as well.

1. You’re family oriented.   

Diapers, spit-up, tantrums— you name it, you can handle it with ease. You make being a caretaker a priority because you want it to be. That’s essentially a gestational surrogate’s role–carrying and caring for the intended parents’ child until the baby is ready to meet the world.

 2. You’re organized.

Whether it’s a controlled chaos, or a finely tuned calendar, you have your scheduling down to a science. Gestational surrogates are responsible for gathering important documents at the start of their journey. Furthermore, they need to stay on top of their local monitoring appointments and Skype or telephone calls with intended parents.

 3. You’re open-minded.

We always remind our surrogates and intended parents that the best things to do are to keep an open mind and prepare for the unexpected. Sometimes things are completely out of the agency’s, surrogate’s, and intended parents’ control. After all, we’re talking about a little bundle of joy who’s operating on his or her own schedule.

 4. You’re healthy.

When applying to become a surrogate, there are some initial medical qualifications that need to be met, such as a healthy BMI, a successful previous pregnancy and not being a smoker. Additionally, surrogates in our program must pass medical and psychological screenings.

 5. You’re a mother.

As previously mentioned, we can only accept applicants who have given birth to a healthy child within the past 10 years. 

 6. You’re surrounded by supportive people.

One major factor in a successful surrogacy arrangement is identifying a primary support person to help guide you and be a shoulder to lean on throughout the process. A reliable support system makes the journey that much more incredible.

 7. You think everyone should have the right to become a parent. And you’re right. Just like us, you feel that sexual orientation or marital status should never be a roadblock to parenthood. That’s why we’ve sought out IVF clinics, surrogates, and egg donors, all of whom share our values and beliefs in family.

 Think you’ve got some or all of these qualities? Then you may want to learn more about surrogacy and the incredible opportunities it has given women around the country. Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, is waiting to hear from you. Call us.