Odd but it didn’t have to be

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Coming out on DVD and Blu-ray this holiday season is the film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

The story is about Cindy and Jim Green; they’re portrayed as one of the 7.3 million infertile couples in America who desperately wants to have children.

Jim suggests to his wife that she write down all the characteristics and qualities she would love to have in a child. They bury the piece of paper and a rainstorm that hovers over their house waters the newly planted note.

Shortly thereafter a ten-year-old boy named Timothy Green sprouts from the earth. He is the culmination of all they desired. Of course the couple wants to legally adopt him but run into problems and are unable to do so. As most feel-good movies go, the story does end well and we won’t spoil the ending for you.

But the story didn’t have to be odd.

We would have written it this way.

A couple meets with their doctor and is told they can’t have children. Instead of deep despair they find hope and their own bundle of joy courtesy of a loving surrogate.

Ours would be a shorter movie and certainly not quite as interesting as a boy that sprouts from the ground. But the good news is our version is played out nearly everyday for families all across the world and isn’t the least bit odd.

So go ahead and watch the movie. Just know that Timothy Green’s life didn’t have to be an odd one and normal alternatives like surrogacy exists to alter how a family’s story ends.

How to become an intended parent

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At Shared Conception, we know each intended parents’ journey is different. Whether failed IVF treatments or the inability to conceive, each parent has a different reason for reaching out to surrogacy. Our agency is proud of its outstanding reputation in joining surrogates with intended parents to create a baby.

When intended parents start the process with us, we offer a free consultation that explicitly explains the surrogacy process and what is required. The intended parents will fill out paperwork, answer a few questions and get started on the journey of working with a surrogate. We take our time to make sure a great fit is made with the surrogate and intended parents. We set up an agreement that outlines several things including communication avenues between the surrogate and the intended parents.

For the intended parents, in-home evaluations are made as legally necessary. With the intended parents, we offer referralsto psychologists, fertility clinics (as needed), attorneys specializing in surrogacyand escrowagents.Our surrogacy parent program will arrange travel arrangements and accommodations for the intended parents or surrogate (as required).

Of course the first step to starting the surrogacy journey, is to contact us at Shared Conception. We will answer all your questions and set your mind at ease about any concerns that might arise. Ready to begin? We’re waiting for you!

Surrogacy Laws in Texas

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There are no federal laws with surrogacy so each state determines their own legalities regarding surrogacy. Texas allows forgestational surrogacy, where the genetic material of the intended parents or donor is used and the woman carrying the baby is not biologically related to the child.

Texas law requires that the couple be married. There must also be a surrogacy agreement which is validated by a court order. Also Texas law requires that either one of the intended parents or the surrogate be a resident of Texas for the past 90 days in order for a Texas court to preside over the surrogacy agreement.

Texas is considered one of the few surrogate-friendly states. One of the primary reasons why intended parents prefer to do surrogacy arrangements in Texas is the validation process. Once the agreement is validated by the Texas courts, the child thegestational surrogateis carrying is considered the biological child of the Intended Parents and the gestational surrogate has no rights and no responsibilities to that child. Furthermore, the intended parents’ names will be the ones on the birth certificate and there is no need for adoption.

Surrogates in Texas also have their own set of legal requirements. For example, the surrogate must have had at least one child that she is currently raising. Also, the surrogate must show that carrying another baby will not jeopardize her health.

At Shared Conception, we work with excellent attorneys who can help guide you through the legal process. Let us help you get started!

Who are intended parents?

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There is not one, common denominator that stretches across all intended parents. Like most things, each intended parent, couple and situation is unique and different.
However, at Shared Conception we get asked sometimes, “Who are the intended parents? Who comes looking for a surrogate?”

There are a few categories intended parents sometimes fall into. First, there are couples who have had problems getting pregnant on their own. Whether because of past medical problems, or not being able to carry a baby to full term, some women’s bodies can not produce a baby.

Other women who come to Shared Conception have had medical issues such as having her uterus removed or not being born with a uterus. These women look toward surrogates to fulfill their wishes of having a biological baby.

Some couples try IVF treatments without success. This can sometimes be a costly and highly emotional avenue to take in order to have a baby. If successful treatments are not met, these types of intended parents also look toward surrogates to help.

Some intended parents are also homosexual couples who cannot conceive of child.

Whatever the case, Shared Conception is ready to help intended parents become families. Ready to find out more? We’re here to help.

Traditional vs. Gestational Surrogates

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When a woman begins the process of becoming a surrogate, she can easily become overwhelmed with new terms and new definitions. One of those areas that can sometimes become confusing is the type of surrogate to become. There are two main types: gestational and traditional.

At Shared Conception, we work with only gestational surrogates. What does that mean, exactly? Gestational surrogates are women who have no biological link to the babies they are carrying. The baby is a combination of the intended parents or an egg donor. The gestational surrogate has no biological connection to the baby or babies she is carrying at all.

Other agencies use traditional surrogates. Traditional surrogates are women whose own eggs are used in the pregnancy. Shared Conception does not work with traditional surrogates due to the obvious legal and emotional aspects of this complicated situation.

Are you ready to get started finding out more about becoming a gestational surrogate? Ask us!

Favorite Blogs We Follow

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There are several great blog sites available that journey through the process of surrogacy. Here are a few of our favorite blogs to check out!

– A Surrogate’s Journey. (http://beautifulsurrogacy.blogspot.com/) Brandy is a surrogate who writes a blog geared toward people considering being a surrogate or using one. She is candid, open and honest about her journey.

– Life of a Surrogate. (http://lifeofasurrogate.blogspot.com/) Kim is a blogger who has already been a surrogate and is on her journey to be a surrogate again. This is an honest blogger who details the highs, and lows, of being a surrogate.

– 4 Star Womb. (http://4starwomb.blogspot.com/) This mother of four is starting her first surrogacy. It’s so exciting to watch her experience all pregnancy has to offer!

– I’m Not the Mom, I’m Just the Stork. (http://justthestork.blogspot.com/) A two-time surrogate shares the stories of her life.

What are you favorite bloggers to follow?

Why should you choose Shared Conception?

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We know when you Google “Surrogacy Agency,” a person can become overwhelmed with the results. There are lots of surrogacy agencies and choosing the “best” one is sometimes a daunting task in itself. However, we believe Shared Conception is the best option as a surrogacy agency and we’re ready to prove it to you.

First, we take our job so seriously. We work hard to match surrogates with their intended parents. This step is so crucial and important to the entire surrogacy journey. Finding the right fit for both parties is one of our many strong points. We excel in finding the right surrogates with the right intended families. A comprehensive questionnaire and interview process is only the beginning aspects of this process.

We screen both intended parents and surrogates to find out about their personalities, beliefs and ethics. This is just one way we make sure a perfect match is made.

Second, we are here for both the surrogates and intended parents through the entire journey. Whether emotional or physical support is needed, we are always available.

Third, we refer you to the best professionals in the business including top notch attorneys and psychologist They know how to cross their “Ts” and dot their “Is” when it comes to the psychological evaluation and the legal agreement.We want to make sure both the intended parents and the surrogate are comfortable with the documents, contracts and paperwork.

Ready to get started on the journey through surrogacy? Shared Conception is your best place to start.

Breast Milk and the Surrogate

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Surrogates can continue helping their intended parents even after the birth of the baby. Several recent studies highlight the benefits of feeding your child breast milk through their early, developing stages. For those heading through the journey of surrogacy, many intended parents wonder where that leaves them and their child.

The great choice with Shared Conception is that surrogates can offer their breast milk to their intended family. The surrogates pump the breast milk and either deliver or ship the milk to the family. This is such a win-win opportunity for everyone involved. The baby received the highly nutritious breast milk and the intended parents get to continue feeding their child the nutritious milk and bonding with the little one.

During the negotiation process is the perfect time to talk with the surrogate about the possibility of pumping milk after delivery. The surrogate usually includes the option for expressed milk in her contract for an additional fee. During negotiations is also the time to discuss how long the intended parents would like to feed their baby breast milk.

Have a question? Let us at Shared Conception help!


 

Surrogates can continue helping their intended parents even after the birth of the baby. Several recent studies highlight the benefits of feeding your child breast milk through their early, developing stages. For those heading through the journey of surrogacy, many intended parents wonder where that leaves them and their child.

 

The great choice with Shared Conception is that surrogates can offer their breast milk to their intended family. The surrogates pump the breast milk and either deliver or ship the milk to the family. This is such a win-win opportunity for everyone involved. The baby received the highly nutritious breast milk and the intended parents get to continue feeding their child the nutritious milk and bonding with the little one. 

 

During the negotiation process is the perfect time to talk with the surrogate about the possibility of pumping milk after delivery. The surrogate usually includes the option for expressed milk in her contract for an additional fee. During negotiations is also the time to discuss how long the intended parents would like to feed their baby breast milk.

 

Have a question? Let us at Shared Conception help!

 

 

Surrogates can continue helping their intended parents even after the birth of the baby. Several recent studies highlight the benefits of feeding your child breast milk through their early, developing stages. For those heading through the journey of surrogacy, many intended parents wonder where that leaves them and their child.

 

The great choice with Shared Conception is that surrogates can offer their breast milk to their intended family. The surrogates pump the breast milk and either deliver or ship the milk to the family. This is such a win-win opportunity for everyone involved. The baby received the highly nutritious breast milk and the intended parents get to continue feeding their child the nutritious milk and bonding with the little one. 

 

During the negotiation process is the perfect time to talk with the surrogate about the possibility of pumping milk after delivery. The surrogate usually includes the option for expressed milk in her contract for an additional fee. During negotiations is also the time to discuss how long the intended parents would like to feed their baby breast milk.

 

Have a question? Let us at Shared Conception help!

 

Including the Intended Parents Throughout the Journey

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Just like any parents, intended parents want to get to know their baby before he or she is ever born. The intended parents attend the doctor visits, watch the ultrasounds and listen intently to the little heartbeat.

Surrogates want the intended parents to stay involved with the baby, too. There are many ways for the intended parents to get to know their baby before the little one breathes his or her first breath.

One way is through Belly Buds (www.bellybuds.com). These great devises let the intended parents record their voice. They can sing, they can read books, they can talk, they can tell them about their family, the possibilities are endless. The recorded Belly Buds can then be sent to the surrogate for her to play to the baby. The baby gets to hear his or her parents’ voices before being born. He or she will get used to the soothing voice of her parents via Belly Buds.

Another easy way to keep the intended parents involved is to text and email. It doesn’t have to be long, but a simple text about what the surrogate is craving, what she is feeling, how the baby is moving, can make an intended parents’ day.

Or a surrogate can try keeping a blog about her journey. This is a great way for the extended family of the intended parents to also be included in what’s happening with the baby. Be sure to add in photos and even videos of the journey. Once the baby arrives, printing out the blog pages and having them bound into a nice, keepsake book is a great, meaningful gift to give the intended parents.

Ready to find out more? Ask us at Shared Conception!

Surrogates and health insurance

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Surrogates and health insurance

Shared Conception welcomes surrogates who both have and do not have health insurance. For those women who do have health insurance, we will happily look over your health insurance policy to see if there are any exceptions for being a surrogate. If there are no exceptions, and if the surrogate is willing, then we will use her own health insurance policy for the prenatal, labor and delivery portions of the pregnancy.

As always, the intended parents pay for all medical bills for the surrogate. This includes all co-pays, deductibles and other health-care related expenses.

If a surrogate does not have health insurance, then Shared Conception can help locate an outstanding health insurance policy for the surrogate. The intended parents will pay for the health insurance policy during the term of the pregnancy.

Have a specific health insurance related question? We can help answer it.