Merry Christmas from Shared Conception!

Merry Christmas from Shared Conception

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This time of year, Shared Conception likes to reflect and take a moment to express our gratitude towards our family of staff, surrogates, and intended parents. Nothing gives us more pleasure than to see the happiness we create.

 

Our surrogates inspire us with their selflessness and commitment to helping families’ dreams become a reality. Being able to bless a family despite infertility, age, sexual orientation, or medical barriers is an unforgettable and empowering experience. We want all our surrogates to walk away from their journey with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction. Shared Conception is proud to guide them throughout their journey(s).

 

Intended parents inspire us with their strength, dedication, and perseverance to build their families despite the struggles they may have faced along the way. We applaud their positive thinking and patience throughout the journey, although we know it’s hard to contain the excitement of what is to come.

 

Our incredible staff has guided many of our clients (surrogates and intended parents) with care and expertise to fulfilling their dreams. Nothing gives us more joy than seeing intended parents hold a child they have longed for in their arms for the first time. This cannot be done without our caring team at Shared Conception.

 

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

–John Bunyan

 

You can also take this opportunity to experience the gift of life and take on this admirable position. If you are interested in becoming a surrogate and would like to learn more, or a hopeful parent interested in speaking with Shared Conception, give us a call or visit www.sharedconception.com for more information. Happy Holidays!

how to be a surrogate mother

Surrogacy Process for IP’s

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Shared Conception is eager to find the right surrogate for you! We look forward to going through the surrogacy process with you. It is our wish to be at your side during this unique surrogate pregnancy process and are just as excited for you to finally hold your baby in your arms!

Intended parents will efficiently navigate through the following stages.

  • Initial consultation – this one-hour consultation is to connect and answer any questions you may have about surrogacy. Many of our intended parents like to discuss timing, expenses, contracts, and other concerns involving their family. If you choose to go forward with us after the consultation, you will be asked to fill out our application form. Read more about the initial consultation process here, on our website.
  • Matching process – After the initial meeting and completed application, we begin the process of finding the ideal surrogate for you. For more information on the matching process, visit our website or click here.
  • Psychological screening and evaluation – these evaluations are vital to ensure that all parties are suitable for the surrogacy process. All evaluations are conducted by a licensed mental health professional. For more information, click here.
  • Medical screening – With the help of Shared Conception, we coordinate surrogates to participate in a medical evaluation. Each IVF center has different requirements so a Shared Conception representative coordinates with the clinic for you.
  • Legal surrogacy process – We provide a referral list of family attorneys that specialize in the surrogacy process and Reproductive Law. Contracts are required prior to beginning the embryo transfer cycle. Also, an escrow account is established at this time to cover costs for medications, co-pays, and other costs outlined in your contract.
  • Embryo transfer – The moment you have been waiting for! This is when the embryo is placed for implantation and monitored for a viable pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy – We will remain a part of your support system throughout the pregnancy (and after) and will be available to help you navigate through this wonderful time. Our goal is to have your experience be as joyful as possible.
  • Preparing for the birth – There are necessary documents that will be prepared by your attorney. Shared Conception will help verify that all the paperwork is in order for peace of mind allowing you to focus on the wonderful gift you are about to receive.
  • Birth – This is the end to the entire process and a family is created!

 

If you are interested in having a surrogate, let Shared Conceptions make your dreams of a family a reality. Contact us today and we will help you get one step closer to the child you have always wanted. Call us at either our Houston 713-622-1144 or Dallas 214-390-4024 office for more information. Visit https://sharedconception.com for more information.

reasons to use a surrogacy agency

5 Ways an Agency Helps Intended Parents

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If you decide to use a surrogate to expand your family, you must consider whether or not you would like to work with a surrogacy agency or independently. The independent route may be slightly more cost-effective, but it also can be more stressful and uncertain. Many details are involved in a surrogacy arrangement and working with an agency such as Shared Conception can make this process less stressful and confusing.

  1. We are the experts 

Embarking on a surrogacy journey is very complicated. Like a chess game, many moving pieces need to be managed, and often at the same time. A lot of legalities, planning, and coordinating go into a journey. Shared Conception has a professional team full of experts who make dreams come true every day, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience and preparing for your new baby.

  1. Put the pressure on us

Not everything is perfect, even a surrogacy journey, and there are a lot of bumps in the road and other scenarios that can happen. The beauty of using an agency is that we can prevent many problems from arising or take care of any problems if they do occur. We will be by your side every step of the way.

  1. Legal mumbo jumbo

Unless you have a law degree, this part will be difficult. There is a legal side to a surrogacy arrangement with contracts and documents that can be overwhelming. Shared Conception will refer you to a list of highly respected and competent lawyers you can choose to work with. Having a lawyer helps your journey stay on track, and you don’t have to worry about acquiring legal representation.

  1. We are there for you from beginning to end (and beyond)!

Managing a journey is very time-consuming on both the surrogate and intended parent sides. Our services help surrogates and intended parents come together with a lot less stress, pressure, and inconveniences an independent surrogacy can create.

  1. Monetary Benefits

There are a lot of fees and payments that go to different sources during the entire process. We use an escrow company utterly independent of our agency. Your money is deposited into an attorney-controlled interest-bearing escrow account. This way, you or your surrogate will have to worry about bills being paid on time, giving you extra peace of mind.

If you are interested in having a surrogate, let Shared Conceptions make your dreams of a family a reality. Give us a call today, and we will help you get one step closer to the child you have always wanted. Visit https://sharedconception.com for more information.

 

 

Surrogate Spouse's POV

A Spouse’s POV on Surrogacy

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I am a proud two-time surrogate. I have no problem telling people about it whether they agree with my decision or not, and I do not have a problem answering (sometimes invasive) questions. I take it as an opportunity to debunk myths and educate people about a topic not talked about that often.

Then there’s my husband, who’s supported my decision to become a surrogate and was supportive throughout the journey from IVF to delivery and every needle in between. But there are so many questions my husband faced while I was pregnant (with another man’s baby – and another woman’s baby) that I think are important for other men with wives and partners considering surrogacy should know. After all, it is the “other side” of surrogacy that is even less discussed.

So, I interviewed my husband with the top 5 questions he experienced when I was a surrogate:

  1. How do you get past the fact that your wife is carrying another man’s baby? When my wife explained the whole process to me, it was purely medical – and I thought it was a very selfless thing to do. She always enjoyed pregnancy, so why not do it for a family in need? Not many people asked me if my wife slept with another man – I think they would know me better than to agree to something like that! Although, I did enjoy joking around with close friends and family, saying that my wife was pregnant with another man’s baby! That was one of my favorite things to do when she was on her journey.

 

  1. Did your wife decide without your consent? Absolutely not! She brought it up to me over dinner one day, and I thought it was a far-fetched idea, and I didn’t even know that surrogacy was a real thing. Then she explained the process to me, told me why she wanted to do it – and through researching the topic more together, we decided it was a great thing to do.

 

  1. Were you worried you would grow attached to the baby? No, we already knew that we were finished having kids and were very happy with our two boys. The thought of another infant terrified me. But I was happy to have my wife be someone else’s oven for their bun. Knowing the baby was not biologically tied to either of us made it less complicated regarding emotions.

 

  1. Do you still find your wife attractive (aka how is your sex life)? That’s a great question. And yes! There was not one part of me that ever considered this too weird to be intimate.

 

  1. How was your relationship with the intended parents?  I enjoy the intended parents from each journey so much, and it is amazing what can bring two couples together. We still maintain special relationships with both of the intended parents from each journey – and they will be lifelong friendships.

 

Are you interested in learning more about surrogacy or have questions about talking about it with your partner? Give us a call today. We want you to be informed, fulfilled, and satisfied, knowing you can contribute to the world in a unique and precious way. Also, you can visit www.deliveradream.com to find out more information!

 

 

 

The holiday rush and pregnancy

The Holiday Rush

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Now that Halloween is behind us and the sugar rush has dissipated, Thanksgiving is next in line. Let’s look forward to yummy comfort food and more family time. Go ahead, take an extra scoop of mashed potatoes because – you deserve it! And most importantly –indulge (not overindulge) on desserts! Pregnancy intensifies many of your senses, including taste. So, all those delectable desserts can taste like the best thing you’ve ever had. It’s a great time to use those 300 extra calories your body needs every day.

Don’t get overwhelmed this holiday season! Savor the moments and enjoy them. It’s not unusual to feel like you can’t keep up between all the riff-raff and running around. Shared Conception understands this can add pressure to an already overworked pregnant body. We have a few tricks up our sleeve to survive and enjoy this time of year.

Being cozy and comfortable is essential while pregnant, and the holidays are no exception. So, if you can’t find the perfect holiday outfit – it’s okay. Take the pressure off yourself and know that everyone will think you and your bump are adorable no matter what you wear, even in your tunic and leggings. If you would like some advice on holiday style, check out our blog on Pregnancy Holiday Attire!

Are you traveling this season? Refer to our blog about Traveling When Pregnant. Always let your doctor know about your travel plans to get the green light. And remember, refer to your contract to avoid any uncomfortable situations regarding travel when you are a surrogate. All contracts are different, and Shared Conception advises you to look at it before making travel arrangements.

Pregnancy is an emotional time. The Holidays are a joyous time of year and, after all, the season of good cheer. This holiday brings on a cloud of happiness you can revel in. If you find yourself more emotional, relax; you have a pass since you are pregnant. So turn up the Holiday music and cozy up with a book, blanket, and decaf mocha to make yourself feel better. Also, read our blog about why the holiday season rocks when you’re pregnant if you need any reminders!

Shared Conception is always here to talk to our surrogates. If you are interested in pursuing a journey and giving the gift of family, call us today!

 

 

Gender reveal ideas

Gender Reveal Ideas!

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Gender reveal parties have taken off in the past decade – they have almost taken a life of their own. With their Pinterest Boards, Amazon party kits, and even dedicated websites this is becoming a new tradition. There are so many ways to celebrate the revelation of your soon-to-be baby. We have all seen the reveal bloopers with the powder cannons, balloon popping, cake eating – and laughed, but what if you’re using a surrogate? This makes things a little bit different, but these ideas will let the party start!

Have a party!

There are so many ways to reveal your baby’s gender if you choose to, and the best way is your way. No matter what you do, sharing the expected baby’s gender is a fun way to incorporate everyone in a momentous occasion.

Cake

You don’t need to have a party to have cake! Is there a yummier way to announce the gender of your child? A gender reveal cake is a cake that, when sliced, will show the dominant color of either blue or pink.

Piñata

If you want to get your surrogate’s children or your nieces or nephews involved, children don’t love anything more than a piñata! Having it stuffed with blue or pink goodies is fun and exciting to reveal the gender of your baby to be.

Balloons

Whether you pop them, let them fly, put them in a box – balloons are a fun surprise. You can fill them to pop them, stuff them in a box for a great surprise – and kids love them too!

Sonograms

Sonograms are your first sneak peek at your baby. You can use it to reveal your baby’s gender by adding a pop of color to show the baby’s gender uniquely! Use a cute colored frame or add sweet embellishments to a sonogram photo to create an unforgettable gender reveal!

Include your pet! 

Gender reveals aren’t just for people these days— you can get your family pet involved! Tie a colored scarf, hang a sign, or place baby shoes next to your pet’s paws for a meaningful or photo op!

 

You can be the most significant part of a gender reveal! Begin your surrogacy journey with Shared Conception. Call us at either our Houston 713-622-1144 or Dallas 214-390-4024 office for more information. Or, visit www.deliveradream.com to get started on an application to become a surrogate.

 

 

 

fall into healthy habits when pregnant

Fall into these Healthy Habits this Season!

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Avoiding sushi and soft cheeses are well-known foods to avoid when you’re pregnant. But here are a few more not-so-well-known changes to make when pregnant.

Try them out! The following can help with fewer aches and pains, less stress, and more energy!

Floss

Your dentist probably tells you this every time you have a cleaning. Flossing is not only important when you are not pregnant but even more necessary when you are pregnant. Pregnancy hormones make your mouth more susceptible to plaque and bacteria, which in turn lead to gum inflammation and other serious gum diseases. You may even notice that your gums are more sensitive and bleed, even if you are an avid flosser. Keeping care of your mouth will help prevent gingivitis and periodontitis (inflammation of the gums). These conditions can increase your risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia. So add some floss picks to your grocery list today. (And brush twice).

Slip in extra R&R

Your body is in overdrive when you are expecting. Think about it, you’re building a life inside you, and a growing baby is putting a lot of demands on your body. On top of that, your hormones are surging – literally sucking the energy out of you. That’s why getting enough rest is so important. Rest not only makes you feel more energized but can curb nausea, reduce aches and pains (especially if you suffer from back pain), lower blood pressure, and even help you sleep better at night.

Snack wisely

We all know that skipping a meal is almost impossible for a surrogate. All of that nourishment is necessary for the baby, but snacking becomes more serious as you go through your journey. You’ll want to have a nutritious snack on hand whenever you need one. If you have healthy choices at your disposal, you are less likely to pick up a candy bar or dive into that bag of chips! Try snacks like trail mix, dried fruit, nuts, or whole-grain crackers to keep in your purse for those hunger attacks when you are on the go.

Choose healthier drinks

You may want to find some alternatives to coffee and soda when you’re pregnant; even simply cutting back will be better for you. Caffeine and sugar often act as diuretics and can wash out essential nutrients before your body can absorb them. Also, all of those mouth-watering coffee drinks can be filled with calories, sugar, and more caffeine than you may think. The best drink for you is good old H2O. And, it doesn’t have to be boring! Make it interesting with a slice of orange, lemon, or lime, or even spice it up with some herbs.

Get in the water

Although you may feel like you are wearing a permanent flotation device, consider swimming. Laps and aqua aerobics will do wonders for your pregnant self, and it helps relieve aches and pains (especially as your belly grows) and improves circulation and endurance. There is nothing like feeling weightless in the water.

Eating right, working out, and drinking plenty of water is good for you, pregnant or not. Listen to your body and make a point of slowing down every now and then. Enjoy your pregnancy! Need some more tips? Feel free to contact Shared Conception. If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy, give us a call today. We want you to be informed, fulfilled, and satisfied, knowing you contributed to the world in a unique and precious way.  Also, you can visit www.deliveradream.com to find out more information!

 

the placenta

Our Placentas

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The Placenta

Pregnancy and the ability to be a surrogate is nothing short of a miracle. From the joy it gives another family, to the science behind carrying a child that isn’t biologically related to you. There are many things involved in each process, including life-changing ones.

 

Between the surge of hormones and growing tummy to mood swings and that chocolate you had to have at 11:30 at night, many changes occur in pregnant women’s bodies. What we will focus on in this article is a topic not spoken about often: the placenta and placenta previa.

 

Usually, during the initial pregnancy stages, the placenta is near the bottom of your womb, by the cervix or the opening. Although as your baby grows and your uterus expands, your placenta automatically moves toward the top, leaving the space clear for the birth. While that’s how things work naturally, for many women, if the placenta stays towards the bottom of the uterus, blocking the cervix, it’s a condition known as placenta previa.

When it occurs

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partly or completely covers the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. Your baby passes into the cervix and through the birth canal during vaginal delivery. Typically, the placenta attaches toward the top of the uterus, away from the cervix.

Placenta previa is estimated to occur in around one in every 200 pregnancies in the second or third trimester.

 

Diagnosis

Placenta previa gets diagnosed through ultrasound, either during your routine prenatal appointment or if you experience vaginal bleeding. Bleeding can require an abdominal ultrasound and/or transvaginal ultrasound. Your health care provider will have to be careful not to disrupt the placenta or cause further bleeding.

 

There are several options to manage placenta previa, but there is no medical or surgical treatment to cure this condition. If your health care provider suspects placenta previa, they will avoid routine vaginal exams to reduce the risk of heavy bleeding. You may need some additional ultrasounds to check the location of your placenta during your pregnancy to see if placenta previa resolves.

 

Is it harmful to the baby?

Roughly 15% of women with placenta previa deliver before 34 weeks gestation. This creates a risk for premature birth complications, including breathing problems, low birth weight, and birth injuries such as cerebral palsy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

In most cases, placenta previa goes away. 

The majority of placenta previa cases resolve on their own. As the uterus grows, it pulls the placenta up, and the positioning becomes normal by 20 weeks. If a placenta previa is still present after 20 weeks, you will need to have ultrasounds every 2 to 4 weeks to monitor the Previa.

 

Why not take the next step and open a dialogue with Shared Conception? Give us a call today. We want you to be informed, fulfilled, and satisfied, knowing you contributed to the world in a unique and precious way. Also, you can visit www.deliveradream.com to begin an application to become a gestational surrogate and find out more information!

A gentle c-section, what is it? Can it be right for you?

Ever hear of a Gentle Cesarean?

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Planning a C-section? 

We all have our ideal labor and delivery planned in our heads or on paper. As a surrogate, this would not be your first experience with labor and delivery. Some of us have to deliver via cesarean due to medical conditions or previous C-section births. Other times, again due to complications, or if the baby is breech, an unexpected C-section is necessary.

To not be able to birth a child naturally is a concern to some. For the sake of your body and the baby, although perfectly safe, it’s not ideal. You may be in a position where it is the only option, and sometimes it is. You may not know that there are options when it comes to cesareans, and one is a gentle cesarean.

What is a gentle cesarean? 

This procedure is less of a major operation and closer to a vaginal delivery. The surgical aspects are still the same, but this allows you or your intended parents the ability to see and touch the newborn as soon as possible. Of course, this depends on your comfort level when giving birth and requires a little more planning with your intended parents and the labor and delivery team. Some doctors even allow the baby to wriggle around as they would in the birth canal before being scooped out. This allows a bit of a squeeze to get the extra fluid from the lungs expelled.

From a surrogate standpoint, this can also prevent your arms from being tied down, which is common in a C-section operation.

*If you are planning a cesarean, you will want to discuss this option with your intended parents and, most importantly, your healthcare provider.

Gentle C-sections are gaining popularity with many women. It’s aimed to bridge the gap between traditional C-sections and natural births. It only takes about 5 minutes longer than traditional c-sections and should not cost more. As always, talk with your intended parents and health care provider or Shared Conception.

No matter how you give birth, the outcome is the same: a miracle. Interested in learning more about surrogacy? Give us a call today. We want you to be informed, fulfilled, and satisfied, knowing you contributed to the world in a unique and precious way. Also, you can visit www.deliveradream.com to find out more information!

 

you can be a surrogate

Surrogacy pregnancies are different from biological pregnancies

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The most popular question asked as a surrogate is, “How can you give up the baby.” People can’t help themselves. And they don’t understand – it’s different than a biological baby. Surrogacy is not mainstream yet. There is not a lot of information out there. Everyone has a different answer, but I’ll give you mine.

In short, it’s a well-thought-out (incredible) commitment. It’s also a medical process, not biologically linked to you, and you are selflessly helping create a family. And these are not the only differences.

Believe me; I could never give up any child of mine. And each of my two surrogate babies was entirely different than my two biological babies. When I found out I was pregnant with my bio babies, I was elated. For myself, my husband, and the family we were creating. We enjoyed letting everyone know, the gender reveal, the baby shower, etc. I had a great pregnancy, loved being pregnant, and couldn’t wait to hold my beautiful babies when they were born. When I did, I was instantly in love, connected and all of my mom instincts kicked into high gear.

Surrogacy was awesome too, but different. It didn’t start with an at-home pregnancy test or my husband and I crying with joy on the floor in our bathroom. It began with interviews, psychological and medical evaluations, background checks, the matching process, contracts, lawyers, a medical protocol, and many weekly blood tests. I was excited because I loved being pregnant, but more for the intended parents to hold a baby they worked so hard for. I felt love for the child I was carrying but also a great responsibility. I took care of myself – maybe even better than my other two biological pregnancies! Maybe not…but with a contract to consider, you definitely think twice at times.

When I had the surrogate babies, I did not feel my maternal instincts kick in. I felt proud and joyful in the journey I had. I loved seeing the intended parents with their child – and the smiles on their faces. It was priceless. I felt whole at the end of my journey and couldn’t wait to return to my own family, for I developed a new appreciation for them.

Surrogacy isn’t for everyone, but it may not be as emotionally complicated as you may think. Interested in learning more about surrogacy? Give us a call today. We want you to be informed, fulfilled, and satisfied, knowing you contributed to the world in a unique and precious way. Also, you can visit www.deliveradream.com to find out more information!