Category: Surrogate Motherhood

Personal Development Guide for Surrogate Mothers

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Enhancing your personal well being may be a lot to handle at the onset for a surrogate mother. This is considering the fact that the human psyche has lots of aspects; which is why you need to decide where you are going to start. This particular post was designed to give you tips that are easy to do to improve your personal development goals as a surrogate.

A great starting point is to surround yourself with friends who will bring you happiness and positive energy. As a surrogate mother, be with people who will help you stay on track by being role models for good behaviors. You will better neutralize any undesirable energy you get from people who aren’t as encouraging of your self-improvement goals if your life is filled with people who care about you.

Take advantage of breaks. Learn to slow down if needed. Although this seems counterproductive, taking consistent breaks is good because it gives you the chance to boost your mind, so when you resume work, you’ll be able to get more done.

Maintaining a journal is beneficial for surrogate mothers. This allows them to take note of changes and feelings that are often overlooked and neglected. Pack some paper with you when you go out. Write down your idea in detail, and then focus on it at a later time when you can expand on the issue.

Another great tip for surrogate mother’s personal development is to discover how you can be a good role model yourself. Leading by example is all about influencing others positively. Examine your past behaviors and experiences- Which events had the most impact on the way you live your life? What differences have occurred thanks to these events? Thinking deeply about these concerns as a surrogate mother will help you help yourself grow into a better person.

Showing a little humbleness goes a long way in your quest for personal development. This gives you the opportunity to think less of yourself and shift your attention to others who may need it the most. As a surrogate mom, a humbling attitude puts you in the right mindset to learn new things and create as a human being.

Last but not the least, don’t overexert yourself. Master the art of keeping a simple life. If you over think or over do things, then you might get stressed for no reason, and as a surrogate mother, that is a big no-no. Do not focus on things that you can no longer change, but look at what is to come in life.

Tips for Gestational Carriers

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As a gestational carrier, one has to take care of their body and the baby they are carrying properly. This can be achieved with good eating habits.

Modifying the way you eat may seem like an impossible thing to ask for someone who is eating for two, however with a positive mindset, it can be done.

A critical component as a gestational carrier is to commit all your efforts into creating delicious and healthy meals for yourself and the child that you are carrying. You can start small by making simple food substitutes as part of your eating plan. Switching sugary cereals for whole grain oats is a perfect example. Making sound snack choices is another great tip. Consume nuts in small amounts as part of a well balanced diet.The majority of nuts deliver healthy protein, one of the hardest nutrients to obtain while consuming healthy and balanced diet.

Eating your greens will also do you good as it is easy to digest. Easy to absorb, vitamin-rich foods are another great addition to your diet. Avocado is a great example, which is full of vitamins and healthy oils which goes down easily on a delicate tummy. Other good examples are green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale.

We all know that maintaining a supply of fresh vegetables is difficult as it spoils easily. In this regard, be sure to keep a supply of frozen veggies in your fridge. With frozen veggies, you are sure to keep vegetables a staple in your diet no matter the season.

Keeping these pointers close to mind and heart will certainly help you become the healthiest gestational carrier you can be.

Top Questions on Surrogacy

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In some parts of the United States, surrogacy is actually legal. For example, The Golden State of California has established legislations on surrogacy, which has made it accessible for couples to have the procedure carried out. Even with its growing popularity, there are actually a lot of people that are still baffled by this process.

 

How is Surrogacy defined?

In truth, all of us recognize that the inability to conceive prevents a married couple to begin a family. This is more evident for homosexual couples that cannot become pregnant since both are of the exact same sex. With the spreading concern over infertility, scientific research has formulated procreative modern technologies to manage this issue.

Artificial insemination is the method of fertilizing an egg outside the body. The is the remedy for women who are not competent of supporting pregnancy. In this regard, Surrogacy can be described as the method through which the intended parents go into an agreement with a woman, known as the surrogate, to carry their egg.

 

Is there a relationship in between the surrogate as well as the baby?

There can be a biological link between the surrogate and the baby. This happens when the surrogate’s egg is used and the sperm is obtained from the intended parents. Gestational Surrogacy, on the other hand, only employs the surrogate to the carrier thus does not become directly related to the child.

 

Are there cases that a surrogate claims the baby?

Surrogates are carefully selected by means of examinations in addition to a series of demanding screening processes to assess the appropriate physical and mental state to have another person’s baby. Legal documents are created and signed to ensure that the best interests of the surrogate, the intended parents and the baby are secured.

 

How much does Surrogacy cost?

The procedure is costly. The cost stems from the comprehensive procedure that both parties have to undergo. The medical procedures, including in vitro fertilization together with the surrogate’s fees will break the bank. Scouting different Surrogacy agencies are ideal to have a good idea of the prices and compare the costs. It is through these agencies where you will get the help you need to assess which one has the best program to suit your needs.

 

Is Surrogacy Legal?

It is highly dependent on the state you’re in. Surrogacy is legal in California, Illinois and Oregon but there are also some states that have different views on the matter such as New York and New Jersey.

Surrogate Compensation

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Surrogate Compensation 

The compensation is just one of the many concerns that a surrogate considers but does not heavily prioritize. Surrogates give up their time and compromise their health to help someone who wishes to have a child. These women are somewhat unsung heroes and deserve to be compensated what is due to them.

Surrogate Compensation: Expenses for Service

Surrogacy fees are different since the pricing varies from agency to agency. The overall costs for the intended couple normally operate upwards of around $500, while legal expenses cost at around $15,000. These charges do not go straight to the surrogate mother, they go towards the financial protection of both the surrogate and intended couple.

Surrogate Compensation: Surrogate Charge

A surrogate’s work is tasking and can be synonymous with the work of an employee with a full time job. In this regard, the intended parents typically pay the surrogate with a cash fee that is settled before pregnancy and ensures coverage for all appropriate costs relating to the surrogate’s well being. A newbie surrogate can get up to $50,000 in a compensation package.

Surrogate Compensation: Additional Expenditures

As mentioned before, a surrogate mom’s medical expenditures are already paid off by the intended moms and dads. This not only covers the usual medical expenses, but also ensures that the surrogate’s lifestyle is protected.

An instance that best exemplifies what I mean, would be if a surrogate mother is forced out from her residence. A funding will be made available to her to ensure that lifestyle  is safe and secured.

 

Understanding Surrogacy in Minnesota

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The legal representative is going to require all the inputs coming from the surrogate and also the parents-to-be. Working with a skilled as well as a fluent lawful expert backed up with surrogacy law experience is actually necessary. The woman acting as the surrogate and the intended parents must have separate lawyers.

Being meticulous and comprehensive in the agreement will help lay down the proper foundation on what is expected and to be done in the course of this process. The checklist below should assist in understanding what should be present in the agreement.

Having these in place will save a lot of time and minimize any confusion on both parties.

1. Name of parties involved: husband, wife as well as the woman acting as the surrogate.
2. Should be of legal age
3. Number of attempts
4. The process of getting pregnant, like “no sexual intercourse.
5. Agreement to never attempt to discontinue the pregnancy.
6. A declaration that the mother is unable to conceive or sustain a pregnancy.
7. Statements of extensive clinical and mental state of the surrogate as agreed.
8. Health plan for all concerned, including the fertilized egg (s).
9. Procedures including the positioning of the fertilized egg (s).
10. Close monitoring of surrogate’s activities as well as medication taken.
11. Discussion and agreement on regular prenatal health care.
12. Regulation on the surrogate’s activities that may be seen as dangerous to the pregnancy as well as the birth procedure.
13. Surrogate’s parental rights.
14. The presence of the couple throughout childbirth.
15. Legal or Physical custody of the couple and surrogate once the child is born.
16. Financial terms and obligations in the course of pregnancy and post pregnancy.
17. Confidentiality terms and clauses.

This checklist mainly covers what is good to know at the start of this process. It is, however, best to watch out for other conditions that will better prepare you for potential issues in the future.

Learning About Surrogacy Legalities

Legality of surrogacy in the USA can be considered an ongoing argument. What makes it more complex and challenging for many is the fact that the laws vary per state which results in more questions than answers.

Given this complication, you must fully understand the laws regulating surrogacy in all states to avoid running into any problems as you go along this process.

Surrogate’s Compensation

Knowing how much to pay your surrogate is one of the many matters to think about when choosing surrogacy for your family. Whatever payment a gestational or traditional surrogate gets, it is critical to know for certain that they are not an employee. Even when the surrogate does this free of charge, she is still not qualified due to the employee – employer relationship.

Traditional or Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational Surrogacy varies greatly from Traditional surrogacy since the surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives birth from an already fertilized egg. In this instance, there is actually no hereditary link in between the surrogate as well as the child.

Traditional Surrogacy is the procedure wherein the woman carrying a surrogate pregnancy goes through artificial insemination or even IVF by merging the surrogate’s eggs together with the semen of the donor. In this instance, the surrogate has a hereditary link to the baby, which can be high-risk due to the said genetic connection.

Lawful Issues Post-Birth Adoption

A number of states make it possible for the identification of the mother and father to appear on the child’s birth certificate. In other states, the surrogate’s name is the one put on the document, which may be changed later when the order for the intended parent comes and gets listed.

Some states permit pre-birth sequence under specific conditions. Ultimately, what is still very important is to understand as well as know the rules of each state with regard to surrogacy.

How To Select A Gestational Surrogate in Minnesota

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For most couples, starting a family is as easy as 1-2-3; but, for some, they may opt to choose a surrogate carrier or a gestational surrogate. How does a couple select a gestational surrogate?

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. Still, it is always a good idea to consult with your own preferred doctor.

Choosing the Right Agency for You

A couple or single parent usually has an ideal surrogate carrier in mind. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Read feedbacks from single parents or other couples who have already used the service and the reason why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place?

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The ideal candidate should have had at least one successful pregnancy, with no background on miscarriages, abortions, bleeding or any other medical issues that may be a risk factor. It is always best to consult with your OB/Gyne or reproductive endocrinologist regarding the medical history of the GS that you plan to work with. A thorough medical examination must be performed on the GS so that any complications may be prevented. This will include, but not limited to: a physical examination, laboratory examinations, ultrasounds, a comprehensive medical history check, psychological examinations, and screening for any threatening diseases.

The Ideal Gestational Surrogate

The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. Prior pregnancy that involves the delivery of twins should also be taken into consideration. A deeper understanding for the ideal GS would best be discussed with your physician. Keep in mind that some couples or single parents may opt to choose a relative for the purpose of keeping things within the family genes. If you or your partner chooses to go through in vitro fertilization, make sure to choose your preferred Reproductive Endocrinologist.
In Conclusion

The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time. Remember that using the service of a GS is not for everyone; there will be a lot of emotions that will run through your mind.

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the post-natal and pre-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time.

Ideal Organic Food Diet for Surrogate Mothers in Minnesota

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During pregnancy, surrogate mothers in Minnesota are eating for two. Eating a well-balanced diet not only provides your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but provides the unborn baby with the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop. Surrogate mothers need increased amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the health and growth of the unborn baby. Vitamin supplements are also recommended.

There are foods you should limit or avoid during pregnancy, especially foods that have been treated with pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals, but organic foods are foods that are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Meat and dairy products must not be produced using antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed composed of animal products in order to be considered organic.

Organic food is very expensive — often twice the price of the same, non-organic product. If you have a limited budget, eat only organic fruits and vegetables. The health benefits of organic meat, poultry, eggs, and milk are not clear. You can even cut corners by purchasing only certain organic fruits and vegetables that have not been exposed to large amounts of pesticide or herbicide. Traditionally, grapes, peaches, strawberries, winter squash, green beans, apples, spinach and tomatoes have high levels of pesticide. You can consume non-organic foods that have inedible peels, such as oranges, or have outer layers that can be removed, such as lettuce.

Supplement your diet with vitamins. Vitamins and minerals help you maintain good health. As a surrogate mother in *state*, your food is not only providing your body with nutrients, but also that of the unborn child. Usually a well-balanced diet provides all the vitamins and minerals you need, but surrogate mothers in Minnesota often take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid and other vital nutrients needed during pregnancy. When choosing a vitamin or vitamins, make sure it contains folic acid, iron, and Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Folic acid helps prevent nervous system disorders in the unborn child and protects mothers from cancer and stroke. Surrogate mothers in Minnesota should ingest 600 mg of folic acid every day.

Eating a diet that consists of organic fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and dairy products and lean protein sources such as beans, legumes, poultry, low-fat red meat, and fish low in mercury will give your body the widest array of vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet also provides your body with fiber, which is necessary for intestinal health, and calcium and vitamin D, which promote bone strength for you and your baby. If you can afford it, you can switch your diet to organic foods to ensure better health and development for you and your baby.

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Surrogate Cost Insurance Questions & Answers

Surrogate Cost: The 3 Biggest Surrogacy Insurance Questions Answered

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Surrogacy is a wonderful journey that leads to the creation of families, but there are a lot of details to be worked out, and the process can be confusing. One of the biggest sources of confusion is the overall surrogate cost. The biggest factor that affects the financial aspect is the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because the surrogate insurance has such a big impact on the financial cost, it is important to understand as much as possible about how the coverage works. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about surrogacy insurance:

Question 1: What is the advantage of being covered for surrogacy over someone who has no surrogacy insurance coverage?

The intended parents face a great deal of expenses regarding the surrogacy process. They have to pay for fertility medications, the surrogate’s stipend, agency fees and legal expenses. If a surrogate already has insurance coverage for surrogacy, the intended parents would not have to purchase a separate policy for her. Because they do not have to buy an insurance policy for that surrogate, using that surrogate is more affordable for the intended parents than using a surrogate without the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because of this, the intended parents may be more inclined to choose a surrogate who already has surrogacy insurance coverage over one with no insurance coverage so that they can save money on the surrogate cost.

Question 2: Another surrogate uses the same insurance company that I do and she got paid on her claims. Since I am using the same insurance company, will my surrogacy claims get paid, too?

No, not necessarily. Insurance policies and rules change and vary from state to state, time to time, and employer to employer. It is not a good idea to assume that because you are using the same company that you have the same policy. Surrogate agencies are experienced in researching insurance benefits for surrogacy. Ask your surrogate agency for assistance with investigating your insurance benefits.

Question 4: I qualify for Medicaid. Will Medicaid cover my surrogacy?

No, not necessarily. Another common mistake surrogates make is that they make the assumption that Medicaid always covers pregnancy. Pregnancy care and surrogacy are not considered as the same thing by the insurance company. Your surrogate agency will be able to contact medicaid for you and verify your coverage for surrogacy. In all likelihood you will not be covered for surrogacy under medicaid.

These are some of the most common insurance questions frequently asked by surrogate mothers. By understanding these questions, you will get a better idea of how your insurance works and how much they will cover, if any, of the surrogate cost. As a general rule to remember, it is not wise to assume that your insurance will just cover your claims. It is better to have your surrogate agency handle surrogacy insurance concerns, because they are experts in this field. Having a surrogate agency assist you and the intended parents will help the surrogacy journey be less complicated and more stress free.

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How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

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When you want to become a surrogate mother, it is not an easy task. Along with the numerous responsibilities before, during, and after the surrogacy journey, you will be left with the dilemma of letting your family, children and friends know of your decision to become a surrogate mother for others. Getting all the moral support you can from your family, children, and friends is very important for your surrogacy journey. The moral support your family can give you will help you cope with all the emotions you might feel during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that any pregnancy usually affects those people who are near and dear to you. Your immediate family should be the first ones to find out about your decision to become a surrogate mother. Your husband, parents, and children should be well educated on the surrogacy process. The best time to tell your immediate family about your decision to become a surrogate mother is when you have firmly decided on being a surrogate. Letting your immediate family know the reasons why you decided on being a surrogate will greatly help them understand your purpose and goals. Being truthful with them will help them understand and accept your decision.

Letting your children understand your situation as a surrogate will take a bit of time and patience. Remember that the reaction of your children will depend mainly on what you have told them. Explaining this sort of thing to your children will always call for sensitivity, and most importantly, the truth. You should also consider introducing the concepts and ideas of surrogacy to your children over a period of time, rather than all at once. For example, as you arrange a meeting with the intended parents, you can take the opportunity to bring up these ideas with your children. You can begin talking about families and what makes a family between television shows or after social gatherings with other children so that they can get the importance of family.

For your friends and other relatives, it is highly advisable to not let them know about your situation as a surrogate immediately. The best approach would be to let the pregnancy come up naturally in conversation. The more natural, confident, and happy you are about it, the more accepting they will be to you being a surrogate. If you are nervous and scared of their reaction, they may question your decision. Just remember that they won’t all accept or agree with your decision to become a surrogate mother and this should not affect you.

You should not fool yourself into believing that your pregnancy will not affect the people who are closest to you. It is vital for your family to be well prepared and supportive, and this is a very important aspect for your pregnancy to be a success. They need to fully understand that the baby is not going to be a member of your family. If you have children, you need to make them realize that they are not getting another brother or sister. They need to understand that you are merely providing a service for some couple who were not able to have a baby on their own. Surrogacy can be a very educational and socially expanding experience, not only for yourself and your family, but also your community.

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Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

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The goal shared by all intended parents and surrogate mothers is to produce a healthy baby. To ensure that the baby develops properly, it’s very important for the surrogate to eat healthily while she is pregnant. More and more, intended parents are going a step further by asking their surrogates to eat only organic foods. While some surrogates are reluctant to do this, others are entirely willing – after all, it may improve their own health.

As with any significant decision, though, there are pros and cons to be considered.

The downsides include that organic foods can be much more expensive than the same type of non-organically-produced foods. This is due to their higher cost of production. A surrogate may be more willing to eat organic foods if the intended parents offered to pay for the organic foods she eats.

A related issue to that is the fact that organic foods can also be harder to obtain; not every grocery store or supermarket has such a wide selection of organics. They’re a specialty item, after all, and surrogates with fewer options for food-shopping (in rural areas or small towns, for instance) may have trouble shopping for organic foods.

And of course, not every food is available organically. There’s a real possibility that a surrogate eating only organically may have to miss out on some of her favorite foods for the duration of her pregnancy.

There are convenience issues, too. Organics, due to their lack of preservatives, can spoil more easily – shorter shelf-lives, which require more regular shopping.

But there are a lot of good reasons that intended parents ask their surrogates to eat organic foods. Insecticides and additives are potentially harmful if they are passed though to the baby during pregnancy. Organic foods lack insecticides and additives – those things won’t be carried through into the baby.

Health concerns have, from time to time, been raised over genetically modified crops, or meat from animals that have been fed those crops. Organic food, by definition, is not genetically modified, which removes those concerns.

Research has shown, additionally, that organic foods contain more healthy vitamins and minerals, possibly due to the lack of preservatives involved.

And as a side-benefit, if you’re concerned about how animals are treated, organic food is a much better idea. Organic farming requires that animals be fed a natural diet, and are kept (unlike mass-produced ‘factory farm’ meat) in much more humane free-range conditions.

So while organic food can be inconvenient at times and more expensive, it also does provide a much healthier choice for the surrogate and the baby. It’s a big decision that should be weighed seriously from both sides, but there are solid reasons behind why a lot of intended parents do want their surrogate mothers to eat organically during their pregnancy.

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