Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc.

This week Global IVF is featuring Dr. Viken Sahakian

2010-05-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

This week Global IVF is featuring Dr. Viken Sahakian who is Board Certified in both Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and assumes teaching responsibilities at Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UCLA Hospitals. His clinic, Pacific Fertility Center is located in Los Angeles.

Dr. Sahakian has performed over 6000 IVF procedures and is responsible for the birth of over 3000 babies all over the world. He, along with his colleagues, pioneered the most revolutionary financial program in modern medicine, the IVF Refund Plan. Now for the first time, the doctor was willing to assume risk in treating women with infertility. He was able to achieve this by having consistently higher success rates. This program has forever changed the way we practice medicine in the field of reproductive sciences.

Dr. Sahakian also specializes in treating patients with advanced maternal age including postmenopausal women seeking infertility treatment through egg donation. He is responsible for the oldest woman on record to have given birth at the age of 67.

Hundreds of same sex partners have also been helped by Dr. Sahakian in achieving their dream of building a family through egg donation and surrogacy.

It is his mission to help couples with infertility and to be there for them every step of the way.
Please visit http://www.globalivf.com/expert-interviews.php at GlobalIVF.com to listen to Dr. Sahakian to learn more. While you are on Global IVF please take the time to sign up for our newsletters and join our online community. Your input and feed back are what makes Global IVF so successful!

Research study: Cross-Border Infertility Treatment (CBIT)

2010-03-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

You are invited to take part in a research study exploring what motivates patients to travel to another country for infertility treatment and to learn about their experiences during treatment.

Who can take part?

Anyone who has gone outside their home country for infertility treatment, has access to the internet and is able to communicate in English.

What will you have to do?

The information will be collected via an individual email interview, to be conducted in the strictest confidence with your anonymity assured. You will be asked demographic questions (e.g. age, educational level) and 8 questions relating to your cross-border infertility treatment. These will be sent to you one at a time, and each question may be followed by supplementaryquestions. The whole email discussion is expected to be completed within 3weeks.

How to participate.

To take part in this study, please contact Steve Lui at the following confidential email address: cbit@hud.ac.uk.

Approval

This study has gained approval from the School Research Ethics Panel of theSchool of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield.Research team

Researcher: Mr. Steve Lui, http://www2.hud.ac.uk/hhs/staff/shumscl.php

Supervisors: Professor Eric Blyth, http://www2.hud.ac.uk/hhs/staff/shumedb.php

Dr. Kathleen Chirema, http://www2.hud.ac.uk/hhs/staff/shumkdc2.php

Address: School of Human and Health Sciences Harold Wilson Building, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate,Huddersfield. England HD1 3DH http://www2.hud.ac.uk/hhs/

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook

From All of Us at Surrogacy For Solutions

Global IVF Video Guest Expert Series: Dr. Daniel Potter of Huntington Reproductive Center

2010-03-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Global IVF strives to bring you the most current and useful information regarding all things infertility related around the world. Every month, Global IVF features ‘experts’ in their field – a reproductive endocrinologist, a reproductive clinic, an embryologist, a reproductive lawyer, a medical tourism company, a therapist, etc. Not only will you be privy to their inside information and expertise, with many of them you will have the chance to ask and get answers to your own specific questions!

This week Global IVF is featuring Guest Expert Dr. Daniel Potter of Huntington Reproductive Center and MicroSort West in Laguna Beach CA. This is the first video in a three part series featuring Dr. Potter. Doctor Potter’s active research interests include gender selection, ovarian reserve testing, endometrial preparation for IVF with donor egg, embryo cryopreservation and frozen embryo transfer. Dr. Potter is also author of the book: What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant: The Complete Guide to All the Technologies for Couples Facing Fertility Problems (Marlow and Company, New York, New York 2005.) Please visit http://www.globalivf.com/expert-profiles2.php at GlobalIVF.com.

About Global IVF:

To fill the niche in the ever-growing trend in cross-border travel for reproductive care, Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos and Lauri Berger de Brito founded Global IVF.com, the ultimate Global Guide devoted to Infertility and all related services available worldwide.

Free membership to GlobalIVF.com also includes bi-monthly newsletters and full access to Global IVF’s blogs and online chat forums, allowing intended parents to share experiences and collect advice about specific clinics and treatments currently offered worldwide.

About The Founders:

After working for a combined thirty-five years producing television shows for network and cable TV, Ms. Kaycoff-Manos and Ms. de Brito redirected their creative, managerial and people skills into helping others. It was years of their own personal fertility struggles -- where the two independently underwent numerous fertility-related surgeries, alternative and controversial treatments, multiple miscarriages, IVFs, three egg donors and four surrogates before successfully having their own families – that naturally transformed them from television producers to baby producers.

In 2004, they opened Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc. in Los Angeles, where they took their business acumen and compassion and created one of the world’s most successful and well-respected surrogacy agencies. They later expanded it to include Agency for Fertility Solutions, which offers fertility plans, financial counseling and personalized egg donor searches. Their dealings with fertility patients from across the globe alerted them to the strong need for a website where IVF travelers from all corners of the earth could find informative, up-to-date information on services worldwide, connect with experts, and share experiences with fellow IVF travelers in one place. To fill this ever-growing niche, GlobalIVF.com was created.

Besides bringing their heads and hearts to helping people unravel their fertility options, Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos have developed extremely strong relationships with the country's top infertility clinics, psychologists, attorneys, and support personnel. Both women are sought-after speakers at fertility conferences and groups throughout the United States and on the internet. They've written and appeared in numerous magazine articles and on radio and television programs. Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos are currently collaborating on a book focusing on Cross-Border IVF Travelers.

GLOBAL IVF: To learn more about Global IVF, visit www.GlobalIVF.com. To advertise on the site, or to be a featured expert, email Marketing@GlobalIVF.com or call 818.232.9300.

Sign Up Now for the Global IVF Forums!

2010-03-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

The Global IVF Forums are now Open!

Global IVF is the only one-stop informational website for IVF travelers -- people looking to pursue ART treatments outside of their own country. Now potential Global IVF patients can interact with other people looking to go global for fertility treatments, i.e.; IVF, egg and/or sperm donation, surrogacy. The goals of the Global IVF Forums is to provide education and support to individuals who are interested in learning more about current IVF costs, Reproductive Clinics, Treatments, Third Party Family Building, Laws, Policies and Services world-wide. It is the goal of the Global IVF Forums to create a tight-knit community that encompasses those who are striving to find the best places to under go their IVF treatments, find Surrogates and Egg Donors, and for those who are just exploring their Family Building Options. Some of the forum categories include General IVF Travelers Discussion, Gay & Lesbian Issues, plus discussions by countries including Africa, Australia, Europe, South American, Canada and the United States, to name a few.

Free membership to GlobalIVF.com also includes bi-monthly newsletters and full access to Global IVF’s blogs as well as the online chat forums, allowing intended parents to share experiences and collect advice about specific clinics and treatments currently offered worldwide. Due to our newest technological upgrades those who have signed up for these forums in the past need to sign up once again to gain access.

GlobalIVF.com also highlights a leading expert in the field of fertility each month with in-depth video interviews and featured articles about fertility advancements and the latest of care. Some of the upcoming 2010 experts are Dr. Vicken Sahakian (Pacific Fertility Center, CA), Andrea Bryman (psychologist specializing in infertility), Wendie Wilson (Gifted Journeys Egg Donor Agency), Dr. David Tourgeman (Huntington Reproductive Center, CA), and Richard Vaughn (National Fertility Law, CA).

Join Global IVF today and start your own world wide Family Building Journey!

Global IVF~In Spain March 15th-22nd~

2010-03-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

The two co-founders of Global IVF, Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos, MA and Lauri de Brito, will be in Spain March 15th through March 22nd meeting with fertility clinics, attorneys and Intended Parents in Barcelona, Valencia, Murcia, Alicante and Madrid. One of the main reasons for this visit is to promote their newest endeavor, GlobalIVF.com. Global IVF (www.GlobalIVF.com) is the only one-stop resource for fertility patients looking to travel cross-border for their treatment. Global IVF is filling a much needed niche – one that clients all around the world have been asking for – a single place with facts and figures on clinics across the globe; a place to get up-to-date information on doctors and experts, clinics, treatments, costs, laws, policies, statistics, cutting edge developments and ancillary services in countries all over the world and a place to share information with other IVF travelers. Global IVF is taking the cross-border reproductive business by storm.

In addition to the GlobalIVF website, Kathryn and Lauri also run a successful and well respected surrogacy agency and now have a consulting business assisting international patients in researching and selecting fertility clinics and programs around the globe.

If you are located in one of the cities listed above and have not been contacted by a Global IVF representative and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact us to schedule a thirty-minute meeting as there are only a limited number of available appointments left. You may e-mail the Marketing Director at Marketing@GlobalIVF.com or call 818.386-0800.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS:
After working for a combined thirty-five years producing television shows for network and cable TV, Ms. Kaycoff-Manos and Ms.de Brito redirected their creative, managerial and people skills into helping others. It was years of their own personal fertility struggles -- where the two independently underwent numerous fertility-related surgeries, alternative and controversial treatments, multiple miscarriages, IVFs, three egg donors and four surrogates before successfully having their own families – that naturally transformed them from television producers to baby producers.

In 2004, they opened Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc. in Los Angeles, where they took their business acumen and compassion and created one of the world’s most successful and well-respected surrogacy agencies. They later expanded it to include Agency for Fertility Solutions, which offers fertility plans, financial counseling and personalized egg donor searches. Their dealings with fertility patients from across the globe alerted them to the strong need for a website where IVF travelers from all corners of the earth could find informative, up-to-date information on services worldwide, connect with experts, and share experiences with fellow IVF travelers in one place. To fill this ever-growing niche, GlobalIVF.com was created.

Besides bringing their heads and hearts to helping people unravel their fertility options, Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos have developed extremely strong relationships with the country's top infertility clinics, psychologists, attorneys, and support personnel. Both women are sought-after speakers at fertility conferences and groups throughout the United States and on the internet. They've written and appeared in numerous magazine articles and on radio and television programs. Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos are currently collaborating on a book focusing on Cross-Border IVF Travelers

Global IVF Launches the Global Community Forums

2010-03-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Global IVF is the only one-stop informational website for IVF travelers -- people looking to pursue ART treatments outside of their own country. Now potential Global IVF patients can interact with other people looking to go global for fertility treatments, i.e.; IVF, egg and/or sperm donation, surrogacy. The goals of the Global IVF Forums is to provide education and support to individuals who are interested in learning more about current IVF costs, Reproductive Clinics, Treatments, Third Party Family Building, Laws, Policies and Services world-wide. It is the goal of the Global IVF Forums to create a tight-knit community that encompasses those who are striving to find the best places to under go their IVF treatments, find Surrogates and Egg Donors, and for those who are just exploring their Family Building Options. Some of the forum categories include General IVF Travelers Discussion, Gay & Lesbian Issues, plus discussions by countries including Africa, Australia, Europe, South American, Canada and the United States, to name a few.

Free membership to GlobalIVF.com also includes bi-monthly newsletters and full access to Global IVF’s blogs as well as the online chat forums, allowing intended parents to share experiences and collect advice about specific clinics and treatments currently offered worldwide. Due to our newest technological upgrades those who have signed up for these forums in the past need to sign up once again to gain access.

GlobalIVF.com also highlights a leading expert in the field of fertility each month with in-depth video interviews and featured articles about fertility advancements and the latest of care. Some of the upcoming 2010 experts are Dr. Vicken Sahakian (Pacific Fertility Center, CA), Andrea Bryman (psychologist specializing in infertility), Wendie Wilson (Gifted Journeys Egg Donor Agency), Dr. David Tourgeman (Huntington Reproductive Center, CA), and Richard Vaughn (National Fertility Law, CA).

Join Global IVF today and start your own world wide Family Building Journey!

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS:
After working for a combined thirty-five years producing television shows for network and cable TV, Ms. Kaycoff-Manos and Ms.de Brito redirected their creative, managerial and people skills into helping others. It was years of their own personal fertility struggles -- where the two independently underwent numerous fertility-related surgeries, alternative and controversial treatments, multiple miscarriages, IVFs, three egg donors and four surrogates before successfully having their own families – that naturally transformed them from television producers to baby producers.

In 2004, they opened Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc. in Los Angeles, where they took their business acumen and compassion and created one of the world’s most successful and well-respected surrogacy agencies. They later expanded it to include Agency for Fertility Solutions, which offers fertility plans, financial counseling and personalized egg donor searches. Their dealings with fertility patients from across the globe alerted them to the strong need for a website where IVF travelers from all corners of the earth could find informative, up-to-date information on services worldwide, connect with experts, and share experiences with fellow IVF travelers in one place. To fill this ever-growing niche, GlobalIVF.com was created.

Besides bringing their heads and hearts to helping people unravel their fertility options, Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos have developed extremely strong relationships with the country's top infertility clinics, psychologists, attorneys, and support personnel. Both women are sought-after speakers at fertility conferences and groups throughout the United States and on the internet. They've written and appeared in numerous magazine articles and on radio and television programs. Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos are currently collaborating on a book focusing on Cross-Border IVF Travelers.

Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos is a mother of identical twin boys and Lauri de Brito is mother to 3 children and is currently embarking on her third gestational surrogacy journey.

GLOBAL IVF: To learn more about Global IVF, visit www.GlobalIVF.com. To advertise on the site, or to be a featured expert, email Marketing@GlobalIVF.com or call 818.232.9300

Global IVF Launches the Only One-Stop International Web Portal for Cross Border Reproductive Care & Travel

2010-02-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

To fill the niche in the ever-growing trend in cross-border travel for reproductive care, Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos and Lauri Berger de Brito founded Global IVF.com, the ultimate Global Guide devoted to Infertility and all related services available worldwide.

Los Angeles, California - Global IVF: Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos and Lauri Berger de Brito, both parents via assisted reproduction as well as the owners of the very successful Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, are proud to announce the ultimate Global Guide devoted to Infertility and all related services available worldwide,
Global IVF.com -- an all inclusive website, providing current information on reproductive clinics, costs, treatments, third party reproductive availability, laws, policies, statistics, cutting- edge developments and services worldwide.

GlobalIVF.com also highlights a leading expert in the field of fertility each month with in-depth video interviews and featured articles about fertility advancements and the latest of care. Some of the 2010 experts are Dr. Vicken Sahakian (Pacific Fertility Center, CA), Abigail Glass (MFTT specializing in infertility), Wendie Wilson (Gifted Journeys Egg Donor Agency), Dr. Daniel Potter (Huntington Reproductive Center, CA), and Richard Vaughn (National Fertility Law, CA).

Free membership to GlobalIVF.com also includes bi-monthly newsletters and full access to Global IVF’s blogs and online chat forums, allowing intended parents to share experiences and collect advice about specific clinics and treatments currently offered worldwide.

Global IVF.com offers an array of advertising packages to fit most company budgets. All of Global IVF.com’s web visitors are pro-active, potential patients who need and want a single, trusted, authoritative source to help them make critical choices about their fertility care. These patients are already looking to travel outside their own country for fertility care, GlobalIVF.com helps them make the important decision as to WHERE they should go. When advertising with Global IVF.com, fertility clinics, doctors, agencies, tourism companies, etc can enjoy international exposure plus immediate connection with their target audience.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS:
After working for a combined thirty-five years producing television shows for network and cable TV, Ms. Kaycoff-Manos and Ms. de Brito redirected their creative, managerial and people skills into helping others. It was years of their own personal fertility struggles -- where the two independently underwent numerous fertility-related surgeries, alternative and controversial treatments, multiple miscarriages, IVFs, three egg donors and four surrogates before successfully having their own families – that naturally transformed them from television producers to baby producers.

In 2004, they opened Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc. in Los Angeles, where they took their business acumen and compassion and created one of the world’s most successful and well-respected surrogacy agencies. They later expanded it to include Agency for Fertility Solutions, which offers fertility plans, financial counseling and personalized egg donor searches. Their dealings with fertility patients from across the globe alerted them to the strong need for a website where IVF travelers from all corners of the earth could find informative, up-to-date information on services worldwide, connect with experts, and share experiences with fellow IVF travelers in one place. To fill this ever-growing niche, GlobalIVF.com was created.

Besides bringing their heads and hearts to helping people unravel their fertility options, Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos have developed extremely strong relationships with the country's top infertility clinics, psychologists, attorneys, and support personnel. Both women are sought-after speakers at fertility conferences and groups throughout the United States and on the internet. They've written and appeared in numerous magazine articles and on radio and television programs. Ms. de Brito and Ms. Kaycoff-Manos are currently collaborating on a book focusing on Cross-Border IVF Travelers.

Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos is a mother of identical twin boys and Lauri de Brito is mother to 3 children and is currently embarking on her third gestational surrogacy journey.

GLOBAL IVF: To learn more about Global IVF, visit www.GlobalIVF.com. To advertise on the site, or to be a featured expert, email Marketing@GlobalIVF.com or call 818.232.9300.

Surrogacy in India - New Problems Arise

2010-01-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

We at Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc are well aware of what a surrogacy journey costs in the United States. After all, both Kathryn and I are former IPs, and I have started on another surrogacy journey. There's no getting around that it is very expensive, even more so for International IPs coming to the States. There's been so much talk and press about surrogacy in India and while it sounds good -- especially the cost - we need to be aware that it is still a relatively 'new' thing in India. That is why we continue to see issues like the one below come up. That is the beauty of doing surrogacy here in the States (of course as long as it is in a surro-friendly state.) The laws have been tried and tested and in place for a long time. It's highly unlikely that YOU will be come the test case. But in India, that promise cannot be made... so if you're ready to take those chances and you go in with your eyes open, then perhaps India is the right choice for you. I know, for me, it is not. I want my name to go directly on my child's birth certificate - I don't want to have to adopt my own child.

India Fertility Industry Hit with Another Blow & Americans Giving Birth Overseas Using an Egg Donor
Tuesday 26 Jan 2010 By Theresa M. Erickson
In an article that was just posted in India, controvery continues to follow India and its fertility industry. In this article entitled rightly so, “In the Womb of Controversy,” the writer states the following:

“As high drama is being played out in Indian courts over surrogacy issues, the US consulate in Chennai, perhaps worried about the rash of litigations has decided to tighten its visa processing norms, particularly for couples coming to the city for fertility treatment and assisted reproduction.

About a month ago, Vimala (name changed), a US citizen, returning home after delivering a healthy baby boy, was put through a grilling at the US consulate in Chennai when she went to obtain a passport for her new-born. On learning that she had conceived the child with the help of donor eggs (through assisted reproduction by transfer of eggs or oocytes donated by another woman), the consulate declined to recognise her as the biological mother.

“The father’s name and mother’s name are mentioned in the consular report of birth. This certificate is issued to recognise a US citizen child born outside the country. But the certificate for my son does not list me as the mother. I had to go through a lawyer to process adoption in the US and get the certificate amended to incorporate my name,” Vimala said in a communication to her doctor.
The incident triggered protests among a section of fertility experts in Chennai and kicked off a debate on personal privacy and patient confidentiality and the need for laws. “The laws in India and those of countries from where patients come for treatment should be made clear. Our guidelines state that a surrogate mother gives a written undertaking relinquishing all rights over the child, and the same applies to an egg donor as well,” pointed out Dr Priya Selvaraj of the Chennai-based GG hospital.

Dr Falguni Bavishi of the Ahmedabad-based Bavishi Fertility Institute insisted that none of her patients, five so far from the US and who delivered through donor eggs, faced ‘harassment’ at the consulate. “We made it clear to the consulate that the delivery was through egg donation,” she said.

With the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill 2008 still in the cans, India’s stand on issues relating to surrogacy remains a set of guidelines on paper. Said Dr PM Bhargava, the chief architect of the Bill and former member of National Knowledge Commission: “The draft bill clearly says that if anyone from outside the country wishes to have a child using ART procedure, they have to produce evidence that they can take back the child without problems.”

According to Bhargava, one of the architects of the Bill, issues relating to surrogacy have been addressed in the proposed legislation. “We had foreseen problems like this (the legal tussle between divorced Japanese parents and their daughter Manjhi Yamada, born from an Indian surrogate mother and the case of the German couple fighting for citizenship for their twins),” he said.

In the case of the German couple, the Supreme Court has suggested that adoption would be the only way out for their surrogate twins.

Authorities in Germany, which does not recognise surrogacy, were willing to consider their application for a temporary visa for the twins for initiation of adoption process.

US consulate officials declined to comment, merely citing the US Federal statutes governing acquisition of US citizenship by birth abroad to a US citizen parent. Section 7 FAM 1131.4-2 (Citizenship in Artificial and In Vitro Insemination Cases) states that “a child born abroad to a surrogate mother who is the blood mother (that is, who was the egg-donor) and whose father was a US citizen is treated for citizenship purposes as a child born out of wedlock”.

But with the ART bill gathering dust and India emerging as a major hub for transcultural surrogacy, the country could well see more cases like that of Jan Balaz and Susan Lohle, the German couple battling to save their surrogate twins from becoming stateless citizens. “
However, women using egg donors and giving birth overseas anywhere need to be aware of this issue, as I have seen it several times in Israel, as well as other countries. Currently, you will have to do an adoption once you return home to the US if you inform them that an egg donor was used. Be careful! And, again this is why it is important to do your research beforehand.

Video Shoot for Global IVF.com

2010-01-19T10:11:00.000-08:00

This weekend was exciting! Both Kathryn and I had the pleasure of being part of an extensive 'expert' video shoot for the new website GlobalIVF.com If you haven't checked it out, please do! It's a great site, full of information for those IPs looking to travel overseas for any Assisted Reproduction services, and for those coming to the States for the same. It lists clinics, laws, costs, etc around the globe - and I know these days, many of us are thinking of going abroad for (most often) egg donation - and sometimes surrogacy. Our interviews of course focused on surrogacy and why we think the United States is still the best and safest place to go to do it. But we're certainly not blind to the fact that egg donation and surrogacy are becoming part of a much bigger, global picture - and that the costs in the United States for these services are sometimes too heavy a financial burden. That's why Global IVF.com is such a valuable resource -- finally a one stop place to get all of the necessary information to make an educated decision about creating your family. Knowledge is empowerment!

Our segments will most likely be 'airing' on GlobalIVF.com in the next few months -- we'll keep you posted!!

I know that GlobalIVF.com is always looking for stories from IPs who have gone abroad for services or IPs who have come to the United States... there are blogs, articles, forums... so if you've got a story to share, or an upcoming fertility trip, please get in touch with them at info@globalivf.com so that your experiences might help others.

Have a great day!
Lauri de Brito

Ranting & Raving about Doctors on the Internet

2010-01-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

The following link raises some interesting thoughts regarding rants and raves about doctors on the internet. I'm sure what will follow is the same consideration regarding services -- including surrogacy agencies, egg donation agencies, etc. I guess more 'food for thought' that we not just blindly trust what we read on the web, and before making a very important decision - like choosing a doctor or an agency - do your research. Here at Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc - we want you to be an educated consumer.

Docs seek to stifle patients' rants on Web sites
Doctors worried about their reputations are trying to fight back against bad Web site reviews, requiring patients to sign contracts - critics call them "gag orders" - promising not to post comments to public sites. But the move may be backfiring.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34794632/ns/health-health_care/from/ET

Britains most prolific surrogate!

2010-01-06T23:49:00.000-08:00

This story gives plenty of food for thought ... here is a woman who has given the gift of life, over and over again to so many infertile people. In the press and online, many are questioning that she has done it too many times -- at the risk of her own health and potentially now of any future baby(ies). My greater concern is the fact that she has NEVER had/raised a child of her own -- yet acted as a traditional surrogate all these times prior to this current gestational situation. How did that happen? Another reason why I think the US is a much safer bet for surrogacy... no doctor (and no reputable agency for that matter) would ever work with a woman who does not have at least one child of her own. It freaks me out a bit to think that her first surrogacy was her very first pregnancy - and using her own eggs! I would have been terrified if I were the IM!! ......

Britain’s most prolific surrogate is pregnant again:

Jill Hawkins, from Brighton, has been implanted with two embryos from a professional couple in their early thirties.

Miss Hawkins said she was “absolutely ecstatic” after a home pregnancy test revealed at least one of the embryos has started to grow in her womb. It will be the first time she has carried a child not from her own eggs and she will find out later this month if she is expecting one baby or twins.

“There’s a good chance it could be a multiple pregnancy,” Miss Hawkins told the Daily Mail. “I hope it is. I have never had twins before so I’d love to have that experience.” Miss Hawkins, who has no children of her own, will hand over the baby – or babies – to the couple while still in the maternity ward.

Miss Hawkins, who will be paid around £12,000 in “expenses” for her pregnancy, had spent 18 months trying for an eighth baby, but without success. “My eggs have just packed up which is not unusual for a woman of my age,” she said. “I was worried that because my eggs aren’t as strong as they were that the rest of me might not be up to it either.

“But I’ve had scans and there’s nothing wrong with my womb so being a host should not be a problem. I love being pregnant. It’s a compulsion I suppose and I really miss it when I’m not pregnant.” All Miss Hawkins’ previous children she has given away have been conceived using her own eggs and sperm from the father which was artificially inseminated. Miss Hawkins, a legal secretary, is the most prolific surrogate mother living in Britain. Carole Horlock, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, who has given birth to 12 surrogate babies, held the title before moving to France four years ago.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Hoping that all of your dreams come true in 2010!

From all of us at Agency for Surrogacy Solutions!

Reflecting on 2009

2009-12-30T21:48:00.001-08:00

I sit here on the night before New Year’s Eve, reflecting on the year that has slipped by so quickly. It almost feels like it went too quickly, like nothing monumental happened. But in fact, that is so very far from the truth. Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc has been privileged to play a part in creating so many families this past year – families that would never have existed without surrogacy, egg donation, assisted reproduction. My heart is full of love for the incredible women who help us (those who cannot have children the so-called ‘normal’ way) and with every life that our agency was fortunate enough to have played a hand in, our glass is that much fuller. I look at my own children – now 10, 4 & 3 and I am so very very humbled to be their mother. I never thought infertility would become such a big part of my life and while I was going through, I only wished for it to end. And now I realize that it will never end and I am thankful for that – because it has brought such meaning to my life. It has made me stronger, more compassionate, more dedicated… and by far, a much better mom. To those of you who are surrogates or egg donors – you are amazing. To those of you who are parents via surrogacy or egg donation – you are warriors (remember eye on the prize!). And to those of you in the throes of infertility right now… you are not alone. Open your hearts and allow others to help. We’re here and we’ve walked in your shoes. Here's wishing us all a prosperous, peaceful and fertile 2010! Lauri & Kathryn

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you the happiest of holidays!

From all of us at Agency For Surrogacy Solutions!

What is the process of becoming pregnant via Gestational Surrogacy

2009-12-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

The medical procedure for the Embryo Transfer (ET) to the Gestational Surrogate (GS) is similar to having a Pap smear. In most cases it's pain-free. First, your menstrual cycle and the menstrual cycle of the Intended Mother (IM) or Egg Donor (ED) are synchronized using birth control pills and daily injections of Lupron, a drug that suppresses ovulation. If it seems scary, don�t worry! Everyone who has been through the process feels intimidated at first. Often after the first few days they're amazed at how simple and relatively painless it is. The nurse at the reproductive clinic will talk you through the first injections, and we can always help you, too. You will also be taking Estrogen before the transfer, and the Intended Mother or Egg Donor (ED) will be taking daily injections of fertility drugs.

During this time, the development of the Intended Mother or ED's eggs is monitored by periodic blood work and ultrasounds. At the same time, the thickness of the lining of your uterus, which is crucial to the success of the Embryo Transfer, will be evaluated using blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds. You can expect to visit the Reproductive Endocrinologist a few times before the Embryo Transfer in order to check your uterine lining for its readiness to receive the embryo. That exam is entirely painless. Three to five days after the eggs have been retrieved from the biological Mother (or Egg Donor) and fertilized with the sperm of the biological father (or Sperm Donor), the physician will transfer the embryos to you. As we've noted, that procedure is something like a Pap smear, and it's completed under sterile conditions. Depending on the physician, you may then begin progesterone injections and/or suppositories.

Many clinics require a period of bed rest after the Embryo Transfer. That can range from 12 to 72 hours. The Intended Parents will expect you treat the doctor's instructions seriously. If you need childcare to allow you to stay in bed, that will be provided as specified in your contract. Your contract will cover all such eventualities, so you will never have to worry about money to meet your surrogacy obligations. About 10 to 12 days after the embryo transfer, you'll get a pregnancy test. This will usually be done by drawing blood at the clinic or local lab.

Would you like to work with Agency for Surrogacy Solutions? Read Below!

2009-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

If you pass the initial screening, we will ask you to fill out a much longer questionnaire, which covers a broad range of subjects so that we, and eventually potential Intended Parents, can get to know you. This questionnaire should take roughly 30 minutes to complete. We prefer to send and receive the questionnaire by e-mail.

We will also need photographs of you and your family. It's easiest if the photographs are digital format and are sent through the Internet. If you do not have a digital camera, your local photo shop can create them from prints or you can mail the prints directly to us for scanning.

After you return your questionnaire, one of our Surrogate Coordinators will conduct a phone interview with you. This is not meant to be intimidating, it's just a more direct way to get to know each other and answer any questions you may have. Then, one of our directors will also call to talk to you.

Once we agree to work together, you should download the Agency Program Agreement document, which you will need to print out, sign, and fax/mail to our office.

This indicates your willingness to become a Gestational Surrogate with our agency. It also gives the Intended Parents permission to review your questionnaire and photographs. (Agency for Surrogacy Solutions always insures that your privacy is protected. The Intended Parents will not see the page of the questionnaire that contains confidential identifying information. Your last name and identifying information will not be revealed to any Intended Parents until all agree to work together.)

2009-11-26T01:45:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

From all of us at Agency for Surrogacy Solutions

What are the Types of Surrogacy?

2009-11-23T01:10:00.000-08:00

There are two general types of Surrogate Mothers -- Gestational Surrogates (GS) and Traditional Surrogates (TS). Each has some variations:

1. Gestational Surrogate (GS) or Gestational Carrier (GC)In this process, the Gestational Surrogate becomes pregnant through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), using the eggs from the Intended Mother (IM). The Gestational Surrogate receives the fertilized egg through an Embryo Transfer (ET), a quick, painless procedure. The Gestational Surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby. This is currently the most popular form of surrogacy.A variation on this is Gestational Surrogacy with Egg Donation (GS/ED). Sometimes the Gestational Surrogate becomes pregnant through IVF using eggs from an Egg Donor (ED) other than the Intended Mother or the Gestational Surrogate. An Egg Donor is used when the Intended Mother cannot produce the eggs to get pregnant. The sperm can be provided either by the Intended Father (IF) or a Sperm Donor (SD). Again, the Gestational Surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. This form of surrogacy is growing in popularity as replacement for Traditional Surrogacy.

NOTE: Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc. only handles Gestational Surrogacies at this time.

2. Traditional Surrogate (TS)In this arrangement, the Surrogate Mother becomes pregnant through artificial insemination (AI) using her own eggs and thus has a genetic link to the baby. The sperm may be supplied by the Intended Father or another donor. Although Traditional Surrogacy is still used, it is not as common as it was even a few years ago.

Please contact us at Agency for Surogacy Solutions to answer all of your questions!

Are you qualified to become an Agency For Surrogacy Solutions Carrier?

2009-11-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

You undoubtedly have many questions about the surrogacy process, and that's a good instinct! Although surrogacy is simple in theory -- a woman carries a baby for someone else who can't -- in reality it is a complex process with many interconnected elements.

The first step is to see if you're qualified. The Agency for Surrogacy Solutions work only with women who fulfill these criteria:

Are between 21 and 40 years old

Are a non-smoker, non-drug user who maintains a healthy lifestyle

Are willing to abstain from drinking any alcohol during a pregnancy

MUST have successfully carried at least one child of your own to term

Are in a stable living situation

If married, have a spouse who's supportive of your decision to become a Gestational Surrogate/Carrier

If single, have a support system in place-whether it is a friend or relative

Have a healthy weight/height ratio (Ask if you're afraid you may be too large. Many Gestational Surrogates are far from thin.)

Are not on government assistance

Are willing to give up or lower caffeine intake for the duration of the pregnancy as prescribed by your OB

Like being pregnant and have the desire to give the miracle of life

Although many generous women want to become Surrogates/Carriers, we are currently only able to work with those who live in states that unambiguously recognize the validity of and uphold the intent of the surrogacy contract. The laws in some states are less clear, so please email if you are unsure about the state you live in. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot currently consider people who reside in Arizona, Washington, New York, Kansas, Indiana, Delaware, North Dakota, Michigan or Washington DC.

While other states may have good laws we currently have the most requests for Gestational Carriers in California, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Additionally, please think carefully about your ability and willingness to be pregnant and to commit a minimum of a year of your life to helping your Intended Parents have a baby. Although the surrogacy process is immensely rewarding, it is also an intense, challenging and emotional journey; not just for you but for your family as well.

We thank you for considering the gift of Surrogacy. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you might have!

Agency for Surrogacy Solutions, Inc.: Our Goal for Intended Parents

2009-11-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

Our goal at Agency for Surrogacy Solutions is to help our Intended Parents' surrogacy journey become as problem-free and as emotionally rewarding as possible. We will guide you through the process of surrogacy from the initial steps until after you take your baby or babies home with you. Being former Intended Parents, we know how expensive a surrogacy pregnancy can be. Therefore, we try our best to keep costs to a minimum, and are sometimes able to negotiate lower rates with psychologists, lawyers, and other professionals with whom you'll be dealing. We also understand the psychological challenges of being an Intended Parent. Learning to trust and giving up control are two of the bigger hurdles. We offer counsel and support in dealing with the strong emotions that inevitably emerge.Often people ask -- what would motivate a woman to become a Gestational Surrogate? Here is what we've discovered through our work with these amazing, giving women:

*They enjoy being pregnant

*They have a great deal of empathy for childless couples or those unable to expand their families without assistance

*Their own children have brought great happiness to their lives

*They have an opportunity to make a unique contribution to the world
*They have a history of easy, uncomplicated pregnancies
*This gives them an opportunity to feel special
*They can utilize the financial gain for their family
It is an opportunity to make up for a pregnancy previously terminated

The surrogacy process is complex for all the parties, but the rewards can be great. We cannot describe the depth of our feelings upon holding our children for the very first time. We are both extremely grateful to our Surrogates, and our very special friendships continue to grow. We hope that we can help you and your future Surrogate create just such a bond.