Holiday Tips for Those Wanting to Start Their Own Families

Posted by Shiva Landry on December 9, 2022 with 0 Comment

At Shared Conception, we know the holidays can be extra rough when you are trying to start your own family. Every holiday commercial shows happy families celebrating, and that can be especially hard to watch.

Of course, every family member, friend, and co-worker will have advice that they will want to share with you, which, even though they mean no harm, can really bum you out.

Unfortunately, not everyone understands the sensitivity of the matter. They will tell you stories of others who just had a baby and ask if you have tried this method or that method to get pregnant. While difficult, it’s important to let others know when they are upsetting you. Let them know what topics are ok to talk to you about.

Here are some tips that can help you get through the current Christmas season:

Again, set those boundaries, so others know what you feel comfortable discussing.
Laughter is great for the soul—do you have any funny holiday photos or memories? Maybe pictures from when you were a kid. We all know how much everyone loves to see those embarrassing family photos, so share them on social media with your friends so you can all share a laugh. Hopefully, it will encourage them to share some of theirs too!
Do fun holiday things to keep your mind off being a bah humbug! Drive around neighborhoods, look at all the amazing Christmas lights, and see a play such as the Nutcracker. Think about past holiday traditions you had growing up and relive some of those now that you are older. This could include anything from attending church and meeting with friends and family (the ones who won’t give you that unsolicited advice!).
Treat yourself to massages, pedicures, and going out to a nice restaurant; whatever helps make you feel at peace. For some, this is working out, while for others, it’s just taking a nice walk alone—whatever it may be, it’s ok to indulge every now and then.
Find ways for you and your partner to be good to each other during the holiday season. It’s not uncommon for couples to take out their frustrations on each other, especially with the added stress of the holiday, so stay connected. Do things together, such as a couples massage.
Don’t be afraid to say no to party invitations. There’s no reason to overcommit, overspend or overcompensate!
Know that being infertile isn’t a cruel life sentence. There are many options available, surrogacy being one of them.

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

6 Topics to Cover in Surrogate Contracts

Posted by Shiva Landry on November 11, 2022 with 0 Comment

If you are considering surrogacy, it is crucial to have a contract between yourself (the intended parents) and the surrogate. Even when both parties are agreeable, it’s a smart choice to have a contract so there are no misunderstandings about the expectations from both sides.

There are six areas that are essential to make the surrogacy journey as smooth as possible:

Outline state laws: Make sure there is an overview of the surrogacy laws in the state where the baby will be delivered. It also should include an overview of the laws of where the intended parents live; if the intended parents and surrogate live in different states.
Financial Obligations: This should outline how much the surrogate’s compensation will be and how often she is to be paid. In addition, it would list the escrow company’s name and spell out the terms of the escrow account.
Medical Decisions: With any pregnancy, there are risks. Intended parents and the surrogate should be on the same page regarding medical decisions relating to the baby, the number of embryos transferred, how many transfers will take place if they are unsuccessful and whether the intended parents will attend appointments and the birth.
Medical Bills: Some surrogates have health insurance that can be used to cover maternity costs. Other times intended parents purchase insurance for the surrogate. The contract should outline how these bills will be handled.
Time and Travel: The contract would say what restrictions the surrogate has when traveling when pregnant.
Privacy: The contract should outline how the HIPPA medical privacy act is briefed. It’s also a great idea to spell out the expectations of privacy and how much information both sides can share about the journey.

Every contract should be reviewed by an attorney well-versed in surrogacy laws to make sure, and everything is lined out according to your particular state laws.

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options or are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

What Makes a Great Surrogacy Match?

Posted by Shiva Landry on September 30, 2022 with 0 Comment

The process of matching intended parents and their surrogate is one of the most exciting parts of the surrogacy process! Shared Conception’s objective is that the surrogate and intended parents interact in a comfortable environment and that both parties build a good rapport and partnership. So, what makes a great surrogacy match?

There are many factors we take into consideration when we begin the match-making process. Once a surrogate is accepted into our surrogate mother program, we expertly determine which couples to present her to based upon the criteria she expressed to us during the screening process and the preferences of the intended parents that we are working with.

Personal values

A surrogacy relationship is an intimate relationship in many ways so sharing similar personal values is important. While this doesn’t mean you must agree on everything, it is essential to have personal values that are closely aligned. What personal values are important is different for everyone, so the match meeting is the best time for both sides to ask each other questions to make sure that their beliefs align.

Communication

As with any significant relationship, communication is key. The styles of communication are critical in the surrogacy journey. We look at how both parties prefer to communicate—do both parties prefer texting, emailing, phone calls or in-person meetings? How often is communication needed? Setting expectations regarding communication is very important so neither side is disappointed.

Involvement

Understanding the level of involvement that will be comfortable for both parties is essential. Most surrogates and the intended parents have weekly communication during the pregnancy and update each other after delivery with pictures, texts and calls. There are also some that have constant contact during the journey and see each other often after the baby is born, while a rare few are strictly business and do not plan to have any relationship after this journey ends.

Deal Breakers

This is one of the most important factors to consider. While the agency does screen the surrogate for issues like criminal history or medical issues, there may be other deal breakers to consider. For example, the intended parents may want the surrogate to have a natural birth, but the surrogate will not give birth without an epidural. Views on getting vaccinations can also be a deal breaker. While there can be compromises on some issues, there are some absolutes, and it is best to know what those are for both parties from the very beginning.

Connection

Sometimes the most important aspect of the surrogacy relationship is how well the parties connect with each other. We tell our intended parents and surrogates to trust their intuition. Does it feel right? Do they get emotional when they think about working with each other? Always trust your gut!

Interested in Surrogacy?

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options or are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

What Happens if Surrogate is Carrying Multiples

Posted by Shiva Landry on July 22, 2022

You decided to take the path of surrogacy but find out your surrogate mother is carrying multiples. Now what happens?

Multiple pregnancies(this is when more than one embryo implants in your uterus) are not uncommon and are often associated with IVF (in vitro fertilization). In the past, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommended transferring more than one embryo for a higher chance of success. However, this is no longer the case. Single embryo transfers are now advised and recommended.

In the event a multiple pregnancy occurs, it’s important for the surrogate and intended parents to discuss their next steps. In some cases, it used to be recommended by the doctor to perform selective reduction. It was a difficult decision for both the surrogate and the intended parents, but in those cases, it might have been the best decision for the babies because it decreased risk and increased the chance of a successful, full-term pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby. This was more common when it was common practice to transfer two embryos, and one or two could split, resulting in triplets or quadruplets. Also, with the current abortion laws in Texas, this is not even an option anymore.

As intended parents, if you are looking for a large family, you may view the advantages of having multiple children at once. Still, it’s important to seriously consider the risks you are asking the surrogate to take on. When a surrogate mother carries more than one child, there is a higher chance of being put on bed rest and a higher risk of complications. Often, a surrogate carrying multiples will be referred to a high-risk specialist.

Other risks a gestational carrier (surrogate) may face if carrying multiples:

Preterm labor and delivery
Cesarean section
Gestational diabetes
Placental abruption
Low birth weight

These are just a few of the risks. While Shared Conception has rigorous requirements for approval for women to qualify to be surrogate mothers, there is always a chance that unforeseen complications could arise, and that risk increases with instances of a multiple pregnancy.

Another aspect to consider is the increased costs that a multiples pregnancy can incur. NICU stays from a few days to several months are the norm with multiple pregnancies. This could add up quickly for the intended parents, not to mention the extremely high probability of long-term bed rest for the surrogate. During bed rest, intended parents are liable for lost wages, childcare, housekeeping, and other costs. Not only could costs be astronomical for the intended parents, but it also poses an extreme hardship on the surrogate and her family.

If you want to have twins, this is something you, as the intended parents and the surrogate, should discuss in advance and agree upon.

Surrogacy agencies in Texas play an active part in facilitating the process for surrogate women and intended parents. There are many steps involved in the surrogacy process, but Shared Conception is here to help with each step!

For any queries you may have regarding your surrogacy journey, feel free to reach out to us at www.sharedconception.com!

How Does a Surrogate Pick the Intended Parents?

Posted by Shiva Landry on June 10, 2022 with 0 Comment

Out of all the reasons to become a surrogate, helping a couple become parents is one of the most rewarding. For many people, it is often impossible to conceive naturally. When everything fails, surrogacy comes as a ray of hope for such couples.

People who opt for it become intended parents, and the women who become the source of delivery are surrogates. Once a surrogate matches with intended parents, the process of surrogate pregnancy begins, and a poignant relationship takes shape.

A woman who wants to become a surrogate, needs to apply at a surrogacy agency, such as Shared Conception to start her journey. The process that follows, features several milestones, but it is an exceptionally exciting period for all involved.

Let’s take a look at how a surrogate picks the intended parents for the process of surrogate pregnancy below.

The Matching Process

All the surrogate agencies in Texas are testimony to the poignant happiness and excitement of watching surrogate mothers match with intended parents. However, there are several key factors that play a critical role in the match process of surrogate mothers with intended parents.

Just when the process of surrogate pregnancy and matching is about to begin, it is natural for surrogates and parents to feel nervous and apprehensive. While they have all the reasons to do so, what’s more important is to enjoy every moment of the extraordinary experience.

The surrogacy agencies in Texas, like Shared Conception, do their best to hand-select surrogates and intended parents, so they can be matched with due consideration to all their preferences. For this purpose, they take into account the following considerations.

The prescreening coordinator asks for the preferences of surrogates and matches her criteria based on the following:

Considerations of the views of termination and selective reduction
The appropriate number of embryos to implant in the surrogate
Where the intended parents reside and whether they are locals or foreigners
The extent of communication necessary for the entire surrogacy journey

At this point, the surrogates must also take advantage of the opportunity to seek guidance from the experts at the agencies for any questions they may have.

Just as the surrogate mothers have to work closely with the agency to stipulate their preferences and enlist their criteria, the intended parents have to do the same. The agencies take careful notes of the needs, specifications, and criteria of the intended parents. The agencies then match them on the following preferences:

The views of the intended parents on termination and selective reduction
The total number of embryos the intended parents wish to transfer
The preferred location of the surrogates,
the level of communication they wish to maintain during the process of surrogate pregnancy and the relationship they want to have after the surrogate gives birth

Essential Criteria for Matching Surrogates and Intended Parents

There are three determining factors in this regard:

1. Legally Suited

The legal rules for the matching process of surrogates and intended parents vary per state within the U.S. Hence. A surrogate must get assurance from her attorney her home state laws and the laws of the intended parents’ home state complement.

Legal departments must bless a match from a legal standpoint before the team can represent the surrogate’s profile to the intended parents. In case a legal team finds a match between a surrogate and intended parents unsafe legally, they will not allow an agency or surrogate to proceed with the match.

2. Compatibility between Surrogacy Expectations and Personalities

The matching agencies must then ensure that the personalities of both parties must fit too.

Surrogacy is a life-changing decision and journey for all parties involved, having an understanding and a comfortable relationship is a priority.

The intended parents and surrogates must have either an in-person or virtual meeting to see how they connect with each other and whether they find one another a good match. The agencies also consider the hopes, expectations, and preferences of the intended parents and surrogates.

Based on all these factors. The surrogacy agency determine how appropriately matched they are.

Final Thoughts

Surrogacy is a unique and sensitive journey. For the parties involved, there is a great deal of giving and taking. They must provide compassion, empathy, understanding, and support to reach the mutual desire of bringing a new life into the world.

The process of surrogates picking the intended parents is a long one because the legal and matching authorities must consider several factors.

For any further assistance you may need for your process of surrogate pregnancy, feel free to reach out to us. Shared Conception wants to help you find your perfect match!

Surrogacy in Texas

Posted by Shiva Landry on March 11, 2022 with 0 Comment

Looking for a surrogate or becoming a surrogate in Texas is often preferred among many intended parents. Texas has the most surrogate-friendly judicial system. Intended parents from anywhere can come to the Lone Star state to find their life-changing surrogate, as long as the surrogate resides in Texas. This state is one of the few in the US to recognize and enforce gestational agreements. Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 729 in 2003, which authorized surrogacy agreements between a gestational mother and intended parents. This bill was part of the Texas Family Code.

The law creates a complicated process to become simplified and straightforward. For example, it unmistakably allows intended parents to become the only legal parents and for the gestational carrier (surrogate) to relinquish all rights to the child. Once the gestational surrogacy contract is approved, a judicial order requires the intended parents only listed on the child’s birth certificate post-birth.

Laws about surrogacy vary in other states.

The American Bar Association lists four categories that describe how the U.S. handles surrogacy (some states fall into more than one category):

Paying for surrogacy is criminalized.
Surrogacy agreements are unenforceable.
Surrogacy agreements are recognized either through legislation or case law.
Surrogacy is not addressed.

Intended parents do not need to be residents of Texas.

For a valid gestational agreement, one of the parties (either an intended parent or surrogate) must be a Texas state resident. that means that out-of-state and international intended parents can use Texas law for surrogacy arrangements, as long as the surrogate is a Texas resident.

There are several requirements to obtain a valid gestational agreement in Texas.

Texas requires several considerations for the married, heterosexual couple and surrogate before validating a gestational agreement. Some requirements include:

The intended mother cannot carry a child or would be subject to health risks if becoming pregnant.
The gestational agreement must be signed by all parties and submitted to the court 14 days before an embryo transfer.
The surrogate maintains control regarding herself and the unborn child’s health-related decisions and issues throughout pregnancy.
All parties enter the agreement willfully and understand what the gestational contract involves.
The gestational carrier has previously and successfully delivered a child and is healthy to endure another pregnancy and delivery without unreasonable physical risk to herself or the unborn child.
A physician has thoroughly explained all health risks pertaining to the parties involved.
The agreement clearly states the party that is financially responsible for all pregnancy-associated expenses and provides for the health and safety of the surrogate and unborn child.

If you are interested in becoming a surrogate with Shared Conception, your journey can begin by filling out an application request form. Visit www.deliveradream.com for more information.

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.

Using a Donor Sperm, Egg or Embryo

Posted by Shiva Landry on February 11, 2022 with 0 Comment

Surrogacy with donor sperm or eggs is used by many intended parents when unable to create their own embryos. It’s a great alternative when considering other ways to create, build or extend your family through surrogacy.

Using an Egg Donor

Egg donation for intended parents is sometimes necessary when the female intended parent responds poorly to ovarian stimulation or has significantly diminished ovarian reserve. An egg donor is typically a young, healthy woman who agrees to donate her eggs but can still carry a child. Once the donor’s eggs have been retrieved and tested, an embryo is created from the intended father’s sperm (sometimes a donor sperm; see below) and then implanted into the surrogate through IVF. Donor eggs and a gestational carrier can also help gay couples become parents.

Using a Sperm Donor

One of the most common situations where sperm donation comes into play in surrogacy is when a couple cannot create an embryo due to poor sperm quality or quantity. A sperm donor is found through a sperm donor agency and medically evaluated by a third-party reproductive clinic. Donors undergo extensive screening, including a review of his family’s medical history, and a semen analysis to determine sperm quality. Sperm banks also provide details about each donor’s education, appearance, hobbies, and interests. You can use this information to select the best donor for your family. Sperm donation can also help LGBTQ+ couples or women who are single moms.

Using a Donated Embryo

Many individuals and couples who used IVF have remaining embryos that have been frozen and do not plan to use in the future. These individuals or couples may decide that they would rather donate the embryos to another couple or individual rather than destroy them, donate them to science, or continue to store them indefinitely.

There is a varying amount of information available about the donors that created the embryos including, social, educational, personal, and family medical history.

There’s no right or wrong way to achieve your dreams when it comes to having a child. Donor sperm, eggs, and embryos allow an individual or couple to become parents when it may not be possible otherwise. If you are interested in finding 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.

Surrogacy Process for IP’s

Posted by Shiva Landry on December 17, 2021 with 0 Comment

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.

5 Ways an Agency Helps Intended Parents

Posted by Shiva Landry on November 26, 2021 with 0 Comment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gender Reveal Ideas!

Posted by Shiva Landry on October 8, 2021 with 0 Comment

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.

Category: Intended Parent