This holiday season, it is possible to be pregnant, stylish and most importantly, comfortable. We have compiled websites and outfits for every size, shape and budget. Shared Conception will help you celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year in style!

 

Whether you’re looking for a tight-fitting contour dress, roomy sweater dress or flowing maxi dress, Pink Blushhas every style for every body-type in maternity and maternity plus sizes. These seasonal dresses range in prices to fit all budgets from $25 to $135. Also, receive an extra discount if you sign up for their mailing list.

 

Have a Macy’s card? Take advantage of their daily sales and deals when shopping for your festive belly bump!  Macy’sfits all budgets, styles and trimesters! They even have an option to shop according to trimester and post-pregnancy. You can find the latest flowy tops and allow your appetite to take control at any upcoming party.

 

Targetis also a great option for our budgeting and blossoming pregnant warriors of all sizes. You can even find dresses for those of us, post baby who are pumping for our surro babes. Velvet is a hot trend this season, and Target offers adorable skirts, shirts and dresses in this festive material.

 

If you want to stretch your budget and go all out, A Pea in the Podhas great sales and free shipping over $100. We get it, trying on dresses is a labor-intensive process. Relieve some of that stress by ordering a few dresses and sending back those that don’t fit with your type of beauty. Be careful of returns in the mail and learn about your store’s return policies, before you press “confirm order”.

 

Shared Conception wishes all of our past, present and future Surrogates and Intended Parents a happy and healthy Holiday. If you are interested in Surrogacy, the process, becoming one, or if you would like to inquire about our services, give us a call today.

 

 

 

 

The holidays can be overwhelming while pregnant. Granted, there is a lot of running around during the holiday season, but the quality time you get to spend with your friends and family should be savored. And being pregnant throughout this joyous season can be the best thing for a surrogate.

 

It starts with Thanksgiving and all its yummy food and non-stop eating. Allow an extra portion, or an extra scoop of mashed potatoes because – you deserve it! And most importantly – you can indulge on desserts!  Pregnancy intensifies many of your senses, including taste. So, all those delectable desserts can taste like the best thing you’ve ever had. It’s a great time to use those 300 extra calories your body needs every day.

 

Being cozy and comfortable is essential while pregnant, and the holidays are no exception. So if you can’t find the perfect holiday outfit – it’s okay. Take the pressure off yourself and know that no matter what you wear, everyone will think you and your bump are adorable in your tunic and leggings.

 

Pregnancy is an emotional time. This is a positive time of year and after all, the season of good cheer. This holiday brings on a cloud of happiness the you can revel in. If you find yourself on the emotional side, relax; you have a pass since you are pregnant. So turn up the Christmas tunes and cozy up with a book, blanket and decaf mocha to make yourself feel better.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Many surrogates ask us about talking with their children about being a surrogate. There are a handful of books designed to help children understand how one happy family can help to create another. These books convey age-appropriate messages. Our surrogacy agency, Shared Conception, recommends the following books.

#1 The Kangaroo Pouch

This tale of a family created through surrogacy, is a brilliant, clear understanding of what is sometimes a complex conversation for adults to share with a child.

The Kangaroo Pouch introduces young children, ages 2 to 8, to the concept of surrogacy. The story is narrated by a young kangaroo named Oliver whose mother has decided to help another family have a baby. The Kangaroo Pouch gently guides the reader on the surrogacy journey and answers questions they may have such as, why would someone choose to be a surrogate? What will family life be like during the pregnancy?  And most importantly, what happens when the surrogate baby is born and given back to their biological parents?

The Kangaroo Pouch is designed to act not only as a conversation starter, but also as a “how to” manual for children to refer to throughout the surrogacy journey. The book has been reviewed by child specialists to ensure that it conveys age-appropriate messages.

 

#2 What Makes a Baby

Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes a Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid. It is a twenty-first century children’s picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of our modern time by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families. How many people were involved, their orientation, gender or family composition, are not taken into account in this book. Just as important, the story doesn’t gender people or body parts, so most parents and families will find that it leaves room for them to educate their child without having to erase their own experience. Written by sexuality educator Cory Silverberg and illustrated by award-winning Canadian artist Fiona Smyth, What Makes a Baby is fun to look at and useful to read.

 

#3 And Tango Makes Three

This book is a great option for surrogates with intended parents who are gay.

This tale, based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, will capture the hearts of penguin lovers everywhere. Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are “a little bit different.” They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples, and when all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents too.

Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck, until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing. The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. Done in soft watercolors, the illustrations set the tone for this uplifting story, and readers will find it hard to resist the penguins’ comical expressions. The well-designed pages perfectly marry words and pictures, allowing readers to savor each illustration. An author’s note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins. This joyful story about the meaning of family, is a must for any library.

 

#4 The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children

 The Very Kind Koala is an adorable picture book for children as young as three, and introduces surrogacy with a story of a koala bear and her husband who need the help of a very kind koala to carry their baby in her pouch.

Shared Conception will advise you on any aspect of your surrogacy journey. We are ready to receive your call!

Resources: www.Amazon.com

Another frequently asked question we often discuss with potential surrogates is: “Can I become a surrogate if I am a single mom?” The answer is a big “YES!” Some of our best surrogates are strong and empowered single mothers. Single moms also have the desire to help others create a family.

 

If you are looking into surrogacy and are an independent woman that has a longing to give back with this amazing gift, you can become a surrogate. As with married women who become surrogates, there are slightly different requirements to become a gestational carrier as a single woman.

 

A single surrogate attends both screening and match meetings by herself. Shared Conception contacts your self-appointed primary support person to ensure that you, as a potential surrogate, are provided with the support needed throughout the journey.

 

We do not expect you to put your life on hold going through the matching process and throughout the pregnancy. While you may be single initially, or throughout stages of pregnancy, dating is allowed during the course of your journey. We even have had a couple situations where a single surrogate has met their husbands during their journey. If you decide to date, we stress that you should be upfront and honest with your significant other. Make sure that you are clear about your circumstances in your developing relationships.

 

In our experience, when you are matched and begin your journey as a single surrogate, there is no clause about dating in your surrogacy contract. There are no set of rules for dating but, it is highly recommended not to have sex with any partner that has not been tested for STD’s. Contracting an STD when carrying can impose serious legal risks for the surrogate along with health risks for the baby.

 

Shared Conception is happy to talk with you about any new relationships and ways to discuss your situation.

 

Many of our single surrogates tell us that, in certain ways, going through a journey is freeing and empowering. If you are a single woman considering surrogacy, we understand that you may have plenty of questions. Shared Conception can help you navigate this important decision and help answer any additional questions you may have. Call us today.

The internet is a great tool to use when researching the surrogacy process. It is a huge and overwhelming subject. There is a wealth of information readily available on the world wide web. But pay attention, there are a few items you may not find in your google search list. Here, we gathered a list of things to pay close attention to when researching surrogacy.

1. Before you decide to go the independent route, consider the value, that an experienced surrogacy agency provides. Working with a agency affords you a service that directly provides or arranges all the required screening, matching, medical procedures, and legal actions needed in a surrogacy journey. More importantly, safeguarding your parental rights and establishing parentage requires solid legal information to which we have access to. Agencies reduce anxiety, hassle, stress and frustration during a very emotional time.

2.   Be aware that some agencies or clinics do not adhere to all ethical guidelines. Always go with your instincts if you feel doubt, too much pressure or any discomfort.There are guidelines that have been developed for egg donor and surrogate evaluations, optimal screening processes, appropriate payments to oocyte donors, etc.

3.   Don’t set unrealistic expectations. Surrogacy is a human experience. No one can control how and when an individual will respond to medication. Even despite seemingly ideal conditions, there are no guarantees that a pregnancy will be achieved on a given transfer. There are plenty of elements out of your control, out of your surrogate’s control, out of your clinic’s control, and out of your surrogacy agency’s control.

4.   Don’t forget the importance of a support system. Rely on your spouse, family, friends, surrogacy agency and surrogate. Be open and honest in your discussions with them. It may even help to work with a counselor to navigate the emotional challenges you may face during this time in your life.

5.   It’s important to clearly define expectations of the relationship between the intended parents and surrogate at the beginning of the journey. Is a phone call once a week sufficient? Do you want to FaceTime on a regular basis? Do you prefer texting over speaking on the phone?

We recommend to heed the advice of professionals and work with a full-service surrogacy agency, such as Shared Conception. When you, as intended parents, choose to partner with Shared Conception in this life altering process, we make sure that you are fully informed about the legal, logistical and even emotional aspects of surrogacy. Give us a call today!

 

There can be lots of questions when intended parents and surrogates team up to create a baby. One of the most frequently asked questions is about the contact between the surrogate and intended parents post journey.

The answer isn’t straightforward as every relationship and journey is not the same. Both the intended parents and surrogates decide together how much contact they would like to have once the baby is born. And, sometimes it changes throughout the process. A lot of our families get closer to the surrogates than they expected.

Some families want to stay in close contact. After all, this is an emotional experience and some parents want their surrogate to remain in their lives forever. Others end the relationship when the baby is born. Some intended parents wish to begin their life with their newborn on their own. Although they will be forever grateful to their surrogate, some feel more comfortable with this arrangement.

With the advances in communication and technology, emails, Facebook, Skype and FaceTime seem to be the most popular forms of contact after the baby is born. This is a great way for the surrogate to see the baby grow without feeling the pressures of communication.

Whatever the situation, whether daily contact, limited communication or somewhere in between, each team of intended parent and surrogate decide the amount of contact they feel comfortable with, after the baby is born. This is another great feature of working with an agency. Shared Conception’s matching process makes sure both parties’ wishes of communication post journey are similar.

Do you have any other questions about surrogacy? Call us! Shared Conception is ready to answer any of your questions and concerns!

 

One of the first questions that arise when someone finds out you are a surrogate is, “How much do you get paid?” This question can be downright insulting, but it’s just plain curiosity and some people just can’t help themselves. All surrogates do not get paid to have someone else’s baby. It’s not a buying and selling market, like if you wanted a new pet. You are essentially helping to create a person’s child, a tiny human being that they themselves could not physically carry. A surrogate creates families. We enjoy the emotional fulfillment and the ability to give something back because we are capable. We do get compensated for pain and suffering (which let me tell you…there is plenty of), however, that compensation equals to about the same as working a part-time job.

Many have the backward assumption that surrogates get so much money that their debts are paid off, free mommy makeovers, a platinum card, a new car and endless lavish gifts from intended parents (who must be millionaires). This is rarely the case. The surrogate compensation has helped put surrogates and their family’s in a better financial position.  Some have gone back to school; put a down payment on a home; it can help a stay-at-home mom set realistic goals and even….stay at home. It has helped pay off family debt and outstanding medical bills.

The truth is, it’s expensive to conceive a child if it’s not done the old-fashioned way. Most people who come to the decision that they need a surrogate are already financially strapped. They have probably gone through tens of thousands of dollars already for fertility treatments. Just because someone wants their own baby using modern technology doesn’t mean they are wealthy. This is why Shared Conception is so helpful, we know all of this, we deal with all the finances. This is a small part of why we do not recommend going about a journey without an agency.

Having experienced professionals that know the ropes and have gone through every possible scenario is invaluable. Someone in your corner to fight for you and make sure things come out all right can make a huge difference.  Call us today!

 

 

 

There are many ways pregnancy can affect your vision. While your body changes temporarily, your eyes can too. Between the hormones, metabolism, fluid retention and blood circulation, pregnant women can experience blurry vision, floaters and light sensitivity. This is often temporary and returns to normal after giving birth.

There are many factors that can affect your eyes and eyesight while pregnant. For example, water retention can cause a slight increase in the thickness and curvature of your cornea. Even the pressure of the fluid within the eyeball can change. This may be the reason for blurry vision. Blurred vision is also a sign of preeclampsia and you must go to a doctor following symptoms of this condition.

After birth, nursing can also alter a woman’s eyesight. Very similar to vision changes during pregnancy, these problems also usually disappear after breastfeeding.

It is absolutely safe to go to the eye doctor while pregnant. It always is a good idea to get your eyes checked while pregnant to rule out any other vision problems.

If you notice your vision changing while you are pregnant, contact your doctor.

 

If you are finished growing your family and have had a tubal ligation, you can still qualify to become a surrogate mother. Many women choose this process after their families are complete as a means for permanent birth control. Although there are other requirements that you must meet to be a qualified candidate for surrogacy, having a tubal ligation will not impact your chances to be a gestational carrier. This is a great way to give back and bless an infertile couple with a biological child of their own.

A Gestational Surrogate carries a child that is not biologically connected to her. The surrogate mother’s eggs are not used. Instead, an embryo from the Intended Parents is used. Sometimes these embryos are created with a donor sperm, donor egg or the sperm and egg from the Intended Parents. Regardless of how the embryo is created, your eggs are never used. Therefore, if you have had a tubal ligation, it does not affect your chances of becoming pregnant through IVF. In fact, a woman could have no fallopian tubes at all and still be able to carry a baby through IVF.

Women who are interested in surrogacy and have had their tubes tied, are even sometimes a preferred candidate because there is no chance that she will become pregnant with her own child during the process.

Contact Shared Conception for more information about becoming a surrogate. Please visit our website www.SharedConception.comfor more information.

There are obvious rules most know about diet during pregnancy such as no drinking and no smoking. Then, there are some things that you never knew you couldn’t have such as raw fish. But even more surprising, you may not realize that you can’t have your favorite cheese because it is unpasteurized. And, as much as you may crave it – no raw cookie dough.

There are so many foods to be weary of that it’s hard to remember them all. As overwhelming as it may feel, always remember that it is temporary. And, if you are not certain of the food you are about to ingest, wait and talk to your doctor about it. Remember, you could always have it at another time. Taking care of yourself throughout pregnancy will help you feel better from start to finish.

Take note of the foods below that are great for surrogates and their developing babies.

Fruits and berries: Fruit is a good carb for pregnant mamas, and contains essential vitamins and minerals for baby.

Green Leafy Veggies: Broccoli, Kale, and Spinach are great sources of foliate, fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamin A. You can add these Greens to your smoothies and not even taste it!

Nuts, beans, and seeds: A handful of nuts is a great snack but do not discount beans! Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, soybeans are full of protein, iron, fiber, Zinc and calcium – just to name is few.

This is just a small list of nutritious foods for you and baby. It is always important to maintain healthy habits throughout your journey.

Shared Conception looks forward to hearing from you as you consider becoming a surrogate or an intended parent. Give us a call.