Infertility affects us all, even men! Most likely, after or during the process that the woman is examined and diagnosed, her partner will be looked at by a male fertility doctor. Just like reproductive doctors for women, male fertility doctors try to improve fertility by either correcting a known or diagnosed problem, or suggest treatments that may be helpful. Often, an exact problem or reason cannot be identified. Even if the cause isn’t clear, your doctor may be able to recommend treatments. There are a variety of treatment options for male infertility. Listed below are some that are most common.

Surgery
For example, a varicocele, which is a mass of varicose veins in the spermatic cord, can either be surgically corrected or a blocked duct can be repaired. Vasectomies can be surgically reversed. In cases where little to no sperm are present in the ejaculate, sperm may often be retrieved from the testicles or epididymis, an elongated, cordlike structure along the posterior border of the testis, whose coiled duct provides for the storage, transport, and maturation of sperm.

Treatment of infections
The use of antibiotics may cure an infection of the reproductive tract and improve sperm production or sperm health. This does not always restore fertility, but there is still a possibility sperm may still be retrieved.

Hormone treatments and medications
Hormone replacement therapy may be recommended or medications prescribed, in cases where infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain hormones or problems with the way the body uses hormones.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
ART treatments involve obtaining sperm through different methods. Depending on your specific case, prior infertility treatments and wishes, the sperm is then inserted into the female genital tract, or used to perform in vitro fertilization.

In the event that a couple cannot conceive on there own, your doctor may suggest that you and your partner consider either adoption or surrogacy and may even refer you to an agency such as Shared Conception. We are here to assist you.

*references: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sperm-count/basics/treatment/con-20033441

As a surrogate, all the months of effort and sacrifice are paid off when you see the Intended Parents hold that baby (or babies) for the first time. Every surrogate has a different journey full of ups and downs. When their journey comes to an end, she may have a feeling or sense of loss. This rarely involves the process of handing the baby to Intended Parents. It’s just an emotional end to a long and tiring journey.

Some women have a higher risk of postpartum depression. Others will get a short stint of baby blues and some will not be affected at all. As a friend or family member, the most important help you can give, is to support your loved one and watch for signs and symptoms of depression.

Symptoms include:

Feeling Overwhelmed. Baby blues are a normal feeling after birth. If you notice your loved one crying a lot and seems to feel down on themselves, this may be one of the first signs of postpartum depression.

Lack of Interest in the activities they usually enjoy. Lack of affection when your loved one is normally affectionate, loss of appetite for a foodie and overall changes in mood is another symptom of PPD.

Trouble with making decisions. If you notice your loved one having a hard time making decisions whether it is due to fatigue or lack of motivation, consider this a sign of PPD.

Lack of sleep or change in sleep patterns. Healing after birth takes time. If you find your partner restless at night or sleeping all the time, this can be related to PPD.

Easily Irritated. No patience? Easily annoyed? If you sense resentment from your partner or friend, consider having them speak to their doctor to get proper treatment.

Post-delivery can be stressful for your loved one, even without bringing home a baby. Keep in mind, they may be afraid or ashamed to admit so but with love and encouragement, you can help.

In the past years, surrogacy has become more popular and accepting within the United States. Even many celebrities such as Jimmy Fallon, Elton John and Nicole Kidman have been open about how they started their families. Recently, there has been an increase in surrogacy for international couples, which leads us to think, what is surrogacy like in other countries?

While laws in the United States vary from state to state, other countries only allow certain types of surrogacy. Countries such as Spain, the UK and China only allow Altruistic Surrogacy that is when the surrogate receives nothing more than the allowable expenses and does not benefit financially. In Germany, Italy and France, surrogacy in any form is entirely banned.

In the UK and Thailand, gestational carriers are viewed as the legal mother. In India the Intended parents are seen as the legal parents. Some countries do not have any laws or regulations concerning surrogacy. This can cause many problems for the surrogate and the Intended Parents. That country or state will not enforce the surrogacy contract or the Intended Parents may not be recognized as the child’s legal guardians or listed as the birth parents.

Surrogacy has spurred debate in many governments for years. In many places, this topic is debated amongst religious conservatives, feminists and LGBTQ activists. But as history suggests, banning surrogacy will not end it.

There are many complex legal issues when it comes to surrogacy. That’s why most couples seeking a surrogate choose to work with an agency. At Shared Conception, we pride ourselves on our expertise making your precious journey an easy one. Contact our reputable agency for more insight into this process.

Many couples that have struggled with infertility have experienced heartbreak time after time, have come to us in search of a Gestational Carrier. Together, Shared Conception works with the Intended Parent(s) to find the perfect match and will take you through every step of your journey.

This is a bit of a process, but the outcome is unquestionably worthwhile. You’ll begin with a private consultation and learn about our program in its’ entirety. If you choose us to be a part of your journey, our staff will walk you through our streamlined process for retaining our surrogacy services. At this point, you are eligible to be matched with a surrogate!

We are very selective in our matching process. All of our potential surrogates undergo an extensive screening process. After a detailed interview, completion of a comprehensive application and a full and thorough criminal and residential background check, we proceed with another screening phase. Once a potential surrogate passes our screening process, she is medically, psychologically and financially screened.

The surrogates associated with Shared Conception are amazing, strong, caring and committed women. Our surrogates are mothers of various cultures, ethnicities and diverse backgrounds sharing one thing in common: fulfilling their desire to help create families. Plus, they are a wealth of information on the subject of pregnancy and delivery as they are already mothers.

There are a number of surrogacy agencies out there. When working with Shared Conception, you will immediately discover that we are unique, sincere and dedicated to finding the best surrogate mother for you and your growing family. We will eliminate the amount of stress and frustration by pre-screening potential surrogates, and even arranging financial and legal assistance. We also provide consistent psychological and emotional support.

Call us and see the difference for yourself. We look forward to being your surrogacy agency of choice.

Even though it is becoming uncommon, there are still some Intended Parents who have their surrogates carry multiples. There is also a very small chance that some surrogates who only had one embryo transferred to them, end up carrying twins when the embryo split. No matter how you came across more than one baby, managing multiples as a surrogate is a challenge.

Carrying multiples, although exciting and a happy time for you and your Intended Parents, is much harder than a singleton. It’s harder on your body, mind and everyday life. It also comes with a greater risk of complications. The most common complication is preterm labor and birth. Over half of multiples are premature. These babies are often smaller and have lower birth weight than a full term baby. Preterm babies may require assistance breathing, eating and staying warm. Many preemies serve a stint in neonatal intensive care.

When carrying multiples, you are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure. This is called gestational hypertension. The majority of women with gestational hypertension have healthy pregnancies and babies, but it can also be a sign of other complications. This is why your doctor monitors you blood pressure.

Pregnancy is draining. Pregnancy with multiples is even more draining. If you feel overwhelmingly tired, you may have anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is most common during pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe a prescription or suggest iron supplements that are sold over the counter at your local pharmacy. Including iron rich foods into your diet such as: dark leafy greens, red meat, chicken, pork, beans, peas and dried fruit can help prevent anemia.

Embrace those little ones while you have them and just go with the craziness that comes along with being pregnant with multiples. You will have the best experience and stories unlike any single pregnancy.

So, you have made the decision to embark on an incredible journey and give a family the most priceless gift. Congratulations! You are not only an amazing person but you have also made a selfless decision to help Intended Parents fulfill their dream of building a family.

#1

The screening process begins with you filling out our short online application. This is a form found on our website http://sharedconception/application. This form begins your initial application and ensures that you meet the basic qualifications for becoming a surrogate. We want to get to know you and understand why surrogacy is right for you.

Overall good health without any psychiatric illness or sexually transmitted diseases.

Financially secure

Birthed at least one child that she is currently raising and experienced uncomplicated pregnancies.

Be between the ages of 21-38.

Be in a happy, stable living environment and have the full support of her spouse or partner.

Non-smoker and not be exposed to second hand smoke.

Must not use illegal drugs.

Have a healthy height to weight ratio (BMI) as determined by a medical professional – Recognize that an individual does not have to be as skinny as a stick, just be healthy and comfortably fit!

Possess a high school diploma.

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.A.

Responsibly take all medications (oral, patches, injections, etc.) as instructed.

Have a reliable mode of transportation.

Enjoy being pregnant and have a sincere desire help others create or add to their family.

#2

After we pre-approve your online application, a member of the Shared Conception team will contact you to set a time and date for a phone interview. This call is to learn more about you, your personality, and your family and discuss some of the more intricate details of your potential journey. This is also a great time to ask any questions or voice any concerns about the surrogacy process.

#3

After the interview, we will send you an extensive questionnaire. This questionnaire is important as this is how we perform our custom matching of you and the right intended parents.

#4

Next, our team will begin looking into your medical history, specifically your previous pregnancies and births. We will reach out to any current or previous hospitals and doctors' offices to obtain your official records. We want to make sure there were no complications or issues throughout your previous pregnancies and deliveries.

Our staff will request a “clearance letter” from your current OB. This is simply a letter from your doctor stating that you are healthy enough to become pregnant.

#5

Once we have your pap results, clearance letter and hospital records, we will then run a background check on you, your spouse or live-in partner. We run these checks on all of our potential surrogates and Intended Parents for the safety and security of all parties.

When you make it through all of these screenings you are on your road to becoming matched with Intended Parents. Shared Conception looks forward to working with you. If you are ready to start working with us, contact us today!

As if surrogacy isn’t complex enough, when you add a loss or miscarriage to the process, the heartbreak is spread throughout all involved. A loss is devastating for everyone, but for a gestational carrier, the feeling of grief for your loss and the loss for your Intended Parents is a double whammy. The emotional aftermath is a roller coaster surrogates are at risk of encountering.

It is common to feel the sense of responsibility for the miscarriage even though you know that you didn’t do anything wrong. Your role as a surrogate is an important one. This is a lot of weight on your shoulders. Here are some suggestions to help heal with a surrogate miscarriage.

Listen to your body. Going from being pregnant to not being pregnant will present a considerable shift in hormones. This may make the healing process more difficult. Always speak to your doctor about how you are feeling. Postpartum depression can affect you regardless of when a miscarriage happens or when a baby is delivered.

Get plenty of rest. Your heart is healing as well as your body. Let nothing but happiness and positivity surround you. Try to maintain your normal routines and keep yourself occupied as best as you can. This may even be a good time to take up a new hobby.

Remember, whether you are able to move quickly through this loss or are grieving deeply, no one can tell you how you should feel and no feeling is wrong. Sharing your feelings with those who have been through similar situations may help. Shared Conception surrogates use our private, closed Surrogate Facebook group as a tool to connect with other surrogates and share their experiences.

If you are a surrogate mother or an intended parent, the birthing customs mentioned below is incredibly interesting. Just know that Shared Conception is here to ensure the safe delivery of your baby! Let’s take a quick trip around the world.

         

The Netherlands

Many pregnant women in Holland do not have regular visits to an obstetrician, but are seen by a midwife practice. Doctors and Obstetricians only intervene in high-risk pregnancies or if there are complications during delivery. It is a common choice of Dutch women to decide whether they deliver at home or in a hospital. Surprisingly, most women decide to deliver at home. In fact, all expectant mothers in Holland are required to pick up a kraampakket, a maternity package that includes all of the medical supplies necessary for a home birth. If the delivery is not at home, the midwife checks on the progress of labor at home and then determine whether or not it is time to go to the hospital.

Then Dutch have a unique system of maternity home care called kraamhulp. For seven days after birth to a newborn, a nurse comes to the home, a benefit covered by insurance. She provides medical care, but also helps with the cooking, cleaning, and instructions for the new parents in basic parenting skills.

Japan

Japanese women deliver in hospitals, but it’s not very common to have the father in the room. Fathers are required to have taken prenatal classes with the mother-to-be if they want to be a part of labor and delivery. But, if a cesarean is performed, they must go to the waiting room. Interestingly, hospital stays in Japan are longer than in the U.S.; mothers stay a minimum of a five-days for a vaginal birth and 10 days for a cesarean.

Much like the local custom in the Netherlands, in Japan, mother and baby often stay at the mother’s parents’ home for a month after birth. It is also a tradition that new mothers’ stay in bed with their baby for 21 days. This is a time when friends may visit to see the new baby and join the family in eating the traditional cuisine of osekihan (red rice with red beans).

Brazil

The rate of cesareans in this South American Country is 40 percent, according to the International Cesarean Awareness Network. The rate is even higher in private hospitals. There is speculation that many doctors prefer this procedure in order to receive higher payments from insurance. In Brazil, the doctor-patient relationship is known to be very strong – instead of prenatal classes, women receive most of their information about childbirth from their doctor. With that said, if a woman’s doctor is advocating a c-section, she may well be swayed by his opinion.

It’s always interesting to see how other countries handle childbirth however, Shared Conception is wholly focused on our intended parents and surrogates….and their childbirth experience. If you are thinking about becoming a surrogate or you are an intended parent, call us! We are happy to talk with you.

Pregnancy and food aversions are no strangers to each other. Although a familiar cliché, one minute you want steak and eggs and the next, you cannot even look at an egg without being overcome by waves of nausea. Some have even sent their partners on a midnight run for a pint of ice cream, because, well, you just needed it.

Food aversions most likely occur between week 6-8 of the first trimester and tend to last throughout those first 12 weeks, although food aversions can come and go throughout your entire pregnancy. Aversions are possibly caused by the HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone level rises quickly during your first trimester and may be the culprit behind your nausea, aversions and strange appetite.

Common pregnancy aversions are towards foods with strong smells such as: meat, eggs, milk, foods made with overpowering spices, garlic and coffee. You can also crave these foods, as aversions do not discriminate. Listen to your body but make sure you are being properly nourished. If you are trying to get around your aversions, here are some suggestions to follow:

• Hiding leafy greens in a sweet fruit smoothie
• Eating nuts and beans for meat aversions
• Peanut butter and cottage cheese
• A good prenatal vitamin

Make sure you talk to your doctor if your food aversions become problematic. He or she may be able to suggest alternative foods or supplements to make up for the lack of nutrients.