Category: Surrogate Motherhood

Personal Development Guide for Surrogate Mothers

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Personal development can be challenging to initiate as a surrogate mother. This is considering the fact that your psyche has a lot of components which makes it difficult to determine where to begin. This post is made to guide you in the development of your personal goals as a surrogate. Here, you’ll find a number of ideas that you can easily implement.

As a surrogate mother, make friends with those who are positive-minded and provide joy to your life. They will serve as motivators and role models for good behavior. Keeping a positive outlook yourself will do wonders for your mental health, so why not give positive thinking a try.

Another great tip is to stay calm and cool as a cucumber. Don’t over think and complicate things. Approach problems as an opportunity to grow and reward yourself in your personal achievements. Do not focus on what you may have lost, but look at what is to come in life.

Being humble is a great trait that will boost your personal growth. Considering the worth and feelings of others show great maturity and helps you to become a better and happier individual.

Stay busy and active, but know when to take breaks. Taking regular breaks is good because it gives you the chance to recharge your mind, and gets you more work done in the long run.

Last but not the least, keep a journal with you. This is known to be good for the heart and soul. As a surrogate mother, keeping a journal is therapeutic and is the perfect medium to take note of changes and feelings. Pack some paper with you when you go out. Write down your idea in detail, and then enforce it at a later time when you can broaden on the issue.

Tips for Gestational Carriers

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As a gestational carrier, a well balanced diet is critical in maintaining good overall health. This can be done by making wiser food choices and altering your eating habits for the better.

Modifying a diet plan seems like a daunting experience for anyone whose eating for two, however, this is actually worth the effort in the long run as a gestational carrier. There are many delicious and nutritious foods that are easy to prepare. Some examples are spinach, and kale, both leafy veggies which can be easily digested by the body. They happen to be a great tasting treat, minus the unhealthy fats, which will surely fight off unwanted cravings in between meals.

Eating foods that are packed with nutrition and are easy to absorb is a must as a gestational carrier. Not only will these kinds of food help you feel full without the bloated feeling, but it helps you to get all the nutrition you and the little one needs. Avocado is a good example, as it is easy on a delicate stomach and has loads of nutrients and well-balanced fats. Additional examples are spinach, kale and broccoli.

Eating nuts are ideal and make for great snacks. Consume nuts in small amounts and you are bound to get a good supply of healthy protein.

The importance of vegetables in one’s diet can’t be beat,  however, having fresh veggies is tough as it spoils quickly. This is where frozen veggies come in handy. You can get creative with this frozen treat and have them as a snack, side dish or even the main course.

Healthy eating must not be a chore. Following these tips will ensure that you and the baby you are carrying get all the nutrition that is needed.

Helpful Tips for A Surrogate Mom

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Being a surrogate mom can be both exciting and terrifying. Nothing matches the wonder of knowing that you are bringing a new life into the world, for the purpose of surrogacy. Having a good grasp of knowledge about being a surrogate can help relieve many of these fears. So here are some valuable insights for any surrogate mother.

If you’re a surrogate mom or choose to be one, staying away from stress would be the most ideal thing to do. Keeping a positive disposition helps, as well as focusing on how to feel better every day until the baby comes. Another simple, but often overlooked stress buster, is to always stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids will make you feel consistently refreshed, thus minimizing stress.

Keeping a healthy body during pregnancy may seem like a chore, especially with the unending appetite for almost all kinds of food. This is why exercising is needed the most. Not only will it ensure your body’s fitness, but also prepare you for when the baby comes.

Try to avoid some of the chemicals that would be harmful to your body, such as paint and toxic supplies around the house. These will end up getting into your bloodstream and could affect your overall health as a gestational carrier. Be extra cautious with common household items that may carry toxic chemicals such as detergents and other household cleaners.

Be sure to find a good prenatal vitamin. In many cases, your physician will prescribe the best one for you, but you can also find them over the counter. Be sure that it has at least 0.4 mg of Folic acid in it. You may also want to look for an additional source of iron to take as a gestational carrier.

Last but not the least, as a surrogate mom; be sure to follow the advice of the mother to be. The intended parent will know what’s best, but when in doubt, you can always check with your ob-gyn.

The tips discussed above will certainly make your surrogacy journey more memorable and before you know it you are on your way to delivering the best gift ever, the gift of life.

Surrogate Compensation

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Surrogate Compensation 

Compensation is never the main priority when becoming a surrogate. Being a surrogate involves a lot of selflessness and challenges that are mentally and emotionally exhausting.

That being said, surrogate mothers deserve to be compensated fully.

Surrogate Compensation: Costs for Service

Surrogacy charges differ from agency to agency. The intended parents’ application fees generally work upwards of around $500, while legal expenditures frequently arrive at $15,000. These charges do not go straight to the surrogate mother. Funding is maintained and serves as a guarantee not just for the surrogate, but also for the intended mom and dad.

Surrogate Payment

Turning into a surrogate is no easy task. It can be likened to a full time employment so it is essential that the intended parents recompense the surrogate with a cash fee. This is actually determined in agreement prior to pregnancy and must cover all various fees as well as health care expenditures. In terms of the pricing, a first time surrogate may receive around $25,000 to $35,000. An experienced surrogate, on the other hand,  is expected to earn much higher.

Surrogate Compensation: Various Other Costs

As mentioned previously, a surrogate mother’s medical costs are already paid for by the intended parents. This covers ob-gyn  clinical visits as well as any type of additional treatment helpful to the surrogate’s overall health and wellness. Apart from this coverage, a surrogate is somewhat insured from unlikely circumstances that is detrimental to her overall well being. An instance is when a surrogate mother is evicted from her property. Financing would be actually created and offered by the intended moms and dads to preserve her residing security.

Understanding Surrogacy in Iowa

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The legality of surrogacy in the USA can be considered an ongoing argument. What makes it more complicated is the fact that the laws vary per state which results in more questions than answers. Given this complication, you must fully understand the laws regulating surrogacy in all states to avoid running into any problems as you go along this process.

The Essential Components

The lawyer you’ll be hiring to protect your interest will need all the inputs coming from you and the surrogate. Partner with this kind of expert to work hands on with the intricacies of the contract or agreement that you will have with the woman carrying your child. It is also important to hire independent lawyers for you and the surrogate.

The list seen below will be of great help to cover the basics of the said agreement.

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

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

Surrogate’s Compensation

Knowing the ins and outs relating to the surrogate’s compensation is of utmost importance. This should the first of the many to consider when opting for this service. Understanding just how much your financial obligation will be can help you plan for other concerns related to this process. Whatever pay a gestational or even traditional surrogate gets, it is important to identify that they are not an employee. The employee- employer connection still stands even if the surrogate offers the service for free.

Traditional or Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational Surrogacy is different from Traditional surrogacy since the surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives birth from an already fertilized egg. In this case, there will be no hereditary link in between the surrogate as well as the child. Traditional Surrogacy, on the other hand, entails artificial insemination or even IVF by merging the surrogate’s eggs with the semen of the benefactor. In this instance, the woman acting as the surrogate possesses a hereditary link to the kid, which can be high-risk.

Lawful Issues Post-Birth Adoption

A number of states make it possible for the name of the mother and father to appear on the child’s birth certificate. In other states, the surrogate’s name is the one put on the document, which may be changed later when the order for the intended parent comes and gets listed.
Some states permit pre-birth sequence under specific conditions. At the end of the day what is still very important is to understand as well as know the rules of each state with regards to surrogacy.

How To Select A Gestational Surrogate in Iowa

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

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

Choosing the Right Agency for You

A couple or single parent usually has an ideal surrogate carrier in mind. Before this, the first step would have to be choosing the right agency for you. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Always remember that this will be the agency that you will have to work alongside with for the next 12 to 24 months. Do your research; make sure that the agency is well established. Read feedbacks from single parents or other couples who have already used the reason and the service why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place? It is always best to trust your gut instincts.

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

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

The Ideal Gestational Surrogate

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

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

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

Ideal Organic Food Diet for Surrogate Mothers in Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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Surrogate Cost Insurance Questions & Answers

Surrogate Cost: The 3 Biggest Surrogacy Insurance Questions Answered

Angel Dela Cruz Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

Angel Dela Cruz Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

Angel Dela Cruz Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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