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Personal Development Guide for Surrogate Mothers

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Personal development can be overwhelming for many to undertake, more so for a surrogate mother who is going through a lot of changes. This post is designed to guide you in the direction of personal improvement by doing simple actions that will strengthen your personal development goals as a surrogate. Here, you’ll find a variety of ideas that you can employ to set yourself up for achieving success.

As a surrogate mother, make friends with those who are positive-minded and provide happiness to your life. They’ll help you stay on track by being good role models for desirable practices, and you’ll better balance any negative energy you get from people who aren’t as encouraging of your self-improvement aspirations.

Take breaks when working, and get as much finished tasks as possible. Although this seems counterproductive, taking regular breaks is good because it gives you the chance to energize your mind, so when you return to work, you’ll be able to get more done.

Another step critical in personal development as a surrogate mother is understanding how to be a leader. Leadership has many different definitions, but rooted under one common factor which is influence. Look back on your previous experiences as a surrogate, or examine the things that have transformed your leadership potential. Which events had the most impact on the way you live your life? What adjustments have occurred thanks to these events? How did your leadership skills come into action during those incidents? Thinking deeply about these subjects as a surrogate mom can bring awareness of the level of your leadership and team member skills.

Showing a little humility also helps. When you realize the value of others, you will begin to recognize how important other people are. As a surrogate mom, a humble mental outlook puts you in the most ideal mindset to learn new things and grow personally.

Finally, it helps to write how you feel. Keeping a journal will help you unload any negative feeling and keep track of the positive experiences in your life. Maintaining this kind of record will prove to be therapeutic and will help you to look back on certain moments worth recalling.

Tips for Gestational Carriers

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From lifting your mood to lowering your risk for various diseases, selecting the right kind of foods has a great deal of benefits. The following are some techniques on how you can improve your health by means of the food that you eat while being a gestational carrier.

As a gestational carrier, you must pay attention to the labels at the back of the food that you obtain in the supermarket. Take the time to read the nutritional values on the packages before you make your purchase. Doing so will guide you in making sound decisions on your food choices.

When considering your nutrition as a gestational carrier, be vigilant for foods that may look healthy, but end up being quite the opposite. There can be a whole lot of fats and sodium in expected healthy looking snacks. Smoothies for example, may end up having a lot of calories from fats and sugar depending on the ingredients they used. You are, after all, eating for two so it is critical for you to be in the know with what you put in your body.

One of the ideal things you can do to provide proper nutrition as a gestational carrier is to include a good multi-vitamin in your day-to-day regimen. This is more likely provided by the intended parents and recommended by health professionals based on your needs and not just the RDA. These multivitamins sustain your body with the necessary levels of diverse minerals and vitamins that you might not be getting in your diet. This will act as a supplement and will also aid in the development of the baby that you are carrying.

When taking into consideration your nutrition as a gestational carrier, it is necessary to keep the soon to be parents included throughout the whole process. This will make them feel excited and bring about a feeling of value and significance. Take them to the store with you and have them help you pick out foods that they like and that are healthy for you and the baby.

As a gestational carrier, make sure to mix protein and carbohydrates when you sit down to eat. You’ll still get energy from the carbohydrates, but the protein will keep you full. Eating a mix of the two will keep your blood sugar sound and keep your appetite in check.

Building healthy eating habits are vital to a self-sufficient plan for healthy nutrition not just for you as a gestational carrier, but also for the child that you are carrying. The general advantages of a nutritious diet, depends entirely on whether or not you can stick to it. Diet reformations that are simple to follow are more effective over unreasonable variations that you, as a gestational carrier, will struggle with.

Surrogacy 101

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There are some states where surrogacy is considered legal. An example of this would be the Golden State of California, where there are already developed regulations on the procedure. Despite the emerging fame of this medical procedure, there are lots of people who are still confused with this process.

 

How is this procedure defined?

Before we define Surrogacy, let us understand why it came about in the first place. It is a known fact that not all can easily procreate and start their own family. This is true for infertile heterosexual couples and gay couples who, obviously, can’t bear their own child since they are of the same sex.

Science has come up with an answer in the form of Surrogacy. This process becomes possible by means of IVF; this is the process of fertilizing an egg outside the human body. If the woman is not capable of carrying the fertilized egg (embryo) to term, the solution is surrogacy. Therefore, this can be defined as the process by which a couple (intended parents) goes into contract with another woman (surrogate) to carry their fertilized egg or embryo.

 

Is there an association between the surrogate and the child?

There is a term specifically called, “gestational surrogacy,” which implies the surrogate carries the child in her womb and does not have any genetic association with the baby. Traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, involves either natural or most commonly, artificial insemination using the intended father’s sperm and the surrogate’s egg. This creates a genetic connection and is somewhat considered legally complex.

 

Are there circumstances that a surrogate claims the child?

Just before a surrogate is ultimately chosen, testing and screenings will be administered to check the surrogate’s overall capacity to carry out this procedure. To safeguard the best interests of all parties concerned, legal documentations are created and acknowledged to ensure that certain expectations are laid out and followed.

 

How much is the cost?

Admittedly, this process is expensive. There are a lot of costs to consider starting with the surrogate’s compensation down to the medical bills. It is ideal to find the best agency or clinic to know which can cater to the intended parents’, as well as the surrogate’s specific needs.

 

Is Surrogacy legal?

In Florida, as well as other states like Oregon, and Illinois, this procedure is considered legal and also have their own defined laws on the process. Some states, however, have their own different insights on the matter such as New York and New Jersey.

Surrogate Compensation

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Surrogate Compensation 

When one makes the selfless choice to become a surrogate, payment hardly becomes the top concern. That goes without mentioning the physical and emotional changes that a surrogate mom undergoes. Many folks understand that surrogacy is a very challenging role and that the compensation received is sometimes not equivalent to the sacrifice involved from the surrogate mother. Nonetheless, a surrogate mom should be compensated fairly.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Costs for Services

Surrogacy expenses are not all the same since it varies from agency to agency. Fees for application are paid by the intended parents, the cost of which normally work upwards of around $500, with legal costs typically come at $15,000. These expenses do not go straight to surrogate mom, but they go towards the direction of ensuring that she and the intended parents actually shielded economically.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Surrogate Cost

Turning into a surrogate is comparable to working full time, thus intended moms and dads usually recompense surrogate with a cash fee, which is determined and agreed upon prior to pregnancy; as well as ensuring that payment for various other costs are covered.

Expect that a first time surrogate mom will earn around $25,000 to $35,000 lower than what  an experienced surrogate is entitled to.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Additional Fees and Costs

As discussed above, a surrogate mom’s health care expenses are already settled by the intended moms and dads, this mainly consists of doctor’s appointments as well as other medical expenses incurred.

There are instances that will be out of the surrogate mom’s control that can still be covered by the intended parents. An instance, will be when the surrogate is kicked out of her property. There is this “back up plan” offered by the intended parents to ensure that her overall well being is still protected.

Understanding Surrogacy in Arkansas

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The legitimacy of surrogacy in the USA is actually still an on-going controversy. In addition to having surrogacy legal in some states in the US, it is the rules concerning the treatment that complexes the matter, and also increases inquiries coming from different communities in the country. Once you and your partner have decided to sign up for surrogacy services, you will need to familiarize yourself with information regarding surrogacy laws and legal issues per state. This will ease a little of the overwhelming feeling you are bound to get once you start your research on the topic.

The Basic Elements of Surrogacy Agreements

A legal professional with an extensive knowledge of Surrogacy laws is a key participant that will assist you in coming up with a contract with your surrogate. It is ideal to have independent or separate lawyers as well.

Having a list similar to the one below is important to outline the items that are essential to be agreed upon with your surrogate.

1. Names of parties involved, namely, the couple and the surrogate.

2. Must be of Legal Age.

3. Number of attempts.

4. The process of achieving surrogate’s pregnancy, like “no sexual intercourse.”

5. Agreement to sustain and continue the pregnancy.

6. A declaration that the mother cannot conceive a child and sustain a pregnancy.

7. Statement of in depth medical and mental condition of the woman who carries the intended

parents baby as agreed.

8. Medical insurance for all parties involved in the placement of the embryo.

9. Modern technology or practices involving the placement of the embryo.

10. Close monitoring and checking of surrogate’s activities as well as medication ingested.

11. Agreement on regular prenatal medical health care

12. Restriction on surrogate’s activities that may be considered threatening to pregnancy and the

birthing process.

13. Parental rights of the surrogate.

14. The presence of the couple during birth.

15. Legal or physical custody of the surrogate and the couple once the child is delivered.

16. Financial considerations before, during, and after pregnancy.

17. Confidentiality terms.

The items discussed above covers much of what is needed, but it is better to consider other factors to help you prepare for cases that you are not yet aware of. Planning ahead is critical at this stage to avoid having problems that will not only affect you but also the child‘s welfare.

Surrogate’s Compensation

The surrogate’s pay is one of the many issues to expect when deciding to opt for surrogacy. This answers the question on how just how much a surrogate is entitled to. It also covers the schedule of payment – before and during pregnancy checkups and medications, child delivery, and after birth. Expect more issues to arise if the childbirth is complicated or compromised due to medical issues. Given this, it is strongly advisable for all possible cases to be anticipated and covered, which includes fiscal commitments and insurances. Take note as well that whatever compensation a traditional or gestational surrogate gets, it is important to know that they are not an employee. Even if the surrogate does it for free, they are still not qualified under the definition of employee-employer relationship.

Gestational or Traditional Surrogacy

It is essential to know the difference between these two types of Surrogacy procedures. Traditional Surrogacy is the process wherein the surrogate undergoes artificial insemination or IVF by combining the surrogate’s eggs with the sperm of the donor. In this case, the surrogate has a genetic connection to the child, which could be very risky because of the said genetic link.

Gestational Surrogacy on the other hand, is the process wherein the surrogate carries the pregnancy and delivers the child from an already fertilized embryo. The egg and sperm are from the couples who request the help of a surrogate. In this case, the surrogate serves only as a carrier for the child, and there is no genetic link involved.

Legal Matters Post-Birth Adoption

There are still many legalities to be checked and agreed upon prior to or after the child’s birth. In many states, legal courts allow the intended parent’s name directly indicated on the child’s birth certificate. In other states, the surrogate’s name is the one placed on the birth documents, which can be amended in the future when the order for the intended parent’s come and be listed. Some states allow pre-birth order, however only under certain conditions. The main point is to know and understand the laws of each state in terms of surrogacy.

How To Select A Gestational Surrogate in Arkansas

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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. 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. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Read feedbacks from other couples or single parents who have already used the service and the reason why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place?

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. 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.

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. 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 cannot 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 pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time.

Important Things You Need to Know After Surrogacy IVF

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Important Things You Need to Know After Surrogacy IVF

Posted Under: Intended Parenthood, Pregnancy Tips, Surrogate Motherhood, on August 13, 2012

Information about Surrogacy IVF, surrogate medical procedures

After an embryo transfer, a lot of tension and anxiety can happen. For first-time surrogates and intended parents, questions begin to linger in their minds – “Should I be on bed rest for the first two or three days?”, “What foods should I eat?”, “How active can I be during the two-week wait, and “Will our surrogate get pregnant?”

These questions are all important to comprehend, and advice can vary from doctor to doctor. The really important thing to remember is that there’s no guarantee of pregnancy through IVF – there are a lot of factors involved in the process.

Some common suggestions recommended by doctors are:

1. No heavy lifting for the first 48 hours after IVF transfer.

2. No strenuous physical activities like running or aerobics.

3. No alcohol, drugs or smoking.

4. No intercourse until a fetal heartbeat is determined.

5. Bed rest for the first two days after the IVF transfer.

It’s very important to remember that these instructions do differ between doctors.

As intended parents, if you want to be more sure that these instructions are followed, it might be helpful to assist – or have someone assist – your surrogate during the first two days after the IVF transfer. Run the errands that the surrogate needs done, prepare meals for her and her family, help with laundry and so forth.
The surrogate is likely to really appreciate your help while she’s on bed-rest, while you yourself would have peace of mind that the surrogate is following her doctor’s instructions.

In most cases, the transfer’s success is known after ten days. On the tenth day after the transfer, the surrogate goes back to the IVF clinic to see if the embryo has implanted into the uterus.

On Day 12 after the embryo transfer, the fertility clinic checks to see if the HcG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) level has doubled – if it has, then the embryo is properly growing.

The In Vitro Fertilization procedure is not 100% successful; not every embryo transfer will result in a pregnancy. In the event that it doesn’t, it’s important not to make any rash decisions until the intended parents have had an opportunity to discuss the outcome with the doctor.

The doctor may have some insight about why the transfer was a failure – poor embryo quality, poor uterine lining or genetic problems are all possibilities.
Surrogacy is never a certain process, and the better you understand it, the better you’ll be able to plan your next steps. Proper medical advice will help the intended parents understand the best way to move forward.

There are a lot of important aspects of surrogacy that need to be properly understood. Knowing them will help intended parents better comprehend the process of surrogacy.

The issue of bed rest after an IVF transfer is still under debate; so far, nothing has been proven. Remember, it’s at the discretion of your doctor to give all the necessary instructions to your surrogate – first and foremost, pay attention to your doctor’s advice.

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