Surrogacy 101

Is Infertility Really That Common? Then Why Does No One Ever Talk About It? A Blog Post by "Sassy Surrogate" of Colorado Surrogacy

Dear Sassy Surrogate- I don’t know what to do!!! I have been trying to conceive for a very long time and can’t get pregnant. I want to be a mom so much. I hear people say that infertility is common but if that is true, why does no one ever talk about it? Is it my fault I can’t get pregnant? I feel so alone.

From - Sad and Alone

Dear Sad and Alone -

I am so sorry for what you are going through. It is true that “7.4 million women, or 11.9% of women, have ever received any infertility services in their lifetime. Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained.” https://resolve.org/infertility-101/what-is-infertility/fast-facts/ This is an issue that affects a high number of both men and women, yet so many people suffer in silence.

I struggled with infertility for over five years. We went through years of unsuccessfully “trying” to get pregnant on our own, over a year of attempting artificial insemination (IUI) and then years of IVF treatment until we were blessed with our daughter. I spent most of that time feeling ashamed and like a failure. I felt inadequate and that my inability to get pregnant meant that there was something wrong with me. I was too embarrassed to talk about it or tell anyone about the pain we were going through. I did not want people to feel sorry for me, yet I spent every day feeling sorry for myself. The grief and sadness were so intense that I isolated myself and felt even more alone. I felt as if I were the only one in the world going through these feelings and experiences. At that time, it felt like everyone around me and everywhere I went people were either pregnant or had a baby (and then getting pregnant again). I had a hard time being happy for friends and family who were having babies and even started resenting going to baby showers. I did not like the person I had become. These feelings added to my shame and isolation. Where was that 11.9% of women when I needed them? Why did I feel so alone when others were clearly also experiencing the same things? We blame ourselves and shame ourselves into isolation instead of reaching out and seeking the support we need.

Now I share my experiences and struggles with everyone. I reach out to anyone I hear might be dealing with any sort of infertility. I never want anyone else to feel alone and isolated like I did. I want them to feel supported and to know they are not the alone in their feelings, emotions and struggles. It is important to spread the word, to let others know it is okay to talk about, to let people know that opening up about infertility can feel good. The more openly people are able to discuss their struggles, the less alone people feel and the more others will feel okay to open up themselves. The more women (and men!) support others who are struggling with infertility, the less alone they will feel and the more they will understand that no matter what, it is not their fault, there is nothing to be ashamed of and that they are not a failure. We need to help stop the stigma that surrounds infertility and the best way we can put an end to it is by talking about it. The more people share their experiences the more they learn and the more people can use each other as resources.

Another important way to destigmatize infertility is to understand that infertility is a medical condition, and like many medical conditions, it is one that might require medical assistance and treatment. Making it a medical condition takes the personal blame and shame out of it and can make it easier to discuss and seek treatment. Science has made many advances and there are many alternatives to help couples seeking fertility treatment to get pregnant. For example, there are fertility drugs, IUI, donor sperm and donor egg, In vitro fertilization, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, donor embryos, surrogacy and more. The opportunities for couples to become pregnant is so much higher than in past years. Let’s talk about it and share our experiences!

At the time I was experiencing infertility, I wished for a crystal ball. I needed to “know” that at some point I would be a mom, that my dream would come true. I did not mind (although unpleasant) the treatments, the appointments, the shots, etc. It was the unknown that was the most painful and difficult to bear. It is important to keep reminding yourself that you should not lose hope. You will find your path. Hopefully along the way you can seek support. The support is out there. Always remember you are not alone! The path to parenthood, whether IVF, surrogacy, egg/sperm donation, adoption, no longer matters once you hold your baby in your arms; the pain and uncertainty of the journey fades away and is replaced by a joy and love you never could have even imagined.
Colorado Surrogacy [www.coloradosurro.com] loves to support gestational carriers of all types: Sassy, sensational and splendid. Their entire team [https://www.coloradosurro.com/meet-the-staff] loves to provide support and encouragement through journeys of all types.

I’m Not Giving Birth. Why Would I Need a Doula? Guest Post By Patience Elizabeth of Colorado Surrogacy

It’s finally here. The day your baby is being born.

You’ve been working toward this day for years!

You’re so excited and yet still very nervous. You want to be there for the birth but also want to be very respectful of the one who has been carrying this baby for you.

But this is still the birth of your baby. You’re going to be in a highly emotional state.

The medical providers are there to support the GC in making sure baby and the birthing person are okay. If the GC has a doula, that professional is there to focus on the emotional and physical support of the GC.

To every professional in that room you are secondary. Unless you have a doula for you.

Most people think of doulas as support for the person who is giving birth. But there are many kinds of doulas. Antepartum doulas, postpartum doulas, sibling doulas, bereavement doulas, and abortion doulas.

There are 3 ways a doula can help you as Intended Parents.

1. Preparing for the Birth

There are many things you will have no control over. But you may be surprised what you can be a part of and the many ways to make this birth your own.

A doula can discuss with you and your gestational carrier what the options are and what everyone is comfortable with.

You may have talked about general concepts in the legal process but you will want to plan for the specifics.  A doula can help you navigate that conversation to make sure you and the GC have your needs and desires heard through these discussions and decisions.

A few things you will want to discuss:

• When and where will you join the GC during labor
• How often will you be updated if you’re not there (and who will be doing the updating!)
• Will you be an observer or have a more hands on role
• If medical issues arise how will information be shared and discussed
• If there is a c-section who will be in the operating room
• Who will hold baby first
• Who will cut the umbilical cord
• Who will do the first feeding and how will it be done
• What newborn procedures do you want done or delayed

2. Support during Labor and Delivery

One of the main benefits of a doula is their knowledge of the process you’re going through.

Studies have shown that just having a doula present in the room during a birth improves the birth outcome.

That is pretty astonishing.

A doula who is there for you, the Intended Parents, will make sure you understand what is happening in the birth. They will help you know what’s normal. They will help you with timelines. When it’s a good time to rest or eat and when it’s time to stay close because baby will arrive soon.

Doula’s are there as your guide. Having a doula there for you during labor and delivery allows you to be present in your experience without needing to worry if what you’re doing is right or wrong.

3. Postpartum transitions

Once the baby is here you will be learning to care for your baby. Newborns really are different from every other stage of childhood and require a completely different set of skills. On top of that you are learning who you are as a parent.

A postpartum doula can help you understand your new baby’s needs and make sure you are getting the care you need during this time of transition as well.

This is especially important in the first weeks when everything is so new and intense. With a newborn it can be very difficult to find time to eat a meal or take a shower.

A postpartum doula is there to cook a meal, hold the baby so you can rest, or just to answer questions about soothing and settling baby down.

You’ve been wanting this baby and to grow your family for a long time. The dream and the reality of a new baby can often look very different from each other and a doula can help.

A doula is there to help you navigate this important time in your life. Most of us hire experts to guide us though important undertakings like buying a house or doing our taxes. Make sure you have birth and newborn professional by your side though this once in a lifetime experience.

Patience Elizabeth is a doula, childbirth educator and Case Manager for Colorado Surrogacy [www.coloradosurro].  She loves to talk all things birth and babies and excitedly supports families through their entire gestational surrogacy journey.  You can listen to Patience talk about her experience dealing with loss as a gestational carrier here [https://soundcloud.com/iwtpabiy/episode-6-dealing-with-loss-as-a-gestational-carrier-patience-bleskan]

 

Surrogacy 101 Could Use YOUR Support! Please Take a Moment and VOTE!

A few weeks ago, www.MySurrogateMom.com launched a contest to help find the Top 10 Surrogacy Blogs. They received a large number of nominations, and today announced 30 finalists! It’s time to choose the winners and decide who will make the Top 10 Surrogacy Blogs.

Surrogacy 101 blog is one of the Top 30 Surrogacy Blogs and I truly am grateful for your nominations! So, one last request! Please vote for Surrogacy 101 by clinking HERE!! If you truly feel that this blog has given you some perspective on your surrogacy journey or answered some of your most pressing surrogacy questions then it has done its job. I also want to thank all of my guest bloggers! You all make this blog possible!! Thank you in advance for your votes! 

You can vote for as many blogs as you like but you can only vote once for each finalist. And remember, voting will close at midnight on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, so vote for your favorites now before it’s too late!

The Perspective of the Surrogate vs. the Intended Parent - Guest Post By Emily Dubin Field, MBA of Field Fertility

Starting your surrogacy journey, it’s really important that you try to put yourself in the shoes of the other (as best as you can). Most IPs have had a long, emotional, trying journey that then led them to surrogacy. Opposite to this, is a surrogate who can easily get pregnant, carried her own babies to full term and had uneventful and easy pregnancies. So, just understanding this basic perspective of where the other is starting from is extremely important.

As a former IP, I speak with prospective IPs all the time. Just as my husband and I felt, these IPs are overwhelmed, nervous, confused and emotional. Does this sound like you? If so, you are not alone! Surrogacy is all of these things. And, surrogacy is also beautiful and incredible.

I’ve found that when I explain the following two scenarios to a prospective IP, it really helps settle the IP and provide a needed perspective in starting the surrogacy journey.

1. One example scenario I will talk about is a scenario at an OB appointment. After the OB appointment, the OB says, “Everything looks good, Next time, I may want to check xyz, but all is good.”

The Surrogate hears, “All is good.”

The IP hears and feels, What’s wrong with the baby? What does the doctor want to check? Why is the doctor not checking it now?

The Surrogate is basing what she hears and feels from her own experiences with being pregnant. Reminder, surrogate’s bodies are made to have babies. Her own pregnancies with her children were uneventful. So, an OB saying “all is good” means to her, all IS good. Whereas, an IP most often had a tumultuous journey getting to this point. For me personally, nothing went right. Nothing worked. So, as an IP, if I heard the doctor say this, I would immediately react in a more panicked way. Both reactions are normal. Both reactions are based on personal experience. But, understanding these perspectives is really helpful to have the most open surrogacy experience with one another.

2. Another scenario I will mention to a prospective IP is the concern that many IPs have about the surrogate connecting with the baby and wanting the baby. I mention to the IPs that the surrogate’s perspective is this… She is fertile. She can have her own kids. If she wanted another, she would have one with her husband. She doesn’t want your baby… I get many “ah-ha” moments from prospective IPs when I mention this.

Note: I also always follow this by saying, that this is further reason for ensuring you have the best team of professionals around you -- Reputable agency who does an extensive, thorough screening of surrogates, background and criminal checks, education about surrogacy and the surrogacy journey; ongoing support to the surrogate throughout the entire surrogacy journey;  proper mental health screenings and ongoing support by Mental Health Professionals with surrogacy experience; Attorneys with surrogacy experience; Escrow Management company properly handling and administering the money; your own trusted Reproductive Endocrinologist. All of your team members have contact with your surrogate and ensuring that she is the right one for you and that you all have the best journey to your baby as possible.

Your team of professionals will also help you better understand each other’s perspectives. A surrogate wants to give you a healthy, beautiful, precious baby. She just comes from a very different personal experience and perspective than you, the IP. Surrogates’ also putting themselves in their IPs shoes is equally beneficial and important.

 

 

Emily Dubin Field, MBA runs Field Fertility with her husband Attorney Gregg Field. Emily runs business operations and Gregg does the legal work. Emily
and Gregg are parents thanks to IVF and surrogacy. Their miracle daughter is 4 years old. They remain very close with their surrogate and her family. Emily can be reached at emily@fieldfertility.com; www.fieldfertility.com

8 Things I Learned From Being a Gestational Carrier Guest Post By Suzie White from Colorado Surrogacy

Yeah.  I know. Eight does seem like a weird number, but 5 wasn’t enough and 10 seemed like too many.  I learned so much from being a surrogate that it’s hard to break it down into a few bullet points on a page, but I’ll give it a shot.  One piece that is missing is how this journey has changed my heart.  It’s impossible to put into words.   Just imagine that feeling when you saw your baby’s face for the very first time, and you heard them cry and counted all of the fingers and toes over and over.  It’s kind of like that, tied up with a bow and handed to someone else who has been waiting and hoping and praying for this gift. So let me put my tissues away and make my list.

1. I became even more grateful for the extraordinary gift of being able to have my own children.

We all recognize how fortunate we are to be able to carry our own children and create the family we’ve always dreamed of, but when you meet people who have been struggling with infertility for years, and all they want in the world is exactly what came to you so easily, incredibly humbling.  You wonder why you’re so lucky, and these people have to endure so much pain and sadness. If it’s possible, the process made me even more appreciative of my body’s ability to bring life into the world.

2. I am stronger than I thought I was.

So, this surrogacy process isn’t for the faint hearted.  The screening piece can be lengthy…medical records, psych and background checks…and the matching with intended parent(s) can be nerve wracking. You hope they’ll like you, and you hope you’ll like if you them.  Sharing your profile and reading about someone you might carry a child for can be fun if you relax and know that the right match will happen at the right time. I didn’t know I had it in me to get through all of that, and then here came the shots.  I had lists and calendars and bags of drugs. I felt like a pro and a pin cushion by the time embryo transfer time came around.  The babies hopped on board, and there were still more medications for weeks to come.  It’s a lot to stay on top of, but when you consider there’s a tiny life depending on you, a few shots are no big deal.

3. I wasn’t attached to the baby I was carrying like my own.

This is the question I was asked most often as a gestational carrier…Won’t you get attached to the baby?  Since I met the parents I would be carrying for a few months before I even became pregnant, we built a relationship, and I was so excited for them to have a baby, not me.  You know well ahead of time that this is not your child, so it’s a very different feeling. I knew the entire time that I was growing these babies for a very sweet couple who couldn’t wait for the arrival of their children.

4. My family and friends were an amazing support system.

I absolutely love my family and have the coolest friends ever.  Everyone was supportive and excited for us, but I had no idea how they would be cheering us on and offering to help out constantly. From my boss letting me take little break time naps to my ex-husband helping out with the kids, so I could rest and focus on my growing twin belly.

5. It was a life changing lesson in selflessness for my children.

The surrogacy process was a family affair in our house. It was always “we” are carrying these babies for someone else, not “I”. We worked together to grow them and the kids were all able to hold them and say goodbye at the hospital.  Then as a family, we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Disney World after the birth. My children, even as adults, are still proud of the part we played in helping another family.

6. It’s not a journey meant for everyone.

There are nay-sayers and negative Nancies in every crowd, and there will always be people who criticize surrogacy. The fact is that it’s an option when considering your options as far as starting a family. Every once in a while, someone had to throw in their two cents, even if it was narrow minded or uneducated.  It provided a great opportunity to share information about what a beautiful journey surrogacy is. I considered that this may occur before I even started the process, so I was prepared.  I think you find that the positive support so far outweighs the negative, it’s almost not worth mentioning.

7. It only takes that one moment to make it all worth it.

Let’s face it, pregnancy can be difficult sometimes, and by the end, you feel like a giant stuffed chair. When you see a brand new family that you helped to create, it’s an amazing feeling, and right then you can’t imagine not being part of such a beautiful moment.

8. It was a great way to help my family financially.

I feel like it was a great way to use a natural gift I had, along with my love of being pregnant to help raise my family well. As a single mom with a full time job, it worked out great. We were able to do some things that we wouldn’t have otherwise.

 

As I type this list, I have a really hard time remembering any negatives. We learned valuable life lessons and helped to bring the absolute joy of having a family to someone else. I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

Suzie White is a Intake Coordinator for Colorado Surrogacy [www.coloradosurro.com].  She has four grown children and has been both a traditional and gestational carrier.  She loves long walks in the Colorado foothills with her cat, Lincoln, in his adorable cat stroller.

Life Support; Does This Belong in Your Surrogacy Contract? By Sharon LaMothe of LaMothe Surrogacy Consulting

 

If you are wondering what Life Support Life support - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has to do with surrogacy, you are not the first. I personally had never even thought of Life Support when volunteering to become a surrogate mother. Why would I, or anyone for that matter, even be thinking about such a dismal ending...when Life Support would be needed. Well...Intended Parents are thinking about it. (especially after investing well over $100,000+/- on IVF/Egg Donation/Surrogacy) The Attorney's are talking about it. All hospitals highly recommend that any patient that walks (or is wheeled) through their doors has a living will Advance health care directive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on file. Why? Because you, the carrier, could become brain dead through an accident while pregnant with someone else's baby and the decision to keep your body alive will be raised. (and argued, and debated, and discussed....)

 

A scenario needling Life Support might look like this: Suzy Surrogate is 5.5 months pregnant and is involved in a car accident. Although the baby seems unharmed Suzy is unresponsive and is put on Life Support. Suzy's family is torn and despondent. The Intended Parents are focused on their unborn child.... what should be done? Needless to say that if this long shot of a situation were brought up during the contract negations, when everyone was not in crisis mode, this horrifying nightmare might have some clear cut guidelines to follow (as stated in the contract). What the IP's wishes were, what time frame the surrogate would be on life support, who would pay for that same support if the insurance company/ hospital did not agree, what role would the surrogate's family play, what are the surrogates wishes, etc.

 

I have heard some complain that contracts are getting too long, however, it is best to make sure as many scenarios as possible are covered and that these hard conversations take place when everyone is calm, cool and collected and can make rational decisions in the best interested of everyone involved including the unborn baby. I suggest that you talk with your OBGYN and ask what would be done in such a case. Ask how long would a pregnant woman be able to sustain an unborn life on IV fluids. Talk to your partner and about what this would look like to the children and what closure would mean for your family. This is not a decision to make lightly. Research will give you the answers you are looking for. 

 

 

Sharon is the Owner of LaMothe Services, an Assisted Reproductive Business Solutions Company and Founder of LaMothe Surrogacy Consulting and is a Third Party Family Building Educator/Adviser with over 20 years of experience. Sharon is the author of Surrogacy Helps Make a Family Grow! a book for the children of gestational and traditional surrogates. She is a married mother of two located in the greater Seattle Washington area and a retired gestational Surrogate of 2 sets of twins.

 

 

Ohhhh I Love a Great Contest! Please Nominate YOUR Top Surrogacy Blogs!! Hosted by MySurrogateMom.com

(Of course I would love it if you would enter Surrogacy 101 as your blog choice!)

Just add your favorite surrogacy blog and let the games begin! It's a great way to share information and award the best 10 surrogacy blogs out there! ;-)

Today, we are announcing our contest to help us choose the top ten surrogacy blogs. Don’t miss your chance!

Who made you smile? Offered support and advice? Encouraged you to make a big change? Provided first-class surrogacy content? Share the love and help us identify the best surrogacy blogs.

On April 19, 2019, the MySurrogateMom team will pick 30 blogs for the finals. The winners of the competition (who will made our top ten surrogacy blog list) will be determined by a general vote. Voting will be available from April 19, 2019, to April 30, 2019. Follow to us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, for the contest results!

Click here and Please Submit your Nomination!

Competition Rules

A blog is defined as a web page with dated entries.

The competition is open both to individual surrogacy bloggers and professional blogs operated by companies.

Nominations and votes are anonymous.

All nominations will be reviewed by the MySurrogateMom team and are subject to approval.

Winners will be chosen by the public.

E-mail addresses are required to vote.

Key Deadlines

Complete the form below to nominate a blog. Hurry up! Nominations will be accepted until April 18, 2019.

On April 19, 2019, the MySurrogateMom team will pick 30 blogs for the finals. The winners of the competition (who will made our top ten surrogacy blog list) will be determined by a general vote. Voting will be available from April 19, 2019, to April 30, 2019.

Follow to us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, for the contest results!

The MySurrogateMom Awards is a non-profit project to award the best surrogacy blogs. If you have questions about the contest, please contact us.

 

Navigating Judgement for Being a Surrogate: Guest Post by "Sassy Surrogate" and Colorado Surrogacy

 

 

Dear Sassy Surrogate,

How do you navigate the judgement of others when you want to become, or already are, a surrogate?  People can be mean and sometimes not aware that their comments can be hurtful.  I am wanting to help a family achieve their dreams, but am concerned with the misconceptions and perspectives of other people around me. 

Sincerely, Wanting to do the right thing

 

Dear Wanting,

Have you ever been judged negatively for giving an unusually thoughtful gift to someone? Perhaps for behaving in a selfless manner or for just being an overall generous and giving person? NO? So, then why would people judge a woman for being a gestational surrogate and providing someone with the greatest gift imaginable… the gift of parenthood?? But it does happen and there are ways to deal with, and understand, these negative reactions.

We all trust our doctors and it can be an even more difficult struggle when they have a negative opinion of our decisions. Women wanting to be gestational carriers have sometimes encountered situations in which their doctors do not support their decision to be a gestational carrier. In some cases, they may simply be trying to make sure you have all the appropriate information, have researched thoroughly and that you understand and are aware of the risks in being a gestational carrier. However, if the negative opinions are deeper and of a more personal nature, it might be important to find a healthcare provider who supports you and your decision. They play too important a role during your pregnancy to not feel supported.

Some people express concern about how your biological child/ren may be affected by your decision to be a gestational carrier. Our experience shows that children are very resilient, often more so than we, as adults, are. There are many age-appropriate books that discuss this issue that can be read together with your children to help them understand the process. It is also important to engage them in the process from the beginning so that they know that the child you will be carrying is not going to be their baby brother or sister. Being honest and willing to talk with them, even showing pictures of the IPs if you are able, helps everyone throughout the process. You can always request for your children to have counseling sessions during the pregnancy and even after the delivery, if you feel like they need additional help working through this process. You can be confident that you will be teaching them generosity, selflessness, modeling the gift of giving and living a truly altruistic life by your actions of providing the intended parents with the greatest gift in the world…. their very own baby.

Lack of support from close friends and family may be the most challenging hardship to deal with. Gestational carriers need to be able to depend on their support network during their pregnancy. However, it is unrealistic to think that no one in your life will have an opposing viewpoint. Some shaming might be a result of miscommunication, curiosity or misinformation. We encourage using that opportunity to educate them and share your reasons for becoming a gestational carrier but in the end being willing to agree to disagree. Another area of misunderstanding can stem from the lack of understanding of the difference between traditional surrogacy versus gestational surrogacy. They may be worried about the emotional impact your decision might have on you if they believe that you are biologically related to the baby you are carrying. This is easy to clarify. For those who continue to be less than enthusiastic about your choice, you may have to limit the time spent with them during your pregnancy or agree to focus your relationship on other topics during this time. All you can do is offer information and share your reasons for believing this is the right decision for you and your family. 

Everyone, including friends and family, is entitled to their opinion and, believe me, people will have them and don’t hesitate to express them. The important thing is that if you decide to be a gestational carrier you feel confident in your decision knowing that you are changing lives, building families, and playing a large role in helping dreams come true. Hopefully, in most cases, you will be celebrated rather than shamed.

Colorado Surrogacy[www.coloradosurro.com] loves to support gestational carriers of all types: Sassy, sensational and splendid.  Their entire team [https://www.coloradosurro.com/meet-the-staff] loves to provide support and encouragement through journeys of all types.

Selecting a Qualified Escrow Fund Management Provider for Your Surrogacy or Egg Donor Journey a Guest Post by Denise Steele of SeedTrust Escrow Services

Third-party fertility escrow cases are complex and parents invest a great deal throughout them. While deciding which escrow fund management company is right for you, inquire about the organization’s qualifications pertaining to third-party fertility. It’s your money and you have every right to know the level of expertise your provider has in the field. Security, transparency, and minimizing your risk are the main considerations when deciding which company is the most qualified to manage your investment throughout your journey.

How secure is my money, my data and my information?

The level of protection your escrow fund manager holds in bonds and insurance is the very first question you should address when considering your options. Ask for the dollar amounts for which the company is secured. Also, inquire about the provider’s technology security and encryption levels. If they offer an online platform, HIPAA compliance is paramount since personal information will be required when paying medical bills.

Is my ledger information fully transparent and in real-time?

Third-party journeys can take many months and even years. Payment requests come from many sources including your surrogate, agency, insurance providers, the fertility clinic, attorneys and other payees. Having access to your full ledger anytime you wish is not just a nice-to-have but a need-to-have. The transparency gives you the control you deserve throughout this process. 

Is it a good idea for my attorney or agency to hold my escrow?

Many agencies and attorneys are willing to hold escrow for their clients. There’s an inherent risk in them do so, however. If an escrow issue arises, only an independent and qualified escrow company can protect all of the parties in the relationship. The escrow company doesn’t draft the direct agreement; they are acting as a second set of eyes and adhere to what the parties agreed to in the contract. 

Have I chosen a fair and affordable provider?

Like anything else in third-party fertility, escrow fund pricing models vary. There’s a big difference in fund holding versus fund management. For surrogacy, fund management is where intended parents, surrogates and even agencies will receive the most protection. The ideal scenario is to work with an escrow provider that charges a 1-time fee, regardless if they are holding funds or managing your escrow. Ask the provider if they charge additional fees. Specifically, do they charge extra for rematches, cutting checks or wiring funds? Do they charge annual fees? Fully understand a provider’s pricing model before you agree to have it either hold or manage your escrow.

Partnering with an escrow fund management company that will protect you, your surrogate and your agency throughout the process will minimize everyone’s stress. Having the confidence that you’ve chosen the most qualified and transparent escrow fund management partner will allow you to focus on the details that matter most throughout your family building process.

 

Denise Steele

ART Escrow Consultant

Mom via Third-Party Fertility & Adoption

Mobile: 312-404-6604

www.SeedTrustEscrow.com