Surrogacy 101

Planning Ahead to This Year's ASRM Conference (and years to follow)

Did you miss the ASRM conference in Hawaii last year? Then you might want to plan for one of these upcoming ASRM events here in the lower 48! Below is a list of the upcoming ASRM meetings that you can plan ahead to attend! It's good to start budgeting early especially if you want to exhibit!

ASRM 2015
Description: 71st Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 17-21, 2015 
Place: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email:[email protected]

ASRM 2016
Description: 72nd Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 16-20, 2016 
Place: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email:[email protected]

ASRM 2017
Description: 73rd Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 28-November 1, 2017 
Place: San Antonio, TX, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2018
Description: 74th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 6-10, 2018 
Place: Denver, CO, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2019
Description: 75th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 12-16, 2019 
Place: Philadelphia, PA, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2020
Description: 76th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 17-21, 2020 
Place: Portland, OR, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2021
Description: 77th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 16-20, 2021 
Place: Baltimore, MD, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2022
Description: 78th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 22-26, 2022 
Place: Anaheim, CA USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

ASRM 2023
Description: 79th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 14-18, 2023 
Place: New Orleans, LA USA

For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: [email protected]

Reproductive Laws In Canada: Guest Post By Christina Park, Esquire

Christina Park is a reproductive attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Christina Park in Seattle, WA. She graduated from Yale Law School. Christina assists intended parents, egg donors, embryo donors, and surrogates and is proud to help build families. 

Here in Seattle, WA it's not uncommon for fertility clinics to work with intended parents from Vancouver, BC. In my legal practice, I have worked with Canadian clients who travel to Washington State for egg donation / in vitro fertilization procedures. In this article, I will provide an overview of Canadian laws on egg donation, surrogacy, and embryo donation. 

Is egg donation legal in Canada? 

Yes. Egg donation is legal in Canada, but it is illegal to purchase eggs from a donor (or anyone acting on the donor's behalf). Compensation is prohibited, but the intended parents can legally reimburse the egg donor for egg donation expenses.  

Is surrogacy legal in Canada? 

Yes, but with significant restrictions. In Canada, commercial surrogacy (which involves payment to the woman for serving as a surrogate) is illegal. However, altruistic surrogacy without compensation is allowed. The intended parents can reimburse the surrogate for her reasonable pregnancy expenses. 

What else should I know about surrogacy in Canada? 

In Canada, it is illegal to: 

• Advertise that the intended parents will pay the woman for acting as a surrogate. 

• Pay someone for arranging the services of a surrogate mother. 

• If there is reason to believe that a woman is under age 21, it is illegal to counsel her to become a surrogate mother. 

Do surrogacy laws vary among provinces? 

Yes. Canada has federal laws governing surrogacy, but each province has its own set of rules regarding what happens after the child's birth. Some provinces are considered more surrogacy-friendly than others -- for example, Ontario and British Columbia. On the other hand, Quebec is unfavorable to surrogacy and often avoided by intended parents for this reason. 

Is embryo donation legal in Canada? 

Similar to egg donation and surrogacy, embryo donation is legal in Canada. However, the embryo cannot be purchased or sold for compensation, according to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. 

*Disclaimer:  Christina Park is licensed to practice law in Washington State. This blog post is for educational purposes only. Please contact a qualified Canadian lawyer for advice on Canadian legal issues. 

Related articles

Egg Donation 101: Frequently Asked Questions About Washington State Laws: Guest Post By Christina Park, Esquire

Surrogates: Traveling While Pregnant? 8 Tips to Help You Through

Surrogates of often asked to travel while pregnant. If not to actually have the baby in a surrogacy friendly state then to travel to the Intended Parents home state for a visit or ultrasound appointment so that they can feel a part of the pregnancy process. Although I do not recommend travel for the birth for surrogates, I actually did that very thing myself...twice! Below are some tips I found over at babycenter.com. (why reinvent the wheel, right?)

*DON'T forget to check your contract to make sure that you can travel within the time frame you and your IP's have agreed on. 

 If you have any travel tips or stories to share, please do!

1. Although rules vary, many airlines don't allow pregnant women to fly during the last week or month of their pregnancy without a note from their healthcare provider. Airline regulations aside, most healthcare providers discourage travel after 36 weeks unless it's absolutely necessary.

Ask your doctor or midwife whether there are any medical concerns you need to worry about or upcoming tests you need to work around, or whether you're actually okay to travel, period. High-risk pregnancies need extra TLC, which may prohibit travel.

2. Consider your prenatal test schedule

Time your travel around any prenatal tests you want or need to schedule. The following tests are typically performed during the specified weeks of pregnancy: chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (10 to 12 weeks); amniocentesis (15 to 18 weeks); multiple marker screening (15 to 20 weeks); ultrasound (16 to 20 weeks); glucose screening test (GCT) (24 to 28 weeks); group B strep screening (35 to 37 weeks). (And if you're Rh-negative, you'll need your shot of Rh immunoglobulin at 28 weeks.) If you decide to have one or more of these tests, allow time to get the results — and strategize next steps, if appropriate — before leaving on an extended trip.

3. Gather your medical records and vital health information

Before you leave, prepare a list of key names and phone numbers you'll need in case of emergency and pack it in your carry-on luggage. If you are in your second or third trimester, bring along a copy of your prenatal chart, too, and keep it with you at all times during your trip. The chart should include your age, your last menstrual period, your due date, the number and outcomes of any prior pregnancies, your risk factors for disease, pregnancy-related lab tests and ultrasounds, your medical and surgical history, and a flow sheet of vital signs taken at each visit. If you're planning an extended visit, have your healthcare provider refer you to someone in the area for check-ups or emergencies.

4. Make sure you have all the medications you need

Be careful to pack a sufficient supply of prescription medications, prenatal vitamins, and even over-the-counter remedies you may need during your trip — especially if you're going someplace where those medications aren't readily available. It's a good idea to keep prescription medicine in its original container, so if your bags are searched it will be clear that you're not using medication without a prescription.

5. Check your health insurance policy

Find out if it covers pregnancy complications during travel to your intended destinations (particularly if they include foreign countries). If not, you may want to purchase additional insurance.

6. Buy travel insurance

This special insurance covers expenses if you miss all or part of your trip, or run up emergency expenses on the road. Make sure the policy covers pregnancy complications as well as emergency medical transport from your chosen destination(s).

7. Prepare for the unexpected

If you haven't already, join an auto club that provides road service in case your car breaks down or has a flat tire. Carry the phone numbers for any airlines you'll be using in case you need to confirm or reschedule flights. And always carry a cell phone, especially if you're traveling alone.

8. If flying in your third trimester, check your airline's policies 

 

Sharon LaMothe of Infertility Answers and LaMothe Services to Attend the ASRM Meeting in Denver

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine is holding it's 66th annual meeting in Denver this month! I will arriving in Denver Sunday the 24th and staying until Wednesday the 27th. I am thrilled to be attending the Opening Ceremony Sunday evening and networking with some of the most hard working and knowledgeable professionals in the Infertility Field. Some of the  seminars I will be attending include Open Vs Closed Gamete Donation, Wrinkled Parents; Medical, Ethical and Psychological Issues of Parenting at an Older Age, and Infertility as a Public Health Priority. There are so many opportunities to meet people that I have "friended" on Facebook or accepted into my network on LinkedIn. If you would like to meet with me, just send me an e-mail at [email protected] or give me a call at 727-458-8333.

 

As for MY clients that I consult with, please know that I attend these events, meetings and seminars around the country so that I can share what I have learned with you through my blogs, posts, and conversations. In this time of social networking, spending hours online and answering e-mail,  I believe that it is so important to have face-time with clients and other professionals in this ever growing field of infertility.

 

Please contact me if you plan to be attending the ASRM or visiting Seattle, WA where my offices are located. If you need my consulting services remember that our first conversation is free so that we can assess how best to use my expertise to help you reach your goals.

 

I hope to hear from you soon or better yet meet you in person!

Sharon LaMothe

727-458-8333

The Perfect First Gift for a Surrogate or Egg Donor, a Very Special Heart: A LaMothe Product Review

  I received a Very Special Heart Necklace to review and I am very impressed! What's so "special" about this necklace?

Inside each Very Special Heart™lies an incredible feat of engineering, which allows you to carry your complete Personal Health Record. If you choose, you can also carry all of your family’s health records. In an emergency, your Very Special Heart™ gives EMTs or ER doctors immediate access to your critical medical information. You can also carry a dose of emergency medication, secure copies of: passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and all of your important documents. How great is this for Surrogates and Egg Donors, especially those who need to travel. This necklace (or the globe key chain) can be opened and plugged into any computer in the world where Dr's can quickly make medical decisions based on the information found on a "Very Special Heart" and because emergency personal check wallets and purses first, it comes with a special wallet ID card that will tell EMT's where to find the medical information.

My first thought when I heard of a Very Special Heart was for the infertility community. Often times we are cycling, needing to take medication and shots in a timely manner or traveling for medical reasons. Who can remember everything when under the stress of an accident or emergency. It would be a perfect gift for a surrogate or egg donor who, after she has completed her donation or birth, can update the information continue to wear this for her own personal use. This would also be a great gift for the elderly, children or those who travel often. 

Check out the website for yourself and see what I'm talking about! http://www.averyspecialheart.com/index.html If you do buy one please tell me what you think of it! I use mine as a key chain.

Please note that I do not receive any compensation for my reviews. The products are sent to me with no obligation and I share with you what I think is useful.

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/

Sharon LaMothe Will Be Attending the ASRM Meeting in Atlanta, GA Oct 17-21st

 

I will be attending the annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting in Atlanta GA! If you are in the area and would like to meet please contact me at the cell number below. I will be arriving late Saturday evening October 17th and leaving the afternoon on October 21st. I am looking forward to all of the great educational opportunities offered and meeting other professionals within the Infertility field. I will blog about what I observe and learn when I return.

 

I look forward to seeing you there!

 

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/
727-458-8333

Las Vegas: A Family Vacation? YES!

    Because it's Sunday again I feel like I can share a bit about my recent trip to Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam with my husband of 23 years, Joe, and our 12 year old daughter, Erika. Bring a 12 year old to Vegas you ask?! YES! There is so much for families to do in Las Vegas that even Erika stated, on day 2, that there was more to see then Disney World and I have to agree.

    In a nutshell our 3 nights and 4 days went like this: We arrived Tuesday around noon and we bought round trip shuttle service at the airport to the Luxor Las Vegas - Luxor ...that way we didn't have to worry about the ride back on Friday. We made it to the Luxor and our spa suite was ready...on the 19th floor we had a great room with a whirlpool tub and a smaller room off the bed room that Erika promptly claimed. It had a fridge, TV, Sofa and a couple of tables. The entire room (and hotel) is Egypt themed  which was right up Erika's alley. From there we walked to a couple of hotels and finally ate at one of Wolfgang Puck's places for lunch..in the MGM I think...then we went down to this 1/2 price tickets tonight place and bought some 4 PM magic show tickets for the Tropicana. Xtreme Magic Dirk Arthur Las Vegas The show was good...and we had great seats...it featured tigers and other big and rare cats so we all really liked that...we went back to the hotel where Joe and Erika spent some time at the pool...I rested (well it IS my vacation too!)..and then bought some dinner for in the room at the food court. (Quiznos) Erika stayed in the room and watched TV while Joe and I played some slots...No I didn't win...but Joe entered into a couple of poker tournaments throughout our trip and came in 2nd in one and 1st in another so he was happy!

    Day 2 Wednesday morning I sent Joe and Erika down the strip to Denny's for breakfast while I waited in line to get tickets for Mamma Mia, Hoover Dam and the Titanic artifacts exhibit at the Tropicana. Its a long wait at times but you can get great deals at this 1/2 price tickets place. The doors open at 11 am but the line has already started to form outside. All the left over tickets go on sale for that same day. For example the Mamma Mia tickets were just $55 each when we would have had to pay $110 each...and we had great seats! Anyway...after I bought all the tickets I met up with J and E and we walked through some of the larger hotels together including the Bellagio where they have this beautiful conservatory Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden - Las Vegas with spring flowers blooming and butterflies etc. It was really nice. (and did I mention, FREE) We went back to the hotel as it was mid-afternoon and we had reservations for dinner in the Mandalay Bay at 5:30 and then the Mamma Mia show at 7:30pm. We loved it! Mamma Mia Las Vegas We had a call from our neighbors while in the show who happened to be in town for a wedding and so we made plans to talk to them when we returned from the Hoover Dam VIP Tour on the next day. We put Erika to bed and Joe played some poker and I did poorly on the slots but made my money last....still its fun with all the glitz and glamour!

    Day 3 Thursday we woke up early because I had a phone call from some NYC reporter...SCF still is listed out there so I get these calls once in a while...anyway..it helped us get a move on because we had to be at our meeting place at 8 am for the Hoover Dam VIP Tour. We were on time and really it was a great thing for Erika to see...Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region - Hoover Dam Very educational and interesting. We also stopped at a small museum and had lunch (included) and went to Ethel M's chocolate factory tour...with free samples and a cactus garden...always a good thing..we bought some ice cream there too....needless to say it was a great way to spend a day in Vegas...plus you have the chance to see how the people really lived there...and how much things cost etc. When we returned back to the hotel we made plans for our Seattle neighbors to pick us all up and bring us to their time share. Erika babysat their little 3 year old while the 4 adults went out to the Hard Rock Casino for dinner....we all had the $10 special of prime rib dinner at the Lucky 7's which was just OK and then we went back and Erika went out with our neighbors while Joe and I gambled at the Luxor. (Boy, it sounds like we did a lot of gambling!! LOL) Erika came back around 12:30 AM after showing the 3 J's the conservatory at the Belligio and having dessert out ($9.00 Cheese Cake anyone?!?!) Anyway...Erika made money on HER vacation! LOL

    Day 4 Friday and the final day our huge breakfast at the hotel was comp'ed which was nice and we didn't have to check out until noon...so around that time we dropped our luggage off with the Bell service and went over to the Tropicana to see the Titanic exhibit. It was really cool and I highly recommend it! They give you a card with the name and some background of a passenger and at the end of the tour you see if your person survived or not...we all did...They even had a huge "ice burg" to touch...lots of artifacts...very educational.Titanic Image Gallery  Erika liked it...and then we headed back to our hotel to get ready to meet the shuttle. I had some free casino money I needed to use up so Joe took Erika to buy some final souvenirs and I played about 1/2 hour of Roulette...and won...which is nice to walk away from there with SOME money back in your pocket. Then it was back to the airport and an uneventful flight back to Seattle! (rude awakening!!)

    That's the trip!!...I am sure I left out some things...the weather was GREAT the entire time we were there...the smoking was pretty heavy...one of the things I hate about casinos...and Erika was miffed that she couldn't "push a button" or watch people playing slots because she was under 21. If you are thinking of a family vacation a few days in Vegas maybe your best bet...I don't recommend it for the very young...maybe 8 and up for some of the cool shows...Blue Man Group is there and there are plenty of magic and variety shows...not to mention secret gardens and food galore!

Happy Sunday!

Sharon

www.InfertilityAnswers.net

On Vacation!!

Just a quick note to say that I am in Florida with my wonderful traveling companion, daughter Erika, from the 19th until the 30th of June! I have preloaded some of my past posts for your information and entertainment! Please do comment and I will post those when I return! 

Take care!

Sharon

Note: this photo was taken in March in Mexico...

www.InfertilityAnswers.net

Memorial Day Travels: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. 

— James Oppenheim

   

    As most of you know, those who have read my bio at least, I am now a resident of Seattle, Washington. Not having been here a year yet, there is still a ton for us to explore and experience. This Memorial Day, Joe, my long suffering husband of 23 years arranged for the three of us...Erika, our 12 year old, and myself to drive up to Vancouver CA for an over night...yes DRIVE....at THESE GAS PRICES!! But heck, it was cheaper then flying the Lear round trip and renting a car for 36 hours and it was only 150 miles one way, unless you get lost then you can add on 50 miles of aimless wandering while trying not to kill each other over who told who to take a right when it should have been a left! (No names please!!)

   So we left the Seattle area taking the northern route toward Vancouver, B.C. Driving on the I5 highway was a beautiful ride on a Sunday. The sun was shining and we were all in a great mood. Waiting the 45 minutes to cross the border into Canada wasn't even that bad with the windows rolled down and a light breeze wafting off the Pacific Ocean from the left and on the right, a lovely little speck of flowering shrubs and green grass where the Peace Arch Provincial Park is located. (No we didn't get out and stroll because we were hoping for a miracle to happen. One that included the lines moving faster through the check points into Canada....don't hold your breath!) We did bring our passports and once it was finally our turn it was all of 55 seconds of where are you going and why and THEN we were through and experiencing THE GREAT NORTH WEST of Canada....where road signs are hard to follow!

    We finally arrived at the River Rock Casino Resort located in Richmond, Canada just south of Vancouver. Check out the link! This is a all Suite resort and Spa with a small casino. We checked into our beautiful suite over looking a marina....Erika had a very comfortable queen size sofa bed in the living room and we had a heavenly king sized bed in the bed room. Everything was new and fresh. After we were settled in we had lunch at the Dockside Cafe and Joe and Erika hit the beautiful indoor pool with a water slide! (I just lounged on a chair, took pictures and read my book...MY idea of relaxing!) After an hour or two of swimming we were off to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG 13). It was fun and Harrison Ford hasn't changed a bit! We had a quick bite to eat and then back to the hotel. I am leaving out 2 things here...how DISSAPPOINTING  it was to find out that the US dollar is only worth 95 cents AND how horribly LOST we were trying to find the movie theatre! I swear that when you are on a road that provides signs every 2 miles that states 'please respect slow moving farm equipment' you would think THIS is the WRONG ROAD....and you turn around....and we DID...and then we found out that we actually WERE on the right road and so we had to back track AGAIN....sheesh...This is where the "D" word is tossed around with abandoned while my child, from the back seat, in a sing song voice, tells her father and I to build a bridge and GET OVER IT! HA (SHE isn't driving!!)

    Back at the hotel, we settle Erika in with some ice cream, the remote control and the cell phone while Joe and I decide to support our neighbors, the Canadian's, with some of our hard earned American Moola. This is my way of saying...NO we didn't hit the big one on the slots and don't ask anything about the exchange rates at the Casinos! But it was fun for a while and we tucked ourselves into our heavenly bed by midnight! 

      Memorial Day dawned bright, I'm sure...but I didn't see a bit of light until 10:30 am. Now THAT's a Vacation! We packed up and by 11:30 we were out the door and on our way North through Vancouver to Capilano. I highly recommend a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge | Explore the Park . It is beautiful! And well worth the price. We had only thought that the Suspension bridge would be the best thing about it but we loved the bridges in the tree tops as well as the cliffhanger walk. This is perfect for all ages and I really don't think you need to worry about any small child falling through the cracks...there aren't any! It is perfectly safe.....although I saw MANY older people hanging on for dear life! We stayed a couple of hours and may have stayed longer if we didn't need to get back to Seattle.  

    Again, on the drive back, we had to wait at least an hour to cross onto US soil and again, our passports came in handy. But this time there was no breeze as we took a less scenic route back to America and I5. We will be traveling north again but we may take a ferry to Victoria the next time. I always believe in taking full advantage of where you are living and see what is out your very own back door......and with travel starting to cost so much these short trips maybe all we do for a while!

Happy Sunday!

Sharon

www.InfertilityAnswers.net

Photos are from the Capilano Website

The Family at Capilano

I wanted to add this photo of my DH, Joe, Erika and yours truly on one of the cliff hanger walks at Capilano, Canada....