Can I still be a surrogate after having a C-section?

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by Casey
(Lemoore, CA)
When I had my set of twins, I had one vaginally and then the second by C-section so I’m worried that I may not be accepted as a surrogate. Is there still a chance that I could do this?


Reply by Rayven

Having a prior C-section does not affect your chances for becoming a surrogate mother in the least, assuming that your doctor clears you for another pregnancy.

Many, many surrogate mothers have had C-sections before, and many more have them for the first time as surrogate mothers, as multiples are common.

Most likely, since you have already had a C-section, your doctor will require you to have C-sections for all births going forward. This is actually quite helpful in surrogacy, as planning the birth is easier.

Best wishes!

Spotting After Transfer?

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by melvina
(wales)
hi i got inplanted on 22nd of november 2008 and going for my blood test tomorrow but i had spotting last week and this week do you think things have gone wrong


Reply by Rayven

Until you have a positive pregnancy test, it is hard to say whether things have gone right or wrong during your procedure. It could be either way.

Spotting is normal after IVF, up through the first trimester, and is usually not something to worry about unless it is more than spotting, or is red in color as opposed to brown. This is assuming you’re pregnant to begin with.

Good luck to you on your beta test!

How to Afford Surrogacy

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Surrogacy can be an expensive option for the intended parents. The average family is not likely to have the extra money that it can take to pursue this family planning option.

Most intended parents have already tried other methods for building their family before they turn to surrogacy. They may have already spent thousands on fertility treatments. And now they are considering surrogacy – which is probably the most expensive option of them all.

When you take into account the compensation fees for the surrogate carrier, medical fees, any medications, fees for the surrogacy agency and attorney’s, doctor’s visits, labor and delivery, the hospital stay, travel expenses, and miscellaneous expenses, a typical gestational surrogacy may cost anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000 So what are some tips on how to afford surrogacy for the average family?

How to Afford Surrogacy Tip #1: Save Up For It
This is probably the most straightforward tip. Many families make sacrifices to be able to save up for the things that they care about. Surrogacy is no exception. People forego costly things such as vacations, new cars, and other high-ticket items as well as save up any extra money. That way they are eventually able to afford surrogacy. However, some people are not willing to wait the amount of time that it would take to save up enough money (especially those who are older), so they pursue other options.

How to Afford Surrogacy Tip #2: Get Financed
Other families will go to the bank to obtain financing to build their family by applying for loans or taking out second mortgages on their homes. Some will even borrow the money from a friend or family member if they can. The downside to this is that you would then be in debt.

How to Afford Surrogacy Tip #3: Go the Traditional Surrogacy Route
Let’s be honest – gestational surrogacy is expensive. The fees associated with multiple IVF treatments can be costly. Another route would be to choose a surrogate carrier who is open to artificial insemination. These days, that can even be done at home so you cut out clinic fees as well. The downside would be that the baby would not have any genetic ties to the intended mother.

How to Afford Surrogacy Tip #4: Eliminate Fees
Another way to save money is to cut out as many fees as possible. To save money on hospital fees, look into home births and midwives. Forego the surrogacy agency and handle everything on your own (be sure to do your research, though). Find a surrogate carrier who already has health insurance. Youcould also negotiate with the surrogate on her compensation fees or find a close friend or family member who is willing to help you for free.

How to Afford Surrogacy Tip #5: Donate Your Eggs
Another option you may not have considered is to donate your eggs for other families. If your eggs are acceptable, you can be compensated quite a bit for them. The result is that you are able to financeyour own surrogacy while also helping another family out.

Surrogate moms and HPV

Surrogacy-Quote-96by Amy
(New Haven)

Hello

I am interested in becoming a surrogate mom but I have HPV. My question is, will that disqualify me as a potential surrogate mom?


Reply by Rayven

HPV is extremely common these days. HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact. What this means is if a woman is pregnant, and has an active case of HPV that the baby may come in contact with during delivery, she might opt to have a c-section to decrease the chance that the baby may come in contact with the virus.

With surrogacy, it is important to disclose the fact that you have HPV. If you are working with an agency, you need to let them know. You need to be clear and upfront with any potential intended parents and your clinic.

Having HPV may disqualify you from becoming a surrogate mother for some agencies, clinics and intended parents, but not from all. Keep in mind that many intended parents who are comfortable with the fact that you have HPV will only be comfortable if you commit to a c-section.

Best wishes!

How many embryo transfers are required for surrogacy?

Surrogacy-Quote-103by Mikah
(Austin, Texas)

Does the transfer of embryos usually take the first time around? If not how many times do it usually take from your experienced?

I am in the first stages of my surrogacy journey, and I have been reading a lot about the process. One thing that concerns me is the idea that I will probably have to go through the whole process and never end up pregnant.

I’d like to prepare myself for this, so I was wondering how many times the transfer of the embryos will be attempted and what factors determine how successful the process will be?


Reply by Rayven

Wow! That’s a difficult question! So many different factors contribute to the success of IVF.

I’ve known surrogates who have gone through 4 transfers with nothing, and others who have gone through only one. I’ve even known surrogates who have gone through 4 transfers unsuccessfully with one couple and have gone on with another couple and become pregnant with twins the first time around.

I’m not certain about your comments that you will “probably have to go through the whole process and never end up pregnant”. Actually, most surrogacies do result in pregnancy. Though, you are right that not all do.

The most important factor when determining the success of any IVF procedure is the quality of the eggs themselves. As a surrogate, you have absolutely no control over this. Factors such as the age of the intended mother, her health, and so on, affect the quality of the eggs. Eggs from a young intended mother, or an egg donor, will have more of a chance of sticking around.

Then there is your health and your body’s ability. As you are a surrogate, your health is not in question, making you more likely to succeed. As far as your body’s ability, you just simply will not know how your body will perform until it’s time to do it! Some women seem to easily get pregnant via IVF; others just don’t. Being a healthy surrogacy candidate in the first place, your body will probably (hopefully…think positive, that’s important) do just fine.

Then there are the number of embryos transfered. If the eggs are poor quality, the IVF doctor will want to put more in, as many as 4-5. But, if your body does great, then all 4-5 may take! So that is a concern.

Bottom line, you just have to follow the medical protocol, think positively, and trust the process.

As to how many transfers will be attempted, this is something you should go over with your intended parents during the contract phase. Most contracts specify 3-4 attempted transfers, in no more than 1-1.5 years.

Best wishes!