Egg Donor & Surrogacy Consulting Blog : Egg Donation & Surrogacy Consulting : Conceptual Options : Theresa Erickson : Embryo Donation, In-Vitro Fertilization

Wow, can you believe that summer is officially over already?  I can't because of the blistering heat here in Southern California; however, another Friday is upon us with some legal updates for your thoughts and comments.

Florida - Last November, Colorado pro-life groups placed a ballot measure before the voters in order to extend "personhood" to the moment of conception.  This amendment was rejected by 73% of the voters in Colorado; however, the groups have now set their sites on Florida.  The new amendment would define even a newly formed embryo as a person.  The implications of this becoming law is an issue those suffering from infertility and living in Florida need to consider. 

Wisconsin - Two women have filed a case in Wisconsin where their insurers have denied them maternity coverage due to the fact that they were surrogates.  This issue is now before the State Supreme Court, so we will have to wait and see how this one ends and if it will have implications elsewhere. 

UK - Women whose embryos were to be destroyed in the next few weeks have been given an extension.  With the new HFEA of 2008, which comes into force on October 1, everyone with embryos in storage will be able to keep them there for a decade versus the previous law of 5 years.  "These new rules will come into effect on October 1 and I will be seeking to make an Order to Parliament to ensure this applies to embryos that are 'out of time' on that date."

Professor Lisa Jardine, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), said: "I am delighted that the Government has listened and made this common-sense decision.

"This will be an enormous relief to all of those people who faced the heartbreak of seeing their embryos destroyed all because of a matter of timing. We will be contacting clinics immediately so that they can inform the patients concerned and make appropriate arrangements for the continued storage of their embryos."

Croatia - The government moved Thursday to amend a law involving IVF after strong criticism from human rights and parents groups over its criteria for couples entitled to treatment. 

"Under the amendments forwarded to parliament, couples will now only have to sign a notarised statement confirming they are in a relationship rather than have to prove before a court they have been together for three years, Health Minister Darko Milinovic told a cabinet session.

Also as part of the changes, children conceived by donated eggs or sperm will now be allowed to obtain information about his or her biological parents once turning 18 only if donors have given their prior agreement.

However provisions in the law which ban the freezing of embryos will not be altered.

Croatia's original legislation on medically assisted reproduction dates back to 1978, when the world's first test-tube baby was born. The former Yugoslav republic had its first IVF baby five years later."

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As some of you may be aware, Vermont began to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples just last night after a vote made back in April began taking effect at exactly midnight a little over four months after state lawmakers voted to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of the legislation. 

Vermont became the fourth state to allow gay marriages on April 7, when the state House and state Senate voted 100-49 and 23-5, respectively, to override a veto by the governor.

This is good news for gay marriage advocates who want all families, including those created through gay surrogacy, to be recognized legally across the country for the sake of their children, as well as the couples themselves.   

In fact, Couples and gay advocates will be marking the day with celebrations, one of which is a wedding reception in Essex that will benefit the Vermont People with AIDS Coalition and other groups.

Should this trend continue across the US?  And, what about California where Prop 8 was passed back in November ruling same sex marriages invalid? 

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Good Morning and TGIF to all!   Hope you are well.   Morning radio show starts in about an hour, so here are your Friday Legal Updates.  They are mostly international stories with a federal law suit just filed also added.  Enjoy!

United States - Federal Law Suit Filed to block federally funded human embryo reserach.  "A group of plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to "enjoin and overturn the controversial guidelines for public funding of embryonic stem cell research that the National Institutes of Health issued on July 7, 2009," according to a press statement...."

It will be interesting to watch this suit play out.  What are your thoughts on stem cell research?

UK - Two directors of a fertility company appeared in court yesterday accused of illegally delivering sperm to women by courier.  They are to appear in court next month.  This is a test case under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of "procuring sperm".  They face two years in jail. 

Australia - A couple must battle the courts to adopt their own son.  I blogged on this case already, but I wanted to repost as I really feel for this couple.  Grandma carried her grandson for her daughter.  Apparently, surrogacy law in NSW has not kept up with science. 

Poland - A surrogate mother is fighting for custody of the child that she gave birth to for another couple from Warsaw.  Polish law does not regulate surrogacy, and despite a written agreement, this looks like a battle for this couple with their gestational carrier.

Uruguay - Uruguay is one step closer to becoming the first country in Latin America to permit same-sex couples to adopt children.  Uruguay had authorized same-sex civil unions last year.

New Zealand - Parents of surrogate born daughter battle to bring her home from Thailand.  The couple is heartbroken as the little girl is the daughter of the Thai surrogate in New Zealand, but the couple are her parents in Thailand.  The couple claims to sought legal advice, but this unfortunately looks like another issue with fertility tourism in certain countries.

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Today I have included a guest post to mix it up alittle for those of you who are followers.  Enjoy!

We’ve come a long way since the early days of assisted fertility and conception and the first IVF baby. Childless couples who yearn to have child who’s biologically theirs (fully or partly) are now able to move beyond adoption and try surrogacy and ovum and sperm donation. Advantageous as they are, these issues are a major cause of legal and ethical concern. While certain groups of people abhor and are violently against any form of conception that doesn’t involve the legal sexual union of a man and a woman, there are others who are concerned about the opportunities for misuse that these kinds of fertility treatments pose.

And so we have the laws that determine ownership of the child when the sperm and/or egg are from different people. Since nature intended the woman to be the carrier and sustainer of the child for the first nine months, surrogacy involves a third party who has to be female. And this gives rise to a new complication – how do we assign ownership or claim a lack of it when a woman “rents” out her womb for nine months? It’s a well known fact that motherhood starts the moment the child is conceived – the woman carrying the child is able to feel a distinct emotional connection and bonding with the baby even before it is born.

And this is why it’s understandable that some surrogate moms are reluctant to hand over the children they have carried to term to the intended parents as they originally planned to. Looking at the issue beyond the emotional context, the law says that a surrogate is deemed the biological mother if her own eggs have been used for the fertilization process. The sperm donor, even if he is the intended father, is just that in the eyes of the law – an anonymous sperm donor who has no biological claim over the child conceived and born. On the other hand, if the child is conceived using the intended mother’s egg (or a donor egg) and the intended father’s sperm (or donor sperm), the surrogate has no biological claims over the child she carries.

It is in the best interests of intended parents to make sure that they take care of all the legal loopholes that are possible when they want a child through assisted fertility methods, by hiring a good agency and by retaining sound legal counsel to draw up the necessary papers well before the whole process begins. A few complications that may arise are listed below:

• The surrogate mother may not want to give up the child once it is born.
• The intended parents may be separated or get divorced before the child is born. In this case, either both parents may not want the child or both may want it and an ugly custody battle may be in the offing.
• One of the intended parents or both of them may die before the child is born.
• If the couple is of the same sex, they need to take into consideration the local laws relating to surrogacy and same-sex adoptions.  

Ensuring that nothing is left to chance is the only way to save yourself a bunch of emotional and legal hassles and take home a healthy baby that’s all yours in nine or ten months.

By-line:

This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of jobs in criminal justice. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12@gmail.com

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy Lawyer & Egg Donation Lawyer 
www.EricksonLaw.net

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After watching the increase in fertility tourism, I have kept a watchful eye on the laws that claim to be in existence.  I found a great article on Gay Dads Australia that I thought was very informative.  I am curious to hear from others who have researched this issue or have had experience in this.  I am interested in hearing from others on this.

"LAWYERS and doctors involved in India's giant fertility industry have warned couples hoping to pursue surrogacy in India that the process is risky because there is no comprehensive law covering the practice.

While surrogacy is legal in India, it is regulated only by guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research, and many industry participants say these guidelines have been left behind by the rapidly expanding surrogacy industry.

The Age reported on Saturday that about 30 Australian couples were pursuing surrogacy in India. A new Indian surrogacy law is being drafted but those involved say it may not be passed for some time.

Priya Hingorani, a prominent Delhi lawyer who is part of a ministerial committee reviewing the proposed laws, says the absence of a law means couples wanting to use surrogates in India might be vulnerable.

"They are taking a risk because some of the documents that they sign ensuring that the mother will hand over the child might not be deemed legal by the courts," Ms Hingorani said. "They need to be very careful."

She cites the case of a Canadian couple who paid for an Indian surrogate but the mother refused to give up the child after the birth. The case is now before a Delhi court.

Anand Kumar, who runs a fertility clinic and is a member of the expert committee drafting the new law, said tighter regulations were urgently needed.

"It's a bit of a free-for-all at the moment and everyone seems to be doing what they wish," Dr Kumar said.

"There is a possibility of new technologies being misused and there is cause for concern." He could not say when the proposed law would be passed.

Many women's groups in India have expressed concern about the surrogacy system, saying it leaves mothers and babies vulnerable to exploitation.

Ms Hingorani said it was possible the new law could introduce restrictions that might affect foreigners hoping to use surrogate mothers in India.

"I think it is going to be more difficult (after the law is passed)," she said.

India's booming surrogacy industry is estimated to be worth more than $500 million a year.

According to the National Commission for Women, there are about 3000 clinics offering surrogacy services across India.

There were cases where surrogate mothers received as little as 25,000 rupees ($A780), the commission said.

Some of the potential complications associated with international surrogacy were highlighted last year by the case of Baby Manji, a child born to an Indian surrogate mother hired by a Japanese couple.

The couple divorced during the pregnancy and a subsequent legal wrangle left the baby in limbo for more than a month. An Indian court eventually granted custody to the child's 74-year-old grandmother."

In Australia, the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General is reviewing surrogacy regulations, including the issue of Australian couples pursuing surrogacy in developing countries such as India."

Click Here for Original Article
 

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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According to the New Zealand Press Association, a surrogate mother residing in New Zealand may be required to pay support to the Australian government as shown below:

"A New Zealand surrogate mother could be forced to pay child support for the baby she had for two gay Australian men.

It is understood the year-old surrogate baby girl is being raised by her biological father and his male partner in Queensland, who are her legal guardians, the Sunday Star Times reported.

The Australian government had provided some child support benefits for the father to stay home and care for her, as new parents were entitled.

However, the surrogate was tracked down and asked to contribute, which she has refused to do.

Surrogacy is illegal in Queensland and many other parts of Australia."

Click Here for Complete Article

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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There is a tentatively scheduled broadcast regarding Surrogacy this coming Sunday the 25th of January.  It is likely to feature myself, Melissa Brisman of New Jersey, a surrogate from Melissa's office, the staff and doctors at La Jolla IVF, as well as a surrogate and couple from Conceptual Options.  Check your local listings for CBS Morning News.

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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I have been following the national discussion surrounding surrogacy in Australia, and I thought that it might be helpful to include information coming from an Australian couple living there and watching every day.

"The Australian Standing Committee of Attorney Generals (ie, a collective of top-level government lawmakers from each state and territory in Australia) released a discussion paper on Monday aimed at getting comment on a proposal to create a national surrogacy law for Australian citizens. The proposal deals primarily with altruistic surrogacy in Australia. While the some of the proposals affecting couples needed surrogacy in Australia are preposterous, they do no not affect the Australians going to foreign countries to create their families through commercial surrogacy. However, it appears that commercial surrogacy abroad for Australian citizens is now on the radar.

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I read this post from an attorney in Georgia, who became involved when child support became an issue - yes, child support.  This Surrogate is truly an angel, and let's be glad these types of cases are rare.  I just wanted to add this one to make everyone go - ouch....

"Various issues arise as the concept of surrogacy comes before the legislatures of the country.  One case that I handled for the Attorney General’s Office dealt with a surrogate mother, and is an example of how crazy surrogacy issues can become.  This lady had been hired to have a baby for a multi-millionaire.  He was not married and seemed to be tiring of his fortunes when he decided that he would like to have an heir.  The surrogate mother gave birth to a healthy little girl and the man accepted the child, made payment, and went on his merry way.  Then two months later, the man had one of his “assistants” drop the baby back off at the surrogate mother’s home with a note stating that he simply could not emotionally handle the responsibilities of being a parent. "

Click Here for Complete Article

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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People Magazine reports that Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles has settled with Dennis Quaid for $750,000.00 for the accidental overdose of his twins born via surrogate mother back in 2007.

We are glad to hear that the children have recovered from the medical scare. 

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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Well, the Wall Street Journal has another piece on reproductive technologies today, which will likely bring them as much criticism at the New York Times Piece did on Alex Kuczynski. What amazes me the most is how Mr. Frank condemns Mrs. Kuczynski for choosing to use a surrogate mother to have her child, as if she indeed had another option. She is not some Hollywood starlet who chose not to “deal with birth.” In fact, the Hollywood excuse is way over utilized…isn’t pregnancy the new “in” thing for celebrity moms? Oh, how I digress......

Yes, the NYT pictures were the wrong choice – period, but the focus of the piece was her and how she created her family, as she is the one of us that most know. In fact, I found most of her comments, to include those revolving around her vacation before the birth and her ability to drink alcohol while her surrogate could not, as merely attempts to help her better deal with her own issues of not being able to carry her own child. 

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With the media, including the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, focused on how the economy is causing more women to sign up as egg donors and surrogates, our industry needs to be sensitive to this.  Specifically, we need to be certain that these women are doing it for the right reasons, as well as for the money. 

There is quite a bit for them to think about before committing themselves to this process, to include medical risks, the emotional aspects and the time commitment. This process is not an easy buck for anyone, and the reproductive community needs to make certain that we do all that we can that they are thoroughly and adequately informed. 

Click Here for an Article on this Subject

Click Here for a Similar Article on this Subject

Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy & Egg Donation Center    
www.ConceptualOptions.com

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Most first time surrogates question how the pregnancy will be different from the pregnancies they have already achieved naturally.

The first trimester of a surrogacy pregnancy is much different from conceiving naturally.  The surrogate is required to inject hormones to simulate the natural hormones that are created during a natural cycle.  Depending on the Physician's protocol the surrogate may be required to inject Lupron to put her ovaries to sleep (this is eliminate the concern about the surrogate getting pregnant on her own).  Then when the Intended Mother or Egg Donor begins to produce eggs, the surrogate will be given Estrogen.  The estrogen will thicken the liner of the uterus.  The day the Intended Mother or Egg Donor has her retrieval the surrogate will begin to inject Progesterone.  This is the hormone that tells the woman's body that she is pregnant.  The Estrogen and Progesterone are injected throughout the first trimester of the pregnancy.

Once the surrogate reaches her 12th week of pregnancy, her body knows to make these hormones on its own.  The injections can stop.  This is celebrated by most surrogates.

As for the development of the baby, there are no side effects behind artificial means of conception.  The fact that an in-vitro pregnancy begins in a laboratory does not affect the way the fetus matures inside the womb. 

Once conception and implementation are achieved, the rest of the development throughout the pregnancy are similar to a normal pregnancy term. 

Written By:

Tracy Armato, Case Manager

www.ConcpetualOptions.com

858-748-4244

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We are getting ready to go into Memorial Day Weekend, a three day holiday that represents the start of summer.  This is the time that we are suppose to remember those people who have fought and died for our country. 

Above all else - Be Safe. 

I will be back to blogging with all of you on Tuesday.  Enjoy the extra days.

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While not all IVF Physicians or Centers request a surrogate to stay on bed rest for a few days after the embryo transfer it is worth planning for. 

Staying in bed and resting for two to three days after the transfer will provide the most ideal surroundings for the embryo.  The transfer itself doesn't require much of you as a surrogate, however the work your body is getting ready to do is huge.  The embryo is far more likely to attach in a calm and quite uterus that one that is bouncing around and having turmoil. 

As a surrogate, I always looked forward to a few days without my kids.  Most of the time I would stay with the Intended Parents either at their home or in a hotel.  This gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better.  I have to admit after the second solid day in bed, I was hurting!  It is amazing how laying still can make an active person so sore.

After having a pregnancy test, whether it was positive or negative, at least I felt like I had given it a gallant effort.  I didn't need to question myself about what I could have or should have done differently. 

It is truly my recommendation that you plan ahead once you have your tentative calendar to make it possible for you to have three undisturbed days in bed. 

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It seems as though the same question keeps getting posed to me by both Intended Parents and Surrogates alike.  Once the match is made what happens? 

When the initial call to a surrogate is made to let them know that there are Intended Parents interested in working with them, the time to meet is usually made within a weeks time.  Before they know it the meeting takes place, the next day (sometimes two) the match is made and then what?  This is when patience plays a big part.  While on the management end of the case, we are busy getting the proper paperwork to the Intended Parents, the surrogate is not seeing any action.

It usually takes about a week before we have the right paperwork returned from the Intended Parents in order to send the surrogate the "Match Agreement".  Once the Match Agreement is signed and returned by the surrogate we will provide her with the Referrals to all the professionals she will need to contact.  It is the surrogate's responsibility to contact the Psychologist and the IVF Center to schedule screening appointments that fit their schedule.  While the surrogate is the person making these appointments, it is also very important for us to know these dates as well. 

Once the screening is complete, it is time for the contracts.  The contract phase can take up to four weeks to complete.  Most surrogates get anxious and begin to worry that something went wrong or did the Intended Parents back out, etc....  This is not the case.  It takes time to draft the contract, then the intended parents need to have contract review with their attorney, then it gets forwarded to the surrogate.  At this point it's the surrogate's turn.  She needs to have contract review with her attorney and then any changes are submitted to the intended parent's attorney and the negotiation goes on until all parties are happy with the contract.  Once the contract is in it's final form, this is when it is signed by each party.

Now that contracts are final, the surrogate may start medication.  Now things feel like they're moving again!  The surrogate will be going to the doctor's regularly for blood labs and ultrasound appointments.  Before you know it the Transfer Day will be here. 

Now that the embryo(s) have been transferred, it's time to wait again.  Most doctor's will perform the blood pregnancy test 10 to 14 days after the transfer of the embryos.  And you thought it felt like forever for the contracts to be complete!!!

This of course is just the start. 

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Recently there was a study performed at Assof Harofeh Medical Center where Dr. Shevah Friedler studied the effects of laughter on IVF patients.

One hundred women with fertility problems were invited to a medical clown's performance after an IVF Transfer.  Another group of 100 women underwent the same IVF, but did not attend the clown's performance.  The group that spent time laughing at the clown had a 15% higher pregnancy rate than the group without laughter. 

Dr. Friedler said "Laughter is a serious matter.  It is known that it triggers a body mechanism that influences the immune system and heart and lung systems, and there is a real connection between laughter and medicine and humor and health."

So I suggest that you rent as many comedies as you can stand while you are on bed rest.  Perhaps this will assist you with achieving a pregnancy.

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We all know the basics about what not to do while pregnant;  don't smoke, don't drink alcohol,  don't take drugs, don't clean the cat's litter box, etc.  Did you know that there are foods you should avoid while pregnant?

There are some foods that need to be avoided due to the risk they pose on the growing baby.

Pregnant women should make sure that all meat they eat is fully cooked.  That means no more rare steaks or burgers.  Raw meat can contain salmonella which will make both the mother and baby sick. 

Listeria is a bacteria that can cross the placenta and cause infection or blood poisoning to the baby.  Some soft cheeses like brie, feta and Gorgonzola can contain listeria.  These cheeses don't always use pasteurized milk leaving it susceptible to bacteria.  If you are wanting to eat  these cheeses, check the label to make sure it is made from pasteurized milk, then you and the baby will be safe.  Cold cuts can also contain listeria.  If you heat up the meat before eating it, that will reduce the risk.

Fish has become a concern to pregnant women.  Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and fish used in sushi are all known for having a higher mercury levels than other fish.  High levels of mercury have been directly linked to developmental delays and in some cases brain damage.  It is also recommended to avoid raw shellfish during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should avoid raw eggs.  Raw eggs can also contain salmonella.  This means no snacking on raw cooking dough or brownie mix!  You may want to use caution with sauces that are made with raw eggs, such as hollandaise sauce.

While I don't want to cause alarm if you have already eaten any of these foods;  I'm sure both you and the baby are fine.  Do take extra precautions throughout your pregnancy.  There are still plenty of delicious healthy choices out there.

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They say every pregnancy is different from the one before.  This is also true when it comes to "morning sickness".  I managed to carry five pregnancies without a single moment of queasiness, yet the last pregnancy was not so lucky.

The mere sight of a food commercial or a certain smell in the air was all it would take to make my stomach turn.  I could prepare chicken because I instantly though about the animal in it's former state!  It is just amazing to me how your body can play such tricks on you.  Even through it all, I had what would be considered a mild case of morning sickness.  I was able to eat  and never had to actually run to a toilet, I was just in a state of queasy.

It can be helpful to eat smaller portions more often.  It has been shown that an empty stomach tends to make your morning sickness even worse.  Your stomach has no food to help absorb the acids so they tend to go crazy making you feel ill.  This is where the name "morning sickness" came from.  Since we do not eat while we sleep, most women feels their worst right when they wake up. 

A few of the foods that seem to work like magic are crackers, melons, pretzels, cheese, nuts, toast or yogurt.  And most of all, remember this condition will not last forever.  The end result is worth the discomfort of today.   

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As we approach Mother's Day, I can't help to reflect on my own life.  While I am a mother, my thoughts always go to my mother, not myself.  I think about the many times throughout my life she held my hand or helped me through difficult situations.  The unconditional love that always presented itself is worth acknowledging.   

As a surrogate it brings a feeling of fulfillment to be able to reflect on the hand you played in allowing another woman to celebrate this day.   I find that this is a great time to make a call or send an e-mail to just say hi. 

Take the time to acknowledge the special woman in your life.  Enjoy your day.

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With summer fast approaching I would like to just remind those of you who are pregnant or are soon to become pregnant the importance of water. 

It is very important not to let yourself get dehydrated.  A pregnant woman should drink 8 eight ounce glasses (64 ounces) of water each day.  I am certain at least one person is thinking "I will be at the bathroom every hour".  While this may be true, it is better to be in the bathroom then in the hospital.

The summer sun can drain your body of it's fluids quickly.  Plan ahead to be certain you will have enough to drink if you are going to be outside for any length of time.  Cooling your body temperature can help you to retain fluids more effectively, however it is not a solution to overcoming dehydration.

Dehydration can cause pre-term labor, miscarriage and hemoraging.  These are serious conditions that could harm the baby inside.  Some of the signs of dehydration include:

• Dark yellow urine
• More frequent Braxton Hicks Contractions
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Dry skin

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms you should be certain to drink more and consult your physician.  

Have a safe summer. 

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Any woman who has or is considering becoming a surrogate, has the task of telling their family.  For some women, this is as exciting as reading up on other surrogates.  For others, it's not so easy. 

I was a teenager, about 16 years old, when I knew that someday I wanted to be a surrogate mother.  The idea just floated about in the back of my head for many years.  It wasn't until my husband and I had our family and I knew we were done that the idea resurfaced. 

Before I brought the idea to my husband's attention, I did all the research about it.  I wanted to be sure I could answer all his questions medically, emotionally and about the agency I was considering working with.  This may seem a bit sneaky to do all this research before he even knew the thought was in my head.  But I know my husband, an engineer, who has to know all the answers before considering an idea.  When I brought the idea to him, I was surprised by his reaction.  Once he saw this wasn't a fly-by-night idea, he was quite supportive. 

Now for the other part of our family - My kids.  I wanted them to know what I was planning on doing as well.  How would this affect them?  From what I had researched, I didn't think it would change their lives at all.  My daughter was 8 and my son was 3.  How would I explain this without confusing them about it.  This is how I explained it to them:

I want to help a family have a baby.  I am going to be like a Zoo Keeper.  When a Mommy and Daddy bird lay an egg, the Zoo Keeper takes the egg from the nest.  That Zoo Keeper is then responsible for keeping the egg warm and healthy.  The Zoo Keeper is never the eggs parents, but does everything to care for that egg.  Once the egg hatches, the baby bird inside gets to return to it's Mommy and Daddy.  This is what I am going to do.  I will have a baby in my belly, but the baby will not be ours, once it is born it will go back to it's Mommy and Daddy.

Both of kids have been to the Zoo Nursery enough times that they completely got the idea.  This excited them as much as it excited me. 

I went on to have six (6) children as the Zoo Keeper.  My entire family was supportive through each and every one of the them.   

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Today is Easter Sunday which typically is a day spent with family.  We usually have a quiet morning and then family starts to arrive for brunch and an afternoon together.  While everyone is at our house, the house is loud and the kids are running from one end of the house to the other.  By the evening everyone is ready to relax and sit quietly.

As a surrogate the holidays have an extra special benefit.  All four (4) families I have helped to have children call me on holidays.  All our lives get busy and the surrogate children, just like my own, grow bigger and have busier schedules.  Through out our day to day lives we don't always make the time to call each other.  So when we do get an opportunity to talk for 10 or 15 minutes it is always appreciated. 

Today when I was on the phone it was amazing to me that all but one of the children could wish me a Happy Easter on their own.  This was extra special.  I was able to talk with five (5) of the six (6) kids I had a hand in bringing into the world.  The sixth is too young, but I did get some baby talk out of her as well.  This makes my heart grow. 

It is moments like today that truly make me appreciate all I have. 

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There is a lot of hype about whether acupuncture aids in conception with IVF.  Some professionals believe it absolutely helps while others think it is just another expense to the couple.

Eric Manheimer, a research associate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine looked at seven trials that included 1,366 women undergoing IVF.  Each trial compared acupuncture given within one day of the embryo transfer to sham acupuncture (using a placebo needle) or no acupunction.  They found that the women who had the acupuncture increased their chances of becoming pregnant by 65 percent.    This means that 10 women would need to be treated with acupunction to result in one additional pregnancy. 

It was also found that in Centers where the pregnancy rates are already high, the benefit of acupuncture was small and non-significant. 

At this time, most IVF patients who are participating in acupunction are doing so without the suggestion of their doctor.  Rather, they choose to do so themselves.   Dr. Owen K. Davis, co-director and associate professor at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City said "I don't think we can say conclusively that acupuncture is effective or is anywhere near being a standard care, but it's not something I would discourage someone from trying if they wanted to.  But I'm far removed from prescribing it to patients".

As a surrogate, I have worked with Intended Parents who felt it would be helpful.  I went the Acupuncturist once a week while cycling to the transfer.  Then the Acupuncturist met me at the IVF Center one hour before the transfer.  I saw her one more time before my pregnancy test.  I was pregnant, but no more pregnant than the other three times it was successful without acupuncture.  I will say that acupuncture is very relaxing.  You are at peace with yourself  while you are laying there.   

At this time incorporating acupunction into your IVF treatment is an individual decision.  If you feel better having acupuncture, then if may work for you.

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This year there has been a lot of publicity about Surrogacy in India.  While the cost for the IVF process and the Surrogate's compensation is less then here in the United States, Intended Parents are missing out.

Having been a surrogate mother, I can assure you that the Intended Parents are missing out on the entire emotional connection that happens between the surrogate and parents.  I have helped both domestic and international couples.  Regardless of how many miles are between us, there is a an overlap of compassion for each other. 

The parents going to India are not able to build a relationship, share in the pregnancy or participate in the birth with their surrogate.  They never know any personal details about their surrogate, let alone her name.  The surrogates are young women who are interested in the money to create fortune for their families. 

I find this to be a very cold way to have a child.  While I do believe the opportunity for an infertile couple to have a child is a wonderful thing.  I question at what price these parents are paying?

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