Questival 2017

We have had a great time growing learning and playin as a team today. Treasure Valley Hospice encourages its staff to participate in many communitiy events. Fund day for both Staff and their
Loved ones.

Common Myths about Surrogacy

Common Myths about Surrogacy

Over the years we have heard quite a few things about surrogates, and surrogacy in general, that are completely untrue. Often these things are said by people who do not understand surrogacy, or why women become surrogates. You may have heard people implying that surrogacy is unethical, or that the women becoming surrogates are selling their bodies and/or just doing it for the money. We’re here to quash some of the common myths about surrogacy.

Myth: It’s difficult to ‘give the baby up’.

Truth: This is probably the most common question surrogates are asked; “Isn’t it hard to give up the baby, don’t you become attached?” No, it’s really not difficult at all. The baby, or babies, resulting from the surrogacy arrangement were NEVER the surrogate’s baby(ies) to begin with, and she went into it knowing that.  A person wouldn’t offer to babysit a niece or nephew then suddenly decide they won’t give the child back; they know that child is not theirs, just as a surrogate knows the baby(ies) she carries aren’t hers, either. To make certain everyone is emotionally and mentally prepared for this task, surrogates and parents are psychologically screened before any contract can be entered into to ensure this is not an issue, as it would be traumatizing and unhealthy for all involved. The intention, from beginning to end, is to carry a child for her intended parent(s). We do not give babies up; we give them back to their parents!

Myth: Surrogacy is unethical.

Truth: Surrogacy is not unethical. This is not “wombs for rent”, nor is it “baby selling”. There is no exploitation of women happening in legal surrogacy agreements within the United States. To become a surrogate a woman must first pass many requirements, which include financial stability, and then pass medical and psychological screenings. Surrogacy agreements are not drama filled like what you see on TV

Myth: Surrogacy contracts don’t provide protection- The surrogate can just keep the baby if she wants. Or, she will be responsible if the parents don’t want their baby.

Truth: The contract phase is a crucial, everything regarding a surrogacy process is placed on hold until contracts have been drafted by an attorney, reviewed, revised if necessary, and signed by all parties. Surrogacy contracts are a binding legal document, and will be upheld in a court of law in states where surrogacy is legal. There are some states in which surrogacy, a certain type of surrogacy, or even carrying for certain Intended Parents, is illegal. If going through a reputable agency, they will be able to let a woman know if it is possible for her to be a surrogate in her state. In the incredibly rare occurrence the parent, or parents, do not want the child, there are guardians written into the contracts. As for the surrogate trying to keep the baby, (also uncommon), the courts will uphold  the contract and/or pre-birth orders, granting the parent(s) custody of their child.

 

Myth: Why surrogacy when there are so many kids to foster/adopt out there, isn’t that selfish?

Truth: fostering and adopting is not always a viable option for an Intended Parent or Parents. Surrogacy is not an endeavor anyone goes into lightly. Most people have a desire to have a genetic connection with their child, and surrogacy is a selfless way to fulfill that. Would the average person or couple who experiences no fertility issues be asked why they decided to have biological children instead of adopt or foster? For the most part, no, and they shouldn’t be expected to; just as Parent(s) utilizing surrogacy shouldn’t be expected to, either; simply because they need a little extra help creating their family. There are wonderful people out there who open their hearts and homes to kids in need of adoption or a foster home. Just as not every woman is meant to carry a child or children for another family, not everyone is able or desires to foster or adopt to expand their families. How a person or couple decides to create their family is their decision, and a very personal one. Only the very narrow minded think they should dictate how another family is made.

Myth: Surrogates are doing it for the money–and make big bucks!

Truth: Surrogacy is not about the money. Surrogacy is the look on the parents’ faces when they see their baby(ies) for the first time, or hear the first heartbeats. While some women may first consider surrogacy for the profitable aspects, they still have what every other surrogate has: compassion.. The joy in their faces when their deepest wish becomes reality placing a hand on your belly and feel their child(ren) kick. It’s the heart flutters you feel when you watch them hold their baby(ies) for the first time, as tears of gratitude flow from their eyes. It’s in knowing you made a difference in the life of another, helping them fulfil their dreams of becoming a family. These are life’s precious moments, and no monetary amount can come close to having those experiences. As for how much a surrogate is compensated, there is range, while it does provide for the time and energy expended, no amount can truly compensate for the

Myth: Surrogacy is about designer babies. If it’s not what they want (like a boy) they’ll ask the surrogate to terminate.

Truth: Surrogacy is about creating a family–not a certain appearance or gender for a child. Would some families like to have a girl instead of a boy, or vice versa? Yes, but so do most families who have no fertility issues. If a specific gender is wanted by a parent, or parents, there are tests they can, and likely will, take in order to determine the gender of the embryos prior to the surrogate’s transfer. However, this is not incredibly common, and finding out the gender of the embryos is often a by-product of the genetic testing an Intended Parent, or Parents, undergo to ensure their embryos are viable and healthy. Also, asking a surrogate to terminate for non-medical reasons is nearly unheard of, and will likely not even be placed in the contracts. Above all else, the IP(s) want a family.

Myth: The IP(s) will request unreasonable diets and make absurd demands on a surrogate’s day-to-day living.

Truth: This one is a little bit of a mixed bag. An Intended Parent, or Parents, can certainly request a surrogate eat certain things, or refrain from certain activities, such as; eating more fresh fruit and drinking plenty of milk, or becoming a smokejumper while pregnant. The requests made are generally mild, and go right along with things an OB or Midwife would recommend, too. If the request is something cultural, of high importance within their belief system, or if they have strong feelings about it, they may ask to write it into the contracts.

Keep in mind these are requests. If an IP asks a surrogate to do specific things, they are trusting that she will honor those requests, they won’t be posting cameras around a surrogate’s home to make sure she does them. It is also usually discussed at match meetings on whether the surrogate would be comfortable with honoring the requests/putting them into the contracts. If its something you aren’t comfortable agreeing to, then everyone moves on to the next IP(s)/surrogate, and no one is ever forced to do anything they are uncomfortable with.

Myth: Surrogates have to sleep with the Intended Father.

Truth: Absolutely not! For Gestational Surrogacy situations, the surrogate undergoes standard in-vitro fertilization, or IVF procedures. This occurs by eggs being retrieved from an Intended Mother, Mothers in some cases, or Egg Donor, while sperm is retrieved from the Intended Father or Fathers, and the eggs are fertilized in a laboratory–completely outside of a human body. The transfer is where the embryo(s) are then placed inside the surrogate. In less common Traditional Surrogacy arrangements, the surrogate will usually have an intrauterine insemination, also known as IUI. There are some scenarios where the surrogate has an egg retrieval performed, and then undergoes IVF for traditional surrogacy.

Myth: Surrogacy is just like adoption.

Truth: Surrogacy is not adoption. In surrogacy agreements, the woman choosing to be a surrogate is going into the agreement with the sole intent of carrying a child for a person or couple who cannot on their own. She is not pregnant of her own accord nor adopting out her own child.

Myth: The parents can force you to terminate/go through a fetal reduction, and a surrogate has no say.

Truth: Whether a woman is comfortable with termination and fetal reduction, (reducing the number fetuses being carried), as a surrogate, is something she must decide on before submitting her application and profile to become a surrogate. Matching with IP(s) who are on the same page regarding termination and reduction critical and these decisions will be reflected in their contract. Some surrogates and IPs decide they will not terminate or reduce regardless of medical indications, while some say they will opt for an termination for medical reasons, such as if the fetus has severe genetic abnormalities/deformities. Also, potential surrogates should consider their willingness to reduce from four fetuses to three, or three down to two, as examples. It is a very personal decision on the part of the surrogate and the IP(s), and generally no one will proceed if they do not agree on what they will or will not terminate/reduce for. So, truly, the surrogate does have a say before the issue could ever arise.

We hope this article helps to demystify some of the commonly held myths. Surrogacy is such an amazing and wonderful journey.

Surrogate Referral Program

The Journey Starts Here <3

For a limited time, we are increasing our referral bonus!

we are overjoyed to announce that until the end of January we are paying $600 for a surrogate referral or qualified surrogate application! If you are a surrogate applying for yourself, don't feel left out! We want to give you a bonus as well!!

Applicants must put your full name on their application when they apply.  For each of your referrals that qualify for our program you will receive $300. Once they have successfully matched with Intending Parents we will send you an additional $300!

Go to Requirements for becoming a Surrogate for more information on who qualifies for our surrogacy program. 

 ~Apply Here~

 We can't wait to meet you!

Amber Valdez & Karen Crouse

Abundant Life Surrogacy

“Sharing the Journey”

www.Abundantlifesurrogacy.com

Abundantlifesurrogacy@gmail.com

208.899.7432

Under construction!!

Thank you for visiting our site!! We are in the middle of launching our official website soon! Keep checking in. Until then you can see what our agency is up to on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifesurrogacy

Why Become a Surrogate

The Benefits for the Surrogate Mother
Surrogacy is the ultimate gift. For the intended parents, surrogacy is a selfless gift that fulfills a dream to have a family. For both the surrogate and intended parents, it is a unique experience and a journey that few people have the opportunity to enjoy.

When a woman commits to being a surrogate, she commits an entire year of her life dedicated to  her time, energy and  . Though having a child for a stranger is not the easiest thing to do she puts aside her instincts and desires for the sake of giving the gift of a family. Surrogacy is truly a selfless act of love.

The surrogate mother enjoys many benefits unique to the journey that is surrogacy. First and foremost it is a wondrous, gratifying experience to give a baby to excited parents. Another benefit is the chance to enjoy pregnancy without adding another child to the family.

Being a gestational carrier, or surrogate, requires a leap of faith – not only in the agency and other professionals you’ll be working with, but certainly also trust in the intended parents. It also takes faith in your loved ones’ support and in your own ability to quite possibly be seen in the community as doing something very unusual. Many gestational surrogates say that the experience changes their lives, too. They feel fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to change someone’s life in such a fundamental way. Many also tell us that the experience provides an amazing “teaching” opportunity for their children, who witness and share in this family effort to help others to build their family.

For Surrogates

We are a boutique agency offering intimate, personalized services.  We will also actively help to resolve any concerns or issues you have before, during, and after the pregnancy.

Women possess the unique ability to give the most remarkable gift of all – the gift of life. For many women, pregnancy is an enjoyable time in their lives. The joy of developing a life within incomparable to any other. For women who enjoy pregnancy and love to help others, surrogacy may be their calling.

We encourage potential surrogate candidates to be as open and direct as possible about the relationship they would like to have with intended parents during the pregnancy, at the birth and post-delivery.  Every parent’s feelings will be different, as will those be of every surrogate mother. Our ultimate goal is to match you with intended parents that have similar expectations.  There are some parents who will want to attend every doctor’s appointment with their surrogate mother; some will want to be present at the major milestone appointments; and some will only want updates after each appointment.

We perform the pre-screening process at our expense. There is no cost to you. We want only the most qualified surrogate mothers to match with the intended parents that have entrusted Abundant life with their hopes and dreams of building a family.

Friday Surro Roundup!!

Some cool articles on what is happening in the surro world today!!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-surrogacy-contracts-may-soon-be-recognized-1.2986424

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/surrogacy-for-gay-couples-in-victoria-australia-20150306-13xcd5.html

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/feb/24/surrogacy-myths-attached-money/