Category: Surrogate Motherhood

Personal Development Guide for Surrogate Mothers

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Working on your personal development may be a daunting task to begin with as a surrogate mother. The reason behind this is because the psyche has a number of elements which makes it even harder to pinpoint where exactly to start. This guide was developed to direct you in the path that will enrich your personal development goals as a surrogate.

For starters, adopt a positive mindset. This will keep you focused on the more important things in life and erase any negative feeling or experience that you can no longer change. Thinking positive helps you move forward, to not focus on what you may have lost, but look at what is to come in life.

It also helps to be surrounded by positive, happy people in your life. As a surrogate mother, make friends with those who are positive-minded and provide happiness to your life. They’ll help you stay on track by being good role models and will help you balance out any negative emotion that you may get from people who aren’t as supportive of your self-improvement objectives.

When busy at work, learn to take breaks. Taking breaks may seem counterproductive, but will actually help you recharge your mind, so when you resume work, you’ll be able to get more done.

Keeping a journal is another great tip to help with your personal development goals. As a surrogate mother going through many life changes, maintaining a journal is ideal to keep track of developments and experiences. Always have a notebook with you so that wherever you are, you will be able to write down ideas in detail and then go back to it at a later time when you feel like it.

Learning how to be a leader is another great personal development tool. Leadership may have varied meanings, but all stem from one common theme- influence. Look over your own past as a surrogate, or the things that have impacted your leadership potential. Which events had the most impact on the way you live your life? What transformations have occurred thanks to these events? How did your leadership skills come into action during these experiences? Thinking deeply about these experiences will help you become a better surrogate mother.

Showing a little humility helps you to focus not just on yourself, but other people as well. When you realize the value of others, you are sure to strengthen your relationship with yourself and your loved ones.

Exercising is suggested not to just to lose weight, but also to improve on how you feel about yourself. There are known physiological benefits associated with exercise, particularly for surrogate mothers. Not only does it keep your body in good shape, but it also causes your body to produce chemicals that will enhance how happy and satisfied you feel.

Last but not the least, learn how to sit back and relax. Don’t sweat the small stuff and over complicate things that can no longer be changed. If you overreact you might be stressed for no reason and that is a big no-no for surrogate mothers. Looking at the bright side of life will most certainly help you on a personal level.

Tips for Gestational Carriers

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While being a gestational carrier, it is ideal to eat easy to absorb, vitamin-rich foods. A good example is Spinach and Avocado. Avocado is actually very easy on a delicate belly, and has oils good for the body. Green Spinach, packs a punch and delivers your body system with vitamins along with B supplements, each advantageous for you as a gestational carrier and also the infant that you are supporting.

Altering your eating plan could be difficult in the beginning, but will have long term benefits if followed strictly. Opting for healthier food items will give you and the baby all the nutrition needed to develop and function accordingly.

Integrating a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables are critical to ensuring a well balanced diet. Including fruit slices for dessert or partnering a small vegetable dish with your main course will keep your taste buds happy and will help you feel less bloated.

Nuts are a good addition to any diet. Consuming small portions as part of a well balanced, healthy diet is ideal as it contains good proteins. These make great snacks and will help avoid overeating in between meals.

Overall, good eating habits and the right mix of food are vital to ensuring you and the baby’s general health. Let go of unhealthy snacking and overeating and keep yourself motivated with these easy to follow tips. Always keep these recommendations in mind as you change to be a healthier gestational carrier.

Guidelines for A Surrogate Mother

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Every component of your lifestyle has an effect not just for you as a surrogate mother, but also for the parent to be. Below are some suggestions to assist in achieving a healthier version of you in your journey.

If you are a surrogate mother, you must make sure to observe and follow the desires and instructions of the intended mother. Complying with her sensible advice will be both favorable for you as a surrogate mother, as well as the baby.

Exercising when pregnant seems like a wild idea; however, it is very beneficial to surrogate mothers. A short or long walk every day, whichever you prefer, will relieve any tension in the body and also help you keep active in a non-strenuous way. Remaining energetic is vital in the course of the entire surrogacy quest; however, it is likewise important that you work out with caution and safety in mind.

As a surrogate mother, take time to rest. Sleeping for at least 8 hours a day can minimize stress and help lessen the feeling of over fatigue. It is best to remove all possible distractions that may cause anxiety and sleeplessness. You are sure to wake up with a renewed sense of energy after you get a good night’s sleep.

Another tip for a surrogate mom is when riding in an automobile that possesses airbags; ensure that the chair is actually pushed as far from the dashboard (control panel) as allowed. The airbags may be harmful to you and to the little one, so as much as possible, check this before boarding any vehicle.

Educating yourself on the basics of surrogacy and maintaining a positive outlook will definitely relieve you of any stress you may be feeling over the course of the pregnancy. Remember what you’ve learned from this article and before you know it, you are on your way to delivering and helping a couple have their baby in their arms.

Surrogate Compensation

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Surrogate Compensation

When one decides to become a surrogate, the payment or settlement is often never the leading concern. This goes without mentioning that being an actual surrogate mother is very challenging, physically as well as psychologically.

Many individuals understand that surrogacy has been around for quite some time now. However, it is also hard to find a surrogate that may be worthy and who has effectively made up their mind for the sacrifices involved in the process.

Surrogate Compensation: Charges for Service

Surrogacy expenses deviate from company to company. Costs for application for desired moms and dads normally operate upwards of around $500, while legal costs commonly arrive at $15,000. These fees do not go straight to the surrogate mom. These funds are secured to make sure that she, together with the intended moms and dads, are guarded financially.

Surrogate Compensation: Surrogate Expenses

Turning into a surrogate can be likened to someone with a full time job. In this light, intended moms and dads commonly compensate the surrogate along with a cash fee, which is predisposed in an agreement prior to pregnancy, as well as paying off for additional cost such as health care expenditures and other miscellaneous fees. The average amount that an inexperienced or first time surrogate can be around $25,000 to $35,000, on the other hand, surrogate pros earn much higher compared to surrogate newbies.

Surrogate Compensation: Additional Costs

As explained over, surrogate mom’s clinical expenditures are already settled by the intended moms and dads, including ob-gyn check-ups and also any type of extra medical treatment essential for surrogate’s overall health. Included in this clause is a coverage for special or unusual cases like if a surrogate mom is forced out from her house. The money will be readily available to sustain her residing safety and security. The remaining amount will be returned to the intended parents after the delivery of the baby.

Understanding Surrogacy in Texas

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Ensure that the legal representative assigned to your case will be aware of all the important information provided by you and the surrogate. Working with an experienced lawyer is critical in better understanding the details surrounding surrogacy. The contract to be agreed upon between you and the surrogate must be comprehensive as it will serve as the binding arrangement that will make for a successful surrogacy experience. It is also necessary to have independent lawyers for the intended parents and the surrogate.

The items listed below are good to know information that will safeguard the best interest of both parties.
1. Names of people involved, namely, the couple and the surrogate.
2. Must be of Legal Age.
3. Number of attempts.
4. The method of attaining surrogate’s pregnancy, like “no sexual intercourse.”
5. Agreement to sustain and continue the pregnancy.
6. A statement that the mother cannot conceive a child and sustain a pregnancy.
7. Statement of in depth medical and mental condition of the woman who carries the intended parents baby as agreed.
8. Medical insurance for all parties involved in the placement of the embryo.
9. Modern treatments involving the placement of the embryo.
10. Stringent checking of surrogate’s activities as well as medication ingested.
11. Agreement on regular prenatal medical health care
12. Restriction on surrogate’s activities that may be considered threatening to pregnancy and the birthing process.
13. Parental rights of the surrogate.
14. The presence of the couple during birth.
15. Legal or physical custody of the surrogate and the couple once the child is delivered.
16. Financial considerations before, during, and after pregnancy.
17. Confidentiality terms.

The list above addresses what is essentially required, but it is still better to check what could be other factors that will help you anticipate for future complications that may arise in the process. Preparation in advance is critical at this phase and will benefit your future family and the surrogate.

Comprehending Surrogacy Companies

The legality involving surrogacy in the USA is still a recurring debate. Aside from having surrogacy legal in some states, it’s the regulations regarding the procedure that somewhat causes confusion and raises many questions from different sectors in the community.

Once you and your partner have decided to sign up for surrogacy services, you will need to arm yourself with information regarding surrogacy laws and legal concerns per state. This will make your experience a little less overwhelming, giving you time to focus on other concerns that may come your way.

Surrogate’s Pay

Knowing how much to pay your surrogate is one of the several concerns to take note of when choosing surrogacy to build your family. Whatever payment a gestational or traditional surrogate receives, it is critical to know for certain that they are not an employee. Even when the woman acting as a surrogate does this free of charge, she is still not qualified due to the employee – employer relationship.

Traditional or Gestational Surrogacy

Traditional Surrogacy is the process wherein the woman carrying a surrogate pregnancy goes through artificial insemination or even IVF by merging the surrogate’s eggs together with the semen of the donor. In this instance, the surrogate possesses a hereditary link to the baby, which can be high-risk due to the said genetic connection.

Gestational Surrogacy varies greatly from Traditional surrogacy since the surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives birth from an already fertilized egg. In this instance, there is actually no hereditary web link in between the surrogate as well as the child.

Lawful Concerns Post-Birth Adoption

Another concern to take note of post birth is the details on the child’s birth certificate.
Most states will allow the parents’ name to be written in the child’s birthing documents. Other states allow the surrogate’s name to be on the birth documents which can be later amended when necessary.

Another consideration would be pre birth order. It is permissible for some states to have pre-birth order, but only under certain conditions. Ultimately, what is it essential to do is to have a complete understanding of the laws of surrogacy for each state.

How To Select A Gestational Surrogate in Texas

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For most couples, starting a family is as easy as 1-2-3; but, for some, they may opt to choose a surrogate carrier or a gestational surrogate. So how does a couple select a gestational surrogate?

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. However, choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. Still, it is always a good idea to consult with your own preferred doctor.

Choosing the Right Agency for You

A couple or single parent usually has an ideal surrogate carrier in mind. Before this, the first step would have to be choosing the right agency for you. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Always remember that this will be the agency that you will have to work alongside with for the next 12 to 24 months. Do your research; make sure that the agency is well established. Read feedbacks from single parents or other couples who have already used the service and the reason why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place? It is always best to trust your gut instincts.

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The ideal candidate should have had at least one successful pregnancy, with no background on miscarriages, abortions, bleeding or any other medical issues that may be a risk factor. It is always best to consult with your OB/Gyne or reproductive endocrinologist regarding the medical history of the GS that you plan to work with. A thorough medical examination must be performed on the GS so that any complications may be prevented. This will include, but not limited to: a physical examination, laboratory examinations, ultrasounds, a comprehensive medical history check, psychological examinations, and screening for any threatening diseases.

The Ideal Gestational Surrogate

The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the post-natal and pre-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. If you or your partner chooses to go through in vitro fertilization, make sure to choose your preferred Reproductive Endocrinologist.
In Conclusion

The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time. Arm yourself with a lot of information, a full heart, and the possibility that your baby will soon be in your arms. Remember that using the service of a GS is not for everyone; there will be a lot of emotions that will run through your mind. In the end, what everyone wants is someone to hold close, carry, and another human being to call their own.

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time.

Surrogate mothers in Texas eating organic

Ideal Organic Food Diet for Surrogate Mothers in Texas

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During pregnancy, surrogate mothers in Texas are eating for two. Eating a well-balanced diet not only provides your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but provides the unborn baby with the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop. Surrogate mothers need increased amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the health and growth of the unborn baby. Vitamin supplements are also recommended.

There are foods you should limit or avoid during pregnancy, especially foods that have been treated with pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals, but organic foods are foods that are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Meat and dairy products must not be produced using antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed composed of animal products in order to be considered organic.

Organic food is very expensive — often twice the price of the same, non-organic product. If you have a limited budget, eat only organic fruits and vegetables. The health benefits of organic meat, poultry, eggs, and milk are not clear. You can even cut corners by purchasing only certain organic fruits and vegetables that have not been exposed to large amounts of pesticide or herbicide. Traditionally, grapes, peaches, strawberries, winter squash, green beans, apples, spinach and tomatoes have high levels of pesticide. You can consume non-organic foods that have inedible peels, such as oranges, or have outer layers that can be removed, such as lettuce.

Supplement your diet with vitamins. Vitamins and minerals help you maintain good health. As a surrogate mother in *state*, your food is not only providing your body with nutrients, but also that of the unborn child. Usually a well-balanced diet provides all the vitamins and minerals you need, but surrogate mothers in Texas often take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid and other vital nutrients needed during pregnancy. When choosing a vitamin or vitamins, make sure it contains folic acid, iron, and Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Folic acid helps prevent nervous system disorders in the unborn child and protects mothers from cancer and stroke. Surrogate mothers in Texas should ingest 600 mg of folic acid every day.

Eating a diet that consists of organic fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and dairy products and lean protein sources such as beans, legumes, poultry, low-fat red meat, and fish low in mercury will give your body the widest array of vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet also provides your body with fiber, which is necessary for intestinal health, and calcium and vitamin D, which promote bone strength for you and your baby. If you can afford it, you can switch your diet to organic foods to ensure better health and development for you and your baby.

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Surrogate Cost Insurance Questions & Answers

Surrogate Cost: The 3 Biggest Surrogacy Insurance Questions Answered

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Surrogacy is a wonderful journey that leads to the creation of families, but there are a lot of details to be worked out, and the process can be confusing. One of the biggest sources of confusion is the overall surrogate cost. The biggest factor that affects the financial aspect is the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because the surrogate insurance has such a big impact on the financial cost, it is important to understand as much as possible about how the coverage works. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about surrogacy insurance:

Question 1: What is the advantage of being covered for surrogacy over someone who has no surrogacy insurance coverage?

The intended parents face a great deal of expenses regarding the surrogacy process. They have to pay for fertility medications, the surrogate’s stipend, agency fees and legal expenses. If a surrogate already has insurance coverage for surrogacy, the intended parents would not have to purchase a separate policy for her. Because they do not have to buy an insurance policy for that surrogate, using that surrogate is more affordable for the intended parents than using a surrogate without the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because of this, the intended parents may be more inclined to choose a surrogate who already has surrogacy insurance coverage over one with no insurance coverage so that they can save money on the surrogate cost.

Question 2: Another surrogate uses the same insurance company that I do and she got paid on her claims. Since I am using the same insurance company, will my surrogacy claims get paid, too?

No, not necessarily. Insurance policies and rules change and vary from state to state, time to time, and employer to employer. It is not a good idea to assume that because you are using the same company that you have the same policy. Surrogate agencies are experienced in researching insurance benefits for surrogacy. Ask your surrogate agency for assistance with investigating your insurance benefits.

Question 4: I qualify for Medicaid. Will Medicaid cover my surrogacy?

No, not necessarily. Another common mistake surrogates make is that they make the assumption that Medicaid always covers pregnancy. Pregnancy care and surrogacy are not considered as the same thing by the insurance company. Your surrogate agency will be able to contact medicaid for you and verify your coverage for surrogacy. In all likelihood you will not be covered for surrogacy under medicaid.

These are some of the most common insurance questions frequently asked by surrogate mothers. By understanding these questions, you will get a better idea of how your insurance works and how much they will cover, if any, of the surrogate cost. As a general rule to remember, it is not wise to assume that your insurance will just cover your claims. It is better to have your surrogate agency handle surrogacy insurance concerns, because they are experts in this field. Having a surrogate agency assist you and the intended parents will help the surrogacy journey be less complicated and more stress free.

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How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

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When you want to become a surrogate mother, it is not an easy task. Along with the numerous responsibilities before, during, and after the surrogacy journey, you will be left with the dilemma of letting your family, children and friends know of your decision to become a surrogate mother for others. Getting all the moral support you can from your family, children, and friends is very important for your surrogacy journey. The moral support your family can give you will help you cope with all the emotions you might feel during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that any pregnancy usually affects those people who are near and dear to you. Your immediate family should be the first ones to find out about your decision to become a surrogate mother. Your husband, parents, and children should be well educated on the surrogacy process. The best time to tell your immediate family about your decision to become a surrogate mother is when you have firmly decided on being a surrogate. Letting your immediate family know the reasons why you decided on being a surrogate will greatly help them understand your purpose and goals. Being truthful with them will help them understand and accept your decision.

Letting your children understand your situation as a surrogate will take a bit of time and patience. Remember that the reaction of your children will depend mainly on what you have told them. Explaining this sort of thing to your children will always call for sensitivity, and most importantly, the truth. You should also consider introducing the concepts and ideas of surrogacy to your children over a period of time, rather than all at once. For example, as you arrange a meeting with the intended parents, you can take the opportunity to bring up these ideas with your children. You can begin talking about families and what makes a family between television shows or after social gatherings with other children so that they can get the importance of family.

For your friends and other relatives, it is highly advisable to not let them know about your situation as a surrogate immediately. The best approach would be to let the pregnancy come up naturally in conversation. The more natural, confident, and happy you are about it, the more accepting they will be to you being a surrogate. If you are nervous and scared of their reaction, they may question your decision. Just remember that they won’t all accept or agree with your decision to become a surrogate mother and this should not affect you.

You should not fool yourself into believing that your pregnancy will not affect the people who are closest to you. It is vital for your family to be well prepared and supportive, and this is a very important aspect for your pregnancy to be a success. They need to fully understand that the baby is not going to be a member of your family. If you have children, you need to make them realize that they are not getting another brother or sister. They need to understand that you are merely providing a service for some couple who were not able to have a baby on their own. Surrogacy can be a very educational and socially expanding experience, not only for yourself and your family, but also your community.

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Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

Should Pregnant Surrogates Eat Organic Foods?

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The goal shared by all intended parents and surrogate mothers is to produce a healthy baby. To ensure that the baby develops properly, it’s very important for the surrogate to eat healthily while she is pregnant. More and more, intended parents are going a step further by asking their surrogates to eat only organic foods. While some surrogates are reluctant to do this, others are entirely willing – after all, it may improve their own health.

As with any significant decision, though, there are pros and cons to be considered.

The downsides include that organic foods can be much more expensive than the same type of non-organically-produced foods. This is due to their higher cost of production. A surrogate may be more willing to eat organic foods if the intended parents offered to pay for the organic foods she eats.

A related issue to that is the fact that organic foods can also be harder to obtain; not every grocery store or supermarket has such a wide selection of organics. They’re a specialty item, after all, and surrogates with fewer options for food-shopping (in rural areas or small towns, for instance) may have trouble shopping for organic foods.

And of course, not every food is available organically. There’s a real possibility that a surrogate eating only organically may have to miss out on some of her favorite foods for the duration of her pregnancy.

There are convenience issues, too. Organics, due to their lack of preservatives, can spoil more easily – shorter shelf-lives, which require more regular shopping.

But there are a lot of good reasons that intended parents ask their surrogates to eat organic foods. Insecticides and additives are potentially harmful if they are passed though to the baby during pregnancy. Organic foods lack insecticides and additives – those things won’t be carried through into the baby.

Health concerns have, from time to time, been raised over genetically modified crops, or meat from animals that have been fed those crops. Organic food, by definition, is not genetically modified, which removes those concerns.

Research has shown, additionally, that organic foods contain more healthy vitamins and minerals, possibly due to the lack of preservatives involved.

And as a side-benefit, if you’re concerned about how animals are treated, organic food is a much better idea. Organic farming requires that animals be fed a natural diet, and are kept (unlike mass-produced ‘factory farm’ meat) in much more humane free-range conditions.

So while organic food can be inconvenient at times and more expensive, it also does provide a much healthier choice for the surrogate and the baby. It’s a big decision that should be weighed seriously from both sides, but there are solid reasons behind why a lot of intended parents do want their surrogate mothers to eat organically during their pregnancy.

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