Testimonials

Pathways To Parenthood: The Motivation Behind Gestational Surrogacy in Kansas City

There are many reasons women have for wanting to be a gestational surrogate.  Most assume that the strongest motivating factor for gestational surrogates is the financial compensation they receive.  Although the compensation that gestational surrogates receive for their generous gift can be a large sum, it is not what initially drives most women to pursue surrogacy.

Some people are critical that women accept financial compensation for being a gestational surrogate.  My question to those critics would be- “What is the appropriate compensation to somebody who is willing to give up a year or two of their life (and body), to help a family build and grow their family?”.  Another question would be-“Who should make those types of decisions?”.  I do not believe those are easy questions to answer.  I also believe that it is a personal and private matter that should be respected by others that oftentimes really do not know what they are talking about!  But that is a whole other blog post!

What motivates most women that are interested in being a gestational surrogate is the feeling that they are called to help others in such a way.  Potential gestational surrogates typically have had easy pregnancies, love being pregnant, and want to help others in a meaningful way.  Whether they receive financial compensation or not does not detract from the generous gift that they give others by helping them build and grow their family.   To learn more about gestational surrogacy, visit our website at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.

The 3rd Annual Path To Parenthood 5K in Kansas City

Kansas City Infertility Awareness’ (KCIA) 3^rd annual Path To Parenthood 5K was Saturday, September 16^th. Pathways To Parenthood was thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event.  It was amazing to see all participants showing up to help others by raising funds for KCIA’s Family Building Grant.  This grant specifically assists with the costs associated with medical infertility treatments and/or adoption.

We would like to give a shout out to the Founders and Board Members of KCIA- Allison Spencer, Nicole Hays, Meagan Stach, Tami Lewis, Angie Shemwell, and Karee Tidwell. They do such great work for those in our community struggling with infertility.  Path To Parenthood 5K was another shining example of the great work they do!

Grief and the Donor Egg Decision: For Kansas and Missouri Families

Some women that are experiencing infertility will hear the words from their doctor that they may want to consider donor egg if they wish to become pregnant.  The initial reaction most women have when hearing those words is shock, denial, anger, or some combination of these emotions.

These feelings are normal, and unfortunately, necessary to allow the grief process to occur. There are losses associated with using donor egg (or donor sperm) to build your family.  It is essential to recognize and acknowledge those losses before knowing if using an egg donor to build your family is the right decision for you. Acceptance of this family building option can only be reached by working through the grief that is inevitably part of the journey.

To learn more about the egg donor process, contact Kerry Christifano M.A., LCPC today at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.

Surrogacy in Kansas City: What is Inadvertent Consanguinity?

There are many considerations intended parents must make when choosing to use an egg donor to build and grow their family.  One that is not talked about often, but is a consideration nonetheless is inadvertent consanguinity.

The definition of consanguinity is:  of the same blood or origin; specifically:  descended from the same ancestor.  The real life concern for intended parents using an egg donor (or sperm donor) to build and grow their family is:  “Will my child meet, fall in love with and marry his or her half-sibling?”  The answer is, of course it is possible, but not likely.

What this topic does call into very careful consideration is the topic of disclosure to a donor-conceived child the fact that they are donor-conceived.  There are many benefits of disclosing to a donor-conceived child the specifics of their conception.  Preventing inadvertent consanguinity is one of them.

For more information about using an egg donor to build and grow your family, visit www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.