Testimonials

Using A Gestational Surrogate In Kansas City: Only For The Rich and Famous?

The list of celebrities that have used a gestational surrogate to build their family is long:  Guliana and Bill Rancic, Elton John and David Furnish, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick to name a few.  For those that are able to afford using a gestational surrogate to build their family, the cost is not considered a great obstacle.  For the rest of us who are not so rich and famous, it can seem like an impossible dream.

Although utilizing a gestational surrogate to build your family is expensive, it does not have to be impossible.  It is important to know that you are working with professionals that can help you make sure the money (and time) you spend finding the right gestational surrogate for you is money and time well spent.  Many people try to cut corners and save money, which many times backfires.  If you are considering using a gestational surrogate to build your family, contact Pathways To Parenthood today!

The Topic of Disclosure: To Tell Or Not To Tell When Conceiving A Child Through Egg Donation

The decision to have a child with donor eggs is an emotional journey. The path up to making the decision is one that has been rocky and laden with obstacles and hurdles. Fortunately most couples that decide to use an egg donor to build their family eventually feel relief and hope that they have an alternative way to build their family. Unfortunately, along with that relief and hope usually comes fear and uncertainty about answering the questions, “Do we tell our child?” and “How do we tell our child?”

Most mental health professionals support disclosing to children the origins of their conception. The belief is based in part on the notion that people have a right to know their genetic origins. Deciding to disclose or not is a personal choice, and one that can only be made by mom and dad. It is an extremely important and impactful decision that will have lifelong implications. It is important to be well informed of consequences of disclosing or not. One excellent article that offers such information can be found here on the Resolve website at www.resolve.org. You can find the article “Disclosure Issues Fact Sheet” on the downloads/factsheets page of their website.

For information on using egg donation to build your family, contact us today!

Finding A Gestational Surrogate On Your Own In Kansas City: Is it worth it?

Building your family through gestational surrogacy is expensive, and the idea of eliminating the expense of using an agency seems like a good idea.  But is it?  Of course the answer to that question is not an easy one, and you may not know until you actually give it a try.  Sometimes it does work out, but many times it does not.  I have heard countless stories of couples that have not only wasted their money on gestational surrogate candidates that did not work out, but more importantly, they wasted TIME!  If you are relying on an advertisement that a candidate posts on a site that is written to entice you to contact them, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!  Many women who post advertisements offering their services to be a gestational surrogate are not good candidates in general, or they may not be the right candidate for you.  A reputable agency like Pathways To Parenthood offers intended parents and gestational surrogates a layer of protection and expertise that greatly increases the chances of a successful outcome for all parties.  Contact us today to learn how we can help you find your gestational surrogate.

Surrogate vs. Gestational Carrier: What’s the Difference?

The terms surrogate mother, gestational surrogate, and gestational carrier are often intermixed, and sometimes confused.  It is important to understand the differences so that you can make the best decisions about your family building options.

The term gestational carrier is most often used by medical professionals and attorneys, to describe a woman who carries a baby that she is NOT genetically connected to.  When a gestational carrier conceives, it is via in vitro fertilization by using either the intended mother’s eggs, or an egg donor’s eggs, the intended father’s sperm or a sperm donor’s sperm.  Embryos created are then transferred to the gestational carrier’s uterus with the hope that a pregnancy ensues. The term gestational surrogate is used interchangeably, and is the same as a gestational carrier.

A traditional surrogate is a woman who is inseminated by the intended father’s sperm, or donor sperm.  If she conceives and gives birth, the baby, or babies are then given to the intended parents to raise as their child.  In traditional surrogacy, the carrier is also the genetic mother of any children conceived.

In either scenario, the intent is for the carrier to give any children to intended parents to raise and care for as their own. There are different legal, social and ethical considerations for each of the options, so talking with professionals who are knowledgeable about all options is essential to making the best family-building decisions.  Pathways To Parenthood: An Egg Donor and Surrogacy Agency can help you with clarifying and understanding your options.  Contact us today!