Why Do Surrogacy Clinics Require Mental Health Screenings?
If your clinic requires you to meet with a mental health professional before moving forward with using an egg donor or sperm donor, you may feel angry and defensive. This reaction is common and normal as the assumption by most intended parents are that they are going to be “assessed” or “evaluated” to determine if they are fit to be parents.
This is NOT the reason for the required meeting. Unfortunately that is not typically explained by the clinic’s staff simply because they may not have the time or information to accurately explain the purpose and intent of the required meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to help you, educate you, and advocate for your unborn child. The intent is to prevent psychological harm or distress to your current and future family.
To better understand all aspects of using an egg donor to build and grow your family, visit our website at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com
Building Healthy Donor Conceived Families in Kansas City
When making the decision to use an egg donor to build and grow your family, it is helpful to utilize reliable resources to gather information. The American Fertility Association is an organization that provides useful information about infertility and family building options.
If you are considering building your family using an egg donor, this article from The American Fertility Association offers valuable information.
https://www.theafa.org/
For information about using an egg donor in Kansas City to build and grow your family, visit our website today at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.
Using A Gestational Surrogate in Kansas City: Why is it so expensive?
Anyone that has looked into using a gestational surrogate, also referred to as a gestational carrier, knows that the associated expenses are very high. If you are just starting to investigate this option, you are probably taken back by what the total cost can be. Using a gestational carrier to build and grow your family involves several teams of professionals and trained personnel. These professionals offer risk management to assure that building and growing your family through surrogacy is a positive and successful experience.
One variable that greatly influences the total cost is the use of a family member or close friend as your gestational surrogate that is willing to carry for you without compensation. Since the typical range for compensation for gestational surrogates is between $54,000-$70,000+, it saves intended parents a lot of money!
Here is a breakdown of potential costs if you decide to work with a surrogacy agency. The ranges are wide because there are many variables that are specific to each family that will influence the total cost.
Agency Fees – Some agencies charge a flat fee that includes many services while others break out additional costs for services that are not included in their agency fee. Clarification of pricing structure is important!
Typical Range – $12,000-$18,000
Medical Related Fees – Vary based on geographic location of clinic and insurance coverage, as well as types of procedures to be done.
Typical Range – $12,000-$25,000
Legal Fees- Typical Range – $3,500-$10,000
Gestational Surrogate Compensation Package: Typical Range-$20,000-$35,000
Medical Insurance For Pregnancy/Delivery: Varies greatly depending on the gestational surrogate’s plan and deductibles if she does have coverage. Multiples increases these costs.
Typical Range – $2,000-$40,000
Miscellaneous Expenses – This category will include travel related expenses among other things.
Typical Range – $3,000-$8,000
Using an Egg Donor or Surrogate in KC: Key Considerations
Using an egg donor, sperm donor, or gestational surrogate can be can effective option for those struggling with fertility. With appropriate medical, legal, and psychological preparation, egg donation and gestational surrogacy can help build families and provide a rewarding experience for all involved.
The American Society For Reproductive Medicine is an excellent resource for reproductive health topics. The list of key considerations listed below is taken form their Fact Sheet about Gamete (egg and sperm) and embryo donation.
Click here to access the full article.
These key considerations can help you to avoid unmet expectations or disappointments in the future.
Key considerations:
- Consult with specialists in reproductive medicine who are qualified and experienced.
- Use legal counsel that is well-versed in reproductive law in locations where both the donor and recipients reside.
- Work with a mental health professional who is experienced and familiar with the issues of third-party family-building.
- Consider if, when, what, and how to tell the child and others.
- Understand that:
- Laws regarding reproductive rights are constantly changing.
- Files regarding donation identities may be opened at any time (if they are challenged in court or if current laws change).
- Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
- Secrets are difficult to keep, and information can be unintentionally shared or discovered with science and technology that are advanced and more widely accessible.
- Making peace with your personal feelings about donation must be done before sharing this information.
For information about using an egg donor or gestational surrogate to build and grow your family, contact us today.