Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Egg Donor Preparation: What You Need to Know

Posted on: February 28th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Egg Donation is a wonderful gift with countless rewards. However, it can take a toll on your physical and emotional health. You need to  prepare for the process, both emotionally and physically.

Eating and Drinking

Prepping your body for an egg donation is a simple process. Eating and drinking well are the first steps to becoming prepared. The nutritional food that goes into your body will nourish your uterine environment and optimize egg donation success.  

Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are an excellent source of iron. They increase red blood cell production which enhances circulation to your uterine lining. Red meat, beans and mushrooms are other great examples of iron that increase cardiovascular health. Foods with high calcium and vitamin C are also recommended.

With all these nutrients entering your body, make sure that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help move around all those nutrients.  

Exercising

Exercising in moderation is another key factor when preparing for egg donation. Performing aerobic exercises like swimming, spinning and fast walking is a great way to get your blood pumping. Flexibility training is also good for your body. Yoga or dance classes are great ways to strengthen and align your pelvis.

Taking part in any of these workout routines for at least 30 minutes a day will create an ideal space for your reproductive organs, and make you feel refreshed!

Rest

Your doctor will likely recommend you to get plenty of rest, and they’re right! Taking care of your spiritual and mental health is another aspect that is important in preparing your body. Try and focus on improving your sleeping habits. Once your body recognizes a consistent sleep pattern it can begin to wind down and rest.  

 

Preparing to be an egg donor requires the same love and healthy lifestyle that your body would need at any other time in your life. By following these simple steps you and your body will be ready in no time for your donation!

How Surrogacy Can Help Others Achieve Parenthood

Posted on: February 23rd, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

There is no question that the gift of life is an amazing and rewarding experience. However, life is full of unexpected events and sometimes throws challenges at you that are hard to understand and accept. Not being able to have a child of your own can cause many heartaches, but to hopeful mothers and fathers everywhere, there is the option of surrogacy. The question is, would you allow someone else carry your baby?

Over the last few years, surrogacy has become a popular option for women; yet it is still a controversial topic to many. Putting your body through pregnancy is no easy task, and of course, you must also say goodbye to the baby once it is born.  It is easy to point out the challenges and negatives that come with Surrogacy, but, have you really thought about the benefits of becoming a surrogate?

Giving something is just as important as receiving something. For those who cannot build a family on their own, it is an amazing gift and humbling to be the one who creates that dream for them.

 

Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate Mother

Emotional Benefits

Families of all backgrounds deserve to experience the gift of life. Surrogacy works the same way for heterosexual, LGBTQ, and families from around the world. Surrogates have the opportunity to decide who they would like to work with and create a bond with. It takes a compassionate and selfless woman to be a surrogate. 

Physical Benefits

The emotional aspect of being a surrogate is difficult, but your heart may actually feel happier also! Some surrogates experience cardiovascular health benefits and studies show that the risk of heart disease is reduced after pregnancy.

As a surrogate you are not only giving the gift of life but are giving a gift to yourself. Beyond the benefits to your heart, being a surrogate has other health benefits. Many surrogates gain and maintain healthy habits while being a surrogate mother. While being pregnant you begin to adopt other healthy behaviors, like cutting out caffeine and eating more balanced meals. These habits begin early on in the pregnancy and can transfer to part of a woman’s natural health behaviors.

 
Being a parent is a special title and as a surrogate you can give that title to any hopeful parents out there. Surrogacy has its hardships, but also comes with many benefits and personal rewards. If you are looking to participating in the selfless act of surrogacy, contact us today!

Surrogacy – What To Expect

Posted on: February 21st, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Whether you are unable to carry a child of your own or are in a same sex relationship, you may consider surrogacy as a way to grow your family. At Simple Surrogacy, we work carefully to ensure a good match between the Surrogate and the Intended Parents.

 

From a Surrogate’s Perspective

A woman becomes a surrogate in order to help intended parents build their family. As a surrogate, you will be asked questions that will provide value to both prospective intended parents and the agency to ensure you find an ideal match. It is important to be honest and provide information that you’d want to know if the roles were reversed.  

At Simple Surrogacy, we understand the sacrifices you make in accepting the responsibility of creating a life for the intended parents. We take care of you and work on your behalf throughout the pregnancy in order to enable the best pregnancy possible. At Simple Surrogacy, the process to apply to be a surrogate is simple! From 24-hour support to fully funded escrow accounts, surrogacy comes with a variety of benefits!

 

From the Intended Parent’s Perspective

Simple Surrogacy is here to mend your heartache and help you achieve your dreams of parenthood. We understand how confusing and stressful the Surrogacy process can be. That’s why we are here to ensure your journey is as simple and enjoyable as possible. At Simple Surrogacy, we care about your aspirations and conduct a thorough background check on all our surrogates.  

Your surrogate is carrying your future child for 9 months. Therefore, it is vital that you two create a meaningful relationship with one another. You must be on the same page as your surrogate and make ensure that you discuss how involved she will be after the pregnancy.

 

Whether you are an intended parent or looking to become a surrogate in Houston, contact Simple Surrogacy! If you have any more questions or concerns regarding the surrogacy process, do not hesitate to contact us today!

Why Surrogacy is Crucial

Posted on: February 16th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Many individuals long for the day that they can finally start a family. Unfortunately, many people are unable to conceive. Infertility is a common underlying factor that significantly affects marriages. You may have come to the decision to finally seek alternative paths to parenthood. Non-traditional methods of achieving parenthood can seem confusing and stressful at first, but at Simple Surrogacy the process is simple.

 

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is the process of carrying an embryo to birth for another individual or couple. The woman carrying the child is referred to as the surrogate mother. Surrogacy is a form of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Surrogacy was developed to assist the growing number of individuals who are unable to conceive.

How Surrogacy Has Changed The Lives Of Many Individuals

Many individuals view surrogate motherhood as an alternative option to starting the family they have always dreamed of. Surrogacy bridges the infertility gap and helps couples achieve their dreams of parenthood. Without surrogacy, individuals and couples may never become parents. However, with surrogacy, this is attainable. Many surrogate candidates read the profiles from potential Intended Parents and are often enlightened by the struggles many people have endured to conceive a child.

Relationship with Surrogate Mother

In fact, many Intended Parents have such a positive experience with their Surrogate mother, that they choose to maintain a relationship with her even after the 9-month surrogacy period. On the other hand, many surrogates have also had such positive experiences that they choose to continue to pursue surrogacy and become repeat surrogates, giving the gift of life more than once.

 

Whether you are looking to become a surrogate mother or are considering surrogacy as an option, visit our Simple Surrogacy FAQ page for commonly asked questions. Contact us today and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be more than happy to answer any other questions or concerns you may have!

Becoming a Parent Via Egg (Ovum) Donation

Posted on: February 14th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Having to rely on an alternative path to parenthood can be overwhelming. You are not alone. Everyday thousands of women discover that they must face their infertility. At Simple Donations, our staff is committed to helping you put an end to your heartache.

 

Common Concerns of Intended Parents

It is completely normal to feel nervous, scared, and unsure of the choice to pursue egg donation. You may feel anxious and find yourself faced with several questions – Will my child look like me? Will my child love me? How will I be able to bond to my child? Will my friends and family be accepting of my decision?

Becoming a parent is not about blood or genetic links. Regardless of biology or how your child is conceived, accepting the child as your own is the first step to treating the child as your own.

 

Requirements

At Simple Donations, we do not discriminate against anyone. Regardless of your race, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or fertility issue, if you have the desire to achieve parenthood, we can help. However, we take the safety of our Egg Donations very seriously and we reserve the right to refuse any potential Intended Parent that does not meet these basic requirements.

Intended Parents must complete a background check and have no criminal history. Intended Parents must also be financially stable, between the ages 21-60, have a stable living situation, be willing to undergo a Psychological Assessment, have the support of your spouse/significant other, and must have thoroughly read and understood the Egg Donation process.

 

Interaction with Egg Donor

Most Egg Donors are completely anonymous and decide to have no contact with the Intended Parents. There is however, the option to choose a donor who is open to a semi-open or open donation. Regardless of your choice, we will help you negotiate a level of contact and interaction that both you and the Egg Donor are happy with.

 

Finding an ideal egg donor is easy! Simply register to view donor profiles. At Simple Donations, we encourage you to ask questions and contact us if you have any concerns or need any clarification. Our staff will ensure the entire process is as simple and enjoyable as possible. Visit our website Simple Donations for more information regarding egg donation.

 

Why Are There Specific Requirements For Egg Donation?

Posted on: February 9th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

In order to become an egg donor, there are a few requirements to ensure you are qualified for egg (ovum) donation. These requirements are enforced to ensure that the whole process is safe for both the donor and the recipient. If the quality of the egg is not good, there is a higher chance of abnormalities and birth defects.

 

Age

When it comes to donating eggs, donors must be between the ages of 18-30. The minimum age is to ensure that a woman can legally enter into a contract. On the other hand, there is also a maximum age limit. This age limit is enforced because egg quality can decrease as women age. In addition, older women typically do not respond as well to fertility medications as younger women do.

Smoking and Drugs

Did you know that smoking and secondhand smoke can reduce the chance of pregnancy by up to 50%? Smoking can reduce your ovarian reserve, fertilization, and can highly increase the event of a miscarriage. Therefore, smoking and drug use is prohibited for our egg donors.

Alcohol

Reliance on alcohol can cause hormone imbalances that alter the menstrual cycle and make it harder to conceive. The more alcohol that is consumed, the more serious the consequences can be. In addition, excessive drinking can also reduce the number of eggs by 13% and can increase the risk of a miscarriage. It is therefore a requirement that all our egg donors do not drink alcohol prior and during donation.

Tattoos and Piercings

You must not have received any tattoos and piercings within the last 12 months in order to qualify for becoming an egg donor. Not waiting can increase the risk of infectious diseases that might have passed through the needles used during the procedure.

Weight

In order to be qualified for egg donation; you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 33 or lower. Being overweight enhances the possibility of affecting the egg quality and requires higher dosages of stimulation drugs needed to create follicles. The cost of the additional medication is then transfers to the intended parents. Therefore an egg donors BMI is important.

Refrain From Sex

If you are interested in egg donation, you must refrain from sexual intercourse for approximately a month. This is because donors are extremely fertile while on the medications used during the cycle. If you do not forgo intercourse during the egg donation process, you increase the risk of multiple pregnancies and donors can become more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

 

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to becoming an egg donor, do not hesitate to contact us toll-free at 1-866-41-SURRO and be sure to visit our website Simple Donations for a full list of egg donor qualifications.

 

What to Know about Surrogate Mother Applications

Posted on: February 7th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Simple Surrogacy works tirelessly to ensure a good match between the Surrogate and the Intended Parents. In order to ensure that both parties remain happy and healthy, there is a list of requirements in the initial surrogate mother application. Here are some of the initial requirements to become a surrogate with Simple Surrogacy.

 

Age

We ask that all of our surrogates be between the ages of 21 to 40. We also ask that all our traditional surrogates be under the age of 35. This requirement is important in order to ensure that the surrogate mother and the child remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and delivery.

Prior Pregnancy

It is important that our surrogates have given birth before becoming a surrogate. This way we can be assured that the surrogate can establish fertility. There must have also been no complications during the pregnancy, during the delivery, or postpartum. We ask this so that we can avoid putting the surrogate mother or the baby at risk, as safety is our number one concern.

Height/Weight

All our surrogates must have Body Mass Index (BMI) of under 33. This is to ensure that the surrogate and the child remain happy and healthy throughout the process. Women who have a BMI of over 33 are more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy which can put the mother and the baby at risk. Conception can take a longer time in individuals with a BMI of over 33. This translates to additional time, money, and stress for both the surrogate and the intended parents.

Tattoos/Piercings

Our surrogates must have had no tattoos or piercings completed within the last 12 months. This is important to ensure that no diseases were passed via needle during the tattoo or piercing procedure.

 

At Simple Surrogacy, we make becoming a surrogate mother simple! Fill out our online surrogate mother application to get started. If you have any questions or concerns regarding surrogacy, please contact us online or by phone, and one of our knowledgeable staff members will contact you.

How Does Egg Donation Affect Future Fertility

Posted on: January 20th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

shutterstock_316827551Becoming an egg donor allows you to make a huge difference in the life of someone else. Egg donation involves giving the gift of parenthood to a couple that would otherwise be unable to have children. However, the whole egg donation process is surrounded by an abundance of myths. These myths leaves many women wondering just how safe it is. Let’s talk about what the process involves and see how these myths stack up against the facts.

What is Egg Donation?

By the time a girl reaches puberty and menstruation begins, her ovaries contain about 400,000 immature eggs. Each month during menstruation, 15-20 of those eggs mature, and one of those eggs is released into the fallopian tube. The rest simply die off and are disposed of by the body. Egg donation is a process that allows a woman to give a few of those eggs, which would otherwise go unused, to a couple that is unable to bear children without medical intervention.

What is the Process?

When you begin the process of egg donation, you will go through psychological, medical and genetic screening. This initial process not only ensures that your eggs are suitable for donation, but it also ensures that the donation process will go as smoothly for you as possible. Once you’ve cleared the various screenings, you are ready to begin the first phase of the procedure. At this time, you’ll receive hormones that will stimulate your ovaries to produce and mature multiple eggs. Once the eggs are mature, you’re ready for the egg retrieval procedure. This procedure typically takes 20-30 minutes, and you’ll be under light sedation. Over the next 7-10 days, your ovaries will return to normal size and your hormone levels will return to their normal balance.

Will Egg Donation Impact Future Fertility?

Obviously, surrogacy and egg donation are wonderful, selfless services that allow you to change the life of a couple struggling with infertility. However, many women wonder how egg donation may affect their future fertility. Some even wonder if they have enough eggs to donate, or if the process will leave them with a shortage of eggs that would prevent them from having children of their own later in life.

During a menstrual cycle, only one egg is released, but 15-20 eggs mature. During the egg donation process, the medication causes all of the eggs that are naturally available during that cycle to develop and be released. The only eggs that are retrieved are the ones that you naturally produce.

Some women worry about how egg donation will affect their life and future fertility. Egg donation does not:

  • Cause your body to stop producing eggs
  • Require that you take an extended period of time off of work or school
  • Make you sick
  • Involve a painful retrieval procedure
  • Cause ovarian cancer

Are you ready to ready to make parenthood possible for a couple who’s is wanting to build a family? Interested in learning more about the egg donation process? Please find us online or give us a call toll free at 1-866-41-SURRO or 214-673-9321.

What is the Relationship like between Surrogates and Intended Parents?

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

Surrogacy is a big decision for a woman to make. Many women may think that it will be a lonely journey, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In a majority of cases, surrogates create a lifelong bond with the intended parents. They work together to produce meaningful relationships that are both healthy and harmonious. Here are some types of relationships that surrogates and intended parents have.

Typical Relationships

From the earliest elements of the selection process, Simple Surrogacy encourages honest, as well as, friendly communication between potential surrogates and intended parents. This gives both groups a chance to learn about each other and establish an idea about compatibility before pregnancy occurs. In many cases, intended parents are excited to learn about the woman who is generously offering to make their dreams come true. Surrogacy is an emotional experience that never fails to reap benefits for everyone involved.

As the due date approaches, intended parents and the surrogate often spend a lot of time together preparing for the child’s arrival. It’s not a mandatory part of the surrogacy process, but a lot of surrogacy agencies encourage this friendly participation between parties. Whether it’s a requirement or not, many participants choose to make the most of this time together anyway.

Less Common Relationships

While most intended parents are invested in being a part of a surrogate’s life, others may choose to receive information on a need-to-know basis. Parents who decide to take this route are usually preparing for life after birth and a separation from the surrogate. In no way does this choice reflect their attitude towards the surrogate or her valuable service. If a surrogate wants to establish a more solid relationship, intended parents who fall into this category are usually open to meeting these requests.

 
Choosing to become a surrogate is an unselfish choice that brings happiness to people who thought they would never become parents. We offer friendly and caring surrogacy options that are tailored to your needs. Please visit us online or call 1-866-41-SURRO to learn more about Simple Surrogacy and our commitment to family and friendships that last a lifetime.

Top Baby Names for 2017

Posted on: January 3rd, 2017 by Pearl Maguire No Comments

The year 2017 is another year for the staff at Simple Surrogacy to bring joy and new life to expecting parents. If you are expecting a child in the coming year, whether through our services or not, there are many names to choose from. If you’re looking for a baby name, select one from the list of the top baby names for 2017!

Pam Redmond, Co-founder of Nameberry, a popular baby name resource, has predicted the top baby name trends for 2017. She claims that, “For 2017, we foresee a continual broadening of what can be considered a baby name,” and continues that there “will be more word names, place names and unexpected hero names, and every category will be stretched to its extreme.” Although there are many different names that made the list, most come from 3 main categories. The common predicted names are power names, literature inspired names, and animal themed names.

Power Names

Parents are embracing names that symbolize and embody power. Throughout the year of 2017, it is predicted that parents will select powerful baby names directly from mythology. Expect to meet lots of little deities such as Thor, Persephone, Odin, Freya, Jupiter, Luna, Atlas, Clio, Orion, Morrigan, Pandora, and Zeus.

This is not the first time for a similar trend to take flight. According to Nameberry in 2015, more than 1,500 baby boys were given the name Messiah.

Many are also speculating that this trend could also be popular due to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West naming their baby boy Saint in 2015.

Literature Inspired Names

Many people claim that they have become lost in a book more than once or twice in their lives. Many times, this is due to developing a relationship with the protagonist, or on occasion the antagonist. These relationships result in many people deciding to name their children after characters in novels due to the strong personality traits the characters embody. For example, you could name your children after storybook characters or authors such as Matilda, Ramona, Alice, Sawyer, Poe, or Holden.  If you love the theatre you may also consider a name inspired by Shakespeare such as Juliet, Romeo, Cordelia, Ophelia, Cassio, Orlando, or even Puck.

Animal Themed

Would you consider naming your newborn Fox? Share your love of animals by naming your baby after a member of the animal kingdom. Celebrities embraced the animal inspired name trend when Alicia Silverstone, Kate Winslet, and Jamie Oliver named their child Bear. Other fierce animal names on the rise for babies, mostly boys: Fox, Wolf, Lynx, Tiger, Falcon, Hawk, and Lionel. Nameberry says that you should keep an eye out for Puma, Jaguar, Python.

 

If you’re looking to help others start their journey to parenthood, contact Simple Surrogacy today! Consider donating today and help create a life for new parents.