They’re commonly used in different variations, and at first glance, they might look interchangeable – but they’re not. Taking the lead from an expert team, let’s break down the key differences.
You asked – here’s a sample surrogacy medication timeline
If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate or you’re an intended parent curious about the medical process, you might be wondering – what exactly does the surrogacy medication timeline look like? Here’s a sample breakdown.
What is a surrogacy agreement? Your 101 guide
Thinking about surrogacy? The legal side can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. From surrogacy agreements to pre-birth orders, here’s the quick expert overview.
Commercial surrogacy in the spotlight – a leading agency answers top ethics FAQs
Over 1000 babies are born using surrogates in the United States right now. This said, aspects of the process still remain somewhat misunderstood, especially when it comes to commercial surrogacy and some of the ethical concerns attached to financial compensation. Here’s a leading US agency’s take.
Fertility treatment in Toronto, Canada – 3 reasons to explore your options
We sat down with consultant gynaecologist and fertility specialist Dr Daphne Chong in partnership with ReproMed Fertility to chat through why Toronto, Canada for IVF with donor eggs and gestational surrogacy is worth considering
Surrogacy in the US for UK couples – why, where to go, and how to get started
We answer the top three questions about surrogacy in the US for UK couples, together with the amazing team at Family Inceptions.
The UK’s big switch to Toronto, Canada for egg donation, surrogacy & Dr Daphne Chong
Why Canada, right now – and ReproMed Fertility, Toronto – for IVF with donor eggs and gestational surrogacy? Consultant Dr Daphne Chong explains.
Egg donation and surrogacy laws in Ireland – what should we know in 2024?
Against the backdrop of recent changes to legislation, egg donation and surrogacy laws in Ireland are in the spotlight right now. But what are the key knowledge points, for intended parents, donors and surrogates?
Becoming a gestational surrogate, and what to expect from the top agencies in 2024
Watch as we discuss the essential requirements for becoming a gestational surrogate, the comprehensive support Pinnacle Surrogacy provides to both intended parents and surrogates, and the unique post-birth relationships that often develop post-birth.
Egg donation and surrogacy news in 2024 (and the information day you won’t want to miss this April)
With Growing Families annual Surrogacy & Donor Information Day coming up in London on 21 April 2024, event organiser Sam Everingham takes a look at what will be discussed, and what we can learn.
A week in the life of a surrogate – lifting the lid on the gestational carrier process
Curious about the gestational carrier process, as an intended parent or aspiring surrogate? We picked up with Shanda Anderson, an incredible first-time gestational carrier, for a peek into her life – 17 weeks in.
Surrogacy in the US – absolutely everything there is to know
Surrogacy, in essence, is very simple. But anyone who’s walked this route knows that practically speaking, it can be anything but. We’ve teamed up with Pinnacle Surrogacy to deep-dive your most googled questions about surrogacy in the US.
6 ways intended parents can bond with baby during and after surrogacy
New parenthood, especially after a surrogacy journey, is challenging. Together with Be Parent, we selected 6 practical tips for bonding with baby after surrogacy, as well as during the process.
Types of surrogacy – the 101, with BeParent
Surrogacy is undoubtedly on the up, but it can still be a complicated and sometimes overwhelming topic when first explored. Here is our 101 guide to the different types of surrogacy and what they involve.
Ask Me Anything! Digging deep into surrogacy & donor IVF journeys
Surrogacy arrangements necessitate a lot of moving parts – the carrier themselves, lawyers, IVF clinics, donors, surrogacy professionals, counsellors and, increasingly, specialist couriers. With confusing laws only adding to the uncertainty, without careful planning and support there’s a lot that can go wrong. Growing Families are the organisation on a mission to unpack the ifs, ands [...]
How many times can you be a surrogate? Plus 9 more FAQs
From numbers of births to past losses or miscarriages, surrogacy queries can get quite knotty. California-based VitaNova Technologies are the future-forward tech startup set on transforming where – and how – surrogacy sits in the world of fertility, and family building. Using state-of-the-art software, they provide a smooth connection between agencies and surrogate (or egg donor), and provide first steps [...]
From thyroid to surrogacy – 2022 wrapped with Laurel Fertility Care
Twelve months of incredible support and expertise, from one of California’s best fertility clinic groups. Laurel Fertility Care are the go-to specialist care providers for so many intended parents, parents-to-be and families - here’s what we’ve learned across 2022. Set the agenda for 2023 - we’re asking our Insta community what they’d like to see [...]
The whole 9 months – how to support your GC across their pregnancy
Actually, it’s more like 10. For top LGBTQ+ surrogacy agency Be Parent, that’s the first tip for anyone prepping to support their gestational carrier (GC) or surrogate across her pregnancy. Know your dates, key milestones and process - we promise it’ll be appreciated, when you’re connecting and sorting out the details. LGBT surrogacy and gestational [...]
Your top 7 surrogacy FAQs, with San Francisco’s leading clinic
By Jessie Day From the surrogacy process, and a roadmap of what to expect, to key definitions - do you know the difference between gestational carrier and traditional surrogate, for example? - fertility clinics can help with so much beyond a sperm-meets-egg scenario. But what are the really burning surrogacy FAQs hitting clinics in 2022? [...]
GoStork – find your egg donor or surrogacy agency via the largest revolutionary platform
With more than 20 years of experience, Eran Amir has worked as both a software development and product management executive in Israel and the Greater New York Area. The development of GoStork combines his professional skill-set with a personal mission. After undergoing a long, difficult, and costly process to expand his family via surrogacy and [...]
Vaccines, surrogacy & who decides? Expert agency Q&A
Vaccines, mandates and conflicting guidance. It’s a recipe for confusion in any pregnancy, but for those on a surrogacy journey, alignment is crucial. VitaNova Technologies are the cutting-edge startup helping to redefine surrogacy for all parties involved. We caught up with Danaka Porter, Chief Operating Officer at VitaNova Technologies, to talk vaccines, surrogacy and the [...]
What the top surrogacy agencies are getting right, in 2022
Carrying a baby for someone else. It’s an incredible act, and fundamentally life-changing for everyone involved. With global demand for surrogacy increasing (research shows that the number of people undergoing fertility support with surrogate involvement has shot up in recent years), the lense is on surrogacy agencies. Specifically, their practices, checks and balances, and the [...]
Creating families, across borders
One thing is clear - you want to grow your family. But so often, that’s where the clarity ends. Frustratingly in 2022, this is still the reality for gay couples across the globe. Not-for-profit Growing Families are set up to change this. They work with thousands of gay, heterosexual and single intended parents around the [...]
Looking to Become an Egg Donor or Surrogate? Here’s How
At The Ribbon Box, we know the selfless gift that egg donors and surrogates give intended parents struggling with fertility. For some, using donor eggs or a surrogate is a last resort, for others, it’s the clear path to parenthood. Not everyone who comes to our fertility community is trying to conceive, though. Some people [...]
“I Was Their Surrogate and we Will Forever be Intertwined”
Have you ever wondered why someone becomes a surrogate or what it's like to be a surrogate? Around the world, selfless women carry and birth the children of intended parents who are struggling with infertility or who cannot carry a child themselves. The reasons someone becomes a surrogate are deeply personal and every woman's experience [...]
How Hopeful Parents and Their Surrogates are the Forgotten Spoils of War
When there’s conflict happening in the world, we think of the bombs, the hunger and the destruction. We think of the sick, the old and the people refusing to leave the neighbourhoods they’ve inhabited for over 50 years. We think of the families fleeing their homes, the children whose worlds are ripped apart and the [...]
Rihanna Said WHAT About Single Mums?
Pop-singer and CEO of Fenty Beauty, Rihanna, has recently opened up about her intention to be a mum within the next ten years and explained that if she is ready to be a parent, why wait? Relationship status shouldn't factor into whether or not you are ready to be a parent — and thanks to [...]
Personalised Children’s Books about Donor-Conception
Anyone who regularly interacts with children knows they're naturally curious. "Why are you wearing your red gloves?", "What would happen if I ate my banana skin?", "How does an aeroplane fly?" and most parents will likely be asked something like: "How was I made?" at some point. For parents of surrogate or donor-conceived children, questions [...]
Is Donor Conception one of the Greatest Gifts?
Through their generous gesture, egg and sperm donors often make a huge impact on families who are trying to conceive. However, there is currently more demand than supply for donor conception treatment, especially for egg donors. In light of this, The Ribbon Box has asked The Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH) to explain [...]
What To Do After Experiencing Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a hard enough experience without the added mystery of why it is happening. Finding a solution to recurrent pregnancy loss is challenging, because there are just so many factors that can contribute to it. For this reason, The Ribbon Box have turned to leading US fertility clinic, ORM Fertility to [...]
Could a Beauty and Muscle Ingredient Help those With Low Ovarian Reserve?
How a beauty and muscle treatment ingredient (PRP) could solve two of the most difficult fertility issues. Here on The Ribbon Box, we have collaborated with the New England Fertility Institute to discuss new and inspiring medical research, looking into platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its connection in solving uterine lining thinness (womb lining) and low [...]
Single Gay Man is Becoming a Dad Thanks to Surrogacy Overseas
Today on The Ribbon Box, we're super excited to speak with Marvin Lemmen, from the Netherlands. Marvin is a single gay intended parent (IP), who is currently trying to have a baby via gestational surrogacy. He's sharing his fertility / surrogacy journey to date, in the hope that it will break stigma and inspire other [...]
10 Celebs You Didn’t Know Struggled with Infertility
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com Here on The Ribbon Box, to show you you're not alone, we have listed 10 celebrities who have struggled with infertility. These are ten U.S. celebrities who have travelled their own unique fertility journey to parenthood, including IVF, surrogacy, baby loss and adoption. These celebrities have shared their experiences in the hopes of [...]
How Long Does the IVF Process Take?
Depending on different factors, IVF will take weeks, and surrogacy will take months. Today on The Ribbon Box, we hear from Dr Guy Ringler, from California Fertility Partners, who guides us through stages and timings of the IVF process, as well as surrogacy. Words by Dr. Ringler www.californiafertilitypartners.com | @californiafertilitypartners This is one of the [...]
Fertility Answers – Anna’s Story of Recurrent Baby Loss and Surrogacy Abroad
In today’s fertility blog, we hear Anna Buxton’s trying to conceive journey, from miscarriages, IVF and being diagnosed with Asherman’s Syndrome, to having three children via surrogacy. Here is where Anna has found vocation. Hear Anna’s personal fertility story, from process, gaining fertility answers, family decisions, to what she wished she had known at the […]
Surrogacy Abroad with Extraordinary Conceptions – Emily’s Story
Surrogacy experts and trusted partners of The Ribbon Box, Extraordinary Conceptions, have written for us about surrogacy abroad. Hilary Smith, who deals with International Client Relations at Extraordinary Conceptions, discusses the important topic of surrogacy abroad and how Extraordinary Conceptions helps to work with both parties involved, to ensure that you are matched with trustworthy […]
NY Surrogacy Law – What are the Rules?
This week on The Ribbon Box, we hear from surrogacy experts, Extraordinary Conceptions, on gestational surrogacy in New York, and the latest surrogacy laws. Words by Extraordinary Conceptions – Surrogacy and Egg Donation Agency www.extraconceptions.com | @extraordinaryconceptions Surrogacy in NY hasn’t always been a straightforward concept. Until recently, it was illegal to undergo paid surrogacy […]
These are the top reasons someone might opt for surrogacy (& they’re all so valid)
Surrogacy and donor conception (the latter being especially close to our hearts here at TRB HQ) are becoming much more widely accepted and discussed routes to parenthood. But who is surrogacy for? And what are the most common reasons for surrogacy, right now? With over 20 years of experience in coordinating and providing egg donor [...]
10 inspiring stories from celebrities who have struggled to conceive
Banner images source: The Hollywood Reporter The conversation around infertility is growing, and it’s all thanks to those who are adding their personal, inspiring stories to the mix. Here are some of our favourite celebrity infertility stories that have inspired hope among those trying to conceive and normalised the topic at large. Of course let’s [...]
How to choose an egg donor – tips and pointers from to the experts at Extraordinary Conceptions
Looking for an egg donor? Hear from leading agency Extraordinary Conceptions and get their egg donor selection tips, plus insight into the process.
Fertility Treatment Costs – The Ultimate Breakdown
It’s no secret that private fertility treatment is expensive, and so it’s crucial to gain an understanding of what you can expect to pay for the most common procedures. In this piece, we reveal the price of fertility treatment in the UK, including pre-treatment consultations and investigations; treatment packages like IVF, IUI, FET, egg freezing, [...]
Two dads on a mission – everything to know about UK surrogacy, egg donation & TwoDads UK
Hearing from ambassadors who’ve walked the walk and know first-hand the intricacies of egg donation and surrogacy inside out, is invaluable. So we picked up with the wonderful Michael and Wes, founders of TwoDads UK.
