Surrogacy A Family Frontier

In late 2018, Radio BBC 5 aired a six part podcast hosted by Oscar-winning film-maker Dustin Lance Black who with his husband, Olympic diver Tom Daley, engaged in US surrogacy. The series explores the range of attitudes towards altruistic and compensated surrogacy, explores surrogate motivations and the views of those against the practice. Lance talks here with Kim Bergman, PhD surrogacy psychologist, Senior Partner of Growing Generations and author of Your Future Family: The Essential Guide to Assisted Reproduction about his motivations for the series and the most confronting and surprising aspects of it.

Lance Black, Dad via USA & filmmaker, Kim Bergman, Growing Generations

Surrogacy – where does the future lie?

What are the key differences in commercial vs altruistic models? Do success rates differ? How best can surrogate arrangements be supported? What do the Law Commission recommendations for surrogacy law reform mean for international and domestic arrangements? How likely are they to be adopted? Sam Everingham addressed some of the tough questions in a global landscape.

Sam Everingham Families Through Surrogacy

IVF and Embryology Techniques to maximise your chances

This session covers what medical test results you should prepare prior to surrogacy, the importance of semen analysis, the pros and cons of PGD testing of embryos and single vs double embryo transfer.

Dr Jerald Goldstein, Fertility Specialists of Texas, USA

Best Practice in Surrogate Screening, Matching and Support

Countries like the UK and Canada struggle to recruit and support surrogates, whereas some US states are able to better screen and match surrogates and intended parents based on greater availability, psychometric tools and experience. Learn about US donor and surrogate options and what makes for positive relationships between recipient and their team.

Stephanie Scott, Simple Surrogacy, USA

Altruistic Surrogacy in Greece

What can the UK learn from the Greek surrogacy model, which similarly allows only altruistic surrogacy but also allows foreigners to access its programs.Is host surrogacy available? What are the eligibility criteria?  In the absence of surrogacy agencies, how are surrogates recruited and cared for? What sort of women carry as surrogates.  Why does transfer of parentage occur before the first embryo transfer? How long is the exit process after Greek surrogacy?

Dr G. Attanasios, Garavelas Medical Group, Official partner at Io Life, Athens

Legal Issues for UK Citizens Using Surrogacy

Who does UK law recognise as the legal parent? What legal rights does the surrogate have in the UK vs US, Greece or elsewhere? It what situations is a contract with the surrogate required? How do I become the legal parent after surrogacy ?

Harjit Sarang, Surrogacy Lawyers UK

AFTERNOON TEA & NETWORKING

Parent Journeys

In-depth discussion & Q&A with UK parents who engaged at home and offshore detailing what to expect – processes, costs,  what can go wrong and how to survive the unexpected hurdles with surrogacy and egg donation

Moderator: Sam Everingham

Panelists: Michael Johnson-Ellis (gay dad via UK), Mauren O’Halloran (mum via Ukraine) Richard Scarlett (dad via USA) Richard Sawyer (dad via USA)

Success Rates, Risks and Guarantees

Do IVF clinics  publish audited success rates? How does this differ by country? What success rate measures should you look at? What sort of risks do you need to consider? Some agencies and clinics offer ‘guarantee packages. What are they guaranteeing and are they worth the extra dollars?

Sam Everingham Families Through Surrogacy

IVF and Embryology Techniques to maximise your chances

This session covers what medical test results you should prepare prior to surrogacy, the importance of semen analysis, the pros and cons of PGD testing of embryos and single vs double embryo transfer.

Dr Jerald Goldstein, Fertility Specialists of Texas, USA

Best Practice in Surrogate Screening, Matching and Support

Countries like the UK and Canada struggle to recruit and support surrogates, whereas some US states are able to better screen and match surrogates and intended parents based on greater availability, psychometric tools and experience. Learn about US donor and surrogate options and what makes for positive relationships between recipient and their team.

Stephanie Scott, Simple Surrogacy, USA

Altruistic Surrogacy in Greece

What can we learn from the Greek surrogacy model, which similarly allows only altruistic surrogacy but also allows foreigners to access its programs.Is host surrogacy available? What are the eligibility criteria?  In the absence of surrogacy agencies, how are surrogates recruited and cared for? What sort of women carry as surrogates.  Why does transfer of parentage occur before the first embryo transfer? How long is the exit process after Greek surrogacy?

Dr Elias Tsakos, EmbryoClinic Greece

The Practicalities of Ukraine Surrogacy

Scores of Irish Citizens engage in Ukraine surrogacy every year, but dealing with the practicalities is a key consideration. This talk covers the most effective ways to start surrogacy in Ukraine , how you can save time and which organizations to contact; How to manage organizational and legal aspects; How to access appropriate supervision, medical coordination and support for you and your surrogate; How to manage urgent and regular medical care for newborns  in Kyiv; vaccination procedures

Nadiia Melenevska, IVMed, Ukraine

What Are your Legal Rights as Parents Through Surrogacy? 

Understand how you will need to engage with the Irish authorities to ensure a hassle free experience;  how can you access legal parentage after surrogacy under Irish law?  For those who are already parents via surrogacy, how can domestic adoption or guardianship processes be used to ensure the Irish mother or gay partner have legal recognition? Understand how TUSLA is involved and how to ensure Passport renewals are hassle free. Understand what parents can do to lobby their local member to ensure the forthcoming AHR Act provides equitable legal and citizenship status for your children.

Tracy Horan, Tracy Horan solicitors, Dublin

AFTERNOON TEA & NETWORKING

Parent Journeys

In-depth discussion & Q&A with parents who engaged at home and offshore detailing what to expect – processes, costs,  what can go wrong and how to survive the unexpected hurdles with surrogacy and egg donation

Moderator: Sam Everingham

Panelists: Richard Sawyer (gay dad via USA) Ciara Dowling (Mum via Ukraine) Audrey Kealy (mum  via Ukraine), John Furlong (Gay dad via Ireland)