UK Sperm and Egg Donation Cycles Decline

While I can understand a child's need to know where they came from, I am not surprised the latest findings regarding the decline in sperm and egg donation since the government banned antonymous donations in 2005. The rates have declined by nearly 40% for egg donation, despite the government's insurance that the rates would not decline. Most couples are on a two-year waiting list for donors, denying treatment to thousands of couples. It is no surprise that couples look to the United States and other countries when seeking a donor.

The complete article can be found here: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4215440.ece

Surrogacy in Australia

While not all states within the USA legalize surrogacy, there are many states that do. Australians are not so fortunate, as most of the country, surrogacy is illegal or the laws legalizing surrogacy are so problematic and recognize the surrogate as the legal mother if there is a dispute between the couple and the surrogate, that most couples look elsewhere.

This couple found a way and her sister carried her baby for her. Surrogacy in the state where they moved to is legal as long as the surrogate is not paid a fee (altruistic). Most of the countries and states where surrogacy is illegal or is restricted to unpaid surrogacy do so because the legislators believe that paying a woman to carry a child is degrading to women and illegal baby selling under current adoption laws.

The complete article is found at this link: www.news.com.au/couriermail/comments/0,23836,23900110-5007191,00.html

Infertility and Age

An article came out today that infertility rises depending on age, which is true. Most women are under the impression, misguided as it is, that it's only until you reach the age of 35 that you have to worry about conceiving.

That is not true. Many women can have problems concieving at age 30. I know I was 32 when I started to try and get pregnant and it was not easy for me at all. Yes, we all know women who conceive easily at 35 and beyond. I have a childhood friend who got pregnant the first month she went off the pill and she was 40!

But, that is not the norm. The complete article can be found here: Putting off pregnancy until after age 30 causes infertility issues

The Parents Via Egg Donation Organization: How to Select an Egg Donor Agency

The Parents Via Egg Donation Organization: How to Select an Egg Donor Agency

Circle Surrogacy to Host Surrogacy Seminar for Swedish Couples

I recently had the pleasure of meeting John Weltman, President of Circle Surrogacy, at the American Fertility Association's Families Matter meeting held in San Fransisco and I found him to be knowledgeable and caring, as well as an entertaining and informative speaker. I think what he is doing will help many couples who cannot have a child through surrogacy in their country due to the restrictive laws.

And I too have found an increase in international couples to both my law practice and agency, Extraordinary Conceptions. I think the weak economy in the U.S. does have something to do with it, but whose to say if that is the only reason why international couples are coming to the U.S. for surrogacy and egg donation now.

Perhaps the recent Newsweek article portraying surrogates in a positive light has something to do with the increase of international couples. It really is hard to say.

The laws in California have not changed in over 20 years and are still extremely favorable to all couples and individuals, whether you are gay or straight, married or single, so I can't say the law is a factor.

You can read the complete press release here.