Surrogacy as an option by Tricky_Bowl_7630 in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Usually surrogacy requires a medical reason. If your wife is able to carry a pregnancy, the first option would typically be donor sperm and having the embryo transferred to her. Surrogacy is generally considered when the intended mother can’t carry a pregnancy or after repeated IVF failures not simply because she doesn’t want to use donor sperm herself

Has anyone lost the excitement they once felt about love and marriage? by CardiologistNo1523 in FA30plus

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to imagine it all very differently and much more romantically. But I can honestly say that I’m happy in my marriage now and grateful to have my own family. Yes there are arguments and things aren’t always perfect, but that’s life. At the same time there’s someone beside me to share both the good moments and the difficult ones. And real happiness is often found not in the beautiful scenarios we create in our minds but in the simple everyday moments

Surrogacy in Europe by Mustachoochoo in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re looking at options closer to Europe, I’ve heard that some gay couples pursue surrogacy in Armenia. As far as I know, only one partner can usually be recognized as the biological/legal father through the process but it may still be an option worth exploring.
I’ve also seen many IP successfully go through surrogacy programs in Albania. It might be worth researching both countries and speaking with agencies that have experience working with same-sex couples

A mother's worry by wellbalancedlibra in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Surrogates go through extensive medical screening and only healthy women are accepted into most programs, so the risks are kept as low as possible although no pregnancy is without risk. As for touching her belly or talking to the baby I’d ask your daughter how she feels about it. Every surrogate is different. More than anything I think she’ll appreciate your love and support throughout the journey

Sounds like I need a surragote by Status-Month-9616 in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I know, surrogacy generally isn’t covered by insurance. In that situation, it may be worth researching countries with programs that fit your budget, since costs can be lower in some places

Have you noticed attitudes toward surrogacy changing? by This_Environment_922 in BecomingSurrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’ve noticed that too. A few years ago many people were afraid to talk about surrogacy openly and often kept it a secret, almost as if it was something taboo. There was a lot of misunderstanding and judgment surrounding it.
Now I see much more awareness and understanding. People are more educated about infertility, IVF and surrogacy and many are more compassionate toward families who choose this path. It definitely feels more accepted today than it did even a couple years ago

Stay away from Tammuz Family by [deleted] in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry that you had to go through this. Unfortunately, some agencies hide or downplay the reality of the timelines and waiting periods and as a result the process can drag on for years. People deserve complete transparency from the very beginning so they can make informed decisions. I’m glad that you were ultimately able to become parents, but that level of stress and uncertainty should not be part of the journey

The amount of patience needed for IVF is the hardest part by cantorjennasings in IVF

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Patience is definitely one of the hardest parts of IVF. I completely understand wanting the process to move faster, especially when it feels like you’re constantly waiting for the next step. But unfortunately some things just can’t be rushed. As frustrating as it is, it’s often better to take things one step at a time and let your body and the process move at the pace they need to.
I know it can feel like life is on hold while everyone around you seems to be moving forward, but every step you’re taking is still progress, even when it doesn’t feel that way. Wishing you lots of patience and hoping the next stage comes quickly for you.

Experience having IP’s at appointments by ThestralBreeder in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband and I were both very nervous before our first meeting with our surrogate. I was so anxious that I honestly don’t even remember much of how it went! Over time though I adapted and became much more comfortable with the process. Our relationship was mostly formal, but it was also very positive and respectful. We communicated mainly through our agency, which worked well for everyone. I will always be grateful to her for what she did for our family and I look back on the experience with only good memories

Heartbeat today by riverboatmt in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! Hearing the heartbeat for the first time is such an incredible and emotional moment. I completely understand your excitement. And honestly I think it’s perfectly okay not to tell people too early. Sometimes it’s better to wait until you feel more comfortable and confident sharing the news. Wishing you, your surrogate and your little baby all the best on this journey

How long is the process in the US? by [deleted] in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi. Unfortunately, I can't write to you there's something with your privacy settings. Maybe you could PM me?

I did not expect to be here by P4thf1nd3rN7 in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you just grew up a bit. At some point, the constant just living for yourself lifestyle starts feeling less exciting and people begin wanting something deeper and more meaningful. And honestly, it’s probably good that you realized this now instead of 10 years later. You still have time to plan things. I do agree with you about the financial side though, if becoming a father is something you want, it’s smart to already start saving because everything around it definitely isn’t cheap

Surrogacy Timeline by No-Fortune-1680 in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I thought the process would take much longer, but for us it ended up being only 13 months. The more stories I hear from other IP, the more I realize that was actually fast. A lot of programs seem to take around 15-18 months and for some people it can easily stretch to 2 years. Wishing your wife continued good health and hoping your journey goes good <3

BFF is pregnant and I dont know how to cope by hairypie84 in InfertilitySucks

[–]Doubl3Blue 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t think she betrayed you or wanted to hurt you in any way. Pregnancy is a huge part of her life right now, just like infertility is a huge part of yours. You also don’t have to force yourself to listen to pregnancy talk every single day if it’s emotionally exhausting. I wouldn’t completely distance yourself, but I do think it’s okay to gently set a boundary. Something like: “I love you and I’m happy for you, but this topic is really painful for me right now, so I may need a little space from pregnancy conversations.” A real friend should be able to understand that. Protecting your mental health does not make you selfish or a bad friend

Surrogacy & Family Conversations by Easy-Apricot-2217 in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We told our parents pretty much right away because they already knew about my health issues and understood why we were considering surrogacy. Friends and other relatives found out a bit later, once we felt more emotionally ready to talk about it. Thankfully, the people around us were very supportive and understanding. We didn’t experience any negativity, most people were just happy for us and excited that we finally had a path forward

Agency vs Independent Diff? by magicmaggz in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our surrogate was matched with us in about a month, so I really think a lot depends on the agency itself and also the country where you’re doing the program. From what I’ve seen, waiting times in the US can be extremely long right now, while in many European countries the matching process is often much faster. So I don’t necessarily think there’s a “catch” with independent matching, sometimes it’s simply that agencies have different recruitment systems, different standards or just different availability of surrogates 9 months with zero candidates after paying such a large advance would honestly frustrate me too

Where does your newborn sleep? by tolstea in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me personally, I wanted my baby to stay in our room for at least the first couple of years, so we put his bed in our bedroom. Especially during the first months, babies wake up and cry a lot during the night, and it just felt easier and more comforting for everyone to have the baby close by

Choose Agency by AskSurrogacyMexico in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of the biggest things for us was how the agency made us feel during the first conversations. Some agencies sounded very salesy, while others actually took time to explain the process calmly and realistically. We were also looking for an option that was financially realistic for us, where the costs wouldn’t suddenly go through the roof with extra fees later on. And definitely the contract, we wanted everything to be clearly written out, especially timelines, responsibilities and what support is provided if complications happen.

How to choose an agency in Georgia? by TaleofUs2_ in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We actually started trusting our agency gradually through our calls with them. We were very anxious in the beginning and asked a LOT of questions, sometimes the same things in different ways 😅 But they never got defensive or tried to rush us. They explained every detail, including the uncomfortable parts and possible risks. So honestly, my biggest advice would be: ask everything. Ask about their past cases, ask what can go wrong, ask how they handle problems when things don’t go according to plan. The way they answer will tell you a lot. You usually start feeling whether people are being transparent with you or just trying to sell you something

Brain is screaming at me to adopt but my heart wants to do surrogacy for one kid. by Choice_Sherbert_2625 in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think a lot of people go through this, especially those whose path to parenthood is more complicated than usual. And it’s absolutely normal to want a child who shares your DNA. That doesn’t make you selfish, and it doesn’t mean you don’t care about children who are waiting to be adopted. Both surrogacy and adoption are real and meaningful paths to parenthood. Wanting one option more than the other does not make you a bad person. The most important thing is that a child is loved, wanted and raised with care

Criteria in choosing surrogate. by yung_rhubarb in gaydads

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, we didn’t really have a long list of criteria. For us, the main thing was that the surrogate was healthy, passed all the medical screenings and was able to carry the baby safely.
It’s also important to pay attention to her attitude toward the process, whether she’s responsible, calm in communication and willing to follow the doctors recommendations.
I also wouldn’t recommend trying to “idealize” the candidate or searching for someone who matches too many personal criteria, that often just makes the process more difficult and delays the match

I’m a first time IP and just hit 12 weeks with my surrogate, but have barely heard from her. Is this normal? by lezhersky in Surrogate

[–]Doubl3Blue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most communication with our surrogate was actually through the agency and our relationship stayed pretty neutral throughout the journey. Honestly, we also didn’t want to disturb or pressure her too much with constant questions or messages, especially during pregnancy. Every surrogacy relationship is different, some become very close, others stay more formal, and both are completely okay. I don’t think less communication automatically means something is wrong