Bringing a Baby into the World During a Pandemic Via Surrogacy
COVID-19 has certainly changed our world! Compared to a year ago when Surrogacy was complicated enough for the average Intended Parent to understand, COVID was added and practically grounded all surrogacy journeys to a halt! Borders closed making international surrogacy practically impossible. Travel at all was almost unheard of in those early days. Clinics closed, we were all to stay at home and social distance, wear masks and wash our hands.
Now that we’ve been living with this pandemic for over a year, we still have to consider all of the risks that come with arranging a surrogacy pregnancy and birth. A surrogacy journey often includes travel and in person appointments which can expose anyone to this virus if one is not careful. Extra protocols are in place for the protection of staff and patients. Where once a surrogate might meet face to face with her Intended Parents or members of her agency now Zoom or other video calls are scheduled. It’s truly a different world and often referred to as “the new normal”.
Building families via IVF and Surrogacy need not be put off though! We’ve learned a lot over the past year and have adjusted protocols so that everyone involved can stay safe and healthy. If we follow the CDC guidelines and keep our schedules flexible we should not have to deviate to far from our “normal” timelines. Yes, COVID testing is required. Yes, you may not be allowed as many people in the labor room as in the past. Yes, the baby may be cared for in a different, and may I suggest, a safer way while in the hospital but we can make this work! If you have any questions as to how we conduct our surrogacy process, please feel free to contact us! We would love to share with you how we make sure that our program fits into this brave new surrogacy world.