MAV, r anyone who can help w LA surrogacy

[want2bGS]

It has been awhile since I was on here..I am from near Lafayette Louisiana and have a few questions. I have been through surrogacy in 2001 and am currently going through it again. 2001 was a failed attempt. I have finished my mock cycle this go round and am waiting for my IPs to find a new donor because they had problems with their last one.
I'm considering finding new IPs. We have been fighting with IPs lawyer and clinics since Oct. I was tested and all is perfect.
But I have taken medications and giving my all to make this work and IPs have not even gotten the contract ready. Seems out of respect, they should have gotten that taken care of along time ago. They should have switched lawyers a long time ago back in November or Dec. Any advice on this?
And I had a ? for MAV. I see you are from New Orleans. Or anyone from LA or a state that is like LA when it comes to surrogacy. How does surrogacy work ?
Does an adoption have to be done? And will they do pre birth orders? I dont mind traveling out of state to other clinics because LA doesnt have any because it is sort of neutral. But I am curious what is going to happen when the birth arrives if I deliver in Louisiana. Does the hospital go by the contract and hand over the baby to IPs with little or no fuss?
Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

[BC-MAV]

I think you need to go with an agency so you have them to protect your rights as well as your IP's rights because I assume you would likely be delivering in LA, where surrogacy is null and void... which means not illegal... but there are no laws with regards to surrogacy... no judges with experience in surrogacy... and no lawyers who know about surrogacy!!!!

First step is you need to find out from a lawyer experienced in surrogacy how it works. You will NOT find one in Louisinana so you need to contact a lawyer in another state where surrogacy is legal and surrogates are compensated and IP's go on the birth certificate and the lawyer has done this time and time again. I recommend CA!!! You need to find out how it all works BEFORE you even consider doing surrogacy, BEFORE taking meds, and BEFORE signing a contract. Our agency in CA does have LA surrogates and LA egg donors so I'm sure it can be done. If you like contact them

www.creatingfamilies.com

I'm sorry you have already taken medications and you don't have a contract with your IP's. NEVER start any meds, even BCP's, without having a contract!!! Our agency and RE will NOT let a SM start ANYTHING till all contracts are signed. It's a hard, steadfast, cardinal RULE! Very important!!!

Good luck and let us know what they tell you. I am curious....

[scorpionsrose]

Just to let you know there is one lawyer in LA that has been working with surrogacy for many years. I pretty sure he has even worked with the legislature to try and get the laws written. Micheal Theriot in Baton Rouge is his name. He is the lawyer we have for our surrogacy. He has been extremely helpful and thorough. He explained to us that in LA the IP's have to do an adoption. The paperwork is all ready and filled out, then in the hospital as soon as the baby is born the SM signs papers relinquishing parental rights and the IP's take immediate custody. We spoke with two other lawyers before we went to Micheal. He is the only one in LA that knows anything about surrogacy. Others will say they do, but that is not the case. We are using a clinic based in Houston with an office in Beaumont. Our clinic has spoken to us and done some diagnostic testing but will not start meds until the contract is totally finished.

If you have any other questions you can e-mail me at brooker88@yahoo.com. I will do my best to help you anyway that I can.

amy

[BC-MAV]

Good to know that there is someone in the state that does it!

[want2bGS]

I used an agency last time I tried to be a surrogate in 2001. Did not have a good experience with them so decided to go independently this time. I know all about surrogacy. Like I said, I was a surrogate before, but the transfers never took so I didnt get as far as the delivery. Thats why I was wondering about how it worked with the birth. This time around, I am not sure where I am going to deliver, but it might be Louisiana. I know there are a couple of lawyers here but the only one I liked that I spoke with is Micheal. He already is my lawyer. Just waiting on the contract so we can get started. But I dont think I want to help this couple because of problems such as the whole contract thing. I have done testing that costs over 500 dollars and they do not seem one bit concerned that the contract isnt done. NOt to mention, I've put my all into this, have even done my mock cycle...without a contract! I know how surrogacy works. I was just curious how Louisiana handled it when it came down to the birth. Michael has already told me that an adoption would have to be done. So thats what I told my IPs.
So if I use an agency in California, they wont require me to go there? I know some clinics require you do certain tests there at their clinic. And some let you do all tests locally near your home and even do the psych over the phone. The only time they require you go there is after the contract is done and the IPs are responsible for the trips costs.
I checked into some clinics in TX and some there in Houston and Dallas I think require you go there to do testing and even to meet with potential IPs. If I go with a clinic like that, it would have to be a close one so I could travel there without having to worry much about cost.
Anyway, thanks so much for your suggestions and I will definitely stop all meds until contract or look for new Ips.

Jessica

[scorpionsrose]

I would definately put a halt to everything until a contract is signed. As an SM you shouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket. I even thought that the IP's paid for any trips to the clinic or meetings. As far as the birth goes, if you delivery in LA it will work like an adoption no matter whether you are with an agency or not.

I would talk to your IP's and find out where they stand and let them know where you stand, then go from there.

The clinic we are working with in Houston is CORM and they have allowed us to do all of the testing that we can locally. We have only had to travel to the Beaumont office twice so far.

[BC-MAV]

Agencies might cover some of the costs of screening a surrogate but once matched with a couple, the couple ultimately pays the costs of pscyh screening, infectious disease tests, and mock cycles for the SM.

[BC-MAV]

Agencies might cover some of the costs of screening a surrogate but once a SM is matched with a couple, the couple ultimately pays the costs of pscyh screening, infectious disease tests, and mock cycles for the SM.