Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A: I am very new to this. We have struggled with fertility issues for 5 years now and though I have gotten positive results from IVF treatments, those where only positive for a few weeks. The problem seems to be (though the RE's have not confirmed this) with implantationl. The embryo's always do look good. My mom has offered to be the surrogant mother for our baby. She is 51 years old, has negative blood but is in perfect health. I don't think negative blood is a big issue anymore. A shot is suppose to take care of all the risks she faced when she delivered me. I was wondering if you have an opinion about this option. Perhaps you know of other grandmothers who have been a surrogant. Perhaps you know some pro's and con's to it. We are just starting to consider surrogancy after our last (it was the 5th) cycle failed. We are wondering about the emotions- how it feels to have someone else tell you your baby has kicked for example. We also wonder about the risk my mom would be taking, I wonder if she might be too old perhaps. She is 51. As you can tell, I wonder about a whole bunch of stuff !!! Any input would be so much appriciated. I would love to hear your experiences. Thank you so much. - <a href="mailto:gmckelv@aol.com">Cynthia</a>

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Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A

Q & A: Just Starting Out - Surrogacy

For those just starting down the surrogacy path. Topics may include finding the right match, pros and cons of independent vs. agency, where to start, etc.

10. I am very new to this. We have struggled with fertility issues for 5 years now and though I have gotten positive results from IVF treatments, those where only positive for a few weeks. The problem seems to be (though the RE's have not confirmed this) with implantationl. The embryo's always do look good. My mom has offered to be the surrogant mother for our baby. She is 51 years old, has negative blood but is in perfect health. I don't think negative blood is a big issue anymore. A shot is suppose to take care of all the risks she faced when she delivered me. I was wondering if you have an opinion about this option. Perhaps you know of other grandmothers who have been a surrogant. Perhaps you know some pro's and con's to it. We are just starting to consider surrogancy after our last (it was the 5th) cycle failed. We are wondering about the emotions- how it feels to have someone else tell you your baby has kicked for example. We also wonder about the risk my mom would be taking, I wonder if she might be too old perhaps. She is 51. As you can tell, I wonder about a whole bunch of stuff !!! Any input would be so much appriciated. I would love to hear your experiences. Thank you so much. - Cynthia - Top

Cynthia,

My Mother-In-Law actually offered to be our surrogate but we ended up not doing gestational so she couldn't help. As long as your mother is in
good health she should be able to be your surrogate. Even if she has been through menepause they can stimulate her cycle to take the embies. I had a complete stanger to carry a child for me and while I missed being pregnant I was so grateful to be having a baby that I didn't mind sharing the pregnancy. I am sure that if you and your mother are close ths will only bring you closer. While I do not have first hand experience with a grandmother being a surrogate I have read 2 article about just that and even saw a movie based on actual events.

Discuss everything and make sure everyone is 100% in agreement on every issue and things should be fine. Good luck.

Lynn - Updated: February 13, 2000
For those just starting down the surrogacy path. Topics may include finding the right match, pros and cons of independent vs. agency, where to start, etc.

10. I am very new to this. We have struggled with fertility issues for 5 years now and though I have gotten positive results from IVF treatments, those where only positive for a few weeks. The problem seems to be (though the RE's have not confirmed this) with implantationl. The embryo's always do look good. My mom has offered to be the surrogant mother for our baby. She is 51 years old, has negative blood but is in perfect health. I don't think negative blood is a big issue anymore. A shot is suppose to take care of all the risks she faced when she delivered me. I was wondering if you have an opinion about this option. Perhaps you know of other grandmothers who have been a surrogant. Perhaps you know some pro's and con's to it. We are just starting to consider surrogancy after our last (it was the 5th) cycle failed. We are wondering about the emotions- how it feels to have someone else tell you your baby has kicked for example. We also wonder about the risk my mom would be taking, I wonder if she might be too old perhaps. She is 51. As you can tell, I wonder about a whole bunch of stuff !!! Any input would be so much appriciated. I would love to hear your experiences. Thank you so much. - Cynthia - Top: Cynthia,

My Mother-In-Law actually offered to be our surrogate but we ended up not doing gestational so she couldn't help. As long as your mother is in
good health she should be able to be your surrogate. Even if she has been through menepause they can stimulate her cycle to take the embies. I had a complete stanger to carry a child for me and while I missed being pregnant I was so grateful to be having a baby that I didn't mind sharing the pregnancy. I am sure that if you and your mother are close ths will only bring you closer. While I do not have first hand experience with a grandmother being a surrogate I have read 2 article about just that and even saw a movie based on actual events.

Discuss everything and make sure everyone is 100% in agreement on every issue and things should be fine. Good luck.

Lynn - Updated: February 13, 2000

Unless stated otherwise, all responses in the SMO Q&A are courtesy of one or more of the following hosts:

Sherry - Experienced gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement

Linda - New Mommy to twins born via gestational surrogacy and egg donation

Jennifer S. - Experienced AI surrogate

Lynn - New Mommy to a daughter born via traditional surrogacy

Tracie - 5 time egg donor (triplets, 2 sets of twins and 2 singletons) and 3 time surrogate (2-AI, 1-IVF).

Lisa - Experienced egg donor and previous gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement (Lisa was our former ED host, prior to July 1999.)
Disclaimer: Responses from SMO Q&A Hosts do not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of SMO. Neither the Q&A hosts nor SMO guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the responses given here. As such, neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts are responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in these responses.

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