As we learn more about the COVID-19 virus and its effects on surrogacy, we would like to share with you what we know and how we can help. Right now, groups like the American College of OB/GYN and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine are not recommending that pregnant women need to take precautions above and beyond those that are recommended for the entire population. We are asking that Surrogates and Intended Parents look to their OB/GYNs and Reproductive Endocrinologists for guidance as it applies to their specific case. Below are some other things to keep in mind as we navigate this unprecedented time in American history and within our surrogacy community.
Emotional Toll:
This is an extremely emotional time for all members of our community from Surrogates to Intended Parents, Social Workers to Agency Owners. There are a lot of unknowns and unusual risks. We have become stay at home workers, home-school parents and lack a lot of social interaction that is a typical part of our daily lives. In order to make it through this trying time, the CDC has recommended taking breaks from news and social media related to the virus, exercising and finding time to participate in hobbies that you can do at home. Additionally, while wine may seem like it holds all the answers, limiting caffeine and alcohol can be helpful as both can lead to panic, anxiety and depression.
From the agency standpoint, we are here to support all of our clients and the community as a whole. We are available for video chats, phone check ins, emails or texts at any point. Please reach out if you'd like to chat and we would be happy to! We also have a community of Mental Health Providers that we can connect you to who can help you process through this as well!
Insurance:
If you are starting your surrogate search or you're matched and your surrogate does not have insurance, California, along with a handful of other states are extending the deadline to apply for health insurance through June 2020. Please reach out if you are in this position and we will put in an application for insurance for your surrogate.
Birth:
One of the major impacts we are seeing with new hospital policies is strict and severe limitations on hospital visitors. At most hospitals around the country, there will only be one support person in the room for the birth. In surrogacy, this makes things complicated as the surrogate will need to choose between her partner or one of the Intended Parents. Additionally, in some hospitals, there will be no visitation to the newborn. In essence, it will be the responsibility of the surrogate and her support person to take care of the baby until both are released from the hospital and the surrogate can give the parents their child. In cases of c-section, we are seeing hospitals deny any support system and the surrogate will have to deliver alone.
In addition to the limitation on visitors, we are seeing faster deliveries using intervention and quicker discharge times. Because doctors want to limit the time a woman is in the hospital, as well as the baby, the medical community is expediting births through additional medications and instruments like forceps and suction. Check in with your OB/GYN and see if you/ your surrogate are a good candidate for a birth center. Hospitals are asking delivering patients to explore other options that limit their access and risk in a hospital setting. Please reach out to us if you need assistance in talking to your OB/GYN about their recommendations for hospital births at the present time.
Unfortunately, these are not going to be short term changes. Hospitals expect to see these changes implemented through the remainder of 2020. Knowing about these changes ahead of births allows time to change course or seek alternatives. Additionally, we suggest now that each surrogate and Intended Parent reach out to our educational team at Flourishing Families/Taylor Made Doulas and take a online child birth class that centers around these new restrictions and surrogacy.
A Path Forward:
All hope is not lost. While non-cycling embryo transfers are on hold, now is a good time to start the surrogacy process. The process normally takes 90 days from match call to transfer so starting now will give you an advantage when the third party reproduction community begins doing embryo transfers once again. If you are already in process, take this time to get to know your surrogate/ Intended Parents. Send emails and chit chat. Let us know if you need some ideas to increase your communication. We could all use a little more connectivity and positivity right now so frequent communication with your surrogate/Intended Parent can be a silver lining.
Roots Surrogacy is here to support anyone in our community who is looking for guidance, comfort, understanding or direction. We know this is a challenging time for everyone and we are here to help.
Sincerely,
Brooke, Cassie and Sarah