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Get a Real Job, San Antonio: Be a Surrogate Mother

Posted By Michael Marks on Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 12:03 PM San Antonio Current, sacurrent.com

 

Get paid to bring a baby like this little dude into the world. (Flickr Creative Commons/Christopher Lance)

 

Whether you've got one or you need one, jobs can be a drag. So in a San Antonio Current feature, we scan local job boards to find a real gig you could have that you may never have thought of.

This week: get paid for delivering the gift of life, as advertised by this Craigslist post.

Sorry guys — this week’s “Get a Real Job, San Antonio” is strictly for the ladies. Nothing personal, but this gig requires you to be able to bear children.

It’s tough to even call this “a gig” though, because it’s clearly much more than that. Reproductive Possibilities, a surrogacy agency, is looking for women to carry couples’ children. For that undertaking, you could be compensated over $32,000, plus expenses. Here’s part of the full posting, via Craigslist:

Reproductive Possibilities, LLC is an established Surrogacy Agency that is seeking loving women to carry couples biological babies. Earn $32,000 and up! Plus all expenses paid by giving the gift of life! Help a loving and infertile couple become parents. Call our toll free #1-888-363-9457 or visit our website http://www.reproductivepossibilities.com/signin.cfm to apply.

Requirements:
* Between the ages of 21-43
* Non-smoker
* Have previously given birth

This isn’t like that time you needed cash and applied to be a Liberty Tax sign holder on a whim — this is a serious commitment (not to denigrate the good people at Liberty Tax and their crown-and-robe-clad employees). It’s a peculiar way to earn a wage, but an honest and vital one, too.

For more information, visit Reproductive Possibilities’ website.

SUNFLOWERS!!!

A ray of sunshine for the law firm to help us think of spring during these cold snowy days!

Thanks so much CM for thinking of us! It's a pleasure working with you!

Unintended Costs of Gestational Surrogacy | A Response to the California Triplets Case

According to the New York Post, “A surrogate mom who refuses to abort one of the triplets she’s carrying because the father only wants two of the kids filed a lawsuit Monday claiming that California’s surrogacy law is unconstitutional.”  The headline of the story is “Surrogate carrying triplets sues to stop forced abortion”.

Gestational Surrogacy Case In California Raising Unwarranted Fears

Certainly the title is gripping, intentionally, to draw the reader into the story and to invoke a sense of outrage.  However, the article does not purport to know the actual facts of the case and certainly does not report the unanswered questions that intended parents, carriers, medical professionals and attorneys in this field want presented.  There are thousands of gestational carriers who deliver in the United States each year.  Most of these cases result in healthy babies that are delivered to their intended parents without legal incident.  Cases such as this one as reported in the Post are rare.

What Can We Learn From This Case?

So what can we learn from the case as reported?  First, if you are interested in being a gestational carrier or a parent via gestational surrogacy, rest assured this case is not the norm.  Second, do your homework.  Ask your prospective carrier her views on abortion, reduction, and other important medical situations.  Make sure professionals in the field are utilized– social workers, lawyers, doctors.  Don’t skimp on the professional services.  This is a child, your child and doing your best to have this be a good fit is vital. You must have a meeting of the minds with your carrier and make sure this meeting of the minds is in writing as well.  If you don’t want three babies, don’t put in three embryos.  Sure, embryos can split but you are much less likely to get triplets if you only put in one or two embryos.
Lastly, do be aware of the legal issues.  Make sure you are in a state with good laws.  In California, if the law is followed, the intended parents in a gestational surrogacy arrangement are the parents. However, this does not mean you can force a woman to have an abortion.  This is a risk in every gestational surrogacy arrangement.  People can change their minds.  If someone says they will have an abortion and then decides not to have the abortion/reduction, one cannot force them to have the abortion.  This is why proper counseling is necessary every step of the way.  My office has completed thousands of gestational arrangements and I have never had this problem.  Remember, in life, nothing is guaranteed. But with proper planning, gestational surrogacy is a wonderful gift for those who need it to build their families.

Unintended Costs of Gestational Surrogacy | A Response to the California Triplets Case

Good News for Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers in PA

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

We have welcome news for intended parents working with gestational carriers residing and delivering in Pennsylvania. 

On November 23^rd, 2015, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania ruled that a gestational carrier contract can be enforced in Pennsylvania. This is the first time an appellate court has specifically ruled on the enforce-ability of a gestational carrier contract in Pennsylvania. This decision now clarifies the law for the many people who use ART in Pennsylvania to form their families. 
In RE: Baby S., click here to read the full opinion.

We wanted to share with you some recent appearances for Melissa Brisman, a leader in protecting the rights of Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers:

Reproductive law spurs debate among Pike Bar members
Pike.com December 9, 2015

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Intended Mother Must Remain on Birth Certificate of Son Born Via Surrogate, Pay Child Support
People.com November 24, 2015 By Diane Herbst

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How 2 Women Became Friends After Bonding at IVF Clinic and Ended up Giving Birth to Siblings
People.com November 24, 2015 By Pam Grout

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So Proud to be Featured on Italian TV. Congrats to our client and gestational carrier who also appeared! Fabulous Piece!
Italian TV October 15, 2015

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Melissa Brisman’s personal journey featured here in The Pennsylvania Gazette: “After overcoming her own infertility, Melissa Brisman has helped hundreds of couples become parents”

http://thepenngazette.com/baby-mama/

Fun for all at our first annual Open House!

We would like to share some pictures from our recent Open House here at Reproductive Possibilities.  We hope to see you next year!