Family MANAGEMENT
SURROGACY PROVIDES A TAILOR-MADE APPROACH TO SURROGACY. ITS FOUNDER DOCTOR NEVEN WASSALL PH.D TELLS PRIDE LIFE WHAT INSPIRED HIM TO SET UP HIS SURROGACY SERVICE
My partner and I met by chance in 1998 and pretty soon became inseparable. We both enjoyed professional careers with healthy incomes and made the most of what living in Central London had to offer. After several years of working hard and playing hard, we decided to move to Sussex to enjoy a more serene pace of life. We commuted to London every day for work, but in the evenings and at weekends enjoyed our dream house and spending time with our two beagles. Our lives were close to perfect; yet, there was something missing.
Both of us yearned to be parents. We felt that we had a lot to offer to children so we began exploring options that were available to us in order to start a family. We thought long and hard about adopting. After pursuing adoption for almost two years, for a number of reasons we reluctantly came to a conclusion that it was not quite right for us. Our thoughts then turned to surrogacy.
For several months, a lot of our free time was taken up with researching the subject. Which countries allow surrogacy? What about gay surrogacy? What are the legal implications? How much will it cost? How long will it take? How do we know if the clinics and agencies involved are reputable?
It soon became clear that the world of surrogacy was shrouded in the unknown. Internet research proved more confusing than enlightening. We were going round in circles. Eventually a friend introduced us to a couple that already had children through surrogacy and they put us in touch with a California-based agency. Soon afterwards, our journey commenced. Although perhaps not as smooth and straightforward as we had hoped, it ultimately resulted in the birth of our beautiful twin daughters.
We were the happiest and proudest parents there could be. Upon our return to the UK from California, we were greeted by the warmest of welcomes by family, friends and neighbours. The early days with the girls were deceptively easy; we were lucky that they were both healthy, fed with ease and, like all newborns, slept a lot. We were wondering what all the fuss was about. With time, we learned, as all first-time parents do, that having a baby (and especially twins) means a lot of hard work and many sleepless nights, but the results could not be more rewarding and are little short of truly magical.
As word of our new arrivals spread, more and more friends approached us asking for advice about surrogacy. This eventually led me to the idea of setting up Surrogacy Management, a complete surrogacy guidance and case management service. The surrogacy process is extremely complex and can be very tricky to navigate. I wanted to make it as simple, straightforward and enjoyable for my clients as possible and be there for them during each and every step.
I was inspired to do things differently to other agencies by capitalising on my own previous work experiences (I have a science-based Ph.D and have worked for several large companies in a number of senior executive roles). In order to offer the supreme level of customer service that surrogacy necessitates, I manage all my clients’ cases myself and take pride in being at least as knowledgeable about each individual case as the parents-to-be. I only work with the very best experts in the field and am not limited to just one surrogate agency, egg donation agency, fertility clinic, legal team or insurance company – this provides greater choice allowing me to meet each client’s exacting requirements.
While I am very happy to bring my own
knowledge and experience into the equation, I am passionate about safeguarding the discretion and privacy of all my clients. For me, the surrogacy process does not end at the point of pregnancy and I offer help long after the birth of the child (or children). This includes practical advice on baby equipment but also help with finding maternity nurses or nannies, if needed.
I am passionate about surrogacy and feel privileged and lucky to be able to help individuals and couples (both gay and straight) realise their ambitions to have a family.
“The surrogacy process is extremely complex and can be very tricky to navigate. I want to make it as simple, straightforward and enjoyable for my clients as possible”