THE SURROGACY JOURNEY
Simplifying the world of surrogacy is all part of her job, says Cassandra Kalpaxis of Simply Surrogacy.
Simplifying the world of surrogacy is all part of the job for Cassandra Kalpaxis.
Surrogacy is whispered about over drinks and gossiped about on the internet and often misunderstood. There’s a misconception among many people that all surrogacy is illegal. It isn’t. Altruistic surrogacy is legal.
The distinction here is that commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia, for good reason, and is prosecuted appropriately. The exploitation and trafficking of women overseas is still commonplace and our laws are designed to protect these who are vulnerable. You cannot advertise for a surrogate in Australia.
Altruistic surrogacy means the surrogate must not receive compensation for the process besides their legal and medical expenses being paid. Parents cannot even provide a cash gift to the surrogate at the end of the process or might find themselves being charged for a criminal act and spending some non-restful time in prison.
Having a family by non-traditional means can be overwhelming. We know from our clients that many people who begin down the path of surrogacy, often turn back due to the conflicting and muddled information available on the internet.
Having worked in the industry for ten years, I have witnessed, first-hand, the changes that have taken place for parents seeking to have a child through surrogacy. What was once a lengthy journey taking years, and often ending in heartbreak, has now been simplified and, when the right professionals have been engaged, very rewarding and successful.
Domestic surrogacy in Australia is widely used. Regrettably, the media has done little to share the stories of the vast numbers of couples who are successfully creating their families through surrogacy.
In Australia, the system is designed to support both the intended parents and the surrogate. If you are lucky enough to have a surrogate lined up, the first thing you can expect to do is see your lawyer. This is vital to the success of any surrogacy arrangement.
During this consultation, we would generally discuss what to expect as part of an altruistic surrogacy arrangement. We put you in touch with a psychologist who will assess both you and your surrogate to determine if you are the right fit. A report is prepared that transparently sets out the findings. You will meet with your fertility clinic to discuss surrogacy and have them review any documents to determine if they will perform the procedure.
It is imperative that everyone enters into this agreement willingly, informed and committed to the end result, which is creating a baby for the intended parents.
As part of the process, a surrogacy agreement is prepared that sets out the agreement between the parties. It is an informal agreement but, in New South Wales, a necessary step to obtaining a parentage order, which is the transfer of the baby from the surrogate to that of the intended parents.
I have drafted agreements that have included everything from what the baby will wear after birth, to if the surrogate will breastfeed and how involved the surrogate will be once the baby arrives. Each family and their circumstances are unique; the surrogacy agreement is where the parties get to be on the same page.
Checks and balances are performed at each step of the surrogacy process to ensure that everyone is kept safe, that they continue to consent to the arrangement, and that the professionals in the room believe that it’s appropriate for the surrogacy to take place. I often explain to my clients that the process is designed this way to prevent the horror stories you may have read on Facebook chat rooms.
It is vital that you engage the right professionals as part of the process. Most of us in this industry are working in this space because of our own personal experience in creating our families. We are generous with our time and are happy to point you in the right direction.
Surrogacy can seem intimidating, but we practice what we preach at Simply Surrogacy. We unpack the complications and make things streamlined. Let us take on the legal work allowing you to prepare to become the best parent you can be.
Checks and balances are performed at each step of the surrogacy process to ensure that everyone is kept safe…