Why do you need a carrier in the US? Why not stay in Germany?
Gestational carrying/surrogacy is not a universally accessible thing. Many European countries are open to it, but have different rules and regulations. The United States is the leading country that permits commercial surrogacy (exchange of payment for the service of carrying someone else’s child) and it is probably the most heavily regulated country. I have American citizenship, with our embryos frozen in a clinic in the United States, meaning we have great access to this process in my home country. In Germany, surrogacy and gestational carrying is not legal. The country however recognizes a child born through gestational carrying in another country. They see it as similar to when you adopt a kid from another country and bring it home. That’s your kid.
Where will your child be born?
Our gestational carrier, once pregnant, will experience the entire pregnancy in her home town, being monitored by her own local OB. The baby will give birth wherever our carrier lives.
How often or when do you need to go back to the States during the pregnancy/for the birth?
Technically, since we live so far away, we only NEED to be in the States for the birth. We’ll likely visit the carrier once or twice during the pregnancy and will definitely be in her hometown for probably 3-4 weeks before the due date to be sure we don’t miss the birth! Of course, these are tentative plans and things can change. We’re flexible though.
How long will you stay in the States once the baby is born?
We will fly back to Germany hopefully as soon as it possible. Our baby will receive its American passport probably 2-3 weeks after his birth? So we’ll want to get home as soon as possible.
Do you know the gender of your embryos?
Yes!! We wanted to know – we have 3 male embryos. Destined to be boy parents 😀
Will you choose which embryo will be transferred first?
No! Our doctor will start with the embryo with the highest quality and best chance for success.
Will you have a relationship with your carrier?
Absolutely! This is a wonderful journey we’ll be going through together. My dream is that she and her family remain a part of our lives.
How long does the carrier need to be in Omaha during the transfer?
Our carrier will fly out one day before the scheduled embryo transfer, and she can fly back home the same evening of that day. Wild!
How many embryos will you transfer at one time?
We will only do single embryo transfers! One way to look at it, we have three tries to make one baby. Clinics don’t usually agree to transfer more than one embryos at once, as the probability of twins is still quite high, and multiple pregnancies increase the chance of risky pregnancies. Agencies and clinics try to avoid risky pregnancy at all costs.
How much does this whole journey cost?
Costs really vary depending on multiple factors, but I think on average, for one child the journey costs around $190,000 – $250,000.
Any questions I haven’t answered?
Bun Without an Oven 
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