Surrogacy & Same Sex Couples

On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, recognizing that same-sex couples have equal marriage rights. All state laws banning same-sex marriage were overruled by the Court's decision.

Same-sex spouses now have the same rights and benefits as legally married, opposite-sex couples, including tax relief, emergency medical decision-making power, access to domestic relations laws, spousal benefits (including workers' compensation), inheritance rights, and spousal testimonial privilege.

The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling also created hope for Same Sex parenting. In the Supreme Court's majority opinion, same-sex parenting was validated and even used as an example for marriage equality on the vitality of gay families. After declaring that a "basis for protecting the right to marry is that it safeguards children and families," Justice Anthony Kennedy explained that "same-sex couples provide loving and nurturing homes to their children, whether biological or adopted." Relying on Williams Institute research, he noted that "hundreds of thousands of children are presently being raised by same-sex couples." The majority affirmed a model of parenthood based on chosen, functional bonds rather than biology alone.

There are a four main ways that gay men and women can have children:

·      Adoption

·      Co-parenting arrangements (Between Lesbians & Male gay couples)

·      Donor Insemination (for Lesbians)

·      Surrogacy

·      We have also done many cases where one female partner is the egg donor and the other is the gestational carrier.

The Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine has worked with dual gender partners with Egg Donor and Surrogacy treatments since 2004. Our practice has enjoyed the highest success rates in the DC metro area consistently for the past 9 years. We invite you to learn more about how our practice can assist you and your partner in building a family: http://www.vcrmed.com/other-services/gestational-surrogacy-in-reston-va-virginia/

Trying to Conceive (TTC) in your 30’s

A growing percentage of women are trying-to-conceive later in life. In the 1970’s, the average age on a new mother was around 24 or 25 and now the average age for getting pregnant is about 30.

Women are trying-to-conceive later in life because of a variety of factors like being career oriented, extending their education and just too busy to find “Mr. Perfect”.

Most couples will succeed in conceiving in their 30’s, though it most likely will take a bit more time and effort. Other couples may face some infertility hurdles and turn to fertility treatments for support. As we age, our fertility declines. This goes for women, and to a lesser extent, men! When a woman is TTC in her 30’s, the monthly chance of conception drops to less than 15%.

So what can be done to make TTC in your 30s more successful?

·      Staying fit and living a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking or drinking excessively

·      Focus on a healthy diet and maintaining a proper weight

·      Once your are TTC, chart your fertility to discover when you ovulate during your cycle

A popular trend amongst successful, busy women is Egg Freezing. A woman’s fertility peak is in their early 20’s and begins to decline thereafter. If a woman uses her “younger” eggs, meaning eggs she froze in her 20’s or early 30s, her chances of pregnancy success are much higher.To learn more about Egg Freezing, we invite you to visit: http://www.vcrmed.com/other-services/egg-freezing-program/

Age does play a factor in fertility however each woman’s situation is different. To learn more about The Effects of Age on Fertility, we invite you to visit: http://www.vcrmed.com/fertility-reston-va/the-affects-of-age-on-fertility-virginia-center-for-reproductive-medicine-in-reston-va-virginia/