Surrogacy. For those of us who have not tackled the question of being parents, it’s not something we may know much about. But for those who are looking into the different ways of starting a family, surrogacy is a very viable option.
And that is where Canadian Fertility Consultants comes in. While the company helps aspiring parents with more than one route – they aid in adoption and fertility consultations, among others – surrogacy is a very popular service of theirs.
Based out of Brighton, Ontario, Canadian Fertility Consultants (CFC) is a company built with a focus on strong family values and the amazing journey that is parenthood. While its headquarters may be out east, CFC is beginning to spread its influence westward.
CFC was started by CEO and owner, Leia Picard. Picard, who has been a mother and surrogate in her life, recently returned from travelling in western Canada, spreading the word about her business practices through British Columbia and Alberta. Despite being on the road, she was able to answer some of our inquiries about what her company does, and what it could bring to Alberta – most notably for us, gay couples wanting to start their families.
Twenty-five percent of CFC’s clients are, in fact, gay couples, something which makes it of particular importance to those wishing to start families in Alberta. With gay marriage becoming more and more common, they’ve found a rise in clients who wish to become parents much sooner than ever before. CFC stresses, however, that while they have worked with gay couples since the company’s inception, they look at all of their clients the same – as future parents, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Surrogacy can be a scary topic, but CFC seems very open, welcoming, and helpful to anyone that might require their services. Their website comes with its own blog – which, on perusal, hosts articles from fatherhood to the experience of actually being a surrogate, many of which help to break down false perceptions of surrogacy. Each month, there is a post focusing on a family CFC has worked with, allowing those interested in the service to see the realities of surrogacy to those most affected by it.
When asked why they chose to have a blog on their site, they replied that "social media is one of the portals we use to get the word out on advocacy projects that we take part in. It is also a very helpful tool to connect/stay connected with clients and industry professionals." Notably, the blog is updated by Picard herself – she also maintains an active Twitter account. Honest communication and excellent service are cornerstones of the company, says Picard.
According to CFC they, unlike other fertility consulting agencies, have surrogates who are ready to begin the journey right away. The company focuses its energies on making the experience as controlled and stress free as possible for IP’s – Intended Parents. The financial and legal process is streamlined to make sure that everything goes according to plan, with no unexpected hurdles for IPs to jump over.
How does it work, then, and how does a company in Ontario help couples in Alberta? The key lies in CFC’s network in the fertility industry, which is growing across the country. They have built relationships with fertility doctors, clinics, egg/sperm donation agencies, and fertility lawyers so that they can help to oversee the entire process from the beginning to end.
Surrogacy has a leg up on adoption – perhaps the most ‘popular’, or at least publicly acknowledged, way for gay couples to start a family. The application process for adoption can be lengthy, as well as waiting periods to find a child, but surrogacy allows future parents to begin as soon as they see fit. Since CFC always has surrogates waiting, the process can begin immediately.
CFC shares the viewpoint that however you do it, starting a family is a big deal. Their holistic and comprehensive approach might certainly be worth your while. If you’re interested in what they do, you can visit their website, read a bevy of testimonials, subscribe to their newsletter, and they also offer free consultations for couples.