1-7 November 2017
Join us for fertility discussions, advice & support
Many New Zealanders have realised their dream of a family through donation and surrogacy. Men and women may have been through significant journeys before considering donation and surrogacy, or they have known from the outset that the only way they will ever achieve parenthood is with the help of others. In either case, generosity on the part of donors and surrogates helps to create these much-wanted children.
In New Zealand, whanau are created in many different ways. There will already be many families created in the way that you envisage yours to be built!
Issues and challenges:
- Shortage of local donors and surrogates
- Advantages and drawbacks of overseas treatment
- Restrictions on advertising – you can advertise for donors, but not for surrogates
- Ethical, social and psychological implications of using a donor
- The HART Act and provisions for donor linking and sibling linking
- The extent to which donors are used compared to other Assisted Reproductive Technologies
- Trying for a family with more than one child – possibilities of having a different donor for each child
Private arrangements
Although all parties can have the best of intentions at the time, circumstances can dictate a change in attitudes over time. Possible issue include:
- donor seeks shared care of the child in the future
- donor is pursued for financial support of the child
Therefore, the information contained in this section describes processes when using New Zealand fertility clinics, which offers all parties some level of protection.
Making Babies with Donors and Surrogates Webinar
Join us here for this free-of-charge webinar. There will be presentation live on screen, followed by Q&A. Bring your questions, ready to type into the box! View the full Webinar schedule here
Jess's story
Jess shares the story of her same-sex journey to a baby
Single women and lesbian couples
Women considering or undergoing donor treatment or surrogacy have generally made a considered decision and feel fortunate to have this opportunity.
Single men and gay couples
Finding a local surrogate is the main challenge for single men and gay couples. Many seek treatment overseas, often with an egg donor combined with gestational surrogate (who has no genetic link to the child). The overseas process may be quicker than domestic options (particularly if a traditional surrogate, whose own egg is used, needs to be recruited) but it is very expensive.