How Fertility Counselling Can Help You Through Your Surrogacy Journey

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Starting out on a surrogacy journey is a significant experience for both surrogates and intended parents (IPs), filled with unique emotional challenges. As a leading UK fertility clinic and My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, Manchester Fertility understands the importance of support and counselling in any surrogacy journey. Through professional counselling focused on the implications of surrogacy, we provide tailored guidance for everyone involved. Here, we delve into the key benefits of fertility counselling and how it can help you navigate the complexities of surrogacy with confidence and clarity.

Why Is Counselling Important in Surrogacy?

Implication counselling is essential in surrogacy because it addresses the emotional needs of both surrogates and IPs. While our expert doctors and clinical team focus on the physical aspects of the process, such as achieving a successful pregnancy, our BICA-registered counsellors provide the emotional and psychological support necessary to understand the unique dynamics of surrogacy.

For intended parents, the journey may involve dealing with feelings of loss, uncertainty, and the emotional complexities of entrusting someone else to carry their child. For surrogates, it may involve navigating the emotional aspects of carrying a child for someone else, which can include attachment issues and the expectations of both the surrogate and the intended parents. Counselling ensures that all parties are emotionally prepared and supported throughout the process.

Does Attending Counselling Sessions Suggest That I’m Struggling?

Attending counselling does not mean you or anyone involved is struggling or unprepared. In fact, it reflects a proactive approach to ensuring that all parties—the surrogate, the intended parents, and their partners—are emotionally equipped to handle the ups and downs of the surrogacy process. Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to express concerns, work through emotions, and strengthen the relationships between everyone involved.

What Will Be Discussed During Counselling?

Counselling sessions at Manchester Fertility are personalised to address the specific needs and concerns of both surrogates and intended parents. Common discussion topics include:

• Communication: How to discuss the surrogacy journey with family, friends, and colleagues, and how to manage differing opinions and advice.
• Emotional Dynamics: Addressing the emotional bond between the surrogate and the intended parents and how to manage expectations and boundaries.
• Relationship Impact: Exploring how surrogacy might affect relationships with partners, family members, and the surrogate, and how to maintain healthy dynamics.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding the legal and ethical implications of surrogacy, particularly in relation to the welfare of the child and the rights of all parties involved.
• Post-Birth Considerations: Planning for the emotional transition after the birth, including the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parents post-delivery.

How Frequently will we meet with a counsellor?

Counselling services are available at every stage of the surrogacy journey—before, during, and after treatment. At Manchester Fertility, our implications counselling helps ensure that all parties are fully prepared for the journey ahead, providing them with a clear understanding of the emotions and challenges they may encounter along the way.

Support counselling is also available at Manchester Fertility to provide ongoing emotional support throughout the surrogacy process.
In addition to the formal counselling sessions, the Manchester Fertility team is always available to provide informal support and guidance, ensuring that you have a comprehensive support network throughout your journey.

If you’re ready to start your surrogacy journey with us, you can self-refer by filling out our online form or contact our Patient Advisors at 0161 300 2730 to learn more about our surrogacy services.