In this episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together podcast, Niki Renslow, Senior Program Director, Family Source Consultants, and Dr. Brooke Friedman, San Diego Fertility Center, discuss the journey of intended parents in selecting a fertility clinic and navigating the surrogacy process. The conversation covers essential topics such as the importance of experience and success rates in clinics, common misconceptions about fertility services, the involvement of intended parents in decision-making, and the collaboration between fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies.

Dr. Friedman emphasizes the need for clear communication and outlines the steps involved in preparing surrogates for their journey. The episode also touches on innovations in fertility treatments and offers advice for new intended parents feeling overwhelmed by their choices.

Takeaways 

• Experience matters when choosing a fertility clinic. 
• Success rates should be clearly defined and understood. 
• Not all fertility clinics are the same; research is essential. 
• Intended parents can be involved as much as they want. 
• Communication between clinics and agencies is crucial. 
• Surrogates must be thoroughly screened both physically and mentally. 
• The shift to single embryo transfers has improved outcomes. 
• Innovations in fertility treatments are on the rise. 
• Intended parents should take the process one step at a time. 
• Building a family is a personal journey that requires patience.