My BBC Debut

India to regulate surrogacy industry

www.bbc.co.uk

Surrogacy is a rapidly growing industry in India, but concerns about irregularities have induced the government to bring in regulations.

A Collage of Photo's over the past 30 days!

Chicago from my Iphone

Colin & Mark

I decided to turn on the Christmas lights for Mark's 2nd Birthday! October 15, 2010

Beth Kohl with husband,  The honorable Gary Feinerman, along with Justice Kennedy

Eric & Dakota

Mark at Sukkot 2010

Mark at the Pumpkin Patch

Mark with his Boston College T-Shirt from Sean

Mark eating his cupcake at his party on Friday.  October 15th, 2010 he turned 2

Mark with a birthday present that Colin returned the next day!  He wanted a Redskins shirt.

Chicago Art Institute

Photo at Millenium Park Chicago, taken with my Iphone

Mark's camel from Dubai

Chicago skyline taken with my Iphone

A MUCH NEEDED GIFT!!!

                                                 International Surrogacy Advocates



                                             http://surrogacyadvocates.blogspot.com/

My trip to Anand, India & New Delhi India

I just loved this!

Crystal & Nayana 18 1/2 weeks pregnant

Computers at the Surrogate House

One of Dr. Patels staff went to locate this couple, because this guy is from Libera and is studying for his Masters degree in Anand.  He was thrilled to meet another person of color.  He meet his wife while in Anand, and they will be going back after he finishes his studies.

Ceremony at the Surrogate House

International Airport in New Delhi

Well I'm back home and I had a very interesting time in India. The BBC filmed Najla and I while we were in Anand and it seemed to go well, but we shall see when it is broadcast within the next 7 days. The BBC was very interested in our thoughts about regulation of surrogacy in India, and I told them that I thought it would just breed more corruption. After having several meetings in India with IVF doctors, I still think the same way, however I do feel that regulation is needed but who would really enforce it. The BBC reporter asked if I thought the surrogates were being exploited at all, and I said no, and that I'm so tired of that thinking because no one every says that American surrogates are being exploited.  Indian surrogates get compensated as well as American surrogates when you look at the economics of the situation.   I was very happy to visit several clinics in New Delhi, so that I can offer my clients more options as well as make them aware that India does have state of the art clinics and several doctor's that make sure that intended parents get the highest optimal choice for success.
 
 
 
While in Anand, I shared in a ceremoney with the surrogates as well as visited with surrogates of clients who asked for photo's and for fresh fruit for their surrogates.  I was luckly enough to see my surrogate (Nayana) and be there when she was sonogramed.  It was thrilling to see our babies move around, because it makes you feel so much more connected.   While in Anand 3 surrogates gave birth to twins, and they were all one boy and one girl.  I will be back in Anand in December for the birth of our twins.  We are serioulsy thinking about moving to New Delhi, or Bangalore, India for 3-4 months of the year, so that our children will have a global life. 
 
It was great to seeing all of our friends that we have made in India and to break bread togather once again.  I know that when we arrive in December not only will there be celebrating during wedding season, but there will be lots of celebration in Anand and New Delhi for our son Mark as well as the twins.

Back in India

I finally arrived and I'm here with Najla and the twins.  They are extremely small but very beautiful.  Yesterday I was afraid to pick them up, but today I'm more confident about handling them.  We went to the clinic today to figure out the particulars of what we will be doing tomorrow as CNN will be filming.  On  Monday, it's BBC turn than I'm off to New Delhi for business on Tuesday. I

My flight on Qatar went off without a hitch, it was the flight from New Delhi to Anand that reminded me of what India is usually like.  I thought it would be good to try Indi Go, because I never flew with them....Well....never again.  My flight that was suppose to leave at 7:40 but they were still loading at 7:40 and 8:00 so they lost their rights to take off out of the airport.  In turn all 150 passengers had to suffer and sit on the tarmac for 2 hours as punishment for Indi Go, because they decided that a few more rupees was worth ruining the day for 150 passengers.  The flight attendants proceeded to go down the aisle asking passengers what they would like to eat for a fee.  It was mostly men on the plane and I thought we were about to have a WAR, because of all of the shouting.  Something similar to this happened to Beth and I in November on SpiceJet.  The domestic airlines in India leave a lot to be desired.  They ought to pay passengers to fly them.

The weather here so far has been better than Maryland and Washington DC.  The food at the resort has been great, but than again I'm told that everyone puts on a nice show when I arrive because I send them a lot of customers.  I have a meeting set up with them on Friday to discuss some concerns that I have when I send clients to the resort.   (Madhubhan Resort & Spa).


Before I forget, the Patels are having a lot of work done on the clinic, and it looks great.  I will post some photo's tomorrow.  

Later!

(Jon thanks for all of your pointers, and let me know if you would like me to pick up anything for your boy's)

It's a Boy, Its a Girl!

Congrats to my friend, sister and confidante  Najla.  As soon as we hung up last night she received her e-mail from Dr. Patel stating that the twins were born. They are a bit early, but the are breathing on their own and are over 4 pounds.  I cannot wait to meet them. 

xo

Leaving for India

I swore that I would never fly Qatar again, but it was the best rate that  I could find. When Mark was born and we flew back on Qatar from Ahmedabad and was harrassed by the staff.  They questioned me for more than 2 hours, even with all of my documents in order.  I thought that we would not be allowed to leave India.  The main person doing all of the quizzing than asked me if I would sponser him in America. (Right)!

I leave Dullas airport, which is out of Northern Virginia on August 22nd, for New Delhi than to Gujarat.  I have meeting in New Delhi, than I'm off to help Najla for a few days in Anand.  Her surrogate is currently pregnant with twins and are due to be born near the end of the month.  It will be great to check on our surrogate who is also pregnant with twins as well as other clients surrogates. 

I purchased an iPad which will be great for the long flight as well as keeping in touch by e-mail with family and clients.  I want to purchase a good cell phone in India this time, because on the last trip my iPhone cost me lots..of money.