Surrogacy in Ukraine: options, legal aspects, documents – how to start? – this webinar is presented by Kateryna Sokolovska – a medical coordinator of the surrogacy programme at Intersono IVF Clinic in Ukraine. Sokolovska assists intended parents throughout their surrogacy journey and provides them with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the progress of their programme. Kateryna also works with surrogate mothers starting from their examinations, through stimulation and throughout the pregnancy process.
Surrogacy is often thought of as a controversial way for couples to conceive and for a baby to be carried to birth. It is an assisted reproduction method which is not legally recognised throughout the world and due to the differing legalities worldwide, one which can be complex and worrying. Concerns are often voiced over the legitimacy of the intended mother and whose name appears on the birth certificate, as well as nationality issues that may arise if treatment is conducted overseas.
In this webinar, Kateryna Sokolovska, medical coordinator of the surrogacy programme at the Intersono IVF clinic in Lviv, Ukraine discusses surrogacy legislation within the country, details the country’s legal obligations and explainsthe process of conceiving with the help of a surrogate mother.
Surrogacy in Ukraine is legal. It is regulated by both the Ministry of Health and the Ukrainian family court, enabling it to be a world recognised centre for this type of treatment.
It is one of only a few countries where the rights of the intended parents are protected by state legislation, meaning the gestational carrier has no legal rights to the child during pregnancy or after the birth. The only names listed on the birth certificate alongside the child are of the intended parents; the gestational carrier is not mentioned on this documentation. As per Ukrainian family law, the intended parents are absolutely considered the only lawful parents of the child.
Individual country laws, pertaining to all forms of assisted conception overseas, can differ. There is no standardised European or worldwide legislation. However, clinics are legally required to adhere to the specific rules of the country they are operating in. When seeking treatment abroad it is important to understand that legalities do vary.
Under Ukrainian legislation, surrogacy is allowed for international patients who are heterosexual, legally married and have a legitimate medical reason for requiring conception using a gestational carrier.
Before treatment can begin, intended parents must provide their wedding certificate plus a doctor’s letter which confirms and outlines the diagnosis and need for surrogacy. Kateryna Sokolovska advises that numerous unsuccessful IVF attempts are accepted as a valid cause, in Ukraine.
For patients deciding to embark upon the surrogacy route with Intersono clinic, every client is supported by a surrogacy coordinator, who is on hand to help with all aspects of the treatment, pregnancy, birth, and paperwork. The clinic currently has 120 gestational carriers, on their database, who are healthy women between the ages of 18-36, have been fully screened and have at least one healthy child of their own. All potential carriers have a complete understanding of their role and responsibilities and, just as clients are provided with an assistant to help them through the process, a personal coordinator is also assigned to every surrogate. The clinic ensures the scheduling and attending of all necessary appointments and keeps the intended parents up to date with scan photos, videos and medical reports. Letters to, Skype calls and / or in-person meetings, between the parents and the surrogate, are also encouraged and arranged.
Intersono clinic has performed 523 surrogacy cycles resulting in 372 children; the first turned 11 in May 2018. The clinic believes in a personal approach to treatment and offers four main surrogacy programmes including fresh or frozen embryo transfers, fertilised from either the female’s own oocytes or from donor eggs. When looking at the cost implications, Miss Sokolovska advises that intended parents pay around 50-70% less than patients undergoing this same treatment in the US, Canada or Australia. Ukraine also places no limitations on how many attempts a couple and surrogate can undergo in order to achieve a pregnancy.
When it comes to the birth, the surrogate and baby are required to stay in hospital for three days, following a natural birth, and six to seven days, after a C-Section. The baby is placed into the neonatology ward and the parents are free to visit their child.
One of the major concerns, couples have when using a surrogate, are the legalities surrounding the parental rights and nationality of their child. As previously mentioned, in Ukraine, gestational carriers are not listed on the birth certificate, however, the document is Ukrainian and therefore additional paperwork is required to prepare the child for going home. Intersono IVF clinic provides the necessary legal consultation, translation, and support. Their teams prepare all the documentation needed for the baby to travel and be naturalised, as a new citizen, in the parents’ country of residence. The healthy and safe arrival, of a miracle child, is always wonderful, however, Intersono clinic also recognizes just how important it is that the family is able to complete all the administration in a stress-free way, return home easily and settle down into their new life together.
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I would say that you would need to provide documents from those IVF cycles, or some protocols of simulation, some cultivation protocols, because failed IVF is by itself an indication of surrogacy. More than four failed cycles are an indication of surrogacy.
An apostille is a special, stamp normally given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It legalizes documentation for those countries which have signed the apostille convention.
In case of mixed background, normally it is taken that the residence of the child is given by the residence of the father, even if the people are using a sperm donor. In a case where, for example, the father is Irish and mother is English, the baby would receive an Irish passport.
A woman who is over fifty years old would not be indicated for surrogacy. This can be an indication for egg donation but, unfortunately, not for surrogacy.
Yes. We have different phenotypes. You need to speak to our coordinator and choose whichever phenotype you are interested in.
This is tested by general tests. If there are any problems shown by the general tests, or in the tests that I mentioned earlier [in the presentation], then additional consultations with doctors are prescribed. Where there are any immunological problems, the surrogate does not proceed to the confirmed program.
The process for the United States is pretty clear, and I would say easy, because, compared to other countries, a United States citizen will just need two DNA tests to confirm paternity. The child and father will need to provide DNA samples and when the lab sends the results these will be submitted to the US consulate in Kyiv, where they will issue a passport, usually within two working days.
This is one of the packages that we offer; the package regarding frozen embryos. In order to get information on frozen embryos, please contact us by email, phone or via our website so we will be able to clarify all the issues and organize transportation.
The European Union is a very wide term so I would need to clarify which country you are from because for different countries there are different procedures. In Bulgaria, for example, regulation is not the same as for Ireland, so the cost would depend on these factors.
Firstly, seven IVFs and one lost pregnancy is most certainly an indication for surrogacy, but we would need some documents confirming this. Not being married is an obstacle and we would be unable to start the program without an apostatized marriage certificate.
Yes. Combined cycles are also popular.
There are lots of ways we get our donors into the database, so we can get any person from all over the world. You will just need to say what you need.
It is approximately 37,000 Euros.
There is a DNA test involved in this process, so normally it takes a one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half-month stay in Ukraine, so you will need you’ll need to take this into account.
I would need to consult with our fertility doctors not to give you the wrong information. We would need us to clarify this. Sorry.
In case of some serious defect (i.e. Down’s syndrome) is detected and confirmed by a non-invasive test, amniocentesis is prescribed. In case it also shows high risks, the intended parents have a right to decide about abortion of the pregnancy before week 20.
The chances of developing pathological pregnancies using donor material are lower compared with the use of patient material. However, only the difference in age plays a role, since the risk of genetic mutations increases with age. Also, pathologies are more closely related to oocytes and double donation is not allowed in the surrogacy programs.
The practical guarantee of the genetic health of the embryo is the PGS of the embryos and in case of potential risks – performing amniocentesis.
I would need to clarify this.
Yes, sure. We have a really good experience cooperating with Irish couples.
Yes, sure. We have had such an experience. We have a courier department that can transport from anywhere in the world to our clinic.
Normally, we ask our couples to come to the clinic with their test results because, as you understand, surrogacy is often the last resort, and couples have normally undergone all kinds of pre-treatments. But, if needed, or where there are no test results available, our clinic provides the possibility to test everything from head to toe.
It doesn’t long, as there is no waiting list. Normally, we need between one and one and a half months in order to check the candidate before we can offer her to the intended parents.
Up to two. You can choose either one or two.
Here I would need to clarify whether it would be a frozen own or donor cycle. We have the surrogates but we would need to know how soon the donor would be ready and how soon the patient would be ready. If everything goes according to plan, we can transfer in one or one and a half months. To tell the truth, we very rarely use frozen donor eggs as, statistically, for clinical pregnancy rates, it’s better to use fresh donor eggs. If the donor is available in the database immediately, then it will be between one and one and a half months.
Yes, we can do that.
The database includes photos of the donors, so you will be able to choose by yourself, or, if you wish, you can give your photos to our coordinators and they will choose donors who best look like you.
You will need to check the availability status of the donor in the database. You don’t need to wait for the surrogate mother as they are already waiting for the intended parents. We can transfer up to two, either one or two, embryos in one cycle.
If it is the basic package, if we are speaking about donor eggs, it would be as many as they are ready to pay for; every try is paid additionally. If they have the guarantee package, it not a matter how many tries, they will get a child.
This depends upon the cycle. In the case of egg donation, it is 87% percent, in the case of fresh own IVF cycles, 73%, and in the case of frozen cycles, we have 59%.
Speaking about the basic program, this is paid stage by stage. So, you pay, for example, for the signing of the documents, then you pay for one transfer. If this is successful, you move to the next stage, which is paid in the 12th week of pregnancy and then, if everything goes well and the pregnancy is progressing, this is paid in the 26th week. If the first transfer is not successful and you have frozen embryos, you can try another cycle with frozen embryos, paid additionally, until pregnancy is achieved. So the number of attempts is what you are ready to pay for. With a guaranteed package, there would be an unlimited number of attempts.
In order to get the prices, you will need to contact us because we need to understand which problem you are interested in.
Yes, of course, we can help with this. We would need to know your country of residence. After the baby is born, the program covers obtaining a Ukrainian birth certificate, the basis for all the rest of the documents and if you need help, apart from the Ukrainian birth certificate, this would cost extra. This is our Go Home package and the exact cost would depend on your country of residence.
Yes we can do this, but, for the parent to do the transfer to herself, this raises some questions about indications to the surrogacy services program in the first place.
You cannot return home without the paternity test because, without it, your embassy is not able to give you a passport or emergency travel documents. Before you get the travel documents you will need to stay in Ukraine.
The whole program costs 41,000 euros, and in order to get a description of the stages, I would need you to contact us.
I guess this would be up to two months.
On average, from all the statistics that we have since 2005, for over 500 cycles, it is two and a half attempts.
Firstly, regarding the process, you will need to clear everything with the lab where your embryos are stored. You need to sign the consent forms to release them and then sign the documents for our couriers, giving them the right to transport them. Next, you can come to take your baby home, because it is possible to sign the documents for surrogacy programs in your own country.
Yes. It is also possible to stay part of the time in Lviv and part of the time in Kyiv, where the embassy is.
The process should take up to three weeks.
We can organize an appointment even before shipping the embryos. We can discuss all the details and then just proceed with the shipping, so there is no need to come back after they arrive here at INTERSONO.
That’s an interesting question. We have the possibility of hiring a nanny to help one of the parents if the second parent needs to go back to work, for example.
Yes. A short portfolio is in the database and, on request, the coordinator of the egg bank is able to give a family medical history and also an extended profile.
There is no waiting time because there are some surrogate mothers already waiting. We combine your requests with the doctor’s recommendations, and of course, you will have your say.
One-and-a-half months.
Yes, definitely. I think Ukraine is one of the few countries where you can actually see their photos.
Yes. This is a part of the vaccination plan for all people in Ukraine so the surrogates will have been vaccinated.
The maternity hospitals in Ukraine have standard stage-one NICUs. If help and intensive care are needed, the children are transported to specialized children’s hospitals where the stage-three and stage-four intensive care units are located.
This is a national document so it is in Ukrainian, but we provide an English translation and apostolization and, on request, the birth certificate can be translated into any language.
I would need to consult the lawyers whether it would be possible for such a couple to start the program.
Parents can only visit the child, unfortunately, as there is no possibility at this time to stay in a hospital with the child after birth.
They guarantee 12 eggs and at least two blastocysts.
If you mean TESA, yes we can do that.
This is a very good question. In the next webinar, our courier will be speaking, but as far as I know, the embryos need only to have been tested, nothing more.
If you wish and if you have time, you can come personally to our clinic, but it is also possible to sign the documents in your own country.
The surrogate needs to have her endometrium stimulated and if the embryos are frozen, they still need to be thawed, cultivated, undergo assisted hatching and then transferred, so we won’t be able to avoid the IVF medication.
This is for all the surrogacy and egg donor packages.
It’s not a question the number but of the quality. A bigger number does not mean a better quality of eggs.
We guarantee 2 blastocysts.
Where these are fresh embryos and of good quality, up to AB, doctors normally recommend transferring one. If they are of lower quality, if the woman is over 40 years of age or if these are frozen embryos, the doctor will most probably recommend transferring two. So, if, for example, the embryos are of C quality, the doctor would most like to recommend transferring two.
If on the first egg retrieval there are not 12 eggs or 2 blastocysts, then another cycle is performed free for you.
Of course: it is up to you. The doctor can only make recommendations, but you make the final decision. It is important that patients understand this.
Yes. It is statistically confirmed that implementation is lower if the patient is over 40 and that’s why, to increase the chances of pregnancy, it is recommended we transfer two. But of course, it is ultimately the patient who makes that decision.
Yes. The coordinator will ask you to sign a consent form that you understand that there is a risk of a multiple pregnancy, which is considered to be a risky pregnancy. But still, you have such a right.
I think that, firstly, we would need to check your medical records. If there is no direct indication, we will need the doctor to state that the patient is either unable to conceive or gestate the pregnancy. If the patient’s home state allows for surrogacy this can be stated and gestational surrogacy is recommended.
During pregnancy screening, the gynecologist works together with the nutritionist and the nutritionist creates a diet specifically for this lady.
She is tested during her visits to the clinic. We select surrogates carefully and make sure that if the surrogate uses alcohol she does not go further than the first interview. They undergo three tests every visit, a nicotine test, a test drug test and an alcohol test.
In their agreements, there is a condition that the surrogate mothers are not allowed to have intercourse during the pregnancy and so it’s not possible to be exposed.
The tests for alcohol drugs and nicotine are done during every visit, so the moment she steps into the clinic she goes first for these tests. Generally, when the surrogate enters the program she comes, maybe, every 10 days to every two weeks in order to be examined. During the process of stimulation, she comes to us every four, five or six days, depending on how often the doctor wants to see her. After two weeks of the transfer, she will have an HTG test and if this is positive, after two more weeks she will have the six-week scan, and then the nine-week and 12-week scan. She will come to the clinic for pregnancy screening in the second trimester, once in a month, sometimes more frequently if the obstetrician wants to check them more often, for example, in the case of twins. Then, the closer to the delivery date, the more often they need to come. Starting from week 12, and closer to week 40, firstly, they come once every three weeks, then once every two weeks, then every week and sometimes at the end of the pregnancy, they come two times a week.
Only the intended parents are able to decide what happens to the unborn child. If there are any problems, in case of some genetic diseases, we would need to go through the procedure in order to confirm this. Sometimes it can happen that an IPT test comes back positive and we are obliged to do an amniocentesis, which can confirm any issues 99.9%.
Starting from stimulation, that is one month before the transfer, abstination is required and until the end of pregnancy. Regarding bed rest, normally they stay in the clinic overnight after the transfer, sometimes for a couple of nights and then they are free to go home.
She doesn’t live in the hospital itself, but in a rented apartment very near; a five-minute walk away.
In case the pregnancy is aborted before week 12, the next embryo transfer will be performed with no additional cost for the intended parents. In case the abortion takes place after week 12, the couple will need to pay extra to proceed.
The exact sum will depend upon the term of abortion. Under abortion here I mean silent abortion when the embryo stops developing.
I will need to clarify that, but yes it can be performed, no problem.
We don’t need to wait to be matched because there are surrogates waiting for the intended parents. In order to begin a cycle for surrogacy, and it would depend on which cycle, I guessing frozen, we would just need to consider the cycle of the surrogate mother and we can start the program in the second phase of her menstrual cycle.
