Reading Time: 5 minutes There is a truth universally acknowledged that surrogacy can be an overwhelming experience – emotionally, logistically, and financially. There are many reasons why people choose surrogacy to start or continue to grow their families. On top of that, every Intended Parent (IP) will be starting their journey from a very different mindset. Perhaps they are overwhelmingly excited at finally starting their journey, scared that it might not work, or still grieving the loss of other family building options. Yet no matter the reason someone has chosen surrogacy or how they are f ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes Hi, I’m Holly, a Paediatric food consultant, Norland Nanny and Founder of Nanny Cooks!   I support and empower parents through the challenges of fussy eaters, using tried and tested tips, tricks, recipes and meal plans. I help to take the stress of mealtimes off their plate and add a spoonful of fun!  Having nannied across the world, I have supported young ones, from babies, who are weaning, all the way up to 12-year-old children and I have come across a fair few fussy eaters along the way. This has led me to create a bank of resources to help deal with t ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes Discover the Essence of Independent Midwifery with Zest: A Tailored Journey to Parenthood Welcoming a new life into the world is a profound experience, one that deserves personalised care and unwavering support. This is where Zest Midwives, with their innovative approach to independent midwifery, shine brightest. But what exactly is an independent midwife, and why might you consider choosing one registered with Zest for your journey to parenthood? Understanding Independent Midwifery with Zest – What is an Independent Midwife and why might I choose one? Independent midwi ..read more

Reading Time: 5 minutes Article written by Dr Carole Gilling-Smith Reflecting on 2023 fills me with a great deal of emotion. All praise to my team of doctors, nurses, scientists, and admin staff who have continued to live our vision and values every single day this year and delivered 110% on every occasion. The team are the beating heart of our successful fertility service and this year they have gone way beyond my expectations, making all our patients feel nurtured, understood, and cared for. I’m also so grateful to still be working with and expanding upon our wonderful partnership with Two D ..read more

Reading Time: 4 minutes Becoming a surrogate is one of the most rewarding gifts a woman can give. Giving the chance to intended parents to hold their baby in their arms will be something that will never leave you. The law in the UK at present determines, that the woman who gives birth, is the legal mother and if she is married then her husband will be the legal father, regardless of the egg and sperm that have been used. So, we need to ensure that you understand the full implications of what it means to be surrogate and that includes taking a detailed medical history. The first rule of medicin ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes My Surrogacy Journey Foundation launched in 2023 and we are excited to head into the new year with plans in place to grow The Foundation to create lasting change for modern family building and surrogacy here in the UK and through our international programmes. We are inviting you to be part of something incredible in 2024 to help us to grow The Foundation and to be a valuable part of our fundraising efforts. Many of you will know how hard we work as a team here at MSJ to change the landscape for modern families through our commitment to an improved society, we are so muc ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute We wanted to update you all with regards to yesterday’s meeting at The Houses of Parliament that Wes and I attended related to the APPG Surrogacy Law Reform chaired by Andrew Pearcy MP. Disappointingly -and unsurprisingly – minutes before the APPG was due to start, the Health Minister Maria Caulfield made a statement via the Scottish Law Commissioner, Gillian Black. Thanks were given for the works involved and Maria Caulfield mentioned that the bill is with TheDepartment of Health and Social Care, and other stakeholders. In conclusion however she said… ‘parliamentar ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes The holiday season is often synonymous with joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, for individuals undergoing fertility treatment, this time of year can bring a unique set of emotional challenges. Ann Curley, Lead Counsellor at Manchester Fertility, understands the delicate nature of this journey, having supported patients through various stages of fertility treatments for over two decades. In this blog, she explores coping strategies tailored specifically for fertility patients during the Christmas period. 1. Acknowledge Your Emotions The festive season can ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes Thinking about starting a family through surrogacy is an exciting and life changing decision. For many families and parents-to-be, a looming question at the start of the journey is often ‘How much is this going to cost?’ Having a baby through surrogacy is expensive – from paying for lawyers, to membership fees, clinics, consultants, and travel – the list goes on. This list feels extensive and with no two surrogacy journeys being the same it can feel daunting to think about what the total cost will be, how you will cover that cost and what additional fees may arise that ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes Earlier this year we caught up with Amanda Williamson from Future Health Biobank who told us all about stem cells and cord blood banking. She’s back again, this time to talk about how parents can store stem cells from their child’s milk teeth. Thanks to clinical trials, dental pulp stem cells have been hailed by some scientists as having the potential to cause a so-called ‘cell-therapeutic’ paradigm shift in treatments for conditions such as: Parkinson’s disease; Alzheimer’s disease; cerebral ischaemia; myocardial infarction; muscular dystrophy, diabetes and more. After ..read more