NGA has been quoted extensively in a piece written for the Telegraph about UK surrogacy. In the piece, a woman who acted as an independent surrogate in the UK talks to journalist Kate Graham about her experience, in which a breakdown in the relationship with her intended paents left her feeling traumatised. Natalie was asked to talk about our experience of UK surrogacy and offer some insight into how to make surrogacy successful:
Natalie Gamble is the co-owner of NGA Law (the first firm to specialise in surrogacy law in the UK) and Brilliant Beginnings – a non-profit surrogacy agency
‘Surrogacy works incredibly well in the majority of cases. But it’s a long and emotional process,’ says Natalie. ‘Right now, UK law disincentivises setting things up in the best way. It means that surrogacy arrangements are unenforceable and unrecognised, and makes it a criminal offence for lawyers to negotiate terms for either surrogate or intended parents.
‘The Law Commissions of England and Wales, and Scotland recently published recommendations for change, and the public consultation on them closed last year. We have to wait until 2021 for the Law Commission to make its final recommendations, and send a draft bill to the Government. In the meantime, it’s vital for both surrogates and intended parents to take their time and explore all the implications.
‘Discuss financial arrangements, how you might feel about test results, or even a termination in a worst-case scenario. You want to make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of how you would all approach such a difficult decision.
‘Working with a non-profit surrogacy organisation is a good way to ensure access to support throughout the journey. ‘Be clear what your expectations are for each other throughout the process. For example, how much involvement will parents have in the pregnancy and scans? What will happen at the birth? If there is a breakdown in communication, it may be around those expectations not having been fulfilled. Take time to have these conversations, before you all get carried away with conceiving a baby.’
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