Surrogacy outside the Netherlands
Intended parents sometimes travel abroad to have a child through a surrogate mother living there. This is not always a good option for the surrogate mother or the child.
Use of anonymous donors
Commercial surrogacy is permitted in India, Ukraine and certain states in the United States. These countries generally also allow anonymous donation of sperm and egg cells. That is why some intended parents from the Netherlands travel abroad to find a surrogate mother by whom they can have a child.
The Netherlands doesn’t believe that anonymous donors should be used. Every child has the right to know who their biological parents are. Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child also says that children have the right to know their parents, as far as possible.
Potential exploitation of surrogate mothers
In most cases, promoting surrogacy does not involve trafficking in human beings. But surrogate mothers abroad are sometimes exploited (by their spouses or by intermediaries) and forced surrogacy certainly exists. This is a form of human trafficking.
In the past, the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children has focused attention on the situation of surrogate mothers abroad and the risk of exploitation.
Bringing the child to the Netherlands can be difficult
Intended parents who have a child through a surrogate mother abroad may have problems when they want to bring the child to the Netherlands.
Some countries, but not the Netherlands, automatically recognise the intended parents as the child’s legal parents. But Dutch law states that a child’s biological mother is also its legal mother. So if the intended parents apply to a Dutch embassy for a Dutch passport for the child, the application will be rejected. This means that the child cannot travel to the Netherlands.[Read more]
For this reason, India now requires an official declaration from the government of the country of which the intended parents are nationals. The declaration must state that the child will be given that country’s nationality, or at least will be permitted to enter the country (in this case, the Netherlands). However, the Dutch authorities do not issue declarations of this kind.
Surrogates
Matching Matters TM for your family.
Thousands of families have chosen the ConceiveAbilities surrogacy and egg donor agency because of our values, our experience and our incredible staff. But more than anything, they recommend our company because of our matches. Our Matching Matters TM approach is centered on the personalization of a match between surrogates, donors and parents. We get it right on the first introduction – nearly every time.
We’re growing with our families.
Since 1996, the ConceiveAbilities team has successfully managed thousands of pregnancies with individuals and couples seeking to create their families with egg donors and surrogates. Our agency is centered on the mission that matching matters; the knowledge that we are making a difference in the creation of families with StandOut Surrogates and the best and brightest egg donors; a belief that everyone deserves a family; and our commitment to growth through serving families around the globe. Learn about growing your family.
Become a surrogate. Join our sisterhood.
We are committed to maintaining an elite surrogate network. Part of that commitment includes cultivating an open and compassionate environment for our surrogates and their families before, during and after the pregnancy. We are proud of our surrogate community. And it grows as we welcome new members each month. Some have chosen to be a part of two and three pregnancies with us. Join this elite sisterhood that one surrogate refers to as being part of “the lucky people.” Learn about becoming a surrogate mother.
Become a donor. Join the best & brightest.
The best and brightest egg donors deserve the best support and resources. We at ConceiveAbilities understand what a generous and meaningful gift you give when you become an egg donor, and we are all committed to making the experience as positive and rewarding as possible. No other agency offers our depth of personal and professional experience or works as closely with both donors and intended parents. No other agency staff is as highly qualified and deeply committed. Learn about becoming an egg donor.
Years of Service
Families Matched
Partner Clinics
Continents Served
We’re modern family advocates.
As an agency rooted in modern family advocacy, we are strong proponents of the ability to choose from many family building options. Every family has their own road, and we're honored to take part in so many modern journeys. We give special thanks and recognition to our families below who generously shared their stories with you.
“No matter what the struggles or discomfort of carrying twins, this was the most amazing gift I could give two people who wanted a family after struggling for so long. Witnessing their pure joy and elation of holding their babies for the first time is an everlasting emotional treasure for me.” – T.B.
“The ConceiveAbilities team did a great job of listening, and then matching us, with a Surrogate who was a perfect fit. We gained more than our daughter, we have lifelong friends that were instrumental in creating our family.” – T.Z.
“Each day that passes I am more in awe of what our surrogate and her family have done for us. Their bravery, beauty and generosity are amazing.” – B.E.
“We didn’t think our hearts could be any fuller . . . but then we had the great joy of watching our older son fall in love with his little brother. Watching them grow up and become best friends has made our family feel whole and complete.” – J.D.
“The entire process has been amazing. My relationship with my wife has become stronger and the feeling of helping 3 different couples with the gift of a child. I have become a better man being the rock my wife needed to be able to bear 4 children. It has even helped us raise our amazing little girls. They have such a open concept of helping others.” – G.W.
“It did not matter that we are half way across the world. We text, and send pictures and videos often. We email and Skype, too. We have built a beautiful friendship, and they feel like family to me.” – A.M.
