Surrogacy and IVF treatment in Ukraine

[IRTSA]

Surrogacy is now one the most popular way to have a child for those couples who can not conceive their child due to infertility problems as well as for same-sex couples and single parents.

In many countries surrogacy is either restricted or forbidden by law. For instance surrogacy is forbidden in Austria, Norway, Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, some states of U.S.A. etc.

In contrast Ukrainian legislation is one of the most loyal in the world in terms of surrogacy issues.

Order and terms of these programmes are regulated by a number of regulatory acts, namely, the Family and Civil Codes of Ukraine, The Law on Health Fundamentals of Ukraine, core Order of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine No 771 as well as by other regulatory acts. These regulatory acts do not restrict participation of foreign citizens in surrogacy. So you are free to exercise your right for fatherhood and motherhood in Ukraine.

According to the legislation of Ukraine, parents of a child, born by a surrogate, are genetic (biological) parents which participated in surrogacy programme. So, even if there is a genetic link with one of spouses, (for example, with father, providing sperm and eggs were provided by a donor) other spouse automatically receives parental rights. The names of biological parents are indicated into birth certificate during its registration in Vital Registration Office. A Surrogate has no parental rights over a child and can not keep him. These provisions are fixed by the Family Code of Ukraine and other regulatory acts.

There is a standard procedure of vital registration act of a newborn child. Surrogate assigns a special notary form of declaration-consent that she does not mind Intended (biological) Parents being registered as legal parents of a child. With these and other necessary documents, Agency lawyer can quickly process birth certificate of a child where our clients, Intended Parents, will be indicated as his parents. This procedure should not disturb you.

As mentioned above a Surrogate has no rights over a child. If she refuses to relinquish a child, so her deeds are qualified as illegal and she bears criminal, administrative, and/or civil-legal responsibility. According to surrogacy agreement concluded before the programme, a Surrogate can loose right for compensation and undertakes to pay penalty.

Ukrainian clinics have high success rates of male and female infertility treatment (30 – 40 %). For instance the best clinics of USA and Western Europe show positive IVF results in 35 – 45 % of cases though prices for these procedures in Ukraine are much lower.

In nearest future Ukraine may become a leading country in surrogacy due to its friendly legislation, convenient geographical location, good climate, sophisticated infrastructure, high level of medical treatment and comparatively low prices for medical and other services like accommodation rent, travel costs, food etc.

Our company (IRTSA, International Reproductive Support Agency) provides a number of services in the sphere of infertility treatment by means of assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, ICSI) and surrogacy in particular including legal support of entire surrogacy procedure for both intended parents (heterosexual and homosexual couples, single parent) and their child.


We have a large database of surrogate mothers, oocyte and sperm donors etc.

Our company would gladly assist you in all aspects concerning IVF and surrogacy.

For more detailed information about our company and surrogacy in Ukraine please visit our website at http://www.irtsa.com.ua/en/

All those who may become interested in IVF and surrogacy can contact us at surrogacyua@yandex.ru or call us +38 (044) 223-51-13

[Angel098]

Hello! Actually Ukraine is a good choice for infertility treatment. Unfortunately, I made a lot of mistakes, spent a lot of money and overcome a lot of failures before I came in Ukraine. When I was 28 years old I went through a serious surgery during which doctors had to dissect my ovarium out. Medical workers warned me of the consequences in future, in particular infertility. I had no choice in the matter because we did not think about fertility at that moment but how to save my life. Being 30 years old my husband and I gave thought to child. Having known my diagnosis we understood that I can bear a child only with the help of donor eggs and IVF program. Therefore, we gave a second thought to reproductive medical programs, studied all information and chose the country where we can take advantage of ART. India is one of the well postered among such countries. Price for donation program is rather handsome in addition we wanted to see tourist India. So my husband and I packed our bags and flew to South Asia. We chose Akanksha reproductive medicine clinic that is in Anand city. There we were met by a friendly, pleasant woman - clinic director Nyah Patel. She told us that all their donors are faith worthy - none of them smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. Medical program takes place under doctors’ control and in accordance with all norms. Be that as it may, but all donors there are of Hindu race. We have nothing against people of other nationalities but still we wanted child to be like us, as far as possible in this case. We have taken note of the Indian clinic and decided to look for another one. Spain, “Dexeus-Salud de la mujer” clinic in Barcelona was a second enter we opted for. Visiting Spanish center we were impressed with the high level of organization and services quality. Having got to know all programs’ proposals and conditions we signed the contract. After medical examinations (tests, ultrasound and semen analysis) we have chosen a suitable donor and began stimulation. I took hormonal drugs during more than a month. Program was conducted with the use of frozen oocytes. Embryo transfer did not last long but was rather painful.
Unfortunately, the result was negative – I was not pregnant. Doctors explained that it happens so because not all are lucky to become pregnant on the first try. As a result, they twisted our arm and we agreed for another two IVF attempts in their clinic. It should be noted that during this time we have spent a lot of money. We had to pay separately for each IVF attempt. In addition, expenses for accommodation, meal, transfer, some medicines and flight was also shouldered as a burden. But it is not the most important thing, because our dream was so long-awaited child. After three attempts in Spain we have not reached our goal. After we came back home we talked to those who also went through donation program. In addition we studied information about eggs cryopreservation and realized that the problem was just in freeze. Process of cryopreservation of genetic material adversely affects its quality that’s why very often the result is negative. Having already some experience and being taught from own mistakes we continued our search for the ideal clinic. Russia was our next attempt to find happiness. In the Russian Federation doctors use fresh eggs and argue that " you will not go back home without successful pregnancy". Russia was a distant and unknown country for us - rumors of its underdevelopment and poor service walked over Internet networks and forums nevertheless we decided to take a chance. Level of service fades in comparison with possible parenthood. Having arrived in St. Petersburg, “AVA-Peter” reproductive medicine clinic, we did not see high European standards but it was quite good. Our doctor, obstetrician-gynecologist Stambulova Olga, listened to our history, studied all medical records, conducted a number of tests and said: "Do not worry my dear, we will try our best and everything will be ok!" We man up, psyched us up for success and started new treatment in Russia. Egg donor and I were stimulated in order to synchronize our menstrual cycles. Again and again I took hormonal drugs, felt bad but had a firm belief in good result. After embryos transfer my husband prayed with bated breath. But ... that attempt was not successful as well. We were a bit disappointed and downhearted. All these torments, clinics in different countries and numerous failed attempts had been lasting for ten years. During this time I had took an incredible amount of hormonal medicines, went through a lot of medical tests and, frankly speaking, I was tired mentally and physically.

[Angel098]

And one day we saw an advertising of reproductive medicine clinic BioTexCom. Centre offered unimaginable conditions and 100% guarantee of success. Medical package includes meeting at the airport, transfer, accommodation, meal and medical program with a certain number of attempts. All these are included in a fixed sum for the program. We paid not a penny more. Weighing all the "pros" and "cons" my husband said me: "I love you and want to raise our own children. So I'm with you and together we will go through all difficulties". So we went to Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Center for human reproduction BioTexCom. We felt that everything will turn out good just having left the airport. We were met by a clinic’s driver –friendly, polite man stood with a sign where our surname was written. He helped us with the luggage and conducted to the car. When he brought us to the clinic a pretty lady met us on the doorstep - she charted with us before our arrival and was our manager-translator during the program. She led us to the clinic, offered coffee and we got to know each other better.
She spoke English very well and we had no problems communicating. Then we visited a doctor, Elena Mozgova. She talked to us and conducted ultrasound investigation. The doctor told me that they conduct programs using exclusively fresh oocytes, apply best practices and have a high deliverable. She added that we were not the first ones in BioTexCom clinic who came after unsuccessful attempts made abroad. Further there were a standard procedure of stimulation, which I already knew by heart and embryo transfer. In Ukraine, during preparation for the program, I took such medicines as Progesterone, Oksiprogesteron, Proginova, Utrozhestan and various vitamin complexes. It is important to take into account the fact that all medicines were given to me in the clinic and I did not pay extra for them. In BioTexCom center doctors calculate the perfect day for transferring and use the highest quality biological material. Well, let alone all these details, as result tells louder than words - after the first attempt I finally got pregnant! We were as happy as a pig in mud! We could hardly believe that our dream came true – I was pregnant and we were waiting for our long-awaited child. I will not go into details concerning the level of services and country as a whole. Yes, Ukraine is not a country with European level, but people there are very kind and friendly. And doctors of BioTexCom are really professionals and sometimes work wonders using modern technologies and unique techniques.

[Camila1111]

Hi there! Congrats on your pregnancy and thank you for so detailed information! It is really helpful for those who are starting their ivf journey. I have POF and the only option for me to carry a child is ivf with donor eggs. I am not sure if my husband`s sperm is fine now... Cause our last sperm analysis showed that it was too low. So I do not know if we need donor of sperm as well, or we are okay just with DE. But in case we do need, maybe you know if this clinic provides both sperm and egg donation at the same time? Or may be we can do embryo adoption? And also what is the exact price you paid for your package and how many attempts you had according to it? I am trying to get as much information as possible before starting the procedure... In order not to I tell myself in future I wish I knew it Could you please make clear for me few points, if you don`t mind me asking? Thank you in advance!

[Madlen]

I visited clinic “Mat I Ditya” on recommendation of the IRITSA agency. My initial impression of the clinic was favourable, pleasant reception, clean and welcoming. However, I can’t say that about my impression of my first interactions with their doctor. He started with mentioning that I came on recommendation of the agency. Does this mean I’m thinking of surrogacy? I answered yes and after I explained my logic. He said that just because “I want to shift this burden on the shoulders of the surrogate” this is not a good reason to do a surrogacy and no clinic will do surrogacy for me at this point. I felt ashamed. Maybe I am completely wrong to even consider it?
I obviously started with going over my history which was interrupted twice by the phone calls which the doctor accepted and a fax which was brought to him in the middle of my appointment. I just felt like he was distracted. He also wasn’t paying full attention to my words either, and not due to language issues or my accent, I have none. I felt like I had to repeat myself as I really felt like he misunderstood, misheard or just hadn’t paid attention. It felt rushed.
Couple of his comments really rubbed the wrong way with me, like direct criticism of the UK clinic. His logic was alright; do additional testing and then we will see but probably even before the end of the visit I felt like I wouldn’t return here.

[Madlen]

My next appointment was the next day at the clinic “Nadiya”. Nice new building, they just have moved, pleasant environment and my appointment went much better, I felt. The doctor really took his time to look through every document I have brought, which I took as a good sign. There were still a couple of comments on the protocol used by the UK, which this doctor found favourable and gave praise to his UK colleagues. When I mentioned that I don’t live in Kiev, I was basically told that this is my problem, which is absolutely true but somehow I expected more guidance and support. I was given an extensive list of additional tests I would need to complete to move forward with doing and IVF at this clinic. And I went to discuss it with the reception. One of the things on the list was hysteroscopy among the blood test for hormones. I realized that this would be taking some time for me to do in the UK and asked them about the cost and possibility to do it there. It was around $500 and yes, they had an opening for me for next day. I signed up.
I arrived in the morning and was taken into the room where there were three other girls lying on the beds having IVs. They all looked really young. A bit alter I was taken into the operation room, where everything from that moment just felt wrong. I wasn’t talked to, I wasn’t explained anything, there were a couple of interns there that I wasn’t told would be there, even before I was under anaesthetic the doctor started to put the instruments inside me a bit rough. I felt treated like a piece of meat.

[Madlen]

I remember the nurses were walking me to the room which was across the operating room. I felt really thirsty. And wanted to use a toilet really bad. When half awake I asked for those things. I was told that I’m not allowed to drink for another 20 min. And I don’t really need to go to the toilet it just feels that way)). 40 min later, still no water I felt more awake and started talking to the only girl left in the room. I guess I started talking to her assuming that she is also having either some treatment or going through IVF. She later clarified that she is an egg donor. Now, it downed on me that the rest of the girls were donors too. I had a nice chat with her but I do admit that it felt strange. She told me that she is doing it because her family needs money. And she would receive around $1000 for this donation. She told me that she had a really bad case of OHSS the day before. When I asked her on what doze of the drugs she was, she wasn’t sure.But though she had around 15 eggs taken out (they do pay per egg). This slightly created a suspicion in me that she had more than 15 eggs, but I decided not to tell her.