The Brilliant Beginnings team visits Complete Fertility
The Brilliant beginnings Team met with Complete Fertility’s team at their new clinic in Eastleigh. They talked through ideas for honing the pathway that the clinic will offer to ensure that both intended parents and surrogates’ needs and expectations are anticipated and exceeded.
Free online event: Becoming a UK parent through US surrogacy – what impact will the Trump Presidency have?
Brilliant Beginnings and NGA Law are hosting a free online event for intended parents at an early stage of considering US surrogacy, as well as for those already mid process with questions about whether anything has changed for them. Our expert panel, with leading legal speakers from both the UK and the US, will cover key questions for UK parents to consider.
Thinking about what 2025 may hold for you?
It’s that time of year, as the New Year approaches, when many of us reflect on the past and look ahead. While common goals include getting fit, some amazing women decide they will change someone else’s life – by becoming a surrogate.
Undetectable HIV and surrogacy
The risk of HIV transmission to a surrogate from a gamete donor with an undetectable viral load is extremely low, and considered to be negligible. We’d like to share some information about what this might mean for anyone considering becoming a surrogate.
BB and Breast Cancer Now
BB attended a virtual meeting hosted by Breast Cancer Now, a charity that provides research and life-changing support for those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer to discuss surrogacy.
Building bonds through surrogacy
Surrogacy is a deeply personal and transformative journey, both for the intended parents and the surrogate
How to look after your US surrogate – Top tips for UK intended parents
Tips on how you can ensure your US surrogate feels valued and supported throughout your US surrogacy journey. Explore our experience based advice.
UK surrogacy is now possible for intended parents living with HIV
We are thrilled to share that UK law has been amended by Parliament to remove the bar on HIV+ intended parents conceiving through UK surrogacy.
Abortion access, ART, surrogacy and the US elections
International Fertility Law Group share with us what the US election on 5 November may mean for UK parents considering building their families through surrogacy in the USA.
How do I care for my surrogate in the UK?
Once you are matched with a surrogate, intended parents should spend time investing in your relationship and building the best foundations. Explore our experience based advice.
IVF in the US: State of the art and beyond
Dr Gad Lavy from New England Fertility Institute in Connecticut, gives us an insight into IVF in the US and how clinics maximise chances of success in surrogacy.
New research into the profile of US surrogates shows they are not poor or vulnerable, despite what surrogacy critics say
Recent research on the motivations of US surrogates which shows they are not poor or vulnerable, despite what surrogacy critics say.
Free In-Person Event: US Surrogacy – 15th September 2022
We are hosting a free event on US surrogacy, the costs for UK intended parents, and explore a realistic surrogacy timeline.
Free Online Event: US Surrogacy – key aspects of your journey – 14th July 2022
We are hosting a free event on US surrogacy, focusing on the key steps of a journey. Alongside one of our Client Managers, we have speakers from Pinnacle Fertility group.
We attended the cross-border surrogacy conference in New York
We attended the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys’ conference in New York City on cross-border surrogacy.
Free Online Event: US Surrogacy: Why your agency matters – 4th April 22
We hosted a free event on US surrogacy and why your agency matters, with speakers from Brilliant Beginnings and US agency ConceiveAbilities. Watch the recording here.
First Surrogate Retreat of 2022
We hosted our first surrogate retreat of 2022. Held online, we were able to get together a great group from our surrogate community.
Event Recording: Surrogacy in the US for single people – 24th Feb 22
We will be hosting a free event on US surrogacy for single parents (in the UK), speaking with a single parents about their journey.
Making Babies: A podcast with Andrea Byrne
Stephen, Teresa and Natalie spoke to Andrea on her ‘Making Babies’ podcast about the realities of surrogacy in the UK and overseas.
The Guardian reports on the challenges of COVID-19 for international surrogacy
The Guardian has quoted our director Natalie Gamble in a piece about the challenges the global pandemic is creating for UK parents having babies through surrogacy in the USA.
Wired Magazine reports on surrogacy births during the pandemic
Wired Magazine has published a feature about the challenges experienced by parents with children born through international surrogacy during the pandemic. Quoting us, it says: “Brilliant Beginnings, a UK not-for-profit agency that facilitates international surrogacy, has…
BBC Today Programme on stranded surrogacy babies
Our founder Natalie Gamble was interviewed on this morning’s BBC Radio 4 Today Programme about the problems faced by surrogacy families in the current coronavirus crisis.
The Guardian reports on new parents stuck in the US amid COVID-19 shutdown
The Guardian has covered the story of parents through US surrogacy who have been stranded in the US with newborns after the US announced closure of its passport office this week. Quoting us, the article says…
The Telegraph reports on the risks of unsupported UK surrogacy
The Telegraph has covered a sad story of a UK surrogate who was left feeling traumatised after an independent surrogacy journey in which she did not feel well supported. Quoting us, Kate Graham said…
What do surrogates page in their Hospital Bags?
With advice from surrogates, we’ve created recommended hospital bag checklists to help surrogates (and their team) to pack the ideal birth and postnatal bags.
What it’s like to be matched as a surrogate with Brilliant Beginnings
Nicky, a surrogate and case manager with BB, shares her experience of the matching process and meeting her intended parents for the first time.
My surrogacy journey: Chloe shares her experience as a BB surrogate
My surrogacy journey: Chloe shares her experience as a BB surrogate One of our Brilliant Surrogates sent us a lovely email, which she gave us permission to share with you all, to give a flavour of what it is like to be supported through surrogacy preparation and our...
My surrogacy journey: An intended parent’s story
Paul shares his surrogacy journey as an intended parent, from thinking about surrogacy, to matching with a surrogacy, to meeting his babies.
Surrogacy stories: A family shining bright
We share the story of how Chris and Andrew, with the help of their surrogate Katie, brought Lyra into the world.
Surrogacy in a pandemic: My story of giving birth during COVID-19
Births can be hard in normal circumstances, but with surrogacy, COVID-19 and twins, there was a lot to manage. This was how two healthy babies were born.
Cambridge University study on single dad families
Are you a single dad family created through surrogacy?
UK PhD student calls for surrogacy reform
Emma Walmsley is a second year PhD student from the University of Liverpool.
National survey for Infertility Network UK and Middlesex University
Infertility Network UK and researchers at Middlesex University are conducting a national survey to help understand the experiences of people considering fertility treatment, currently having treatment or who have previously had treatment.
Survey published, recommending legal reform and pre-birth orders for UK surrogacy
We are delighted to see the report from Surrogacy UK following its survey of surrogacy practice in the UK, and particularly its recommendations for law reform.
Could you be a Diversity role model?
Helen and Natalie met with Suran Dickson from the fantastic charity Diversity Role Models which is working hard to promote awareness of non-traditional families in schools.
Could you be a trustee for the National Gamete Trust?
The egg and sperm donation charity, the National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) (of which Brilliant Beginnings and Natalie Gamble Associates director Helen is a trustee), is looking for enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated individuals to complement their hardworking team of trustees.
New data from English family court shows 350% growth in UK and international surrogacy over the last 12 years
Brilliant Beginnings and NGA Law are proud to announce the launch of our joint US Surrogacy Pathway for UK individuals and couples seeking surrogacy in the US.
All Party Parliamentary Group confirms surrogacy law needs reform, again
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Surrogacy (APPG) confirms once again that surrogacy law in the UK needs to be reformed. Read about their conclusions.
Why international surrogacy shouldn’t be ignored: Natalie writes for Bionews
Natalie has written a piece for leading bioethics publication Bionews, about why international surrogacy should not be ignored.
HFEA to clarify guidance on exporting eggs, sperm and embryos for international surrogacy
We are pleased to report that the UK’s fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), is set to clarify its guidance on exporting eggs, sperm and embryos for surrogacy.
The Guardian reports on the challenges of COVID-19 for international surrogacy
The Guardian has quoted our director Natalie Gamble in a piece about the challenges the global pandemic is creating for UK parents having babies through surrogacy in the USA.
BBC Today Programme on stranded surrogacy babies
Our founder Natalie Gamble was interviewed on this morning’s BBC Radio 4 Today Programme about the problems faced by surrogacy families in the current coronavirus crisis.
We’ve launched a joint NGA Law and Brilliant Beginnings US Surrogacy Pathway
Brilliant Beginnings and NGA Law are proud to announce the launch of our joint US Surrogacy Pathway for UK individuals and couples seeking surrogacy in the US.
Getting to know BB: Tracey Sims, Surrogate Manager
BB Surrogate Manager Tracey shares a little about her role in BB, being an egg donor, a surrogate and about her busy family life.
Getting to know BB: Esther Ezquerro – Client Manager
Esther is a Client Manager with personal and professional experience in adoption, alternative families and fertility issues. Get to know her in this blog!
Getting to know BB – Laura Clarke
We’re launching our Getting To Know BB series with Laura Clarke, who shares a little more about herself and her work with BB.
Reflecting on 2019, looking ahead to 2020
January is a time for thinking about new starts and new resolutions. For many people having a family is at the very top of their new year’s priorities.
Welcome to the team: Tracey – Surrogate Manager
From Brilliant Surrogate to Brilliant Beginnings team member Brilliant Beginnings welcomes Tracey to the team.