Helen at the International Surrogacy Forum in South Africa
Helen attended the 3rd International Surrogacy Forum conference on 24-25 March 2025, which brought together surrogacy researchers, advocates, attorneys and providers of professional services from around the globe.
Brilliant Beginnings: Your trusted partner for US surrogacy
Brilliant Beginnings provides expert support, working closely with trusted US agencies, fertility clinics, and legal professionals to ensure a smooth and well-guided experience for our clients.
Tips for avoiding delays during your US surrogacy journey
In this blog, we’ll share key tips for avoiding delays (as far as possible) during your US surrogacy journey and highlight how Brilliant Beginnings can help you have a smoother experience.
US surrogacy journey logistics FAQs
When thinking about a surrogacy journey in the US, it is only natural to want to understand the logistics. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we get asked.
My surrogate in the US is pregnant – will I feel connected to the pregnancy?
Tips on how you can ensure your US surrogate feels valued and supported throughout your US surrogacy journey. Explore our experience based advice.
What does the Trump Presidency mean for UK parents’ access to US surrogacy and for surrogacy parents living in America?
Many of our clients are asking us what the Trump Presidency, and his immediate attack on birthright citizenship, will mean for US surrogacy
Building bonds through surrogacy
Surrogacy is a deeply personal and transformative journey, both for the intended parents and the surrogate
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.
In-Person Event: US Surrogacy, 14 September 2023
We are hosting our next US surrogacy event, with speakers from Brilliant Beginnings, NGA Law and US experts from San Diego Fertility Center and Family Source Consulting.
In-Person Event: US Surrogacy – Meet the Experts, 26 April 2023
Meet some of the top US surrogacy experts, including UK experts from Brilliant Beginnings and NGA Law, and leading professionals visiting in person from the US.
Free In-Person Event: US Surrogacy For LGBTQ+ Intended Parents – 17th November 2022
We are hosting a free in-person event on US surrogacy for LGBTQ+ intended parents, it will cover the steps and practicalities for your journey.
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.
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.
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…
A surrogate’s perspective on the Two Week Wait (2WW)
The two week wait or 2ww as you’ll find it on many web searches, is a pretty tricky time when going through a surrogacy journey.
I was a surrogate: here’s what people ask about having a baby for someone else
The Huffington Post has featured an interview with Brilliant Surrogate Lisa Charlwood-Green, who carried a baby for a same-sex couple in the UK.
Simon and James talk about their hopes to become parents
It’s a very strange feeling to have found a wonderful person, fallen in love, planned the wedding, bought the family home… and then not be able to have the children together that you so desperately want.
Our surrogates, why they do what they do
Surrogates are amazing women, we will be the first to tell you that!
Kim’s journey – Why I want to be a surrogate
Hi everyone, I am Kim from Portsmouth. Six months ago I heard some very sad news of a friend who, due to cervical cancer, couldn’t conceive her own child.
Huffington Post features Brilliant Beginnings dads through surrogacy
The Huffington Post has published a feature about three same-sex couples and their family-building journeys. It includes the story of Michael and Jerome, dads through UK surrogacy with Brilliant Beginnings, who shared their journey:
Cambridge University needs your help to improve international surrogacy guidance
Cambridge University is undertaking a research project on international surrogacy arrangements. Can you help with their survey?
Would you be interested in sharing your experience?
Zaina Mahmoud is a PhD researcher at the Welcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health at the University of Exeter.
Research help for De Monfort University, Leicester
Dr Christina Weis and Dr Wendy Norton are sociologists at the Centre of Reproduction Research at De Montfort University in Leicester who are undertaking a study exploring heterosexual partnered men’s experiences of becoming fathers through surrogacy.
University of Manchester to launch a new study into ‘unscripted’ role of sperm and egg donors
The University of Manchester is launching a new research study to explore the social implications of donating sperm or eggs and the effects the decision to donate has on donors’ everyday lives and relationships.
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.
Giving evidence to the Irish Parliament Special Committee on International Surrogacy, April 2022
Natalie Gamble, one of our founders, gave evidence to the Irish Parliament Special Committee on International Surrogacy in April 2022.
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.
Launch of Brilliant Beginnings, a new UK based non-profit surrogacy and donation agency
Welcome to Brilliant Beginnings, a new agency supporting and creating UK families through surrogacy and egg donation, with a commitment to doing things safely, ethically and legally.