Research on the experiences of trans and non-binary people with family law
Research on the experiences of trans and non-binary people with family law (including the legal aspects of surrogacy and other family building). Researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of Lincoln are trying to help us better understand the experiences of trans and non-binary people, and their families, with the law in England and Wales.
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.
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.
US IVF success rates
When planning a US surrogacy journey what might affects IVF success rates? Here we discuss things you might not have considered yet.
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.
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.
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.
Brilliant Beginnings attended the Progress Educational Trust’s Annual Conference 2021
With lots of experience of surrogacy, including in the US, we review the latest movie on this topic: The Surrogate.
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…
BBC Victoria Derbyshire show debates surrogacy reform
Natalie Gamble was part of the Victoria Derbyshire show today which considered the Law Commission’s proposals for surrogacy law reform
The Guardian on the rise of single fathers by choice
The Guardian has published a feature about the growing numbers of men pursuing parenthood through surrogayc, adoption and fostering, sharing their stories. We were pleased to help with the article, which also quotes our founder Natalie Gamble:
Pink News on the biggest wins for LGBT+ rights and the battles yet to be won
As the decade ends we take a look back at the rights won by LGBT+ people across the UK in the 2010s, and the fights that continue on.
The Times on the Scottish Catholic Church and surrogacy
The Times has reported criticism of the Scottish Catholic Church for describing surrogacy as 'child trafficking' The Scottish Catholic Church has been criticised for questioning 'whether surrogacy is any better than child trafficking' in its response to the Law...
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:
The waiting game
The answer will vary depending on who you ask but the general thought associated with that saying is a long duration.
The wonderful relationships of surrogacy (and how UK law should support them better)
We wanted to share this letter, which was sent by a US surrogate for her UK intended parents as a surprise for their final parental order hearing.
“Baby cupboard” Fran’s story so far
I hear that expression a lot when first telling people that I’m going to be a surrogate – and the reaction tends to be even stronger when they discover that I’m doing it for people that until last year I’d never met before!
Brilliant baby boy!
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the arrival of our first Brilliant Beginnings Baby, little Rupert who was born on 1st April 2015 weighing a healthy 7.7lbs!
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.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.