Carmela answers- Is CARE a scam?

Is CARE Surrogacy Center Mexico a scam?



It's a legitimate question and one I am asked by all who inquire about surrogacy in Mexico.  I have read dozens of articles just on the FBI website where American companies as well as individuals are running  surrogacy scams on intended parents and surrogate mother's.  

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Three women pled guilty in San Diego, CA admitting to taking part in a scheme to illegally create an inventory of babies to sell to unwitting would-be parents for fees of between $100,000 and $150,000 each.  The three took advantage of couples who desperately wanted children, offering them seemingly legitimate surrogacy situations.  They also took advantage of women recruited as “gestational carriers” to carry pregnancies to term after having embryos transferred to their uterus's.  

The defendants in this case included two lawyers who specialized in reproductive law: Theresa Erickson, a well-known California attorney, and Hilary Neiman, who operated an adoption/surrogacy agency in Maryland.  The third conspirator was Carla Chambers of Nevada, who served as the “surrogacy facilitator.” Together, they circumvented surrogacy regulations that say contracts between surrogates and intended parents must be executed before a pregnancy occurs…and lied to surrogates, intended parents, and the California family court. www.fbi.gov

The women found guilty in this case took advantage of the intended parents vulnerability and the kindness of the surrogate mother's.  

First, and most importantly you should never go into surrogacy with any agency that doesn't have an attorney whom specializes in reproductive law.  And if they do not have an attorney that works for them you should research and consult with one.  This was a huge deciding factor for me when I made the decision to go with CARE.  You aren't buying a car.  From the moment you decide to embark on the baby making journey your heart is in it…not just your wallet.  I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is to have a reproductive attorney.  

Surrogacy abroad is complicated.  Every country has different laws…laws that a specialist have the education and experience to navigate through.  Ivan Davydov; CARE Surrogacy Center Mexico's in-house surrogacy and reproductive lawyer possesses the education, knowledge and work ethic to guide you through the ins and outs of surrogacy in Mexico.  I cannot imagine going through the end process without Ivan.  Especially when there are law changes in Mexico, new requirements with the U.S. Embassy.  Trust me, you need someone who knows Mexico and knows surrogacy law. 

I did not use an egg or sperm donor.  My son comes from my egg and my ex-husband's sperm.  We did gestational surrogacy.  Our surrogate mother was pre-screened before she was even consider eligible for surrogacy.  There are laws in Mexico to protect her as well.  This was very important to me.  I detest agencies who have all of the surrogate mothers in a run-down dormitory, all living together away from their families.  That's no way to treat someone who is giving you the most precious blessing you will ever receive.  My surrogate lived at home with her family, went to her job every day, saw her OBGYN on a regular basis, as well as a psychologist.  I received weekly updates about her health and the health of my son.  

I did research of my own about the CARE staff and the doctors before making my final decision.  I wanted to know where everyone was educated, did their residency/internship and if there were any bad reviews.  The truth is I did not find anything negative.  The owners of CARE have been providing infertility/surrogacy services with their other companies for over 11 years in other countries.  Some of the doctors have been educated in the United States and are affiliated with U.S. hospitals.  

You are the one who has to feel comfortable and reassured that you are making the right decision for your family.  I offer every intended parent I communicate with the same advice.  Set a side some time, come to Mexico City, meet our CARE staff and the wonderful doctors.  Tour the facilities.  This is exactly what I did!  


CreatingAFamily.org offers special tips for avoiding surrogacy/egg donation scams, http://www.creatingafamily.org/infertility/resources/top-ten-tips-for-avoiding-a-surrogacy-or-egg-donation-scamfraud.html

CARE is obviously not a scam.  I have a healthy baby boy to prove it.  But I do understand your concerns and questions and that is why I am always available to chat with anyone who is interested in learning more about CARE Surrogacy Center Mexico.