Surrogates Nationwide Dismayed and Denounce Misleading Media Reports on Military Wives, Following Newsweek's Surrogacy Article

(PRWEB via PRWebDirect) April 2, 2008 -- Newsweek released a cover story this week titled Womb for Rent: the Complex World of Surrogate Mothers. According to Circle Surrogacy, following this story, which included information and quotes from Circle Surrogacy's president, surrogates, parents and staff, several media outlets allegedly chose to focus and distort one aspect of the story: the supposed trend of an increasing proportion of military wives among the ranks of surrogates.


Circle Surrogacy, one of the nation's leading surrogacy and egg donation agencies, has witnessed a wide outcry among many of its current and past surrogates and clients following these reports, expressed in emails, calls and web postings. John Weltman, Circle's president and founder, reports that surrogates are dismayed and surprised by headlines such as 'Why Military Wives Dominate the Surrogate Baby Business' (ABC News), 'Military Wives Spawn Rise in Surrogacy' (NBC Nightly News) and 'Military Wives Cashing in as Surrogates' (The Daily News). "We find these statements to be grossly misleading and unfair, as they seem to suggest that surrogates in general, and military wives in particular, are resorting to surrogacy because they are desperate or destitute," said Mr. Weltman. "In fact, the Newsweek article itself includes numerous stories that prove the exact opposite, as the authors conclude: 'we talked to dozens of women across America who are, or have been, gestational carriers. What we found is surprising and defies stereotyping.'"

"Circle is proud that about 15% of our surrogates are military wives," said Mr. Weltman. "These wonderful, caring women are carefully screened, like all other surrogates, to make sure their principle motivation is the joy of giving the great gift of family to an infertile straight or gay couple or single. In every case we make sure that they have the support of their husbands, family and friends. We also provide them, and all of our surrogates, with added support throughout their journey, from the moment they apply to our program continuing until several months following the birth."

"We are proud that practices Circle adopted over its 12 years of existence allow us to avoid pitfalls such as surrogates who are solely financially motivated or unprepared for the journey, or ones that lack adequate support and approval from their families and friends. We do not blame the media for mentioning that such problems exist, but call upon them not to lose sight of the altruistic motivations most surrogates share, as revealed in the Newsweek article," continued Weltman. "Our clients are almost unanimous in praising their surrogates for their devotion and reliability, and our surrogates are overwhelmingly approving of the treatment they receive from both our staff and their intended parents. We hope there will be additional opportunities to expose more of these extraordinary stories of love and support that we hear every day."

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You may contact Circle Surrogacy for interview opportunities with surrogates, egg donors, current and expecting parents through surrogacy (straight and gay, single and coupled) from 29 countries.
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Related Links:
• Newsweek Article: Womb for Rent: the Complex World of Surrogate Mothers
http://www.newsweek.com/id/129594
• NBC Nightly News: Military wives spawn rise in surrogacy
Video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/#23886244
• Daily News: Military Wives Cashing in as Surrogates
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/03/31/2008-03-31_military_wives_cashing_in_as_surrogates-2.html
• ABC News: Baby Carriers: Cold Cash or Warm Heart - Why Military Wifes (sp) Dominate the Surrogate Baby Business"
http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/ReproductiveHealth/story?id=4561403&page=1
• NY Post: Surrogate Army Brats
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312008/news/regionalnews/surrogate_army_brats_104265.htm
• Circle Surrogacy's home page: http://www.circlesurrogacy.com


About Circle Surrogacy
Since 1995, Circle Surrogacy has helped bring to the world over 225 babies. Its dedicated staff of professionals is made up of lawyers, social workers, parents through surrogacy, surrogates and past clients. Circle Surrogacy provides a choice of specialized clinics at locations throughout the country, a large selection of egg donors, swift matching with carefully screened surrogates, and a variety of flexible programs and financial options to suit its clients' unique family choices.
John Weltman, owner, founder is a Yale graduate and a nationally recognized expert in the field of reproductive law, including surrogacy and gay parenting.

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