Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Our Final Surrogate Match

We think we found ‘the one,’ as in the surrogate who will help us to finally become parents. We don’t want to jinx it given our history of matching and unmatching with previous surrogates, but this one feels ‘right.’ Read more to find out how we got to this point, and the lesson for all intended parents of how important it is to try and navigate through their best possible journey.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Shaun Thomas, Founder of The Surrogacy Father, Discussing His Unique Approach to International Surrogacy Consulting

I had the pleasure of interviewing Shaun Thomas, founder of The Surrogacy Father. Shaun and The Surrogacy Father are completely independent of all clinics, law firms, and agencies, and so he is able to provide an unbiased perspective and support in helping people become parents all over the world. As a gay father of three children through surrogacy in Colombia, Shaun is uniquely qualified for his venture, and in this interview, he shares his approach to intended parents as well as some challenges and successes of The Surrogacy Father.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Third Time’s the Charm for Our Surrogacy Matching?

Our fingers and toes are crossed. We met another amazing potential surrogate. Having two previous matches fall through, we are being extra careful in thinking of all the possible complications of a journey with her. I review the major challenges we could face in this article as we wait for guidance from our legal team on our options and whether we can proceed or not.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

We Moved from America to Sweden to Have a Child

The main reason we moved to Sweden was because it could provide my husband and me with a life where we could be parents. The U.S. only allows for parenthood on corporate America’s terms. We wanted a different life for ourselves and our child.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

How Gay Intended Dads Can Get Healthier Sperm

Sperm is important when it comes to rainbow family building, and BabyMoon Family is here to talk about how you can improve your sperm health and fertility as a gay intended dad. Read more to find out how to optimize your sperm prior to IVF and surrogacy on your journey to queer fatherhood.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Why Gay Intended Fathers Should Care More About Their Sperm

Following my article giving uncomfortable praise to RFK Jr., I wanted to write about the impact of lower sperm and testosterone levels on gay intended dads. This article looks at the effect sperm health has on fertility and the types of IVF that gay men can consider, with implications on cost and embryo generation.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Letter to Our Future Child

As our journey to fatherhood progresses amidst some challenging delays, I wanted to take some time to refocus on why we are doing this and write a letter to our future child.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

RFK Jr. Is Surprisingly Not Completely Wrong About Men’s Testosterone and Fertility

As a physician, Democrat, and bear lover, I don’t support anything RFK Jr. stands for. However, he made headlines last week for talking about the hormonal and reproductive health of American men, and so I had to listen, review, and respond. In this article, I want to review each of these statements, fact check their accuracy, and then discuss what RFK Jr. is actually concerned about when he makes these claims.  

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Our Surrogate Got Pregnant…By Her Husband

Our second surrogate is now pregnant, but not with our baby. Read more to find out the details as we continue to persevere through this latest and greatest challenge on our IVF and surrogacy journey.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Medical Clearance for Our Surrogate

Our surrogate / gestational carrier (GC) has just completed her final medical clearance. In this article, I wanted to review the recommended guidelines for medical screening of GCs in the United States, and compare this to guidelines in Canada and the United Kingdom.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

International Surrogacy Journeys:  From Texas to Mexico with Yajaira and Anthony Zambrano

Yajaira and Anthony Zambrano have an incredible story of family building.  The couple demonstrated that intended parents will do whatever it takes to have a child.  They have showcased the hope, challenges, and incredible reward of having children through assisted reproduction. This is the story of their international journey from Texas to Mexico to have their son, Anthony Jr.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

It’s Time for Queer People to Leave Facebook, But Then Where Will They Go to Connect About IVF and Surrogacy?

Facebook currently plays an integral role in many queer people’s journey to parenthood. There are groups for queer intended dads, matching with surrogates or gestational carriers, and reviews on clinics and agencies. However, Facebook and big social media are increasingly unwelcoming for LGBTQ+ people. Perhaps a niche social media site for queer intended parents and current parents could provide the privacy, safety, information, and community that is so needed.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Bonding with Your Unborn Baby from the Other Side of the World

Bonding with your unborn baby is especially challenging for international intended parents. However, we live in the 21st century and survived a global pandemic. Our lives have never been more remote-friendly, so it’s easier than ever for queer IPs to bond with their surrogate and unborn baby from the other side of the world. Read here about technology and options for you to enjoy and be as present as possible during your pregnancy.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Surrogacy Journeys: From the United States to Mexico

In a new series of interviews for BabyMoon Family, I talk with Scott Blair, a married lawyer in New York City who completed his first journey to fatherhood in Mexico with his husband, David. Scott candidly shares details of his journey, what went well, what he would do differently, and what was challenging. If you are an intended father considering a surrogacy journey in Mexico, this article is for you.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

It’s a Surrogate Rematch with a Couple!

After matching and unmatching with an amazing surrogate / gestational carrier (GC), we have rematched! In this article, I review questions to ask potential matches. I also discuss my own personal experience matching with a GC who has an incredibly supportive husband, and how I think all intended parents (IPs) should view their GCs partner on their journey.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Europe Needs to Make Assisted Reproduction Available to Queer Men

Fertility treatments across Europe are expanding with more than 1.1 million treatment cycles done at nearly 1,400 clinics in 2021.  However, fertility treatment availability across Europe varies widely by country.  In this article, I will review European national policies for assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, gamete (egg/sperm) donation, and embryo donation. After this review, one thing should be clear:  Europe is biased towards queer men when it comes to ART, and I will share some thoughts on why this is and what can be done to change it.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

How Swedish Gay Dads Talk About Their Surrogacy Journeys

A 2020 research study interviewed 22 Swedish gay dads about their experiences with IVF and surrogacy. In this article, I review this study, compare my husband and my journey as Americans living in Sweden, and discuss how Sweden and Europe’s conception of ‘family’ is a bit outdated.

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Bryan McColgan, MD Bryan McColgan, MD

Should Physicians Encourage Social Surrogacy?

Social surrogacy refers to a surrogacy arrangement where the female intended parent (IP) has a gestational carrier (GC) even though the female IP has no medical reason not to carry a pregnancy. A recent opinion piece was published in ASRM’s Fertility and Sterility arguing the pros and cons of having physicians engage and facilitate social surrogacies. In this article, I will review the opinion piece and share my own perspective as a gay man and physician on his own surrogacy journey.

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