Situation in Ukraine of concern to families expecting babies via surrogacy – Seery Kearney

The evolving situation in Ukraine is a cause of increasing anxiety to families who are expecting babies via surrogacy in the country at present, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mary Seery Kearney said, “I am urging any families expecting babies via surrogacy in Ukraine to get in touch with me so I can connect them with the appropriate parties in the strictest confidence.

“I have been made aware of at least 14 babies expected via surrogacy in Ukraine between now and May.  This is an incredibly anxious period for families at the best of times, but in the context of the ever evolving situation and the news cycle it is particularly worrying for intending parents.

“In many instances there is a contrast between the reports from surrogates who are living their normal everyday lives and that of the news available here to Irish couples.

“I have reached out to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to make him aware of the circumstances of these families and he has responded with reassurance that his Department will provide support appropriate to the needs as they present themselves at the time of the baby’s birth.

“Minister Coveney has asked that families contact the Department to advise them of when they are expecting their babies so that preparations can be made for any eventuality. Any families looking to make contact with the Department or searching for help can get in touch with me.

“The officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs have always been most responsive and supportive as families go through the process of securing their emergency travel passport for their babies for the return to Ireland.

“At the start of the covid pandemic when travel came to an abrupt stop, Irish officials went to extraordinary lengths to support families and repatriate them with their newborns and I have no doubt this will be no different.

“There are two clinics supporting surrogacy – one in Kiev, the capital and another in Lviv, a city closer to the Polish border. I have been advised that clinics are making contingency plans to support surrogates to move to Lviv in the event of matters in Ukraine deteriorating on the Eastern side of the county so as to ensure their safety and comfort as they give birth and recover from birth,” concluded Senator Seery Kearney.