Channel 7 News : More Couples Using Surrogates To Start Families2017-05-27T06:44:48-06:00

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May 11, 2012

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CASTLE ROCK — Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker did it. Now E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic and her husband Bill are the latest Hollywood couple to use a surrogate mom to expand their family.

Their public journey is opening doors for other couples in need and moms who want to help them. Moms like Kendra Landrey.

“It was always in my heart to do it,” said Kendra, a mother from Castle Rock. “I told my husband if somebody ever needed my uterus, I’m game.”

Kendra is a mother of four. With three boys, a girl, and two dogs, the Landrey’s already have their hands full. But her husband Arthur Landrey knows Kendra has always wanted to help other women.

“Of course it was okay. It’s something she’s always wanted to do and I wasn’t going to get in the way of that,” said Arthur.

Through a local surrogacy agency, Kendra was matched up with another couple. Before the whole process could begin, Kendra had to go through a series of tests.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires potential surrogates to be tested to rule out infectious disease. Then there are guidelines from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

“We want to make sure they’ve had at least one full-term pregnancy and it’s easy for them to have babies. No complications,” said Dr. William Schoolcraft, director of Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine.]

Schoolcraft said surrogates have to be between the ages of 21 and 40. They also have to be mentally fit.

“Psychologically they’re well prepared to relinquish this baby after nine months,” Schoolcraft said.

Kendra became a gestational carrier, acting as a surrogate mom. As her husband Arthur puts it, Kendra was just the oven. The egg and sperm belong to the intended couple.

Kendra ended up giving birth to twins, a boy and a girl, for the intended parents just five months ago. Throughout the pregnancy, she took photos of her progress and frequently shared them with the couple. When asked if she had a tough time letting them go after delivery, Kendra said that was the easy part.

“I’m giving something. I’m not losing anything,” said Kendra.

“Just to think there’s two beautiful kids out there in this world, who wouldn’t have had an opportunity otherwise. That’s why you’re (Kendra) amazing,” said Arthur.

Kendra said she would do it all over again if she could. She had repair surgery after giving birth to the twins. It was a big enough concern that she said her doctor didn’t recommend that she act as a surrogate again.

Kendra said the cost for a gestational carrier can start around $24,000 for the entire pregnancy. The cost is a little higher to deliver twins.

For more information on surrogacy and questions about fertility treatment and research, go to colocrm.com

Christine Chang

Channel 7 News