Gestlife's 58 guarantees
What makes Gestlife different from other companies?
No more and no less than 58 things differentiate us from other agencies:
1. We always deliver
In a surrogacy process, many things can happen that delay the process for reasons beyond the control of all parties involved.
At Gestlife, we guarantee that, no matter what happens, at the end of the road, there will always be a baby waiting for us.
It always works. No exceptions, we don’t try, we achieve.
2. Fixed price for most programs
Most of our egg donor programs (representing more than 80% of our processes) are offered at a fixed price with no unexpected surprises in our STANDARD PLUS and PREMIUM programs.
This means that if, unfortunately, multiple IVF cycles or multiple transfers are required, you will not have to pay more.
The clinic covers these costs. This model has been heavily criticized, especially by agencies that only offer programs in the US, where they don’t have unlimited packages and charge you for everything.
Our goal is for you to know at all times what financial commitment you are making, and that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises that no one warned you about.
3. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Gestlife adopts a stance of total transparency with our parents. The Infonow program, which we will discuss later, is proof of this during the process, as it allows you to know everything that is happening AT THE SAME TIME AS US.
But this commitment to transparency begins much earlier, during the consultation phase. We will advise you on ALL countries where surrogacy is possible, and also (although we do not like it and in some cases openly advise against it) on countries where pseudo-surrogacy is practiced.
These are countries that have no laws, but where it has become “fashionable” to offer parents the possibility of doing something that resembles surrogacy, but is not.
In any case, you come to Gestlife for advice, both good and bad, and that is what we will give you, so that you then have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
4. We are visible and identified
We are a law firm in Spain, belonging to the American group INVEST MEDICAL, with subsidiaries in seven countries and our own assisted reproduction clinic.
We are a prestigious law firm with all our details publicly available.
Many agencies do not indicate on their websites, which companies are behind them, nor do they comply with the Information Services Law (LSSICE) or the European Data Protection Regulation, which requires them to publish their tax identification number, commercial registration, address, and telephone numbers on their website.
It seems as if this information is secret and not. They want people to know who is behind them.
Some don’t even have an office and meet parents in the lobby of a downtown hotel.
Be wary of anyone who hides so that you don’t know who they really are.
5. We are lawyers
We are not just a surrogacy “agency.”
To begin with, the legal concept of an “agency” does not exist or is not recognized in our legal system, so unlike a law firm that has legal obligations, liability insurance, etc., agencies offer no guarantees whatsoever.
We have not set up an “agency” because we saw a business opportunity.
We existed before the pregnancy, and we will continue to exist if it is ever legalized in our country.
A law firm always complies with the law, and you have a point of reference in Spain to turn to if something goes wrong.
The pregnancy process you wish to undertake is possibly one of the most important things most important things you will do in your life.
Are you going to leave something so complex in the hands of amateurs, with very good intentions,
But without the necessary structures or knowledge to guarantee a successful outcome?
Our legal services were awarded the European Medal for Merit at Work last year Merit in Work, and the Gold Star, in recognition of our professionalism.
6. You work with an american company with subsidiaries in Europe
And you don’t pay in a tax haven or the Seychelles, as some agencies do. Gestlife complies with current European and US legislation, verified by the Compliance Department, and saves you future problems with the tax authorities.
7. Integral processes
Gestlife is the only agency that offers comprehensive programs, with exclusive clinics in all the countries where we operate that deal solely with assisted reproduction treatment. We do not delegate the recruitment of surrogates or donors to third parties, which means we are not intermediaries, unlike other agencies that resell programs created by clinics or, in the worst cases, by other agencies, and therefore never have complete control over the process.
8. Clinic mobile app
Gestlife is the only company that offers you a mobile app that will inform you about the status of embryo creation, directly from the clinic.
9. Exclusive treatments such as the “3 parents technique”
At Gestlife, we want your dream of having a child to come true, no matter what. That is why we offer proven techniques and treatments that very few clinics in the world offer, such as pro-nuclear transfer or meiotic spindle transfer, which allows a commissioning mother with poor-quality oocytes (who would be ruled out by most agencies, forcing her to participate in the program with an egg donor) to fulfill her dream.
10. Freezing your child’s umbilical cord stem cells
At Gestlife, we care not only about your child’s current health, but also their future health. We offer you (in some of our programs, and in others as an option) the possibility of freezing your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells, so that if, unfortunately, they develop a disease in the future, they will have their own stem cells available.
11. Own offices in each country
WE ARE NOT INTERMEDIARIES. We have our own offices in all the countries where We develop our own programs. This gives us complete control From A to Z, throughout the process, without intermediaries.
This fact proves decisive in difficult times, such as during the war or the pandemic, when agencies without their own offices were unable to serve their parents, while Gestlife continued to do so.
12. A case manager for your file
You will be assigned an Assistance Manager who will monitor and manage your file.
You can talk to them whenever you want, in your own language, and they will keep you informed regularly by email, phone, and WhatsApp of any developments. You will also be able to view your file through the INFONOW program.
You will also meet the country coordinator, who will always speak your language and who is senior to the Assistance Manager. You can contact them if you feel that something is not right with your case.
13. Infonow service
Gestlife is the only company specializing in surrogacy that follows a policy of absolute transparency with its parents.
All the steps we take for your file are recorded in a computer program that allows us to monitor the steps to be taken.
Thanks to a personal code that only gives you access to your file, you will be able to access it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and know everything that is happening at the same time as us.
If you do not wish to log in to the program regularly, it will send you an email for each step taken, in accordance with our policy of absolute transparency.
14. Physical accompaniment during travel
Our company employees (not external collaborators such as translators, taxi drivers, etc.) will pick you up at the airport (always in your language) and take you to the hotel or apartment where you will be staying (depending on the country and program you have chosen).
During your stay in the country, they will accompany you on all the arrangements that need to be made to complete the process. This person speaks your language and the language of the country. However, they are not simply a translator.
They are an assistance manager, trained to solve any problems that may arise. (Not a simple translator).
We don’t just give you a phone number to call if you have problems, so that you can only get assistance over the phone, or if you need someone to come and help you in person, you have to pay a supplement that you weren’t told about. With us, you’ll never feel alone in a foreign country.
15.Accompanying a lawyer to the consulate
This is not just a simple escort or translator. When you have to register your child, a lawyer will accompany you to take care of all the formalities so that you only have to take care of your child and sign the documents.
16. Individual apartments
Most agencies that include accommodation will place you in shared houses with other couples and children.
In some cases, there is only one bathroom for all the couples.
At Gestlife, we accommodate you in our own apartments (in the case of Kiev, Ukraine, for the first trip, which is short, and when you go to pick up the child) and in those countries where we do not yet have our own apartments, in individual apartments selected with you.
The apartments are equipped for your stay: kitchen, bathroom, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioning and heating, international TV, etc. Ask your family advisor about the types of apartments available during your trip, depending on the program and country you choose.
17. Local mobile/internet
The company will provide you with a local mobile phone and SIM card with Internet access during your travels to your destination city, so that you can stay in touch with the office in the destination country and with your family via the Internet at all times, free of charge.
18. 24-hour security service, 365 days a year
When you are traveling in your destination country, in addition to the personalized support, you will have the phone number of Gestlife’s offices in the country and a 24-hour emergency number.
If anything happens, we will take care of it immediately.
19. Home pediatrician service
When your baby is born and you are in your apartment waiting to return to your country, you will receive a visit from a pediatrician to check on the baby’s health.
Our companions will provide simultaneous translation of everything the doctor says.
This way, you can be sure that your baby is in perfect health at all times.
20. Babysitter in the apartments
Most of our programs include a babysitter in the apartment for 5 hours a day in the STANDARD programs, and 5 hours a day in the STANDARD PLUS and PREMIUM programs (5 days a week for a maximum of 28 days). This way, we help you cope with the first few days with your baby, as it will represent a significant change in your lifestyle.
21. Baby stroller
Gestlife will lend you a stroller for your baby during your stay in countries where we have our own offices in GREECE, GEORGIA, UKRAINE, and ALBANIA.
22. Baby bag with products for your child
Gestlife will give you a layette with all the products you need for your baby’s initial care. This way, we avoid any “new parent forgetfulness” and you will have everything you need for your child.
23.Exclusive insurance
Gestlife has exclusive guarantees that cover contingencies that no other company covers: loss or deterioration of embryos during transport, change of donor at no additional cost in the event of a white puncture (no eggs), etc.. Compensation for the surrogate in the event of miscarriage, death of the surrogate or donor, or restart of the program free of charge in the event of the death of the baby during the first two years of life (STANDARD PLUS and PREMIUM programs). These are terrible events, which, when they happen, not only cause inevitable emotional damage, but also significant financial loss that agencies do not tell you about. The point is to guarantee that whatever happens, there will be no financial surprises. If you talk to other agencies, ask if these events are covered:
- Compensation to the surrogate in the event of miscarriage: $6,000.
- Compensation to the surrogate’s family in the event of her death: $20,000.
- Compensation to the surrogate in the event of organ loss: €20,000.
- Compensation to the family of the egg donor in the event of her death: €20,000.
- Compensation to the egg donor in the event of organ loss: €20,000.
With Gestlife and only with Gestlife, you have all this coverage.
24. Travel assistance insurance
During your travels, the company will manage the various travel assistance policies you have, and that you may not remember you have.
For example, your car insurance covers assistance abroad. The same applies if you have insurance with a mutual insurance company (SANITAS, ADESLAS, DKV, etc.) or credit cards.
Some of Gestlife’s staff come from travel assistance companies that specialize in resolving serious problems 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world.
If you experience any mishaps during your stay, we will take care of everything necessary with the assistance insurance, thus guaranteeing your well-being.
25. Guaranteed restart in the event of the baby’s death
Unfortunately, after the 7th month, all agencies consider that if the baby is born prematurely and dies, the program has been fulfilled and you are left without a child and without money.
Gestlife is the only company in the WORLD that covers this terrible contingency, guaranteeing you the restart of the same program you had contracted, up to two years after the birth, in the event of the baby’s death for any reason or cause (including domestic or traffic accidents).
At no cost to you. We want you to be certain that you will have the child you so desire, no matter what happens.
26. Own infrastructure in the destination countries
The other agencies you will find do not have their own offices or their own staff covered by the country’s social security system, to be able to provide you with a quality service.
In the best case scenario, they use the services of an external correspondent, but they have no authority over them.
They turn to external collaborators, but when problems or complications arise, they are not there, nor do they have staff trained to resolve the contingency on site.
This has been clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the first months of 2020, and during the war in Ukraine (2022), where those who did not have their own offices on site stopped providing services to their parents overnight.
Gestlife has its own offices for providing programs in GREECE, COLOMBIA, MEXICO, ARMENIA, KAZAKHSTAN, USA, GEORGIA, and ALBANIA, with more than 175 employees dedicated to helping you make your dream a reality.
When you have a problem, no matter how small, we will be there for you.
27. More than 200 employees dedicaded only to responsible surrogacy
A surrogacy process requires a multidisciplinary team in all countries where it operates. Gestlife has more than 200 employees dedicated solely to making your dream come true, something that no other agency can claim: lawyers, pediatricians, psychologists, gynecologists, embryologists, care managers, companions, etc.
All of them are full-time EMPLOYEES of the company, not external collaborators.
28. Multilingual staff in all offices
Eleven languages are spoken in our company. All assistance managers are multilingual (French, Italian, German, English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Brazilian), including those in our subsidiaries..
29. Code of ethics
Gestlife has a code of ethics (which you can consult on our website or in the service dossier for each country) that is mandatory for all staff.
We practice responsible surrogacy, avoiding the exploitation of surrogates by monitoring the conditions in which they live, their homes, their diet, and their habits through our on- site teams. This can only be done if we have our own offices where our inspectors carry out constant monitoring.
30. Processes in all countries where it is legal
We don’t need to “sell” you a destination as if it were the 8th wonder of the world, because we don’t have anything else to offer you. At Gestlife, we work in all countries where surrogacy is legal and we can advise you on other possible destinations you may have heard about.
Our fees are the same for all countries, so you can be sure that we will guide you towards the option that best suits you, not the company. Other companies, with only one destination, have to “sing the praises” of that destination and try to discredit other destinations in order to lure the future parent to their territory, the only one they have. At Gestlife, we only have one interest: helping you choose the destination that best suits your personal circumstances.
31. Collaboration with national clinics
If you already have embryos (or genetic material) created in other clinics, and always in compliance with current legislation, we will take care of transporting them to the destination country, always within the law.
32. In-house psychologist service
We are the only company in the sector that has a psychologist on staff to address parents’ concerns and help them (only if they wish) to cope better during the process.
Psychological support is provided free of charge for up to five years after the child’s birth and includes both parents and the child (for clients in Spain, France, and Italy).
33. Ball for pregnant women
Gestlife is the only company that offers a “pregnancy ball” to expectant mothers. The ball is a bell worn on a pendant around the neck, at the level of the belly. This sound reaches the baby, who identifies it with its mother. After birth, the ball is given to the commissioning mother or father, so that the baby continues to associate it with its parent and feels that nothing has changed.
34. Own program for recruiting pregnant women and donors
Gestlife directly selects, without intermediaries, the two people without whom the programs could not be carried out: the surrogate mothers and the egg donors in programs where they are necessary.
We are the only company in Europe that has its own program for recruiting surrogate mothers and donors. We analyze their health status, as well as their entire medical history, that of their relatives, and their police and criminal records.
They also undergo a series of interviews conducted by our psychologist, who uses a battery of tests to decide whether or not the candidate is suitable.
This ensures that we make the right selection and guarantees success in choosing the most suitable surrogate mothers and donors for our families.35. Gestlife is endorsed by the parents for surrogacy association
36. Medical and psychological follow-up for pregnant women after the process is complete
The before is just as important to us as the after. Gestlife is the only company that offers surrogates (automatically included in the program) medical follow-up for one year and psychological follow-up for two years, because their health is very important to us and to
our parents.37. Support program for surrogates
Gestlife has a special approach to caring for surrogates. Not only are they paid financial compensation, but we also try to ensure that they are supported throughout the process and have a better future, with a special solidarity program (at no cost to the parents) that offers special care to surrogates.
38. Mobile app for the surrogate
For Gestlife, the surrogate is the most important person in the process.
Without her, you would not have your child. That is why it is very important for Gestlife to know for sure that the surrogate is being treated well throughout the process, by everyone involved, including our staff.
The best way to do this is to obtain this information directly from the surrogate herself, who will use a mobile app to keep us informed about her progress, mood, incidents, etc. This information will be verified by our supervisors as we do on a regular and independent basis.
Every two months, she also receives a confidential questionnaire that is only read by management, asking you about the treatment you have received from all staff.
39. Compensation to the surrogate or donor in the event of death or loss of organs
The Standard Plus and Premium programs cover potential compensation (€20,000 in most countries, €40,000 in Colombia) to the family of the surrogate or donor in the event of their death, or to themselves in the event of organ loss (loss of uterus during childbirth, damage to the ovaries during ovarian puncture, etc.).
Compensation for the surrogate mother in the event of miscarriage (€6,000) is also covered. Other “agencies” do not cover these possible contingencies, do not inform you about the existence of these risks until they occur, and then you have no choice but to pay.40. Preparatory courses for first-time parents
During the process, preparatory courses on baby care are offered. The courses are conducted live, online, in a multi-conference format, with a prestigious pediatrician. They are eminently practical and have been created especially for parents through surrogacy.
41. Financing
Gestlife allows you to pay for its programs in 5-7 installments, but also suggests bank financing options, upon presentation of a proforma invoice, so that you can pay for the program in convenient monthly installments with your bank or other financial institutions.
42. Paternity test
In all its programs, Gestlife offers you a paternity test, which guarantees the biological relationship between you and the baby.
43. You don’t have to do anything
All you have to do is provide the genetic material. Gestlife and its affiliates take care of the
rest.
44. Adoption of the child by the other spouse if necessary
For those countries where it is necessary for the commissioning mother to adopt the child once in Spain, Gestlife advises and drafts the document free of charge for the parents to carry out the adoption (Spanish clients).
For other nationalities, we advise parents and provide them with the contact details of our network of lawyers specializing in their country, with whom we collaborate.
45. More than 500 happy parents every year
Our results speak for themselves. More than 500 parents make their dreams come true every year thanks to Gestlife. A silent majority that doesn’t make a lot of noise, but is there. We can put you in touch with parents who have already fulfilled their dream and trusted our group to make it happen.
Not all programs offered by Gestlife include all guarantees and related services, depending on the legislation and availability in each country. Please consult your Family Advisor about the guarantees and services offered in the program that best suits your needs.
46. We firmly believe in everyone’s right to be a parent
That is why we have programs for all types of families: heterosexual couples, married or unmarried, single men and women, homosexual couples (of both sexes), transgender people, people with HIV or hepatitis… There is no impediment that can prevent you from having your baby if you are a responsible person.
We are not governed by gender, age, or other restrictions that other clinics or agencies may impose in order to only pursue the easy processes.
If your case is complicated, don’t hesitate to consult one of our family advisors, and we are sure to find a solution to make your dream come true. Where others have said no, we will do the impossible to make it yes.
47. Right of access to childbirth
All our programs offer the right to attend the birth if desired, cut the umbilical cord themselves, and perform skin-to-skin contact. These techniques are voluntary and are not mandatory for parents if they do not wish to practice them.
48. Video conferencing service with the pregnant woman
49. Compensation to the surrogate in the event of the death of the baby from 30th week of pregnancy
Unfortunately, there is a risk that, for some reason, the baby will not reach full term, even after week 30 of pregnancy.
In this case, having passed week 30, the surrogate is entitled to receive her full compensation, as she has carried out the agreed pregnancy.
The opposite would be unfair. And this means that the parents would have to pay new compensation to the new surrogate.
Gestlife’s Premium programs cover this unfortunate event, and the parents do not have to pay the new compensation to the new surrogate.50. Continuity guarantee
In the world of surrogacy, the legal rules often change and complicate matters. Or unwanted events, such as a pandemic, a war, or an adverse legislative change, can ruin our process.
Gestlife, being present in all countries where surrogacy is possible, will always offer you alternatives that allow you to continue with your process, so you don’t have to give up on your dream.51. Gestlife organizes your trip and accompanies you if necessary
52. Help for orphaned children in Kiev, Ukrane
Regardless of the country where you carry out your process, Gestlife allocates a portion of its fees to Gestlife’s social work, which consists of helping orphanages in Kiev, Ukraine, where many children have not been evacuated and have significant needs at a time when the country is focused on winning a war.
With your program, you are helping orphaned children in Kiev through our social work. In December 2022, we installed heaters in orphanage No. 3 in Kiev to prevent the children from being cold during the winter (due to general heating cuts caused by the war).53. Most programs in Gestlife include the 24-chromosome PGD
24-chromosome PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) allows us to rule out any embryo that may carry a genetic disease. This means we can rule out hundreds of possible diseases, ensuring that each embryo implanted is the best one, which increases the success rate of pregnancy on the first attempt. Unlike other agencies, most Gestlife programs include this test.
54. Leisure program for pregnant women and post- birth services
Gestlife programs are concerned not only with the physical health of pregnant women, but also with their mental health. That is why we offer leisure programs, including scheduled trips to the beach, museums, pool and spa days, etc., to make pregnancy more bearable. We also provide psychological care for the pregnant woman during the two years following the pregnancy. If the well-being of the pregnant woman is not your priority, surrogacy is not the solution.
55. A whole structure in your language
Some agencies make sure they have an advisor who speaks your language to provide information about the program. But once the process begins, with a bit of luck you will have a translator from time to time. At Gestlife, we have more than 200 people because our teams speak nine languages. You will be able to speak in your language with:
- Your escort (who picks you up and takes you everywhere)
- Your assistance manager, who manages your file at all
- Your country coordinator. This person is the supervisor of the assistance manager, in case you wish to speak to someone higher up in the hierarchy.
- The company’s lawyer, who you can also talk to in your own
56. Travel expenses during the process
Travel expenses in the destination country arising from the process, from the moment you arrive at the airport until you return to your country, are covered by Gestlife. You are not responsible for the expenses of our employees (taxis, meals, etc.) included in the programs.
57. Process of affiliation, adoption, or precautionary measures included in our programs
In the case of Spanish citizens, the Spanish authorities do not register children born through surrogacy in the consular section of the Spanish civil registry (except in the case of Greece, where they come with a court ruling and Spain is obliged to register them).
This entails the need to carry out a filiation process to obtain Spanish nationality for the baby, and subsequently an adoption process for the baby by the second spouse, if there is one.
On other occasions, when the Spanish consulate makes it difficult to obtain a visa or the certificate of suspension of registration (a document that is essential for the subsequent filiation process), Gestlife is forced to file a request for urgent precautionary measures with the family court where this process is to take place. Unlike other agencies, which charge for these procedures separately (almost always carried out by lawyers outside their structures who naturally want to be paid for their services), at Gestlife our lawyers’ fees are already included in our programs, so you do not have to pay anything at the end of the process.
Process of affiliation, adoption, or precautionary measures included in our programs.
Most laws only recognize the biological father, requiring the second spouse (if there is one) to adopt the baby in their country of origin.
This entails the need to carry out a filiation process to obtain the adoption of the baby by the second spouse, if there is one.
Gestlife has law firms in your country that specialize in this type of process, so you can complete the final part of the process with complete peace of mind. Unlike most agencies that deliver a baby to you and leave you to sort out the legal aspects in your country on your own.
58. We are the first company in the industry to offer you the chance to have a "superbaby"
Assisted reproduction techniques have advanced so much that we can have a baby with a lower than average chance of developing diseases in the future and a higher IQ. Gestlife has created special programs in this regard, both for surrogacy programs and for classic in vitro fertilization programs.
