Interview with Dr Michael Feinman, Medical Director at HRC-Fertility
How long has HRC-Fertility been established, and where are you located?
The original HRC was founded in 1988. The company reorganised, and the current partnership began in 1998. My lab is in Encino, California, with satellite offices in West Los Angeles and Westlake Village. We also have two other labs and several satellite offices across Southern California. I have worked with surrogates, including those working with gay men, for over 20 years.
What attracted you to the field of fertility?
My career in reproductive endocrinology began in 1986 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. At the time, the field was still developing, and I wanted to be part of its growth. Microsurgery was also an important aspect, which I enjoyed. Finally, knowing the joy that having children has brought to my own life, I wanted to help others share in that experience.
What services do you offer LGBT couples or individuals?
We are a full-service practice offering treatments ranging from donor inseminations to egg donor and surrogacy programmes. I also specialise in helping patients who have experienced previous IVF failures — more information is available at IVFImplantationFailureClinic.com.
Many gay couples want to transfer embryos from both partners to create twins. How do you view this?
I call this “shared embryo transfer”. I understand the emotional and financial reasons behind it, but it’s important to recognise the risks to both children and the surrogate mother associated with twin pregnancies.
What role does pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) play?
PGS allows us to analyse a small sample of cells from an embryo to determine if it has normal chromosomes. It’s an invaluable tool for selecting embryos for single transfers, reducing the risk of multiple births, and improving the chances of a healthy outcome.
Do intended parents need to travel to the US for an initial consultation?
No. Initial consultations can be conducted via phone or Skype.
How long must patients stay in Los Angeles for IVF?
- Women: Just under two weeks (if early monitoring can be done locally).
- Men using surrogates: Slightly less time, unless present for the embryo transfer. Some men freeze semen in advance to avoid travelling during egg retrieval.
Why not adoption?
Adoption is an alternative, but it may not fulfil the natural desire to create one’s own child. Adoption can also present significant legal and financial challenges, making it difficult and expensive. Parents should consider all options to decide what’s best for them.
What makes HRC-Fertility unique?
Our doctors and staff have unparalleled experience in third-party parenting and working with international patients. I personally organised one of the first anonymous egg donor programmes in New York in 1987. With multiple locations across Southern California, we can monitor donors and surrogates closer to home, without adding unnecessary costs.
Do you only perform American surrogacy?
Not exclusively. While I prefer working with American agencies and surrogates, we also collaborate with a trusted agency in Mexico. Embryos are created in our lab and shipped to a state-of-the-art clinic in Cancún for transfer, allowing parents to work with us regardless of the surrogate’s location.
How can the process be made more efficient?
Sometimes egg donors are ready before surrogate mothers. In such cases, we recommend freezing embryos until the surrogate is prepared. Success rates for fresh and frozen embryos are very similar. Freezing also benefits families who want genetically related siblings in the future — something I call “Advanced Family Planning”.
On a personal level, what brings you the most satisfaction?
The greatest source of happiness for me has been having a family of my own. I love sharing that joy with others, helping them achieve parenthood safely and ethically. Over the years, I’ve shifted focus from simply looking at success rates to prioritising healthy pregnancy outcomes.