The search is on

I have read and done online research into both successful and unsuccessful cases of maternal surrogacy involving people from the region including Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, and also from the UK and The Ukraine.

I have already interviewed a woman who is looking for a surrogate. She is from Varna - my town, and had a hysterectomy some years ago but as it turns out, her ovaries were not removed.

In parallel, I have started my research in Bulgaria, and have contacted a lady who has already found a candidate surrogate mother. I intend to visit her in Asenovgrad, a town near Plovdiv, around 6 hours trip from Varna.

I’m also trying to establish contact with doctors and psychiatrists in Varna (one of the best IVF centres in the country) and Sofia.

I intend to make further inquiries to the Ministries of Health in Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia to establish precisely the legislation surrounding surrogacy.

I have also to research the situation in the Netherlands, the UK and maybe Denmark where non-commercial surrogacy is legal.

This is my short summary. There seem to be a lot of people to talk to! So far, 30 people in Bulgaria alone.

I tried to recall when I first had maternal feelings and I could not, but my thoughts were drawn to the mothers from Varna who learned this week that their five sons had been set free after several months held in captivity by Somali pirates.

It was splendid news for them. For other Bulgarian mothers it was not such a happy time – within 36 hours, another 15 men were taken captive by another band of Somali pirates.

Only another mother could understand the feelings of joy and despair of these Bulgarian women.

Anyway, these days, beside research, I’m waiting to see some of the biggest sailing ships in the world.

Here, in Varna! For the first time this year Varna is hosting of Tall Ships Races (formerly known as The Cutty Sark Race, named after the legendary 19th century tea clipper.) It is the first time this famous race has ventured into the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

What else?
A few days ago I held my first interviews in Varna - the starting point of my research journey. I am almost clear about the places I will go to and am already in process of making my travel arrangements.