In recent years, surrogacy has become a lifeline for thousands of people worldwide who dream of building a family. Countries like Georgia, Ukraine, and Greece have offered relatively accessible programs for international intended parents, including many from Europe, Asia, and Australia.
However, behind the promise of affordable and efficient surrogacy options lies a growing problem: the rapid expansion of unregulated agencies, lack of oversight, and inadequate protection for surrogates, babies, and intended parents alike.
At Nest & Co., a company specializing in advisory services for international fertility and surrogacy journeys, we have witnessed firsthand how the absence of transparency and accountability can turn a family dream into a nightmare.
One recent example — the collapse of a Georgian agency named Kinderly — offers a cautionary tale for anyone considering surrogacy abroad.
1. A Story That Shocked the Surrogacy Community
In 2024, an Australian man engaged in a surrogacy arrangement with Kinderly, a company operating in Georgia with offices in Ukraine and China. The surrogate, a woman from Kazakhstan, was due to give birth later that year. The parents, like many others, were told not to travel until the birth certificate was ready — a red flag that would later reveal a much deeper problem.
When independent representatives arrived in Tbilisi to assist, what they discovered was alarming: newborns in overcrowded hospital wards, unattended for days; surrogates housed in poor conditions; and a lack of basic coordination between the agency’s offices.
Within months, Kinderly’s Georgian branch had shut down. Dozens of surrogates went unpaid, infants were stranded, and intended parents were left scrambling to secure their babies’ citizenship papers.
2. When Growth Outpaces Responsibility
Kinderly had been founded in Ukraine in 2018 and expanded rapidly after the war forced many fertility providers to relocate operations to Georgia and Armenia. The company reportedly took on over 100 surrogacy cases within a year — far beyond its administrative and financial capacity.
By early 2025, Kinderly declared bankruptcy. Its founders were later accused of embezzling client funds that should have covered medical care, surrogate compensation, and newborn support.
Sadly, this scenario is not isolated. Around the world, surrogacy agencies — from Greece to Kenya — have been caught in similar scandals, where financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and absence of regulation put vulnerable women and families at risk.
3. The Real Victims: Surrogates and Intended Parents
When a surrogacy provider collapses, it’s not just a business failure — it’s a humanitarian crisis.
- Surrogates often find themselves abandoned mid-pregnancy, without housing, food, or medical care.
- Newborns may remain in limbo, awaiting identification or parental documentation.
- Intended parents are forced into legal and emotional chaos — unable to access their children, fighting fraudulent paperwork, and paying unexpected legal costs to resolve issues that should never have occurred.
In Georgia’s Kinderly case, surrogates from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine reported living without heat or running water during winter. Some waited months for promised payments. Others discovered that the egg donor used was not the one they had selected — or that official records had been falsified.
Such stories highlight the urgent need for transparency, ethics, and independent advisory oversight in the global surrogacy industry.
4. Understanding the Structural Problem
Unlike adoption, surrogacy is not governed by an international convention or global set of standards. Each country — and sometimes each region within a country — has its own legal framework, documentation requirements, and ethical norms.
In unregulated environments, anyone can open a surrogacy agency. Some act responsibly; others exploit legal loopholes, hire untrained staff, or manage finances without transparency.
The most common issues include:
- Agencies operating across borders without proper registration or oversight.
- Poor screening of surrogates or donors.
- Funds being misused or withheld.
- Parents being denied contact with their surrogate.
- Infants left in legal limbo due to documentation delays.
In short, rapid expansion without accountability is the root cause of most international surrogacy failures.
5. How Nest & Co. Helps Families Navigate Ethically and Safely
At Nest & Co., we believe that every surrogacy journey should be grounded in ethics, transparency, and emotional well-being.
We are not a clinic or a medical agency — we are an advisory and support company that helps intended parents make informed, safe, and compassionate decisions.
Here’s how we differ from commercial intermediaries:
a) Due Diligence and Vetting
Before recommending any clinic, lawyer, or agency, Nest & Co. conducts independent background checks:
- Operational years and reputation.
- Transparency of surrogate contracts and payment terms.
- Medical and legal compliance in the jurisdiction.
- Emotional and logistical support offered to surrogates.
b) Emotional Accompaniment
We integrate emotional support throughout the process — for both intended parents and surrogates — ensuring that no one feels alone or unheard.
c) Legal Clarity
We work with certified local partners to ensure that all paperwork (birth certificates, citizenship, donor consent, etc.) complies with national laws, reducing risk and delay.
d) Post-Birth and Repatriation Support
Nest & Co. stays involved even after delivery, helping parents with legal, administrative, and emotional steps until they are safely home with their child.
6. Ethical Surrogacy: What to Look For
Based on the Georgia experience, here are seven key safeguards every intended parent should demand before engaging in international surrogacy:
- Transparency — You should know exactly where your money goes.
- Direct communication — Speak directly with your surrogate; never rely solely on an agent.
- Written contracts in a language you understand — and verified by an independent lawyer.
- Ethical surrogate care — housing, medical, and emotional needs must be prioritized.
- Registered providers only — confirm that your agency is legally registered in the country where services occur.
- Financial protections — escrow or trust accounts must be used to secure surrogate payments.
- Independent advisory support — work with a professional intermediary (like Nest & Co.) who can audit and intervene if issues arise.
These steps not only protect intended parents but also promote dignity and fairness for surrogates — the true foundation of ethical surrogacy.
7. When Regulation Fails, Responsibility Must Prevail
The collapse of agencies like Kinderly exposes the vacuum left by weak regulation. In most countries, there are no unified rules to verify the solvency, ethics, or qualifications of surrogacy agencies.
Until international standards exist, responsibility lies with intended parents and advisors to demand due diligence, accountability, and empathy from every provider.
Nest & Co. advocates for transparent partnerships between parents, clinics, and local authorities. We believe that every child deserves to be born into safety, and every woman deserves to be treated with respect and care.
8. The Role of Verified Providers
To restore trust in the surrogacy sector, some organizations have introduced Verified Provider initiatives — systems designed to validate the operational and ethical practices of agencies worldwide.
Nest & Co. supports these initiatives and calls for a broader movement toward responsible fertility partnerships. We also encourage intended parents to ask agencies for verifiable data:
- How many births have you managed successfully?
- How long have your staff been employed?
- Can you provide recent client references?
- What mechanisms exist for complaints or emergencies?
Transparency should never be optional when human lives are involved.
9. Emotional Support: The Often-Forgotten Pillar
Beyond the legal and logistical hurdles, surrogacy is an emotional journey for everyone involved. Parents may face uncertainty, anxiety, or guilt about relying on another person to carry their child. Surrogates often navigate social stigma and complex emotional bonds.
At Nest & Co., we place emotional accompaniment at the heart of our services. We listen, support, and guide both sides — ensuring compassion remains central to every decision.
Because when surrogacy is built on respect and empathy, everyone wins: the parents, the surrogate, and above all, the child.
10. A Call for Ethical Global Practices
The Kinderly case in Georgia is not just a warning; it’s a wake-up call. As surrogacy becomes more globalized, we must prioritize ethical standards over cost or convenience.
Every intended parent deserves transparency and peace of mind.
Every surrogate deserves protection, dignity, and fair treatment.
And every child deserves to be born into a framework of safety and love.
11. Moving Forward with Confidence
Choosing surrogacy abroad is one of the most meaningful — and vulnerable — decisions a person can make. But it doesn’t have to be risky.
With the right guidance, oversight, and empathy, surrogacy can remain a beautiful, empowering path to parenthood.
✨ Thinking about starting your own fertility or surrogacy journey?
Let’s make sure it’s safe, transparent, and human.
👉 Contact Nest & Co. for a confidential consultation with our advisory team. Together, we’ll help you build your family — with trust, ethics, and heart.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. Surrogacy laws vary by country. Always consult qualified professionals before making any decision.