Global Perspectives on Surrogacy: A Conversation with Dr. Said Daneshmand

In our latest podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Said Daneshmand, an internationally recognized fertility specialist from San Diego Fertility Center and host of the podcast "Fertility with Doctor D." Dr. Daneshmand brings decades of experience in reproductive medicine with a particular focus on international surrogacy, making him one of the most respected voices in the field.

The Journey to Fertility Medicine

Dr. Daneshmand's passion for reproductive medicine began during his third year of medical school. During an OB/GYN rotation, he encountered a fertility specialist whose profound impact on patients' lives left a lasting impression on him.

"What really drew me to this field was the unique combination it offers," Dr. Daneshmand explains. "It's intellectually challenging, dealing with complex endocrinology. You develop meaningful connections with patients throughout their family-building journey. Plus, there's the surgical component and abundant research opportunities to improve outcomes."

For nearly 29 years, Dr. Daneshmand has dedicated himself to research focused on maximizing IVF success rates and ensuring the health of children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies.

The Team Approach at San Diego Fertility Center

When discussing his work at San Diego Fertility Center, which he joined nine years ago, Dr. Daneshmand emphasizes the critical importance of teamwork in achieving success.

"Fertility treatment isn't about one doctor—it's about an entire ecosystem working together," he shares. "From our experienced embryologists and lab technicians to our compassionate nursing staff and administrative team, every person plays a vital role in helping families achieve their dreams."

This team concept extends beyond the clinic walls to encompass the broader surrogacy community:

• Surrogacy agencies that facilitate connections

• Surrogates who generously offer to carry pregnancies

• Egg donors who provide hope to those who need it

• Legal experts, social workers, and mental health professionals who guide families through complex processes

"When I receive photos from intended parents with their newborns, I'm reminded that this joy results from an entire community's efforts, not just mine," Dr. Daneshmand reflects.

Navigating International Surrogacy

Having established a reputation in international surrogacy before joining San Diego Fertility Center, Dr. Daneshmand brings unique insights into the challenges faced by intended parents from around the world.

"Understanding cultural nuances and country-specific regulations is essential," he explains. "Surrogacy and IVF accessibility vary dramatically across borders. What's routine in California might be heavily restricted or even illegal elsewhere."

To better connect with his international patients, Dr. Daneshmand has learned multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Italian. This linguistic versatility helps him build stronger relationships and navigate cultural differences effectively.

He recounted a particularly challenging experience in Paris, where he encountered demonstrations against surrogacy and egg donation. Rather than being discouraged, these obstacles strengthened his resolve to help intended parents overcome barriers.

"It's not enough to just provide medical services," he notes. "We need to work with advocacy groups in different countries to support intended parents locally. Building supportive communities within these countries is essential to working hand-in-hand toward family-building goals."

Advocating for Greater Access

Dr. Daneshmand's advocacy work focuses on increasing accessibility to fertility treatments and surrogacy services for all who need them.

"We've seen significant progress in the United States regarding employer-provided insurance coverage for surrogacy," he reports. "American Express was an early adopter, and now many tech companies like Google and Meta offer these benefits."

He highlighted upcoming California legislation aimed at mandating IVF coverage and redefining infertility in more inclusive terms, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.

However, challenges remain. "In Europe and elsewhere, advocacy often centers on education and gradual change. In Germany, for example, we're seeing increasing openness to surrogacy discussions, which is encouraging."

Dr. Daneshmand firmly believes that surrogacy should be a right, not a privilege limited by financial means. "Employers and insurance companies have a responsibility to expand coverage and make family-building journeys more affordable for everyone."

Balancing Clinical Work with Advocacy

When asked how he manages his demanding schedule of clinical work, international travel, and advocacy efforts, Dr. Daneshmand acknowledges the challenge.

"Yes, the days are long—often 12 hours—and there's frequent travel for face-to-face meetings. But dedication to this profession is fueled by the joy of helping create families."

He emphasizes the importance of self-care as well. "As I've gotten older, I've recognized that swimming, yoga, and good sleep aren't luxuries—they're necessities. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is essential to effectively helping others."

Pioneering Research: The PTEC Protocol

Dr. Daneshmand's contributions to fertility science include developing the PTEC (Programmed Thawed Embryo Cycle) IVF regimen, which has transformed clinical practices.

"We shifted from an 'embryo-centric' view to recognizing the critical role of the uterus and the 'window of implantation,'" he explains. "Through randomized controlled trials comparing fresh and frozen embryo transfers, we discovered that frozen transfers yielded higher success rates."

Further research suggested additional benefits for babies born from frozen transfers, including higher birth weights and fewer pregnancy complications—indicators of healthier implantation.

The PTEC protocol involves:

1. Retrieving eggs

2. Fertilizing them

3. Freezing embryos (now typically at the blastocyst stage, often with PGT-A genetic testing)

4. Carefully synchronizing the thaw and transfer with the uterine cycle

"Our team was among the first to publish randomized controlled trials demonstrating the superiority of frozen transfers," Dr. Daneshmand notes proudly. "This research has significantly influenced IVF practices nationwide."

The Future of Fertility Medicine

Looking ahead, Dr. Daneshmand identifies several promising areas for advancement:

Improved Embryo Assessment: "AI technologies are being developed to analyze embryo structure more effectively, potentially predicting viability and genetic normality without invasive biopsies."

Lab Automation: "Increasing automation in IVF labs could enhance consistency, reduce potential human error, and possibly lower operational costs."

Enhancing Egg Quality: "The 'holy grail' remains finding ways to improve egg quality, particularly mitigating age-related chromosomal abnormalities. Advanced culture media techniques show promise in this area."

However, he cautions against adopting unproven technologies prematurely. "We must rely on validated science rather than implementing new approaches simply for business reasons."

Educational Resources for Your Journey

Dr. Daneshmand's podcast, "Fertility with Doctor D," aims to empower patients with comprehensive information for their fertility journey. Episodes cover diverse topics including embryo grading, surrogate selection criteria, legal considerations, and choosing the right clinic.

"Knowledge is power when it comes to family building," he emphasizes. "The more informed you are, the better decisions you'll make, and the more efficiently you'll achieve your goals."

He also recommends seeking reliable articles on general health, nutrition, and sleep, as these factors significantly impact fertility outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Daneshmand concludes our conversation with words of encouragement for those on their family-building journey:

"Stay dedicated to your goals. Utilize available resources to empower yourself. Most importantly, maintain hope and persevere through obstacles—solutions and support exist. As a father myself, I know the profound joy of parenthood, and I wish that joy for all who seek it."

This blog post is based on Episode 16 of the Surrogacy Scoop - Patriot Conceptions podcast. For the full conversation with Dr. Said Daneshmand, listen to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.

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About Dr. Said Daneshmand: Dr. Daneshmand is an internationally recognized fertility specialist at San Diego Fertility Center and host of "Fertility with Doctor D." He serves on the boards of several surrogacy advocacy groups and has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to reproductive medicine.