In March, Dolce and Gabbana made some controversial, anti-IVF and anti-surrogacy comments in an Italian magazine called Panorama. The Italian fashion designers stated that IVF children are synthetic and chemical, thus they break the mold of the traditional family. They also stated their issues with surrogacy and the idea of renting a womb and hand-selecting sperm, which they believe defies the purpose of procreation. Despite Dolce and Gabbana’s comments, surrogacy is increasing in popularity. Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein is an example of this growing phenomenon in reproductive technology.
On July 3rd, the 32-year-old reality television star and her plastic surgeon husband Lenny Hochstein gave an early welcome to their new baby boy Logan Marc Hochstein, who was conceived via surrogate.
After five years of failed attempts at getting pregnant, which included multiple miscarriages and failed IVF attempts, Lisa and her husband turned to surrogacy to expand their family. Lisa has claimed that the child is completely theirs biologically, and that they only used a surrogate to carry him. She jokingly referred this like the baby's “nine-month sleepover.” Although Logan Marc arrived about a month early, he is healthy and has already given his parents an incredible amount of joy, as can be seen on Lisa’s Instagram account, where pictures of her and her new baby have been posted.
Lisa and her husband are ecstatic about their new baby boy, and have wanted this for many years. With a remodeled house and new nursery, the couple is enjoying the first few days with him. Lisa hopes that her struggles with infertility on the show have helped others to cope with their own fertility issues. Her own experiences provide hope and confidence to others and extend the message that having a baby is possible with reproductive technology.
