Become a Surrogate in Lakeland

How To Become a Surrogate in Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland, FL, is well-named for its location. With over two dozen lakes around it, the city has a long history filled with booms and drop-offs. It also has an ancient history. During the time of the last ice age, indigenous groups lived in the area. Once the thaw occurred, they remained and flourished.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Florida, there were around 350,000 indigenous people living in the Lakeland area. Unfortunately, disease, war, and enslavement would make these numbers dwindle. Lakeland was left mostly untouched until Florida passed into the hands of the United States. From there, the town was founded in the late 1870s. The town really started to boom once rail lines reached it.

When the Spanish-American war broke out, the area was used to hold soldiers for the war. Because of its military use, several structures and businesses were needed. Yet after the war, Lakeland returned to its humble population. It wasn’t until World War II that the area would see its second boom.

It would remain relatively stagnant until the Detroit Tigers decided to use it as their place to practice baseball. Now, the city continues to see growth and has an estimated population of 97,422.

For women who live in Lakeland FL, there’s an opportunity to make extra income while serving a great cause. Florida is a surrogate-friendly state that allows women to help parents struggling with infertility to have children of their own. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a surrogate in Lakeland, FL.

What is Surrogacy?

Florida recognizes and legalizes two different kinds of surrogacy–traditional and gestational. Traditional is when a surrogate uses her own eggs to fertilize the baby. The resulting baby only shares one-half of the DNA of the intended parent with the surrogate sharing the other half. Gestational is when IVF and an embryo transfer is used.

Most surrogate agencies such as Made in the USA Surrogacy use gestational over traditional. It’s less murky legally and easier, emotionally, for everyone involved.

During gestational, the intended parents receive fertility medications from a fertility clinic. These are designed to help boost their fertility. When they’re ready, the fertility clinic harvests their egg and sperm cells and places them in a petri dish.

The surrogate also receives fertility medications from a fertility clinic at this time. Her medications are designed to help her body accept the embryo. When the clinic deems her ready, the embryo will be inserted inside of her, and her body will either reject or accept it.

If the body accepts the embryo, then it will start to develop into a baby.

While the process of surrogacy seems simple, there are a few areas in which it can become lengthy and problematic. It’s important to know if you have the endurance and patience necessary to become a surrogate in Lakeland, FL.

Time and Energy Commitments

Most surrogate journeys last somewhere between a year and two years. The reason behind the length is due to delays. There are several delays that can occur throughout the process of surrogacy. One of them begins with matching. While a surrogate agency makes the matching process easy, it can take some time.

Most surrogates should expect to be matched with an intended parent anywhere from a month to three months. The reason behind the delay varies, but it can sometimes be due to the fact that the criteria between the two parties don’t match. Since surrogacy in Florida often invokes very strong emotions, it’s best to have a match that offers the best chance of developing a strong connection.

Another delay that may occur is during the IVF and embryo transfer. If the fertility medications aren’t working, then either of the processes can fail. When that happens, the entire process needs to occur again. This is especially true if the intended parents didn’t have numerous embryos created when their egg and sperm cells were extracted.

This kind of delay can sometimes add a few months to the process. If it keeps happening, then even more months may be added.

In regards to energy requirements, you’re going to have all of the exhaustion of carrying a baby while also having to attend appointments, visits, and traveling. While intended parents typically pay for your travel expenses, you’re still going to have to travel certain distances.

If you believe that you’re up for the task and ready to help intended parents have a baby of their own, then you’re ready to know what surrogacy qualifications you need to pass.

Surrogacy Qualifications

In order to give the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy, surrogacy agencies require their surrogates to pass a few qualifications in order to join. These qualifications can help ensure that you remain healthy while also protecting the baby. In order to become a surrogate with our surrogate agency, you need to be able to pass the following qualifications.

• You must be between the ages of 21 and 38. These are the ages in which you are at your healthiest and most fertile.
• You must have a BMI between 19 and 30. Being obese can lead to problems with pregnancy.
• You must be a US Citizen, legal immigrant, or permanent resident of the US.
• You must have had at least one successful pregnancy and birth without complications prior to joining.
• You must not be a smoker.
• You must not be an alcoholic.
• You must not use drugs.
• You must be financially secure.
• You have to be able to pass physical and psychological screening.

If you’re able to pass these qualifications, then you’re eligible for joining a surrogacy agency in Florida and can start earning surrogate compensation.

Surrogate Compensation

Surrogacy in Florida can be a great way to earn extra income. All you have to do is have a healthy pregnancy. Compensation rates vary between agencies. At our agency, you can earn around $40,000 to $50,000. Here are some of the expenses that are paid as well as a few bonuses that you can earn:

• Base compensation: $40,000
• Twins/multiples: $5,000
• Monthly allowance: $250
• Experienced Surrogate bonus: $5,000
• Maternity Clothes: $1,000
• Housekeeping: $2,000

In addition to your compensation, your spouse can also earn up to 10 days’ worth of income for missed work. Clearly, joining our surrogacy agency in Florida can be a great way to increase your income and invest in your financial future.

Steps to Become a Surrogate in Lakeland, FL

Before you can start having a healthy pregnancy, you first need to join our agency. The first step that you need to take is to fill out our online intake form. This form essentially helps us determine whether or not you meet the criteria that we have for our surrogates.

If you do, then you’ll be sent the official surrogate application form and an agency coordinator. Your coordinator will help you keep track of your appointments, deadlines, and will essentially be your main voice of support throughout the journey.

You’ll need to send us photos of yourself and your family.

You’ll also need to contact your hospital and have them release medical records detailing your pregnancy and birth. This can sometimes take several months, so it’s a good idea to contact them as soon as possible.

Along with your medical records, your OBGYN will need to send us a clearance letter.

Finally, you need to have a PAP smear performed within a year of applying with us.

Why You Should Join an Agency

Using an agency is beneficial because we find intended parents for you. Only the ones that best fit your criteria are suggested. This can save you a lot of time and potentially evade conflicts that may arise with accepting intended parents who don’t have your best interests at heart.

Using an agency also means that you can easily locate a surrogate attorney and surrogate health insurance. Both of these are vital for ensuring your safety.

Join Us Today

If you’re ready to become a surrogate in Lakeland, FL, then contact our agency. We’ll help you get started with your journey, so you can start helping parents achieve their parenthood dreams.