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How To Become a Surrogate in Odessa, Texas
One of the explanations behind the name of Odessa is from Ukraine. A city of the same name contains a similar landscape to that found in Texas. The city was originally founded in 1881. It was nothing more than a place to stop for water. Eventually, it would also be used as a place to ship cattle.
A post office would be erected a few years later. A couple of years later, however, Odessa’s fortunes would change. Oil was discovered in some of the ranches in the area. Workers and oil magnates were quick to travel to the town and start developing it for the mining of oil.
It has since grown to a large population of around 99,940. The land continues to provide new booms of oil which also increases its population.
If you live in Odessa, TX, then it’s possible for you to become a surrogate. For those interested in how they can help families struggling with fertility and earning extra income, read on to find out how you can become a surrogate in Odessa, TX.
Surrogacy in Texas
Because Texas is a surrogate-friendly state, it has legislation that protects surrogate agencies and surrogates. There are two different types of surrogacy journeys–traditional and gestational. Traditional is when a surrogate uses her own eggs for fertilization and conception. The surrogate baby will share half of her DNA.
Few surrogate agencies allow this kind of surrogacy. Instead, we prefer gestational. This type uses IVF and an embryo transfer to conceive the baby. This allows intended parents to conceive a baby that has their entire DNA. However, in some cases, if the intended parents are unable to provide healthy egg and sperm cells, then an egg donor may be used.
A fertility clinic gives the intended parents’ fertility medications to help them increase their fertility as much as possible for egg retrieval (unless they need the help of an egg donor or sperm donor). Eventually, their egg and sperm cells are collected and placed in a petri dish.
The surrogate is also given fertility medications from the fertility clinic. The ones that she takes are to help her body accept the embryo. It’s possible that her body may see the embryo as a foreign invader. As a result, it will send antibodies and other agents to kill the embryo.
If the fertility medications do their work, then the embryo transfer will be successful. The embryo will start to divide, and the surrogate will experience a healthy pregnancy provided she is careful.
The process of surrogacy seems simple but there are many instances in which it can go wrong. There are also several ways that delays can occur. You need to be sure that you’re ready to remain committed if you choose to become a surrogate in Odessa, TX.
Surrogate Commitments: Time and Energy
Before you decide to join our surrogacy agency in Texas, you need to be sure that you are ready for the time and energy commitments expected of you. Most surrogate journeys last anywhere from a year to two years. Delays can extend that journey.
One delay may be in matching. Our surrogate agency has to ensure that the match between the surrogate and intended parents is as compatible as possible. Emotions can run high during the process of surrogacy. Surrogate agencies want to ensure that their matches are as supportive and friendly toward one another as possible. It can take anywhere from a month to three months to be matched with intended parents.
Another delay is during IVF and the transfer. Because fertility isn’t an exact science, it can be difficult for clinics to know exactly how much medication someone needs. Sometimes it may take a while for the medications to have an effect. If fertilization or the transfer isn’t successful, then everyone goes back to square one.
This process can be repeated several times before the embryo finally starts to divide inside the surrogate. Each delay can add several weeks to the process.
A final delay that you may experience is in acquiring your medical records. One of the surrogacy qualifications that you need to pass to become a surrogate is to have had a successful and healthy pregnancy prior to joining our agency. Medical records are needed to prove that. Unfortunately, it can sometimes take a hospital several months to put them together.
For those who want to limit this delay as much as possible, it’s a good idea to call your hospital now and start putting those records together.
Clearly, the process of surrogacy can take some time. However, you also have to be prepared for the amount of energy that you’re going to need to expend. For example, you’ll have all of the discomfort and energy toll that a healthy pregnancy demands on its own. On top of that, you may also have to travel.
While intended parents typically pay for your traveling expenses, you’ll still need to make the trip. Sometimes traveling may require you to travel for several days.
If you think you’re prepared to meet those demands, then you’re likely going to be a great surrogate. You’ll also be rewarded with surrogate compensation.
Surrogate Compensation in Odessa, TX
When you choose to join surrogacy in Texas, then you’re able to be paid for your selfless service. Each surrogate agency has different rates. Our agency, Made in the USA Surrogacy, offers its surrogates anywhere from $60,000 to $65,000. This amount is broken up into monthly installments of $6,250. Here is a general breakdown of some of the expenses that you’re paid for:
- Base compensation: $60,000
- Twins/multiples: $5,000
- Monthly allowance: $250
- Experienced Surrogate bonus: $5,000
- Maternity Clothes: $1,000
- Housekeeping: $2,000
The intended parents can even pay your spouse. They can receive up to 10 days’ worth of missed income in the event that they need to miss work in order to help you travel to your appointments. For further information about our compensation, check out our website.
Surrogacy Qualifications To Become a Surrogate with Us
Before you can join our surrogacy agency in Texas, you need to pass a few qualifications. These qualifications are designed to help protect you. The last thing you want is to sign up for a job that could cause you serious injury. Here are the qualifications that you need to pass:
- You must have had a previous pregnancy without problems and birth without complications. We’ll require medical records that prove this.
- You must be financially secure without receiving aid or housing from the government.
- You must be between the ages of 21 and 38. This is when you’re at your healthiest and most fertile.
- You must be a United States citizen.
- Your BMI must be between 19 and 30. Being overweight can cause problems in pregnancy.
- You must be able to pass a physical and mental screening.
- You must be a non-smoker.
- You must be a non-alcoholic.
- You must not take drugs.
Steps to Become a Surrogate and Join Our Agency in Odessa, TX
If you pass those qualifications, then you’re exactly what we’re looking for. To join our agency and start helping intended parents, you should fill out our online intake form. This form helps us see that you pass our initial qualifications.
Once that is cleared, you’ll be given the official surrogate application form. At that time, we’ll also give you an agency coordinator. They’ll be responsible for helping you to remember deadlines, doctor visits, and appointments. They’ll also be able to support you throughout your journey.
We’ll need photos of yourself and your family for our website. We’ll also need medical records that detail your past pregnancy and birth.
You’ll need to get in touch with your OBGYN and have them send us a clearance letter for you.
Finally, you need to have a PAP smear performed within a year of applying with us.
Join Our Agency
Joining our agency means that you are given the resources that you need to stay safe. We can help you find a surrogate attorney and health insurance. We’ll also handle all of the matchings for you. You simply need to sit back and do everything you can to provide a healthy and happy pregnancy for your intended parents. If you want to get started in Odessa with becoming a surrogate, then reach out to us. We’ll help you get started on an incredible journey you won’t forget.