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How To Become a Surrogate in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The history of Fort Lauderdale FL seeps in blood and warfare. Originally home to the Tequesta people, the Spanish would end up enslaving, killing, and bringing disease to most of them. Those that remained were pushed out of the area. When the United States took control of Florida, the river that runs close to Fort Lauderdale was where the bulk of settlers lived.
However, eventually, a band of indigenous people came and killed a farmer’s family. The settlers abandoned the area in fear. In response, the United States built three forts in the area. They were named after the man who commanded them, William Lauderdale.
Many battles would be fought in this area between the indigenous people and the United States. When the indigenous people eventually lost, the forts were abandoned. It wouldn’t be until the late 1890s that new settlers came to develop the area. A railroad line was eventually constructed in the area which would bring further growth.
The area would also develop during World War II when Fort Lauderdale built a navy base.
Today, the area is known for its private yachts. The port is also used for cruise ships. Fort Lauderdale has become a popular place for tourists since it has hundreds of nightclubs, dozens of golf courses, and thousands of restaurants.
The estimated population of Fort Lauderdale is 182,595.
If you live in the bustling city of Fort Lauderdale, then you have the chance to become a surrogate for a couple of intended parents who are in need. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a surrogate in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Surrogacy in Florida
Florida is one of the states that has legalized the use of surrogacy for intended parents. It allows for both traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogates. Traditional involves the use of the surrogate’s own eggs for conception. She will share half of the baby’s DNA.
Understandably, few surrogate agencies use this kind of surrogate. The legality over custody can be messy. Instead, agencies prefer to use gestational surrogacy. This kind involves the use of IVF and an embryo transfer for conception.
During IVF, the intended parents are given fertility medications to boost their fertility. When a fertility clinic harvests their eggs and sperm cells, they should have a large count from which to withdraw. Those cells are placed in a petri dish where they can combine and form an embryo.
The fertility clinic will also give surrogate fertility medications. Hers is designed to help her body believe that it’s pregnant. When the fertility clinic deems that the surrogate is ready, an embryo transfer will occur. Should the medications be successful, the embryo will be accepted by your body, and it will start to divide. A healthy pregnancy can then begin.
The process of surrogacy seems relatively simple, but there are a few commitments that you must be willing to make.
Time and Energy Commitments
In general, a surrogate journey takes anywhere from a year to two years to complete. There are a few delays that can occur that can make the process of surrogacy last longer. A healthy pregnant, itself, is already long in that it takes up nine months. Adding in delays can easily lengthen the journey.
One of the delays that you might experience is matching. A surrogate agency is responsible for making the best possible match between its surrogates and intended parents. This might mean that the agency needs to wait until a better set of parents arrives. Because surrogacy in Florida is quite emotional, it’s important that every member can get along with one another. Matching can take anywhere from a month to three months.
Another big delay is with IVF and an embryo transfer. If the fertility medications aren’t working, then the embryo likely won’t be made or accepted by the body. When this occurs, both parties have to start over with their medications. Because it can sometimes take a few weeks for the medications to have an effect, this can take on a few months to the overall journey.
For energy commitments, you need to be sure that you’re ready to carry the healthy pregnancy full-term. You’ve already been a mother, so you know how exhausting being pregnant can be. Unless you’re prepared to go through that again, you shouldn’t think about becoming a surrogate.
Otherwise, the only other big hurdle that you need to manage is traveling. You may need to travel for several days in order to reach your appointments and doctor visits. While the intended parents will typically cover your traveling expenses, you still need to make sure that you have the energy to make those trips.
Surrogate Compensation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you believe that you have what it takes to become a surrogate, then you can earn generous surrogate compensation with our surrogate agency. We typically pay around $40,000 to $50,000 per surrogate journey. Intended parents offer additional bonuses for certain perks. This amount is broken down into monthly payments of $4,250. Some of the general expenses that are covered by intended parents are:
- Base compensation: $40,000
- Twins/multiples: $5,000
- Monthly allowance: $250
- Experienced Surrogate bonus: $5,000
- Maternity Clothes: $1,000
- Housekeeping: $2,000
Part of your surrogate benefit package is that your spouse is eligible for up to 10 days’ worth of their missed work pay. In the event that you need them to drive you, we want to make sure that they can do that without missing out on a paycheck.
To learn more about our compensation, you can visit our website.
Surrogacy Qualifications
Before you can become a surrogate in Fort Lauderdale FL, you first need to pass surrogacy qualifications. Each surrogacy agency differs with their qualifications. Ours are designed to promote a healthy pregnancy. In order to join our agency, you must pass the following qualifications:
- You must be a legal immigrant, permanent resident, or US Citizen.
- You must be between the ages of 21 and 38. This the age range in which you are the healthiest and most fertile.
- Your BMI should be between 19 and 30. Being overweight can cause serious health problems like gestational diabetes or heart disease.
- You must have had a successful pregnancy beforehand and birth without complications.
- You must be financially secure and not receiving aid or housing from the government.
- You must pass a physical and psychological screening.
- You must not be a smoker.
- You must not take drugs.
- You must not be an alcoholic.
You can check out our website for further qualifications.
Steps to Become a Surrogate in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you believe that you pass those qualifications, then you’re ready to start the application process. Begin by filling out our online intake form. This form helps us recognize whether or not you pass our qualifications.
You’ll be given the official surrogate application form after that. You’ll also be assigned an agency coordinator who can help you.
Along with the application, we’ll need photos of yourself and your family. You’ll also need to put together medical records that detail your past pregnancy. Calling your hospital should be one of the first things that you do since it can take them several months to put all of those records together.
Besides your medical records, you’ll also need to have your OBGYN send us a clearance letter.
Finally, you need to complete a PAP smear within a year of applying with us.
Why You Should Join a Surrogacy Agency in Florida
When contemplating whether or not you should become a surrogate in Fort Lauderdale FL, you may consider trying independent surrogacy, but this is a mistake. An agency can provide you with resources that you cannot easily find or receive as a freelance surrogate.
For one, an agency does all of the matchings for you. As a freelance surrogate, you’ll need to find intended parents on your own. Those that you do find may have been rejected by agencies for various reasons. They may take advantage of you or not pay the price that your time and effort are worth.
An agency also helps you find a surrogate attorney and surrogate health insurance. Both are vital for your protection.
Join Our Surrogacy Agency in Florida Today
If you’re ready to become a surrogate in Fort Lauderdale FL, then give us a call. We’ll help you find further information about being a surrogate and get you started with matching.