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How To Become a Surrogate in Largo, Florida
The area of current-day Largo, FL, saw a lot of traffic throughout the past few centuries. When the Spanish claimed the land from the indigenous people, it often transferred ownership between Spain and the United Kingdom. Eventually, the state of Florida would be given to the United States.
At that time, the area was settled by James and Daniel McMullen and their families. They would start to grow citrus fruits and raise cattle. Agriculture was, and still is, a vital part of Largo’s economy. It became known as Citrus City back in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Unfortunately, when the Great Depression hit, Largo suffered. Many of its population left to seek work elsewhere. Yet when World War II began, Largo was rejuvenated. Many of its forests and lakes were destroyed and drained in order to keep up with the rapid population growth that it saw.
Today, the city has an estimated population of 77,648. It’s one of the largest populations in its county.
Because Florida has legalized surrogacy, one avenue of work that you may want to use to supplement your income is by becoming a surrogate. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a surrogate in Largo FL.
What is Surrogacy?
For those who are brand new to the world of surrogacy in Florida, it’s important to know that the state recognizes two different kinds. Traditional and gestational surrogacy are both legal routes for intended parents to have their babies. However, most surrogate agencies only use gestational surrogates.
This is because traditional uses the eggs of the surrogate to fertilize the baby. As you might imagine, there are chances that it can become a legal nightmare. Instead, surrogate agencies use gestational surrogates.
Gestational involves the process of IVF and an embryo transfer in order for a healthy pregnancy to occur. After a match has been made between a surrogate and her intended parents, they seek the services of a fertility clinic. Both are given fertility medications.
For intended parents, fertility medications can help them boost their fertility and create healthy egg and sperm cells. Those cells are collected by the fertility clinic in Florida and placed in a petri dish. Without any barriers or problems, the sperm cell should be able to fertilize the egg cell. In this way, the baby shares its entire DNA structure from the two intended parents.
For the surrogate, the fertility clinic will give them medications to help their body recognize the embryo as its own. When the embryo is made in the petri dish, it is eventually placed inside of the surrogate. With the help of the medications, the body will recognize the embryo, and it will start to grow and divide.
Though the process of surrogacy sounds simple, there are often delays that can make it last longer. Before you choose to become a surrogate in Largo, FL, it’s important to be aware of the time and energy commitments expected of you.
Time and Energy Commitments
Surrogacy in Florida lasts longer than just the nines of a normal and healthy pregnancy. Most surrogates can expect the process to last anywhere from a year to two years. There are a few cases where delays can push it even further.
One such case is in the matching of a surrogate with an intended parent. A benefit that a surrogacy agency in Florida provides is matching you with a large list of intended parents. However, that process can take some time. At our surrogate agency, we strive for making connections that are strong and friendly. In an ideal world, surrogates and their intended parents would become close friends. In many cases, that is exactly what happens.
To help the chance of that happening, it can take an agency anywhere from a month to three months to find a surrogate the pair of intended parents that best fits them.
Another delay that can occur is during the IVF and embryo transfer process. Medications are given according to what the specialists think needs to be given. They follow a standard, but as is always the case, the standard isn’t true for everyone. You may need to be on a drug for several weeks before it has an effect. The same may be true for the intended parents.
The problem is that no one knows how your body or their bodies will react to the medications until after the fact. This means that if the embryo fails to form in the petri dish or fails to be accepted by your body, then the entire process has to begin again.
This may take even longer if the intended parents were unable to make several embryos from their egg and sperm cells. If the procedure continues to fail, then you’re going back to the drawing board again and again. This can easily add on a few additional months to the process of surrogacy.
To become a surrogate, you need to be prepared for the long haul. You also need to be prepared for energy costs. You already know how exhausting carrying a baby can be. Even a healthy pregnancy can make you tired.
Add on top of that numerous doctor visits, appointments, and traveling, and you’ll be wiped. While intended parents typically pay for travel expenses, you can still expect to have to travel up to a few days’ worths.
Surrogate Compensation
Although being a surrogate is hard work, it’s also a great way to make an extra income. Depending on what surrogate agency you join, you can make anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000. Some agencies also offer benefits and other ways to make money. For our agency, you can expect some of the following expenses to be covered as well as to earn a bit more for specific perks. Here’s a breakdown:
- Base compensation: $40,000
- Twins/multiples: $5,000
- Monthly allowance: $250
- Experienced Surrogate bonus: $5,000
- Maternity Clothes: $1,000
- Housekeeping: $2,000
It’s even possible for your spouse to earn money from us. The intended parents will pay for up to 10 days’ worth of income for missed waged in the event that they have to miss work to take you somewhere. For a full description and explanation of our surrogate compensation, feel free to check out our website.
Surrogacy Qualifications
Before you can start working as a surrogate, you need to pass certain surrogacy qualifications. Most agencies share similar qualifications, but each one also has its criteria unique to their agency. If you wish to become a surrogate with our surrogacy agency in Florida, then here are a few of the qualifications that you need to meet.
- You must have had a successful pregnancy and birth without any complications.
- You must be between the ages of 21 and 38. This is when you’re at your healthiest and most fertile.
- You must not be a smoker.
- You must not be an alcoholic.
- You must not take drugs.
- You should be financially stable and without receiving financial or housing aid from the government.
- Your BMI should be between 19 and 30. Obesity can lead to health problems that affect pregnancy.
- You must pass a physical and psychological screening.
Steps to Become a Surrogate in Largo, FL
If you’re ready to take the steps in becoming a surrogate, then you should begin by filling out our online intake form. This form helps us determine whether or not you pass the initial criteria that we have for our surrogates.
Once it’s cleared, you’ll be given the official surrogate application form. You’ll also be assigned an agency coordinator. They’ll help you with the form as well as help you keep track of your deadlines, appointments, and be there to support you throughout your journey.
You’ll need to get photos of yourself and your family submitted to us.
You’ll also need medical records from your hospital that cover your initial pregnancy. This helps prove that your pregnancy was healthy and without complications.
Finally, you’ll need a clearance letter from your OBGYN and a PAP smear.
Choose Our Agency Today
Becoming a surrogate in Largo FL is a great way to help parents who are struggling with infertility. You can help them achieve their dreams of parenthood with their very own child. You can also earn extra income that can help your own family and add further financial security. Contact our team today to get started with your journey of being a surrogate.