What is the surrogacy process step-by-step?
The Surrogacy Process
The process of surrogacy can be daunting. You already have gone through so much pain on your own fertility journey. Only to find that you need a surrogate. So, what is the process of surrogacy step-by-step? If you’re wondering what the gestational surrogacy process involves with a surrogate agency, here are 4 easy steps we will take you through:
- Complete an inquiry to get started
- We will then ask you to do a phone consultation with us about your needs and your surrogate preferences
- Then you will complete a parent application for our records
- Sign an agency agreement to continue services with us
- Fund escrow with your initial deposit and agency fee
Surrogacy Process: Initial Consultation and Decision-Making
This stage is designed to provide a thorough understanding of how surrogacy works, enabling parents to make informed decisions tailored to their unique circumstances. During the consultation, the agency or professional explains the two primary types of surrogacy—gestational and traditional surrogacy—detailing the differences, advantages, and considerations for each.
Beyond understanding the types of surrogacy, intended parents take the opportunity to discuss essential aspects such as timelines, financial responsibilities, legal implications, and the specific ways the agency will support them throughout the process. The intended parents can ask questions, express their concerns, and set clear expectations for their surrogacy goal. The professional or agency also assesses the parents’ readiness and ensures they are emotionally, financially, and logistically prepared to move forward. This stage empowers intended parents by addressing uncertainties, helping them gain clarity, and ultimately enabling them to commit confidently to their surrogacy journeys.
Surrogacy Process: Match Meeting
Once we have the preliminary work with potential gestational surrogates and a signed agency agreement between parents and the surrogacy agency, we will begin your matchmaking process.
In this stage, we will work to find a surrogate mother that meets your reasonable expectations based on your information in the application and conversations with our agency. Once we have a strong match we will provide profiles of potential surrogate mothers for you to review that you are able to approve or deny. If you would like to explore a match together with a potential gestational carrier, we then have you both meet in a “match meeting.”
If both you and the potential gestational surrogate agree to move forward as a match we will arrange a match meeting that will be led by one of our coordinators. At this meeting, we will further discuss details in the profiles and give each party an opportunity to ask questions and get to know one another. It is important that each individual is comfortable with moving forward together as this journey will span many months and create a unique relationship.
Surrogacy Process: Medical and Psychological Evaluations
After both parties have agreed to move forward we will begin with the medical screenings completed by the fertility clinic for clearance. The surrogate and her partner will also complete their psychological evaluations conducted by a licensed psychologist. 99% of our surrogates pass this stage with flying colors. Once the surrogate successfully passes her medical and psychological screening we will move forward with the legal process.
Surrogacy process: Legal Contracts
The legal contract phase is a critical step in the surrogacy process, ensuring all parties are protected and their rights are clearly defined. Both the intended parents and the surrogate will work with experienced surrogacy attorneys to draft and finalize the agreement. The surrogacy contract outlines all aspects of the arrangement, including financial compensation, responsibilities, medical expenses and care, and expectations during and after the pregnancy.
This legally binding document is designed to address essential issues, such as the surrogate’s commitment to adhere to medical recommendations, the handling of unforeseen medical complications, confidentiality agreements, and parental rights for the intended parents. It also specifies terms for what happens in the event of extraordinary circumstances, building a foundation of clarity and trust.
Each party will have independent legal representation to ensure fairness throughout this stage. The attorneys work collaboratively to finalize agreements, and only after all parties have reviewed and signed the contract can medical procedures, such as embryo transfer, officially begin. This process ensures that everyone enters into the surrogacy arrangement with clear expectations and a shared understanding, minimizing potential conflicts and setting the stage for a successful surrogacy experience.
Surrogacy Process: Medication Cycle and Embryo Transfer
Once the legal contracts are in place, your surrogate will begin her medication cycles in preparation for receiving your embryos! She will be taking reproductive medicine to temporarily shut down her reproductive system so her body does not prematurely ovulate. This is a very exciting time and a major milestone we have all been waiting for. She will follow strict instructions and timing based on the fertility medication schedule before her medical procedure.
Based on the reproductive health of the intended parents, IVF (in vitro fertilization) is another option in this stage of the gestational surrogacy process. This can be done with the intended mother’s egg and donor sperm or donor egg and the intended father’s sperm
Upon embryo transfer the agency and parents may be present if the fertility clinic allows. Your surrogate may be ordered to go on bed rest in order to give your embryo an opportunity to implant. At this point we wait for a hopeful positive pregnancy test result in a few weeks!!
Surrogacy Process: Released from Fertility Care
Your fertility doctor will continue to monitor your surrogate as she progresses through the early stages of the surrogate pregnancy. Once she has reached a point where they are comfortable, she will graduate from their care and begin seeing her OBGYN in her state or specific place of residence. Your surrogate will be required to follow instructions per the OBGYN’s recommendations and orders as she progresses through her pregnancy.
Surrogacy Process: Pregnancy and Communication
At this point, intended parents and surrogates enter a period of shared anticipation and connection. Open and consistent communication is essential during this phase to strengthen the bond between the surrogate and the intended parents. Agencies often play a critical role in facilitating this communication, ensuring that updates and information are shared smoothly and efficiently. Regular check-ins allow intended parents to stay informed about the surrogate’s well-being, medical developments, and overall progress. This level of involvement helps keep everyone aligned and fosters trust and transparency throughout the pregnancy.
Medical Appointments
Attending key medical appointments, like ultrasounds or checkups, is another vital way for intended parents to feel actively connected to their baby’s development. Depending on the surrogate’s location and circumstances, these visits may be attended in person or virtually. These moments provide intimate glimpses into the pregnancy and help build excitement as the due date approaches. For surrogates, seeing the intended parents’ joy and dedication can be incredibly fulfilling, reinforcing the importance of their role in the process.
Agency Support
The agency continues to offer support during the pregnancy, serving as a reliable resource for both surrogates and intended parents. This ensures any concerns or unexpected situations are handled with care and understanding. Maintaining a positive and cooperative relationship during this crucial period lays the foundation for a seamless transition into the delivery phase.
Delivery- No more steps, just happiness!
It’s the time we have all been waiting for! Delivery is the culmination of the surrogacy journey, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with joy and love. As the surrogate’s due date approaches, preparations intensify to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for everyone involved. This includes creating a detailed birth plan that covers essential elements such as accommodations for intended parents who may need to travel, gathering all necessary baby supplies, and completing any final legal documentation. A well-thought-out birth plan helps eliminate last-minute surprises, allowing everyone to focus on the arrival of the baby.
Throughout this stage, the relationship between the surrogate, intended parents, and agency remains vital. The surrogate’s contribution is recognized and valued, and the agency continues to provide support to address any concerns or logistical needs. The shared goal is to foster an environment of excitement, cooperation, and mutual respect, ensuring a positive delivery experience. For intended parents, this is the joyous moment when their dreams become reality, and they finally meet their child for the first time—a truly unforgettable milestone in their surrogacy story.
Frequently Asked Surrogacy Process Questions
Is the surrogacy process painful?
The surrogacy process is not considered painful. For surrogates, certain procedures like embryo transfer or hormonal injections may cause temporary discomfort, but these are well-managed by medical professionals. Pregnancy itself can have challenges, such as fatigue or occasional aches, similar to any typical pregnancy experience. Surrogates receive comprehensive medical care and support throughout the process, which helps ensure their well-being and minimizes discomfort where possible.
Is a surrogate baby biologically yours?
Whether or not a surrogate baby is biologically related to the intended parents depends on the type of surrogacy used. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby, as the embryo is created using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm and then implanted into the surrogate. However, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is used, making her the biological mother of the child, though this method is less commonly practiced today. Intended parents work with doctors and legal professionals to determine the best option for their family.
Do surrogates get paid if they miscarry?
Yes, surrogates typically receive compensation even if they miscarry, though the specifics depend on the terms outlined in the surrogacy contract. Most agreements include provisions to ensure surrogates are compensated for the time, effort, and medical procedures they have undergone up to that point. This financial support acknowledges the surrogate’s commitment and the emotional toll of such an event. The contract also often outlines any additional payments for medical care or recovery if needed.
