Surrogacy is a journey that offers amazing experiences for the intended parents as well as the surrogate mother. There are numerous reasons to go through the process, and no matter which side of it you’re on you will find many things to love and enjoy.
However, there are numerous steps that must be taken when it comes to surrogacy. Whether you’re trying to have a child by using a surrogate or wish to make someone’s dream come true by being a surrogate mother, the process is worth a closer look. Breaking down the steps from start to finish on both sides of the surrogacy process is important and will ensure that everyone goes into the process knowing what to expect and that they get the most from it.
Surrogate Steps For The Surrogate (Gestational) Mother
For those who wish to become surrogate mothers and help others realize their dream of being parents, there are several steps to take. The majority of these steps are essentially to qualify for being a surrogate mother, but others will be taken afterwards. From beginning to end, the process goes something like this.
- You’ll begin by filing an application to become a surrogate. This will include questions related to your family, history, and more. For gestational mothers to be approved, they must already have had one or more children of their own, have no harmful habits, and also submit a signed statement from their husband that they agree with the process.
- Next, tests are done to confirm that you are healthy and able to bear children and go through pregnancy without complications. Everything from ultrasounds to blood and urine analysis is used to confirm this.
- If accepted, you are placed onto a list of potential surrogates. There is nothing more to do from here but wait to be called upon by a potential couple.
- If chosen to be a surrogate, you next sign legal documentation that provides protection for you as well as the intended parents. You’ll be guaranteed your compensation while they are given full legal standing as the parents of the child.
- In vitro fertilization occurs next. Embryos are created and placed into your womb. Once pregnancy is confirmed, most agencies pay out the first payment to the gestational mother.
- Next, you’ll go through the pregnancy process. Surrogacy agencies have strict guidelines as to ongoing care, and you must abide by the rules here. You may or may not meet and interact with the intended parents during this time – each surrogacy is different based on the wishes of those involved.
- When it’s time to have the baby, you’ll give birth. Once the child is born, the intended parents’ names are placed on the birth certificate and they are given the newborn baby. You’ll receive your final payment and complete the process knowing that you’ve made someone’s dreams come true.
Surrogacy Steps For The Intended Parents
For those who need to use a surrogate to have their baby, the steps are very similar and run alongside those that the surrogate herself will take. Here’s the basics of what to expect.
- You’ll begin by contacting the surrogacy agency and discussing your situation and needs. Different types of IVF may be used depending on the situation. From here you’ll be given a path to parenthood along with a breakdown of costs and what to expect.
- If you agree, you make the initial payments as required and then sign multiple documents related to the process.
- Eggs and sperm are collected as required by the IVF method being used.
- You’re matched with a surrogate. This process varies depending on where you go through surrogacy and on your own specific needs but in the end you’ll have a surrogate mother who is right for your needs and who you can trust to give you the baby of your dreams.
- After signing basic legal documentation to protect yourself as well as the gestational mother, the insemination process occurs. Eggs and sperm are combined in the lab and formed into an embryo, which is then implanted into the surrogate. Or, sperm is introduced into the surrogate mother and pregnancy occurs.
- Either method leads to pregnancy, and once this occurs you begin the process of waiting. Most agencies allow you to continue checking in on the progress and you may even interact with the gestational mother during this time.
- Once birth occurs, you fill out the appropriate forms and become the legal parents of the child. Your names are placed on all legal documents and birth certificates – the birth mother has no legal connection to the child. You’ll then be given your child.
This is the process of surrogacy on both sides of the equation. No matter what, the end result is that surrogacy allows couples to become parents and allows surrogates to make a profound impact on the lives of others.