In the past two decades, gestational surrogacy has proven itself as a reliable family building method for intended parents who cannot carry a pregnancy by themselves. Infertility, no doubt about it, is a difficult subject to digest and even more difficult to go through. Surrogacy gives those struggling parents a hope amidst the closing doors. Thanks to the famous personalities like Tig Notaro, Lucy Liu, Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian using surrogacy to become parents, the process has gained limelight. Today, more and more hopeful couples and individuals are turning to this life changing path. The hitch here is that gestational surrogacy is a time-consuming journey and demands a lot of patience. A typical surrogacy process takes around one to two years (sometimes more). So, let’s break down the process in parts and see how you can grow your family using surrogacy.   Find an Agency Searching on Google for ‘surrogacy agencies’ or ‘surrogacy professionals’ will give you a big list of surrogacy agencies but it is your responsibility to partner with the right one with the most economical gestational surrogacy cost. Remember, the one returning your call first may not be suitable for you. When looking for an agency, thoroughly search their: Reputation and expertise Values Services Surrogate screening Arranging meeting with your potential match Transparency about fees Communication Legal assistance and services Level of support Doctors and staff Do they offer any free consultation Of course, you can go for independent surrogacy where you will be solely responsible for arranging all the support and resources needed. Most intended parents turn to surrogacy agencies since it greatly eases the process.   Find an IVF Clinic An IVF clinic is where the medical processes of the surrogacy are taken care of. Most surrogacy agencies have partnering fertility clinics which can save you time and expenses. Still, do some research on your own before choosing the fertility clinic. Look for the following criteria to help find the convenient clinic: Location Legal Surrogacy for gay and single parents Single or unmarried couple Same-sex couple Financials Medical expertise Available treatment options IVF Cryopreservation   Select a Surrogate Mother Once you have partnered with an agency, it’s time to complete the most crucial part of the whole process - find the right gestational carrier. This woman will become a surrogate for your baby, so it’s absolutely important that you feel comfortable being partnered with her. The surrogacy agencies typically have a large database of surrogates but once you have shortlisted some candidates, look for these qualities: Between the ages of 21 to 37 years Trustworthy, responsible, and committed Be aware of the potential risks A resident of a surrogacy-friendly state Must be in excellent health and have had at least one successful pregnancy A non-smoker and no records of drugs abuse Lives in a healthy home environment She is driven by the desire to help someone become parents Emotionally and mentally healthy   Surrogacy Contract After you have found the [...]