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 perfect surrogate match, it’s time to draw the surrogacy contract. You will have to hire an attorney who will help you create the draft which will be reviewed by the surrogate and her attorney. It’s best that you review the terms multiple times and sign the contract when both you and the surrogate have fully agreed to the terms. Make sure the contract clearly mentions finances, surrogate compensation, parentage, and all other sensitive topics.

 

IVF and Embryo Transfer

The next step is to complete the IVF process. The IVF clinic will collect the sperm and eggs from the intended parents (or from the donor if required) and create the embryo in lab. In the meanwhile, your surrogate will prepare for the embryo transfer. The IVF clinic will determine the right time for the transfer and on the scheduled date, your surrogate will visit the IVF clinic. You can also choose to be present at the moment of transfer if all parties have agreed on it. Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is done to confirm the pregnancy.

 

Pregnancy and Wait

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, your surrogate will visit her Ob-Gyn on scheduled appointments to monitor the pregnancy progress. The surrogate and you can choose to be in contact but it’s best to mention the level of communication and openness in your contract.

 

Delivery

After 9 months, the surrogate will prepare for her delivery and admit herself at the chosen hospital one or two days before the due date. You will be notified about the due date beforehand so that you can make the drive or flight to the location. If agreed before, you can be present at the time of delivery. Once the baby is delivered, you will have to complete some legal work to claim the baby’s guardianship. That’s it!

You can take the baby home and move forward with your happy family.