You have already taken the first step in pursuing your dream of having a child - Congratulations! Surrogacy has made it possible for many people to become parents. Because we have been in your shoes, we are especially sensitive to your concerns and needs. We have been through the magnitude of emotions you are most likely going to experience: fear and doubt -- as well as excitement and hope. You have many choices and decisions to make. Let us help you get started!
Learning About Surrogacy
It is important for Intended Parents to read as much information about surrogacy as possible before beginning the surrogacy process. Though it may seem like a straightforward procedure, the details involved in a surrogacy cycle can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Intended Parents are people who want to have a child but are not able to use conventional methods to do so. Some Intended Parents opt for adoption or traditional surrogacy, while others choose gestational surrogacy. Surrogacy has the advantage of offering Intended Parents the chance to have a child that is biologically related to one or both of them and allows the Intended Parents to be closely involved with the pregnancy and birth of their child.
Our job at Gift of Life Surrogacy is to manage all the details so that you don't get overwhelmed. We match you with a Surrogate, oversee all necessary appointments and procedures, make arrangements with the lawyer to draw up the contracts and legal documents, and more. Gift of Life Surrogacy is here to simplify the process for you and to ensure you have the necessary facts to make informed decisions about your surrogacy journey.
We have been through the surrogacy process ourselves. We know how it feels to want a child and need outside help, and we know what kind of support you need. We go beyond matching you with a Surrogate. We also give our clients total support with all the medical and legal details involved in the surrogacy process.
You are at the beginning of one of the most important journeys of your life. What happens during this journey determines your future, and we know from experience how important this is. Please call or e-mail us with any questions you may have or to get started with our application process; our consultations are always free of charge!
Getting Started
After you have contacted us to start the application process, we will schedule a telephone consultation to determine your specific needs. When we have agreed to proceed with the application, we will send you the Intended Parent profile packet to be completed, as well as our agency’s agreement for you to review. Once we receive your profile packet and agency retaining fee, we will run a background check, and upon receipt of clear results we will schedule an in-person interview. Of course it is always preferable to meet in person, but if, based on location, this is not possible, we will thoroughly go over all pertinent information with you over the phone.
You will then receive your Getting Started packet, which includes indepth Surrogate profiles, information brochures and pamphlets, as well as other pertinent information to help you make important decisions about your surrogacy journey.
Choices
There are many things to consider before proceeding with surrogacy. Below are some of the things you will need to think about:
What is your budget? Remember you, as the Intended Parents, will pay for everything from medical expenses to plane tickets and co-payments. You can see an example list of costs on our "Fees" page. Please note that these costs are approximate and the list is not all inclusive.
Are you prepared to travel - to meet your Surrogate, to attend appointments?
What characteristics are you looking for in a Surrogate? What qualities are important to you? What physical characteristics are you looking for?
Is it important that your Surrogate have the same religious beliefs as you?
Would you prefer a Surrogate who is a stay at home Mom?
How many embryos should you transfer?
Do you want your Surrogate to undergo an amniocentesis and/or other medical screening procedures?
How do you feel about having multiples (twins, triplets etc)?
How do you feel about selective reduction (the process of reducing the number of fetuses)?
What would you want to happen if a birth defect is found?
Do you want to work with a Surrogate who is willing to have a selective reduction if the pregnancy is a multiple pregnancy (ie. triplets or quads) or if a birth defect is found? Some Surrogate will not agree to transfer any more embryos than babies the Intended Parents are willing to take home.
Will you work with a first-time Surrogate? Do you want an experienced Surrogate? An experienced Surrogate is one who has successfully delivered a baby(ies) though surrogacy. Experienced Surrogates usually have higher fees than first time Surrogates.
How much and what type of contact would you like to have with your Surrogate before and during the pregnancy? What about after?
Are you prepared to work with a Surrogate who lives in another state? It may be a necessity if the laws in your state are unfavorable. Many surrogacy arrangements are with parties who live in different states.
If anything should happen to you and your partner during the pregnancy, what provisions will you make for the child? Who will take care of the child?
How much contact will your Surrogate have immediately after the birth? How much time and in what way will you allow her to say goodbye to your child/ren?
When and what will you tell your current children, your family, close friends and co-workers?
Our initial meeting with you is intended to determine your particular desires and to create a surrogacy plan that best fits your circumstances and wishes. We will be able to answer any questions you may have and take you step-by-step through the process. The information gathered from this meeting is fundamental in the matching process.
Medical, Psychological and Criminal Screenings
We comply with the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. We will act as an intermediary between you and your clinic to coordinate all necessary medical screenings and procedures. Additionally, as the Intended Parents, you will also be required to meet with our mental health professional. Your session presents the opportunity to make sure that you have examined all the circumstances associated with having a child through surrogacy. We also do criminal background checks.
The Matching Process
After reviewing your needs and situation, we go to work to find the ideal Surrogate for you. Once you have a qualified candidate, we arrange a meeting with you, the Surrogate and her spouse. If the parties agree to work together, the process continues.
Contract and Legal Details
An attorney specializing in reproductive law will be available to answer any legal questions you may have regarding the process you are undertaking. The attorney will draft the contract as well as establish the parental rights to your baby. The legal contract must be signed by all parties before starting the embryo transfer cycle.
We work very closely with you, your physician, the nursing staff, and your Surrogate to ensure that everyone remains well informed during each step of the process. We will attend physician appointments with your Surrogate during the embryo transfer cycle, if you are unable to attend, and report the results of each visit to you. We will be with you and your Surrogate during embryo transfer, and will help in any way necessary to ensure a serene and relaxed time for your Surrogate during her required period of bed rest. The average period of physician ordered bed rest is 2-3 days immediately following the embryo transfer. Gift of Life Surrogacy suggests that all Surrogates spend this time resting in a hotel, away from their daily responsibilities.
Gift of Life Surrogacy's role in your journey will continue throughout pregnancy. Provided your Surrogate is in our general area, we will attend OB visits with her if desired or when you are unable to attend. If your Surrogate lives outside our area, we will try to attend significant appointments upon your request. We will act as a liaison between you and your Surrogate. We will do all that we can to remove any aspect from your relationship that may be sensitive or difficult to discuss, thereby allowing you to focus on the well being of your Surrogate and your baby, and to enjoy your surrogacy journey.
Birth Preparedness
The attorney will file the appropriate parental establishment documents with the courts prior to or after the birth of your baby, depending on governing state laws. We will ensure that these documents are received by the birthing hospital in a timely manner, and that all relevant parties at the hospital are aware of your situation.
We will also assist you in creating a birth plan for your baby that meets the needs and desires of both you and your Surrogate, creating an experience of cooperation and contentment for everyone involved. We will facilitate the opportunity for you to attend childbirth classes with your Surrogate, as well as other classes and services offered to our Intended Parents.
Gift of Life Surrogacy will provide the necessary information and resources for you, the Intended Mother, to induce lactation prior to the birth of your baby. Using this amazing process a newborn baby can be breast fed by its Mother moments after a Surrogate has given birth.
We will be there for the birth of your baby, as support for you and your Surrogate, and to answer any questions the hospital staff may have regarding surrogate protocol and parental establishment. We want this time for you to be solely about enjoying and bonding with your new baby/bies!
Final Process
We will attend the final court proceeding for the completion of all legal requirements.
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