Surrogacy Step by Step

Since we know that you need to be completely sure of this decision, and we are aware of how important it is for you to understand the steps of this journey, we prepared the following informative section:

First Steps

• Questionnaires and initial paperwork: Once you have decided to be a gestational mother you must complete a questionnaire to help us get to know you. Through your answers we will learn why you have decided to become a gestational mother and what kind of intended parents you would like to help (sexual orientation, nationality, race and religion) so that we can procure the best match for you.
• Meet your case manager and mentor: Next, you will meet one of our dedicated case managers (the person who will help you complete the paperwork, coordinate your appointments, and organize every detail to ensure a smooth journey). If you so choose, you will also meet your mentor, a previous gestational mother who can tell you about her personal experience and support you in any situation that may arise.
• Getting Matched: Once we know what type of person/couple you want to work with, our job begins. The matching process can take anytime between hours to a few months. During this time, we will show your profile and that of other candidates to potential intended parents. Once there is a match, we will bring you together either in person or on a video call. Your case manager will also be present to ensure fluid communication and to translate if needed. After the call, your case manager can answer any further questions you may have. Note that you are not obligated to choose the first intended parents we present to you.

The Journey

• Medical/Psychological screening and background check: In order to provide a safe and smooth surrogacy journey, both you and the intended parents will complete physical and psychological screenings. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine requires a background check of all the adults in your household in order to ensure that we are placing a baby in a positive environment.
• Insurance Review: If you have health insurance through your job or your spouse, we will review the policy to make sure it covers surrogacy. If you do not have health insurance, the intended parents will purchase a policy on your behalf. In any event, all medical costs are the responsibility of the intended parents in its entirety.
• Contracts: The intended parents are responsible for hiring two attorneys: one for themselves and a separate attorney for you. This will ensure that your contract will address every scenario that could arise during the journey, protecting both you and your family.
• Getting Pregnant: Once you are medically cleared and after all paperwork is complete, the reproductive endocrinologist will prescribe a six-week protocol to prepare your body for embryo transfer. Your case manager will assist you in clarifying any information about medications and will serve as a liaison between you and the clinic. You will receive a calendar specifying every step leading to the embryo transfer.
• Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Test: The reproductive endocrinologist will prepare the embryos for the exact time that your body is in optimal condition for a successful transfer. Approximately ten days later, you will take a pregnancy test and hopefully receive a positive result (in some cases, the first transfer does not always result in pregnancy). Don’t be discouraged! We will try again.
• During Pregnancy: The first trimester will be strictly monitored by the reproductive endocrinologist. Upon completion, you will contact your local OBGYN, and he/she will follow up on your pregnancy until delivery. Your case manager will be with you throughout the pregnancy, helping you make medical appointments, assisting you in planning medical choices together with your intended parents, and whatever else is needed.
• Parental Court Order: The information that follows has to do with the legal aspects of the baby’s parentage. The judge will issue a “pre-birth order” under the request of the Intended Parent’s lawyer to let the Court know that a baby will shortly be born as a result of surrogacy. This Court order waives your responsibility for the child, transferring custody over to the intended parents. These orders are created and filled out at around 24 weeks of pregnancy to ensure that as birth approaches, you are not left with the responsibility of the child.
• Delivery Arrangements: As your delivery date approaches, our team will contact your preferred hospital and confirm that the social worker knows this is a surrogacy baby – this step further ensures that the baby is the responsibility of the intended parents once it is born. At this time, you should request the birth plan of your choice from the hospital and discuss any emergency plans for potential preterm or high risk deliveries.
• Delivery: The big day has arrived! You can choose who will accompany you to the delivery room – whether it be your relatives, the intended parents, or both. It is always possible that your Intended Parents will not arrive on time for this important moment; in any case, the moment they meet their baby will be the most joyful and gratifying experience of your life.

Post Delivery

• Bed-rest: After birth, you will have one to two weeks to recover from the birthing process and transition back into your everyday life. During that time, any lost wages, housekeeping and bed-rest will be covered by your intended parents. If any situation arises at this time, we will be there to support you as always.
• Bills and compensations: For your peace of mind, Surrogacy and More works with an escrow company that handles all the hospital and medical bills. Additionally, they will recover your compensation to ensure that you do not assume any financial responsibilities in the process.