10 Steps To Complete The Gestational Surrogate Process

10 Steps To Complete The Gestational Surrogate Process

Are you thinking about carrying a child for a friend who is unable to do so? If so, then you’re probably wondering what’s entailed in the gestational surrogate process.

Listed below are ten steps that you need to complete in order to become an official surrogate: #1 Matching Pairing intended parents with a gestational surrogate is a personal process. Intended parents look for certain traits in their surrogate.

These include someone who is stable and healthy and with whom they feel they can share a close bond. The speed at which you will be matched with Intended Parents will depend on how well your requirements meet theirs. It may take a week, a month or even longer. Once a match is made, you will be contacted by your case manager from the surrogacy agency. At this point, you will also be given a chance to learn about the Intended Parents.

#2 Introductions If you’re happy with what you’ve learned about the Intended Parents and they also feel the same after reading your questionnaire, then the agency will schedule a meeting for you two to meet. This may be an in-person meeting or a conference call. If this introduction phase is successful, then the case can move forward to the psychological and medical evaluation phase. A background check will also be conducted at this time. Your Case Manager will coordinate these tests for you. #3 Psychological Screening After matching, the agency’s psychologist will conduct an assessment of your emotional and mental readiness to become a surrogate. This is an informative and helpful meeting as it helps you discuss your feelings about the process with the psychologist. The entire evaluation will take up to an hour during which time the therapist will also determine your support system and motivations.

#4 Medical Screening You and your spouse/partner will be tested at the fertility clinic. You may need to travel a long distance to visit the location. However it will be arranged by the agency and paid for by the intended parents.

The medical screening includes tests for HIV, AIDs and STDs. It also includes additional cultures and a gynecological exam. Whether further testing is required will be determined by the Reproductive Endocrinologist. These tests are also paid for by the Intended Parents. #5 Travel You will be expected to travel at least twice to the clinic chosen by the Intended Parents. These two occasions will be for the initial medical evaluation and the next is for an embryo transfer. In case the clinic is far or out of town, your arrangements will be managed by the surrogacy agency and paid for by the Intended Parents.

#6 Contract and Compensation Negotiation In the surrogacy arrangement, it is ensured that the surrogate will never have to use her own money for the subsequent pregnancy, IVFrelated or medical procedures, doctor’s fees, phone calls, attorney fees, etc. Once this is ready, the Intended Parents will request their attorney to draw up the contract. At this time, you are requested to discuss the terms of the contract with your own attorney. He or she may recommend additions or alterations and even a revision prior to you signing it. Even though you retain the right to choose your own legal counsel, the surrogacy agency can also provide one for you.

This is advisable because their lawyers specialize in reproductive law.

All legal fees are paid for by Intended Parents. #7 Payment Intended Parents will open an Escrow or Trust fund account into which they will deposit funds for the procedure before embryo transfer occurs. Depending on what was agreed on in the contract, the agency will prompt monthly payments that will be sent in a timely fashion.

#8 Prepping for Pregnancy The Embryo Transfer procedure is virtually pain-free. First your menstrual cycle will be coordinated with that of the Intended Mother or egg donor. This is synchronized through daily Lupron injections and birth control pills. The nurse at the clinic will assist you in understanding and administering these injections. You will also be required to take estrogen before the embryo transfer. At the same time, the Intended Mother or egg donor’s egg development is closely monitored through a series of blood tests and ultrasounds.

Your uterus will also be evaluated regularly through trans-vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests to determine the thickness of your uterus wall.

Up to five days after the eggs are retrieved and fertilized, the physician will conduct the embryo transfer into your uterus.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to take progesterone injections or suppositories. After the ET procedure is complete, you will be asked to take bed rest for up to 72 hours. Ten days after the procedure, you will be asked to take a pregnancy test at the clinic.

#9 Pregnancy You and the Intended Parents have to decide how much contact you’d like to maintain during the pregnancy. Frequency of contact is a mutual decision which is often discussed at the introduction meeting. Some intended parents like to be involved on a regular basis and some prefer a weekly phone conversation. Each surrogacy case is unique. In any case, it is recommended that both parties maintain cordial relationships.

During the entire pregnancy phase, the surrogacy agency will provide you with any type of support you require. #10 Agency Contact The amount of contact you’d like to maintain with the surrogacy agency is also entirely up to you. Once the steps leading to embryo transfer and pregnancy begin, your Case Manager and likely a Surrogacy Coordinator will always be in touch with you until at least the birth of the child.

These are some of the steps you can expect in the gestational surrogate process. To speak to a coordinator today, contact Rite Options.

GET IN TOUCH Address(1): 1225 Franklin Avenue Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530 Address(2): 1800 JFK Blvd Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (516) 512-8888 Fax: (516) 512-8892 Website: https://www.riteoptions.com/surrogacy-process/