If you’ve already thought long and hard about becoming a surrogate and you know it’s the right step, you’re probably curious about the process. What does the timeline look like? What should you know before the surrogacy process begins to prepare yourself for the road ahead?
In the next few paragraphs, we’ll break down the answers to these questions about the surrogacy process. Use this information as a step-by-step guide to navigate this exciting and beautiful journey.
Steps of the Surrogacy Process
Before beginning your journey as a surrogate mother, you have to be selected as a qualified surrogate. Doing that means you’ve successfully:
- Met the surrogacy eligibility criteria
- Talked to us so we could get to know you better
- Compiled your medical records and submitted a final profile
After those preliminary steps are completed, the real fun begins!
#1: Get matched with intended parent(s)
Once you’re accepted into our program and are approved to be a surrogate, we will pair you with the ideal intended parent(s) using our proprietary TrueMatch™ process.
Our hope is that the intended parent(s) you are matched with share your beliefs and expectations for the kind of connection you want and the rest of your surrogacy journey. At The Fertility Agency, we have a 99% success rate of making joyful matches at the first meeting.
#2: Meet with your case manager
Throughout the intake process you will be working with your surrogacy coordinator. Once matched with your intended parents, you will have a case manager assigned to you. This person will assist you and answer any questions that come up. After you meet your assigned case manager for the first time, this person will work with you and your intended parent(s) to help you navigate your path.
Through your case manager, our agency will take care of every aspect of the process, including life and health insurance. We’ll also put you in touch with experts to support you throughout the surrogacy, including the IVF clinic, reproductive endocrinologists, lawyers, and more.
#3: Have an evaluation at a fertility clinic
Your intended parents’ chosen reproductive center will assess your qualifications for surrogacy. Our years of experience and meticulous screening process have ensured this step is as smooth as possible — we’re aware of the clinic’s particular criteria even before offering the match with your intended parent(s).
#4: Complete the legal and financial requirements
Before the fertility clinic evaluation, the intended parent(s) will deposit money into an escrow account to cover the cost of the initial travel. Once contracts are signed, the escrow account becomes fully funded. You can rest easy knowing that the financial resources needed to cover the surrogacy process are safe and secure.
Next, the lawyer for your intended parent(s) will draft a legal contract outlining each party’s obligations and your financial compensation. When finished, you and your own attorney will evaluate it. After that, everyone will sign it.
#5: Get paid
Prior to becoming pregnant, your payments start. When all parties agree and sign their contracts, you begin receiving a monthly stipend that will last the duration of your pregnancy.
#6: Begin the IVF process
Around this same time, after everyone signs the intended parent/gestational surrogate contract, the clinic will set up an embryo transfer calendar. They’ll also create your medication and monitoring regimen. Your intended parent(s) will have already created embryos that are ready to transfer as soon as your body is hormonally ready to receive them.
You can expect to have a few monitoring appointments at a local clinic for bloodwork to make sure your body is absorbing the hormones properly. Ultrasounds will check that your uterine lining is getting thick before the embryo transfer (ET).
#7: Have an embryo transfer
The embryo transfer is when the egg that’s fertilized by the sperm (embryo) is placed inside your uterus. You will travel to the intended parent(s)’ clinic for the embryo transfer.
The embryo transfer process is usually pain-free and doesn’t require any pain medications or anesthesia, but mild cramping is normal. Since it’s outpatient, you’ll go back home or to a hotel to rest for about one day. The goal is for the embryo to implant into the lining of your uterus so pregnancy can begin.
#8: Get pregnant
About a week to 10 days later, you’ll take your first beta test. This is a blood test that determines whether you’re pregnant and it’s more accurate than an at-home pregnancy test. If the blood test finds that you’re pregnant, the embryo transfer was a success! You are officially a surrogate mother.
After a positive beta test, your base fee compensation starts, and it is paid every month for the duration of the pregnancy.
The End Goal: Bring a New Life into the World
As you can tell, the surrogacy process lasts several months and is quite an exciting time. There are many steps in the process, but your surrogate coordinator and case manager will guide you every step of the way. You don’t have to worry about what’s down the road — focus on completing the next step and taking care of yourself, and we’ll handle the rest.
Surrogacy and Egg Donor Services
Since 2004, The Fertility Agency has helped bring over 1100+ babies into the world. We work with all intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors no matter their sexual preference, relationship status, ethnicity, location, etc. Our personal experiences and years of expertise provide us with the perfect balance of business and passion. Contact us for more information.
