Medical clearance for surrogacy helps assure that you are fully prepared for your surrogacy journey. The process can take weeks to months, but ultimately, medical screening can help you avoid health risks and wasted time down the road.
This article will help you understand medical clearances and the timeline to completing medical clearance.
Read more about medical clearance here or fill out this form and find out if you are qualified to be a surrogate.
How Long Does Medical Clearance Take for Surrogacy?
The timeline for surrogacy medical clearance can vary depending on several factors:
Collecting Your Medical Records: 1-3 Weeks
This step often takes 1–3 weeks, as it depends on how quickly your healthcare providers can send your medical history to the clinic.
To speed up this part, follow up with your provider to ensure the records are sent promptly.
Fertility Clinic Review: 1-2 Weeks
Once the clinic has your records, the review process typically takes 1–2 weeks.
Clinics carefully examine your medical history to confirm that you meet their surrogacy guidelines.
In-Person Evaluation: 1-3 Weeks
After the initial review, you’ll be scheduled for an in-person medical screening. This is usually completed in 1 day, but scheduling the appointment might take 1–2 weeks but can take up to a month, depending on the clinic’s availability and your location.
Read more about the surrogate screening process or contact us today to get answers to your questions as soon as possible.
What is Surrogacy Medical Clearance?
In addition to meeting your surrogacy agency’s requirements, you will also need to be approved by the intended parents’ fertility clinic, who often have their own standards.
The process usually involves:
- A review of your complete medical records, particularly from previous pregnancies.
- An in-person evaluation at the intended parents’ clinic, which may include a physical exam and uterine health assessment. Your travel and lodging will be covered and arranged on your behalf.
Since agencies and clinics often follow the guidelines provided by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, clinics may have more specific medical standards tailored to ensure the success of the surrogacy process.
This evaluation is thorough because it’s designed to prioritize your health and the success of the surrogacy journey.
What Can Affect the Timeline?
Several factors may impact how quickly you receive medical clearance for surrogacy, including:
- Clinic workload: Some clinics process clearances faster than others based on their caseload.
- Missing or incomplete records: If your medical history is incomplete, it may delay the process.
- Travel for the in-person exam: If you live far from the fertility clinic, coordinating travel plans might take extra time.
How Can You Prepare for Medical Clearance for Surrogacy?
To keep the process moving smoothly:
- Organize Your Records Early: Start gathering your medical records as soon as possible.
- Be Responsive: Stay in touch with your surrogacy agency and the clinic to promptly address any requests or questions.
- Be Patient: While waiting for clearance can feel long, it’s an essential step to ensure everyone’s safety and success.
If you have any questions about how long your medical clearance for surrogacy is taking, reach out to your surrogacy specialist and we can follow up with the intended parents’ clinic for an estimated timeline.
What Happens After Medical Clearance?
Once you’re medically cleared, you’re ready for the next steps in your surrogacy journey, including getting to know the intended parents over a mediated Zoom call and finalizing the match if you’re both comfortable moving forward to the legal process.
Next Steps
While it requires patience, medical clearance for surrogacy is essential to protect your and the baby’s health and ensure a smooth surrogacy experience.
If you have questions or need help navigating this process, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to learn more? Contact us today to start your journey.