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IVF & Surrogacy in Judaism: A 2024 Guide

With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approaching, learn more about Jewish law’s stance on fertility treatments and surrogacy, and how to find Jewish egg donors and surrogates that align with your values.

For many Jewish intended parents, the path to parenthood can sometimes involve assisted reproductive technologies like IVF or surrogacy.

As Rosh Hashana begins, it’s natural to reflect on what you want this new year to bring. Understanding Judaism’s perspective on IVF and surrogacy can provide clarity as you navigate your family-building journey. We’ll explore Jewish views on IVF and surrogacy, and offer guidance on finding egg donors and Jewish surrogacy agencies that align with your values.

Ready to find a Jewish surrogate? Contact us online now and we can help you find an experienced, pre-screened candidate who shares your values.

IVF in Judaism

Judaism, particularly under Orthodox and Conservative interpretations, generally views IVF as a permissible method of fulfilling the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). The primary concerns within Jewish law, or Halacha, center on the sanctity of lineage and ensuring the child is born within the moral framework of Jewish values.

According to most rabbinic authorities, IVF is allowed as long as the sperm used is from the husband and that the child is raised in a Jewish family. This perspective can provide a sense of relief for many couples navigating infertility, knowing that Jewish teachings can support their journey toward parenthood.

Is Surrogacy Allowed in Judaism?

Surrogacy is a more complex issue within Jewish law. While many rabbis permit the practice, there are different views on the Halachic status of the surrogate and the child. One of the key questions in Jewish surrogacy is who is considered the mother—the egg donor or the gestational surrogate.

Many authorities hold that the surrogate mother, as the one who gives birth, is the Halachic mother, while others argue for the egg donor’s status as the mother. Regardless of the debate, Jewish law generally allows surrogacy, especially when natural conception is not possible, as long as the arrangement maintains the integrity of Jewish familial lineage.

Finding Jewish Egg Donors and Surrogates

For Jewish intended parents, maintaining a connection to Jewish heritage can be an important factor in choosing an egg donor or surrogate. Fortunately, there are agencies that specialize in working with Jewish donors and surrogates, ensuring that your family-building journey remains within the framework of your faith.

When looking for a Jewish egg donor or surrogate, it’s important to work with a reputable agency that understands Jewish laws and values. Some intended parents prefer a Jewish donor or surrogate to ensure their child inherits Jewish identity, while others may look for those who share their cultural background. In either case, the right surrogacy agency can make all the difference.

IVF and surrogacy are life-changing options for Jewish intended parents seeking to build their families. While navigating the complexities of Jewish law may feel overwhelming, the good news is that some rabbinic authorities support assisted reproductive technologies.

Whether you’re looking for a Jewish egg donor, surrogate or simply needing guidance through the process, you don’t have to walk this journey alone.

4 Questions about Surrogacy for Infertile Couples

Surrogacy for infertile couples can be a turning point in their journey to parenthood. We want to help you achieve those goals.

Infertility creates a long and emotional journey for many couples. From doctor appointments to infertility treatments to money spent, we know there are so many hurdles you’ve overcome to try to create the family you’ve always dreamed of.

To get more information about how the surrogacy process can benefit you in your unique situation, reach out to a surrogacy professional today.

Deciding on surrogacy for infertile couples can be a turning point in their journey to parenthood. The choice to go through the surrogacy process may be a big decision, but we’re here to help you choose if surrogacy is right for you. If you’ve been struggling to decide what the best next steps are for you and your family, we urge you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is surrogacy right for you and your partner?

Making decision to move on to a new chapter can be difficult. It may mean giving up on another way of trying to have a child that you had put a lot of hope into. Surrogacy for infertile couples may be something to pursue on their journey to parenthood. Deciding to begin another route to becoming parents can be challenging both emotionally and physically. If you’ve been going through fertility treatments and shots and constantly checking in with your body, it can sometimes feel like a relief to move on from strict and strategic treatments. Talk with your partner and discuss if this feels like the right move for you.

2. Are you ready for someone else to carry your child?

This can be difficult, especially for intended mothers, and that is 100% understandable. Know that however you feel about it is valid. If you’ve been going through infertility struggles, talking to a therapist may be something you’re already doing. But talking out these thoughts with a professional can help if you are choosing to pursue surrogacy. Discuss what surrogacy options for infertile couples can do to help you achieve your goals.

3. Do you have embryos left over from fertility treatments?

A large decision intended parents have to make when it comes to surrogacy is whether they are going to use their own egg and sperm or a donor’s. If you have already been through fertility treatments like IVF and you have embryos left over, you can use those for surrogacy. This also means that your treatment for the IVF process can still help you achieve your goals. Choosing to transfer one of these embryos to a surrogate can give you a potentially higher chance of a positive outcome.

4. Is becoming a parent more important than being pregnant?

If being pregnant is your goal, surrogacy may not be right for you. Talking to your doctor will help you understand if that is a possibility you can keep trying for, or if you should pursue other routes. Depending on the circumstance, some doctors may recommend surrogacy for infertile couples. If you are at a point in your infertility struggles where you just want to have a baby and be a parent, surrogacy can be a great option.

Surrogacy is a huge commitment, and one we do not take lightly. We want to help you achieve your goals of starting a family through surrogacy for infertile couples. You’ve been through enough and we want to be the last stop on your journey to parenthood. Choosing surrogacy after infertility is a big step and we’re ready to help you get started. Reach out to a surrogacy specialist today.

Deciding Between Surrogacy Vs Adoption

Discover the pros and cons of surrogacy vs adoption to help you create the family you’ve been dreaming of.

The choice to have a family is always exciting, but deciding how to have a family can be hard.

To get more information about your family-building options, fill out our online form.

For couples and hopeful individuals who cannot have a family on their own, you may be considering alternatives to starting a family. This can likely include surrogacy vs adoption as potential options.

The Pros and Cons of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

Navigating the pros and cons of surrogacy vs. adoption can lead you to your ultimate choice between the two. Learn more about the major points that can help people decide which one to pursue.

Genetics

A gestational surrogate will not share any genetics with your child. The embryo used will either use your egg/sperm or a donor’s. This would mean the child could be biologically yours depending on the egg and sperm you use.

A birth mother will share genetics with the child, which can cause emotional implications as you go through the process. This can make the birth mother feel more attached to the child, possibly having trouble letting go.

Genetics can often play a determining factor in choosing between adoption vs surrogacy. For intended parents who feel strongly about having a genetic link to their child, surrogacy is sometimes the better option. However, if genetics are not something you feel you need to share with your child, adoption can be a great option.

Cost

The cost of surrogacy vs. adoption can be a big determining factor. Adoption can cost intended parents anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 on average. This can be a more affordable option in comparison to surrogacy. Surrogacy can cost an average of $150,000. This includes surrogate pay, agency fees, legal fees and more. Surrogacy is definitely far more expensive than adoption.

Finances can definitely be a deciding factor between surrogacy vs. adoption, but it’s important that you feel confident in your finances. Raising a child has plenty of costs involved in the process, so being aware of how much you may spend to have a child is imperative. Asking an agency to be upfront about their costs of surrogacy can help you financially prepare.

Matching

The matching process for adoption vs. surrogacy is slightly different. The matching process for adoption generally relies heavily on the birth mother and her decision. During the surrogacy process, you will create a profile when you put together your surrogacy plan. This will be advertised to prospective surrogates and your surrogacy specialist will help you connect with your perfect match. We strive to match intended parents and surrogates in 30 to 90 days.

For adoption, the birth mother will choose the parents. You will put together a profile and video to give a little insight into your family and lifestyle so a birth mother can get to know you. Your adoption specialist will help advertise your profile and video to reach a potential birth mother.

Legal Process

The legal process tends to vary between surrogacy vs. adoption. In surrogacy, legal contracts are signed before the medical process can begin. In adoption, the birth parents must give written consent and their rights must be legally terminated after the baby is born. A birth mother also has the option to change her mind at any time until she legally executes her consent. Because the birth mother has the option to change her mind during the pregnancy and after giving birth, it can be an emotionally difficult road to take.

Benefits of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

The benefit of surrogacy vs. adoption is that you will end up with a child, growing the family you’ve always wanted. The choice to grow your family and how you grow your family is ultimately up to you. With surrogacy, you have the opportunity to have a child who is genetically related to you.

You can also be part of the entire pregnancy and be more in control of the situation. With adoption, you get to create a family for a child who needs one. You can create a relationship with the birth mother where everyone is comfortable and create an environment where your child is able to thrive.

No matter which option you choose to create your family, we can help you. Our surrogacy specialists are ready to assist you with the process. Our sister company American Adoptions can also help you get started in your adoption journey. Don’t wait to create the family you’ve always wanted. Contact us today.

Choosing Between IVF and Surrogacy

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. We explain the difference and how you can achieve your dreams of parenthood.

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. And for anyone new to the process, you might have a lot of questions. We have the answers you need

To get more information about IVF and surrogacy, fill out our online form and one of our specialists will help you evaluate your infertility options.

Struggling With Infertility

For anyone struggling with infertility, you may be looking for alternative routes to parenthood. Many people turn to IVF in the beginning of their journey. The IVF process includes:

Take fertility drugs
Pre-retrieval
Sperm sample analysis
Insemination
Embryo transfer
Pregnancy results

This process is a generally effective fertility treatment for those going through infertility. IVF is often times a good option if you have certain health conditions, fallopian tube damage/blockage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or are experiencing unexplained infertility. The downside to IVF is that it can be a lengthy, expensive and emotional process. The success rate of IVF attempts for people under 35 is 50%, while attempts at ages 42 and over are only at 3.9%

The Difference Between Surrogacy and IVF

One of the main differences between surrogacy and IVF is the carrier of the baby. When people are using IVF, the intended mother is the one carrying the child. The IVF treatments allow her body to prepare to carry a child in ways it otherwise would not be able to. In surrogacy, a surrogate will carry the child. However, the egg of the intended mother may still be used.

If you’ve been working through IVF and are beginning to feel defeated, don’t give up. Your goal to have a family can still be achieved. This is the part of the journey many people may choose to start looking into surrogacy. There are a number of reasons people may choose surrogacy over IVF, including:

They’re ready to move on from IVF treatments.
They’re more interested in becoming a parent than they are in being pregnant.
They’re concerned about the continued cost of IVF.
They only have a few embryos left.
They’ve done their research.

How Surrogacy and IVF Can Work Together

IVF is used in the surrogacy process. Throughout the process you will use IVF to assist in having a healthy surrogacy. They will go through the same IVF process as mentioned above, but through gestational surrogacy, you will help to create the embryo. This will include:

The surrogate will undergo IVF to carry and deliver your child
You and your partner’s gametes will be used to create the embryo
A sperm donor, an egg donor, or both will help create the embryo
A fertility clinic will help create the embryo to be transferred to the surrogate
The baby will not be related to the surrogate.

How American Surrogacy Can Help

For couples and individuals who dream of becoming parents but face significant challenges in conceiving, surrogacy offers a pathway to realize their dreams. By partnering with American Surrogacy, these intended parents gain access to a network of compassionate and qualified surrogates who selflessly offer to carry and nurture a child on their behalf.

This process not only offers a chance at biological parenthood but also fosters a deep sense of emotional connection and shared purpose between the intended parents and surrogates. American Surrogacy’s comprehensive support, including legal guidance, medical expertise and emotional assistance, helps alleviate the burdens that infertility often brings, allowing intended parents to focus on the joyous journey of parenthood that IVF and surrogacy can make possible.

Start you parenthood journey today. Contact us to get more information about IVF and surrogacy.

Do Surrogate Mothers Share DNA With The Baby?

Do surrogates share DNA with the baby? We answer our most asked questions about genetics and surrogacy.

As you go through the surrogacy process you, and maybe even family members and friends, may have questions about the DNA of your child. Many people may choose surrogacy due to the genetic factor. But people still have questions about DNA and the genetic process. Common questions we get asked include:

Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?
Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?
Do surrogates share blood with the baby?
Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

To get answers to these questions and more, you can contact a surrogacy specialist today by filling out our online form or call 1-800-875-BABY.

Use this easy guide to understand the difference between traditional surrogacy vs. gestational surrogacy, and help those with questions understand your surrogacy process as well.

Traditional Surrogacy

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate contributes her own egg to the in-vitro process. Once her egg is artificially inseminated by the intended father’s or donor’s sperm, an embryo is created which she will then carry to term in her uterus. In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child. This genetic relationship can come with unique challenges. Due to the higher level of legal risk with traditional surrogacy, it is rarely done today.

Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate and baby do not share any genetics. An embryo is created from the intended parents’ and/or donor’s egg and sperm. Once the embryo is created, it is transferred to the surrogate’s womb and she then carries the baby to term. This process is the most common form of surrogacy today, and the only form of surrogacy American Surrogacy completes.

Now, let’s answer those questions from above. We understand that many of the questions may be from well-meaning family members and friends who have a ton of thoughts on the process. However, we are here to offer you the information to make it clear that your child will not be genetically related to the surrogate.

Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?

Many people may think of traditional surrogacy when it comes to the surrogate process. They assume it’s her egg being used. This, of course, is not the case. You will use your egg or a donor’s egg to create the embryo that will be carried by the surrogate. The DNA will come from the egg that was used in the embryo. It will have nothing to do with the surrogate.

Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?

Again, the appearance of the baby comes down to who provided the sperm and the egg to create the embryo that results in a child.

Do surrogates share blood with the baby?

When people talk about “blood relation” they may be thinking of literal blood. While yes, a surrogate’s blood is used to help grow your child, they are not of “blood relation.”

Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

No. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother does not have any rights to the child. There will be a legal process that will allow you the legal rights of parenthood while the baby is in the womb.

When people ask if the baby is related to the surrogate mother, the answer is simply no. You will share the genetics with your child through your egg or sperm, or you can choose to use a donor if using your own is not an option for you.

If you want more information on surrogacy, contact us today at 1-800-825-2229 (BABY) or fill out our online form.

Surrogate Pregnancy Vs. Personal Pregnancy

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, then here’s everything you need to know about how a surrogate pregnancy compares to a personal pregnancy.

It’s common to wonder how a surrogate pregnancy compares to a personal pregnancy. Many potential surrogates ask if the experience is any different from when they carried their own children, especially when it comes to the emotional aspects of the process. Will I miss the baby? How can I go through the process without becoming attached?

These concerns are normal, but know that a surrogate pregnancy significantly differs from a personal pregnancy. Although there are some similarities in the process, here’s what you can expect from a surrogate pregnancy.

To learn more about the journey toward becoming a surrogate, check out this article.

Surrogate Pregnancy vs. Personal Pregnancy [3 Key Differences]

There are many differences between a surrogate pregnancy and a personal pregnancy. From emotional aspects to financial differences, we’ll help you understand everything you need to know to help you embark on a surrogate journey with confidence.

Physical Aspects

When you become a surrogate, there are certain surrogate requirements you must meet to qualify. Unlike a personal pregnancy, surrogate pregnancies often involve a screening process that ensures you’re prepared to complete a successful surrogacy journey. These surrogate requirements are meant to protect everyone involved, providing peace of mind as you navigate this journey.

Also, a gestational surrogate pregnancy often involves in-vitro fertilization to create embryos using the intended parents’ own genetic material or an egg donor’s. This means that as the surrogate, you won’t share any DNA with the baby like you would with a personal pregnancy.

Because the process uses IVF to achieve a pregnancy, there are also certain fertility medications you’ll need to take to prepare for the embryo transfer process. After becoming pregnant, the physical symptoms are similar to those that occur during a personal pregnancy.

Financial Aspects

Unlike personal pregnancies where you’re responsible for medical and pregnancy expenses, surrogate pregnancies include surrogate compensation that covers every step of your journey. You’ll also receive additional compensation that recognizes your commitment to helping a couple build their family.

First-time surrogates have the chance to earn $50,000-$90,000 while second-time surrogates can earn $60,000-$110,000. Although your cost of living and current income can affect how much you earn, our goal is to help you get the highest surrogate pay possible.

Mental and Emotional Aspects

Personal pregnancies come with a lot of preparation, from picking out names to getting the nursery ready. With a surrogate pregnancy, the emotional experience is completely different than if you were preparing to give birth to your own child. For some gestational carriers, the main focus becomes sharing all the important milestones with the intended parents.

Whether that’s facetiming during appointments or sending sonogram pictures, you’ll have a front row seat watching a family grow right before your eyes. If you happen to experience difficult emotions post-partum, your specialist will be there to help you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to become a surrogate or have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. With over 30 years of experience building families, we know what it takes to help you feel confident as you embark on this life-changing journey.

Surrogacy for Gay Parents: Celebrating Pride and Parenthood

Through the stories of surrogacy for gay parents that we’ve worked with, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy and the essence of family.

Family is more than just a biological connection. In today’s diverse and evolving society, stories of gay surrogacy demonstrate the power of love and determination in creating families. These heartfelt journeys of gay intended parents we’ve helped have the family of their dreams highlight the path through the surrogacy process to the joy of parenthood.

Each narrative is a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment and resilience, demonstrating how surrogacy turns dreams of parenthood into reality. Through these stories, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy, fostering acceptance, equality and the true essence of family.

To learn more about the process of surrogacy for gay parents, fill out our simple form.

Gay Surrogacy Stories from American Surrogacy

Michael and Viet’s Story

For Michael and Viet, becoming parents was the next step in their journey together as a couple. As they considered their family-building options, surrogacy stood out as a way to share a biological connection to their child.

“Surrogacy just gave us an opportunity to complete our family and it completely changed our lives,” says Viet. “We looked at adoption and at the time there was a two year waiting process and the fees were just about the same so we though why don’t we just go through surrogacy and have someone that is part of me in our family which was something we also really wanted.”

After meeting their surrogate, Alissandra, Michael knew she was the person who they wanted to help grow their family.

“The first meeting with our surrogacy Alissandra I definitely felt like it was an instant connection and it was an amazing match because the reasons why she wanted to this were very heartfelt,” says Michael.

It was as if their family grew by two through surrogacy. “After we started the whole process we just got really close and we were a family I felt,” Viet says.

The birth of Michael and Viet’s son through surrogacy fulfilled them in ways they never could have imagined. Viet recalls the first time he held his son.

“The birth of our son was amazing. Alissandra had just given birth and the nurses handed him to me and I just couldn’t believe after all the years and everything we went through that he was finally here. I was holding my little boy in my arms and he was perfect.”

“My son has filled a part of my existence and should and heart with a love that I just never knew existed,” Michael adds.

Watch more of their story here.

Nicholas’s Story

Surrogacy for gay parents isn’t limited to couples. Nicholas, a single gay man, wanted to have a family. Having a genetic connection to his child was important to him, but he worried that surrogacy wouldn’t be an option on his own.

“You first say, ‘Forget it; it’s too complicated, it’s too risky,” Nicholas says. “And then you start to talking to some people and understanding that it is possible to do so if you really want to, so then you have to sleep on it — and then one day realize this is not just an option, but you can do it.”

After finding American Surrogacy, Nicholas’s surrogacy specialist presented him with Nichole’s surrogate profile. Within moments of getting to know her, he knew she was the perfect fit. “We talked to each other, and it seemed really natural,” he remembers. “But what made me sure that Nichole was perfect was because she came across really genuine, and she wasn’t doing it for the money but truly to help.”

The day Julian, Nicholas’s son was born, was the day his life changed forever.

“I had been waiting for so long that… when I saw Julian, I was just completely overwhelmed,” Nicholas remembers. “It was such a wonderful experience to see Julian coming into our world.”

How American Surrogacy Facilitates Surrogacy for Gay Parents

For all of our intended parents, we work tirelessly to help them find the perfect surrogate match as soon as possible.

“Within a few weeks of making first contact, American Surrogacy told us we have a very, very strong match for you,” Michael remembers. “It was a really wonderful match. I wish all intended parents to have such a wonderful match like that.”

We help you find the right surrogate for you by showing you profiles of surrogates who possess the qualities you want in the person who will carry your child. We put the best interests of you and your future child at the forefront.

“You need someone that you’re going to trust to choose a surrogate for you, and American Surrogacy was the only agency I felt comfortable with and was genuine enough for me to choose over the other agencies,” Nicholas remembers. “I spoke to many surrogacy agencies — small and big — and none of them made me feel the way American Surrogacy made me feel.”

We’re here for you every step of the way throughout your surrogacy journey.

“The staff at American Surrogacy made our experience really good. We spoke to [our surrogacy specialist] and she was just comfortable to talk to,” says Viet. “She reassured us when we needed it. Every time we called her, she always answered the phone. They’re very supportive and invested in our process.”

“The whole thing is to truly find people like [my surrogacy specialist], who have experience, patience and care for what you go through,” says Nicholas. “This is such a wonderful journey because you realize you’re not alone, and it gets easier than you think.”

Whether you’re an LGBT couple or individual, parenthood is just in reach through our agency. If you’re ready to begin your journey or have questions about surrogacy for gay parents, contact us today.

Honoring Infertility Awareness Month [2024]

World Infertility Awareness Month sheds light on couples experiencing infertility, and the paths available to them that can make parenthood possible.

If you are currently coping with infertility, you are not alone. June is World Infertility Awareness Month; a month to acknowledge infertility issues while educating and raising awareness for something that affects roughly 1 in 6 people worldwide.

As a family-planning agency with over 40 years of experience, we’ve worked with many amazing couples and individuals who are coping with infertility and have helped them have the family they’ve waited so long for. To get infertility support, connect with us today.

What is Infertility Awareness Month?

World Infertility Awareness Month is celebrated every June to increase awareness regarding numerous infertility issues faced by couples across the globe. This includes problems related to female as well as male fertility. During this month, several myths regarding infertility are debunked, and a lot of options are brought forward to those who may want to conceive.

The purpose of the month is to instill a sense of unity and hope among those who may be experiencing infertility. If you’ve been trying to conceive, parenthood can still be possible for you through treatment, procedures or family-building options such as adoption and surrogacy.

Understanding Infertility

Before diving into coping with infertility grief, you should know what the different types of infertility are:

Primary infertility: You haven’t ever been pregnant before and can’t conceive after one year, or six months if you’re older than 35, of unprotected sexual intercourse. 1 in 5 women between the ages of 15-49 deal with primary infertility.
Secondary infertility: You can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy. About 1 in 20 women deal with secondary infertility.
Unexplained infertility: Medical appointments haven’t been able to determine why you can’t get pregnant.

There are many causes of infertility and your treatment may look different from someone else’s. Only a medical professional can determine the cause and help determine the best way to deal with infertility for your situation.

Coping With Infertility

Infertility impacts people differently, no matter if you’re experiencing primary infertility or trying to figure out how to cope with unexplained fertility.

But there are ways to help you deal with infertility to overcome this difficult process as you look to grow your family.

1. Share Your Feelings

For couples experiencing primary infertility, sharing your feelings, in a positive manner, with your partner and others can give you an open ear to talk to.

Your partner is learning how to cope with infertility too and it can be just as helpful for them as it is for you to realize you and your close circle of family and friends are there for them.

Whether you are utilizing an infertility counselor to talk through what you’re feeling or an infertility support group of others that are going through similar emotions, sharing your struggles can help you move forward.

2. Allow Yourself to Grieve, Feel Anger and Cry

You may have been dreaming about the family you envision for years. Coping with a secondary infertility can be painful, emotionally and physically.

Bottling up those emotions or hiding them to put on a brave face can lead to more emotional hurt down the road when the top eventually comes off.

Coping with infertility grief by expressing your emotions can be a healthy, cathartic way to help you move forward.

3. Stay in Touch With Your Partner

No matter if you’re a couple experiencing primary infertility, secondary infertility or unexplained fertility, its important to stay in touch with your partner.

The emotions you may be feeling and navigating are something your partner could be figuring out how to cope with too.

Being open, honest, strong and loving with each other can help you both deal with infertility together. Whether its talking to an infertility counselor or just planning a special night with each other, coping with infertility with each other can help you both navigate the emotions you feel.

If You’re Infertile Can You Use a Surrogate?

Depending on how long you have been dealing with infertility, you may wonder what other options you have. Surrogacy is an option for infertile couples or individuals particularly if you’ve exhausted medical options like in-vitro fertilization to try and become pregnant.

Only you can know if surrogacy is right for your situation but surrogacy for infertile couples is another option for you to grow your family. These questions can help determine if surrogacy could be right for you:

Are you ready to move on from your current infertility treatments?
Are you OK with not experiencing pregnancy?
Do you want someone else to carry your baby to term?
Do you have embryos left over from infertility treatments?
Are you and your partner on the same page about surrogacy?

These are all questions that require introspection and communication. If you don’t have the answers to these questions, that’s OK.

We have infertility counseling with someone trained in assisted reproductive technology that knows about the emotions you could be feeling and the different options you have moving forward. Infertility counseling can consist of:

Patient-centered care
Support counseling
Psychotherapy

If you’re interested in learning more about surrogacy as an option for infertile couples, our surrogacy specialists that can give you all the information needed to help you make the best decision for your situation. Contact us today.

How Do Surrogacy Agencies Find Surrogates?

You can become the parent you’ve been dreaming of being through surrogacy. Find out how a surrogacy agency connects you with a great surrogate.

Becoming a parent through surrogacy can be a beautiful shared journey with a great surrogate, but the process of finding a surrogate can be difficult. That’s why American Surrogacy has a system in place to find great surrogates and connect you with the best surrogate for your family.

You can get help finding a surrogate here or call 1-800-875-2229. Read on to learn more about how we find our surrogates.

Surrogate Advertising

The first step in finding surrogates is to find women who may want to become surrogates. Our advertising team works hard to connect with these women. Women may see an advertisement for our surrogacy agency, hear about us from a friend or family member, or find us through web search results.

Often, women find us through searches because they have been considering surrogacy and are excited about helping out a family who is dreaming of having a child.

These women may send us a message, connect with us through our online contact form, or call our surrogacy specialists directly at 1-800-875-2229.

Surrogate Intake

Once a woman connects with us as a potential surrogate, our surrogacy specialists begin sharing information with her and gathering information about her.

Our surrogacy specialists know the importance of having surrogates who are well-informed and committed to the process, so our surrogacy specialists share all the information a surrogate might need to begin the process of surrogacy, and each woman has the opportunity to ask any questions she might have about the process.

When she feels ready, a potential surrogate will also answer basic questions about herself that help our surrogate specialists determine if she might be a good candidate to be a surrogate.

These initial questions can include:

Age
General health information
Previous pregnancy information
Whether or not she is currently raising a child
Social history
Reasons for wanting to become a surrogate

Surrogate Screening

Once a potential surrogate is well-informed of the surrogacy process, and the surrogate specialist has determined she meets the basic qualifications to become a surrogate, she will begin the screening process.

The screening process goes more in-depth to determine whether a potential surrogate is qualified and ready to become a surrogate.

The screening process involves help from professionals and can include:

A psychological screening
An in-home visit
Medical records review
Background check
And more

Surrogate Matching

Once a surrogate has been fully screened and is ready to get matched with a family, your surrogacy specialist will prepare her for the matching process by helping her create a surrogate profile. The surrogate profile will include important information about the surrogate as well as personal information that can help you find the perfect match for your family.

When you are ready to be matched with a surrogate, you can view profiles of surrogates who are fully screened and ready to help you on your surrogacy journey. At American Surrogacy, you can get matched with a surrogate in as little as 30-90 days, the shortest wait time in the industry.

Identified Surrogacy

Sometimes, we don’t need to do the work of finding a surrogate because some intended parents come to surrogacy with a surrogate already in mind. There have been friends, siblings, in-laws, aunts, cousins, daughters, and even mothers who were surrogates for someone in their life.

When intended parents come to us with a woman in mind who is ready to become a surrogate, we screen the potential surrogate, and if the woman meets the requirements to become a surrogate, we can help them along the rest of the journey.

If you have a friend, family member, or another person in your life who is interested in becoming a surrogate for you, we can help you complete your surrogacy journey through our identified surrogacy program.

Get Help Now

Whether you need help finding a surrogate or have a surrogate in mind, you can call 1-800-875-2229 or get help here from one of our surrogacy specialists.

What to Know About Egg Donor Surrogacy

If you’re interested in growing your family, working with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program can help prepare you for a successful surrogacy journey.

As surrogacy gains popularity as a family-planning option, many egg donor and surrogacy programs are starting to move to the forefront of the conversation. If you’re intended parents struggling with female infertility, a same-sex couple or a hopeful single parent, utilizing an egg donor and surrogacy can help you achieve your dreams of parenthood.

If you’re trying to grow your family and have questions about egg donor surrogacy, you can get connected with our surrogacy specialists today.

Finding the right egg donor and surrogacy program is a big component of the surrogacy journey, so it’s important that everyone involved feels confident and informed. This article will break down the key points of using an egg donor and surrogacy to grow your family.

Egg Donor Surrogacy [What to Know]

Many intended parents utilize an egg donor and surrogacy to start their families. There are typically three parties involved in egg donor surrogacy:

The intended parents
The gestational carrier
An egg donor

To get started, intended parents will need to identify an egg donor for surrogacy. This can be done through a separate fertility clinic or an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program. Intended parents want to be as involved as they can in bringing their baby into the world, which is why they’ll be able to choose a donor who has qualities that align with their surrogacy goals.

Viable eggs are taken from the donor through the egg retrieval process and then fertilized through the IVF process with the sperm of the intended father or a donor. The embryo will then be transferred to the gestational carrier for her to carry to term.

Benefits of Using an Egg Donor and Surrogacy

Using an egg donor and surrogacy to grow your family is a great option if you:

A couple experiencing female infertility
A same-sex couple
A single hopeful father

When you work with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program, you’ll have both the comfort and convenience of having almost all the necessary services and resources for your surrogacy journey in one place. Your surrogacy specialist will be able to help you find an egg donor that matches your preferences so that you can feel in control of your surrogacy journey.

Choosing Your Egg Donor and Surrogacy Program [Questions to Ask]

When it comes to finding the right egg donor and surrogacy program, you’ll want to make sure you’re adequately prepared for the egg donor and surrogacy process. Below are a few of the questions you should be asking yourself about any egg donor and surrogacy program you’re considering.

What are you Looking for in an Egg Surrogacy Donor?

You’ll want to make sure you have a clear vision of what you’re looking for in an egg donor. Think about medical history, genetics, blood type, background, etc. You’ll also need to think about whether you want an anonymous or identified egg donor.

Are You Prepared for Egg Donor Surrogacy and Cost?

You can’t put a price on family, but because egg donation is such an intricate process, egg donor surrogacy can be an expensive process. In addition to surrogacy costs, you’ll want to have enough money set aside for all necessary costs. When you work with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program, you may pay a lower cost than if you went through a separate agency.

Are you Prepared to Raise a Child Conceived from an Egg Donor and Surrogacy?

We know that you’ll love your child, regardless of their genetic makeup. But it’s important that you’re prepared for the unique challenges that come with raising a donor-conceived child. At some point, your child may ask about their surrogacy story and how they came to be. They may even have questions about who their donor was. You’ll want to be prepared to have these conversations.

Next Steps

If you have questions about the intricacies of egg donor and surrogacy programs, our specialists would be happy to answer them. Get connected with our surrogacy specialist today.