Adoption and surrogacy are two amazing ways to build a family, but there are some important things to know before beginning your surrogacy journey. 

• Surrogacy and adoption have some significant differences. 
• The surrogacy process can be lengthy. 
• Intended parents can match with a well-qualified surrogate when working with a reputable surrogacy agency. 

Before we talk about the differences between adoption and surrogacy and how the surrogacy process works, it’s important to know that you can always reach out to a surrogacy professional by completing this online contact form. 

If you’re considering surrogacy after adopting a child, you probably have many questions about how surrogacy for intended parents works. An experienced professional is ready to answer all of your questions. 

Having already adopted a child, you know what it’s like to match with a birth mother, develop a relationship and experience the joy of seeing your child for the first time. 

Surrogacy offers some similarities in matching and experiencing a remarkable journey with a woman carrying your child. However, the dynamic in your relationship has some unique differences, and the medical process is more complex, which is why we want to provide you with as much information as possible to prepare you for what’s ahead. 

What is Gestational Surrogacy and How Does it Work? 

Gestational surrogacy is when a surrogate carries a child for an intended parent but has no genetic link to the child. Through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), an embryo created by the egg and sperm of the intended parents (or donor) is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. 

Gestational surrogacy differs from traditional surrogacy in that a traditional surrogate would have a genetic link to the child. 

As surrogacy has become more popular and past cases of parental rights issues such as the case of “Baby M,” surrogacy professionals have moved away from traditional surrogacy and only work with gestational carriers. 

In your adoption, you may have matched with a birth mother well into her pregnancy or potentially after the baby was born. 

But what about pregnancy and the medical process of surrogacy? 

How the Surrogacy Medical Process Works 

First, you can find a complete guide to the surrogacy medical process here. You can also get more information from a surrogacy professional by filling out this online contact form. 

As the intended parent, you want the best chances for a healthy pregnancy and baby from your surrogate. 

To ensure that is the case, prospective surrogates must undergo a thorough screening process to determine they are medically and psychologically ready to be a surrogate. 

The screening process includes: 

• A healthy BMI 
• Between the ages of 21-40 
• At least one previous successful pregnancy 
• No major complications from previous pregnancies  
• No untreated STDs 
• No smoking, drug use or exposure to second-hand smoke 
• No use of anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications for the last 12 months 
• And more 

After the initial screening process, surrogates will participate in medical and psychological evaluations to ensure they are medically ready to move forward with a gestational pregnancy and prepared for the complex emotions associated with pregnancy and becoming a gestational carrier. 

Once all screenings are complete and a prospective surrogate is determined to be a qualified candidate, the matching process will move forward, followed by sitting down with your surrogacy attorney to draft your legal surrogacy contract. 

Included in your legal contract is determining:  

• How much financial compensation beyond covering medical costs will be given to your surrogate. 
• The number of embryo transfers will take place to achieve a positive pregnancy. 
• An agreement on issues such as selective reduction or termination. 
• Your involvement in prenatal appointments and the birth of the child. 
• The risks and liability associated with the pregnancy. 
• Your preferences for diet restrictions during pregnancy. 
• And more 

After you and the surrogate have agreed to the legal contract, you can move forward with the medical process of surrogacy. 

Remember, you can always get more information on the entire surrogacy process by contacting one of our surrogacy professionals. 

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost? 

Because each surrogacy journey is different, it’s always best to reach out to one of our professionals to discuss surrogacy costs. 

We also have a guide on general surrogacy costs here. 

Additionally, your surrogacy attorney and the surrogate’s attorney will work to develop an agreeable amount of compensation beyond the standard costs. 

What’s it Like to Match with a Surrogate? 

As previously mentioned, the matching process in surrogacy differs from adoption. As an intended parent, you match with well-qualified surrogates who have passed an extensive screening process, medical exam and psychological evaluation. 

When working with a surrogacy agency, the goal is to always match you with a surrogate that gives you the best possible chance for a healthy pregnancy and successful surrogacy journey. 

Your surrogacy professional will handle the entire matching process to ensure the surrogate you work with fits your specific needs and goals, giving you the chance to focus on building a relationship with her as you move forward in the process. 

Finding a surrogate safer and quicker is one of the many benefits of working with an experienced agency and professional. 

You can get more information on surrogacy matching and the entire surrogacy process by completing this form to connect with one of our professionals today. 

What are the Surrogacy Requirements for Intended Parents? 

In general, the surrogacy requirements for intended parents are about preparation. 

There are four key elements to preparing for your surrogacy journey. 

• Research – When considering surrogacy, the best place to start is to research your state’s surrogacy laws, consult your doctor or a fertility clinic and read information on the basics of the surrogacy process. You can also reach out to anyone you know who has experience with surrogacy to gain different perspectives. 
• Emotionally Prepare Yourself – Because surrogacy is a lengthy process and could include multiple embryo transfers to achieve a positive pregnancy, it’s vital that you and your partner or spouse are fully committed to the process and ready for any challenges. You’ll also need to commit to psychological screening and counseling both during and after the surrogacy process. 
• Prepare Your Finances – Surrogacy is expensive, and you’ll need to prepare yourself for the costs associated with this type of family building. You’ll want to speak with your surrogacy professional to determine your exact costs and prepare for the additional surrogate compensation during the process. 
• Legal Protection – Legal counsel for creating your surrogacy contract and protecting your parental rights is another crucial step in preparing yourself for surrogacy. Your attorney will help navigate your state’s surrogacy laws as well as obtain a pre-birth order to establish yourself as the baby’s parent legally. 

What Else Do You Need to Know about Surrogacy? 

The information provided here outlines the surrogacy process, surrogacy costs and requirements for intended parents. 

The next step is to reach out to one of our experienced surrogacy professionals to learn more about how to get your surrogacy journey started today. 

Why work with a surrogacy agency? 

• A history of success 
• Unlimited matching 
• Extensive surrogate screening 
• Support and guidance every step of the way 
• Protection of surrogacy fees 
• And more 

You deserve to work with the best professionals to ensure you have the safest and smoothest experience possible.