If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate, congratulations! You are considering a path that will bring joy and appreciation to not only you but a hopeful parent or parents who have been waiting for a wonderful woman like you to make a difference in their lives.
When you’re researching becoming a surrogate and the surrogacy process, one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is what kind of professional you choose to work with. Some women solely coordinate their surrogacy process with a lawyer and a surrogacy clinic. Other women choose to take advantage of a full-service surrogacy agency to make their process easier and more practically feasible for them.
Ultimately, whichever professional you choose will be up to you. However, there are many benefits of working with a surrogacy agency for prospective surrogates like yourself — which is why so many women choose to go this route. If you have any questions about how a surrogacy agency can help you, please feel free to call our surrogacy specialists at 1-800-875-2229.
In general, here’s why you should choose to work with a surrogacy agency.
1. It’s a “one-stop shop” professional that manages every aspect of your surrogacy process.
Agencies are professionals who take on the case management responsibility for prospective surrogates and intended parents. That means, instead of you having to coordinate between different professionals to make sure every step is handled, an experienced surrogacy professional will take on this role. You’ll be able to focus on what’s really important — a healthy pregnancy — while your specialist will take care of all the details along the way.
2. You know you are working with an experienced, reputable surrogacy professional.
While surrogacy agencies are not licensed by the state (because there is currently no way of doing so), surrogacy agencies often have an established history of successful surrogacies. When you choose to work with a surrogacy agency, you can be reassured that they are equipped and prepared to handle your surrogacy process with specific experience.
3. You will work with experienced attorneys and medical professionals.
At American Surrogacy, we will help you find an appropriate surrogacy lawyer and medical professional that you can trust. We will refer you to trusted professionals that we’ve established working relationships with to make your surrogacy process go as smoothly as possible. If you don’t work with a surrogacy agency, you will need to research and select these legal and medical professionals on your own, which can be daunting when you are still new to the surrogacy process. When you choose an attorney and medical professional on your own, you may not have the reassurance you would have with a referred professional from our surrogacy specialists.
4. The services provided by a surrogacy agency are completely free for you.
As a prospective surrogate, you will not be required to pay for any of the expenses incurred while you go through the surrogacy process, including any screening, medical expenses and your hospital stay. All of this will be covered by the intended parents you work with, so choosing a surrogacy agency really comes at no detriment to you.
5. You will have your surrogacy specialist’s support 24/7.
Surrogacy agencies understand that the surrogacy process isn’t just a daytime journey; there may be times when you need support and advice outside of working hours. That’s why, at American Surrogacy and other agencies, your surrogacy specialist will be available to you whenever you need her. And she won’t only be there when you need her; at American Surrogacy, your specialist will check in weekly to see how you are feeling and how your pregnancy is progressing, even if you haven’t needed her assistance.
6. You can be sure you’re ready for the surrogacy process before you begin.
When you work with a surrogacy agency like American Surrogacy, you will go through a certain screening process to make sure you’re ready for the path ahead of you. This not only involves making sure that you’re healthy enough to carry a surrogate pregnancy but also making sure that you fully understand the process you’re getting involved with and the emotions you may experience. This way, you will be more prepared and can better avoid distress or confusion because of misinformation later on in the surrogacy process.
7. You will only be matched with the right intended parents for you.
When you find intended parents through your own means, you may not be sure what you’re getting, especially if you use a process like online searches. However, when you work with a surrogacy agency like American Surrogacy, every intended parent is thoroughly screened to make sure they’re just as prepared for the surrogacy process as you are. After screening, you will be matched based on mutual preferences, which means that you will likely have a more successful surrogacy relationship than you might with a couple you found on your own.
8. Your surrogacy process will be tailored around your location.
Surrogacy agencies know that becoming a surrogate is a great commitment — which is why many of them, including American Surrogacy, will work around your location and life to make sure you aren’t committing more time and effort than necessary. This means that intended parents will travel to your location for doctor’s appointments and your hospital stay, and the surrogacy legal process will be based upon your state’s laws. You may even use a fertility clinic near you, depending on the intended parents’ situation and preference.
9. Your interests will always be fairly represented.
While our surrogacy specialists do mediate between both parties of a surrogacy arrangement, we also take steps to make sure that your interests and your rights are protected just as equally as the intended parents’ are.
10. You get a say in the surrogacy process.
Sometimes, when you only work with a surrogacy lawyer and fertility clinic, your surrogacy process will be completed based on the intended parents’ plan and preferences. But, with an agency like American Surrogacy, you will be an active part of the process. This includes mutually selecting the intended parents for whom you wish to carry a child, advocating for your own interests in your surrogacy agreement and being able to participate every step of the way.
Deciding which professional to use for your surrogacy process can be complicated, so it’s important to understand exactly how a surrogacy agency can benefit you as a prospective surrogate. If you’re looking to become a surrogate for intended parents, a surrogacy agency will most likely be a perfect fit for your needs.
American Surrogacy is excited to offer our prospective surrogates all of the advantages listed above and more. To learn more about why a surrogacy agency might be right for you, or to start the surrogacy process today, please reach out to our experienced surrogacy specialists.