becoming a surrogate
At Avenues to Surrogacy we believe that it takes a generous and compassionate person to become a gestational surrogate. Helping others become parents is a big commitment and we are here to make sure your experience is positive and fulfilling. When you choose to become a surrogate, you are making someone’s dreams of being a parent come true. It is a selfless gift.
We understand you will have a lot of questions about the process and whether it is right for you and your family. Avenues to Surrogacy will walk alongside you through the entire process. We will be here to answer questions, guide, and support you every step of the way.
We understand you will have a lot of questions about the process and whether it is right for you and your family. Avenues to Surrogacy will walk alongside you through the entire process. We will be here to answer questions, guide, and support you every step of the way.
the process
There are many stages to the Gestational Surrogacy Process. The Avenues to Surrogacy team will explain these steps in detail and assist you through each of them.
applicationOnce you have contacted Avenues to Surrogacy by phone or email, a team member will connect with you and schedule an initial conversation. We will review the requirements for becoming a surrogate and the application and documentation needed in order to move forward.
If you meet the qualifications and are interested in moving forward you will be given the full application packet. You will be asked to provide the following: the completed gestational surrogate application, signed medical records releases, copies of your insurance information (if any), information regarding your prior pregnancies, a letter from your OB/GYN stating you are approved to carry another pregnancy, releases for criminal background checks and child abuse registry checks, as well as photos of you and your family to use for your matching profile. Your completed packet will be reviewed by the Avenues to Surrogacy team and you may be contacted for answers to follow-up questions. Additionally, we will also set up a meeting with our licensed clinical social worker to complete a thorough screening in order to address or shed light on any outstanding questions or issues that may arise. MatchingAvenues to Surrogacy will create a match profile based on the information you provided through the application and during our conversation. The profile will include your first name, the answers you provided to the questions on the application and a photo. It will not include your last name or any identifying information. We then review the match profiles of both the gestational surrogate and intended parents and match parties according to the preferences and criteria stated in their applications. It is important to spend the time in this initial stage to make sure that the parties are compatible.
Once we have identified a potential match, the gestational surrogate’s profile is sent to the intended parents for review. If the intended parents are interested in pursuing a match, the gestational surrogate would be sent the intended parents profile for review. If both the intended parents and gestational surrogate agree to the match, Avenues to Surrogacy would schedule a time for an initial phone call between the parties. After the phone call, if everyone is still interested in pursuing the match, an in-person meeting or video conference is scheduled. This meeting assists both the intended parents and gestational surrogate in determining if they feel they can work together. After this meeting, if both parties wish to move forward the next step is the screening stage. screeningPrior to this stage, the intended parents will have chosen an IVF clinic or fertility doctor. Information about the clinic will be sent to you and the medical information you shared with Avenues to Surrogacy during the application process is shared with the clinic in order for them to begin pre-screening you. The clinic will connect with you directly to schedule medical and psychological screenings.
contractThe gestational surrogate and intended parents are each represented by separate attorneys to prepare the Gestational Surrogate Contract. We will provide you with the names of attorneys who are familiar with surrogacy and you will select an independent attorney to represent you throughout the contract negotiations. The gestational surrogate’s legal expenses will be paid for by the intended parents.
The intended parents’ attorney will prepare the Gestational Surrogate Contract and will forward the document to the gestational surrogate’s attorney for your review. The attorney will guide you through the contract, make any changes you request and resubmit the amended contract to the intended parents’ attorney. To eliminate any uncertainty about the payment of fees and expenses to the gestational surrogate, the payment schedule is documented in the contract. All funds paid by the intended parents are placed into an escrow account, held by Avenues to Surrogacy, in advance and are paid out according to the schedule agreed upon in the Gestational Surrogate Contract. Once both the intended parents and gestational surrogate agree, the contract is signed. The Gestational Surrogate Contract must be signed before the IVF stage can begin. Often, the screening stage and contract stage can be done simultaneously. ivf cycleThe IVF clinic will set up a protocol to prepare the gestational surrogate’s body to carry the pregnancy. This will involve taking medications and synchronizing the surrogate’s cycle with that of the intended mother or egg donor. Once everyone is ready, a transfer day is scheduled.
The clinic will do a pregnancy test approximately two weeks after the transfer. If the test is positive, we move onto the pregnancy stage. If the test is negative, the IVF process may be repeated with the permission of both parties. pregnancyAfter a positive pregnancy test, the clinic will make an appointment for an ultrasound to confirm a visible heartbeat. The clinic will monitor you for a period of time before releasing you to your own OB/GYN, who will resume your prenatal care for the remainder of the pregnancy.
During this time we encourage gestational surrogates to develop a relationship with the intended parents. Depending on where they live, the intended parents may choose to attend prenatal appointments with you. You will also have ongoing support and contact from the Avenues to Surrogacy team. We will check in with you regularly and be available to answer any questions along the way. During the second trimester, the intended parents’ attorney will file a pre-birth order with the court stating that this will be a surrogate birth and the intended parents’ names should be identified on the birth certificate. Around the same time you will collaborate with the intended parents to develop a birth plan in order to clarify and define expectations. Avenues to Surrogacy will reach out to the hospital where you are planning to give birth and make sure they have a copy of the birth plan and understand that this is a surrogate birth. The long awaited birth day will arrive. The intended parents will spend time in the hospital with you, getting to know their new baby. What an amazing gift! |