Step-by-Step Process of Surrogacy

SURROGATE PRE-SCREENING

After the Surrogate’s application is accepted, she begins the pre-screening process. This screening helps ensure her Surrogacy journey, after being matched with Intended Parents, is as smooth as possible.

Medical Record Review
We need the Surrogate to obtain the medical records from her past pregnancies (prenatal and labor/delivery) from her OB/GYN and request written approval from them to become pregnant. We also require the Surrogate’s most recent Pap lab results. These records are sent to a fertility doctor we partner with for review.

Background Checks
We must run a background check for the Surrogate and any other adults residing in their home.

Psychological Evaluation
This evaluation is done over the phone with a licensed mental health professional we work with.

Drug Screening
We send the Surrogate lab orders to have a drug screening done at a lab near them.

Insurance Review
We request the Surrogate send us details of her current healthcare coverage so we can determine if her plan can be used for Surrogacy care. If not, insurance will be acquired.

Surrogate Profile
Applicants must complete a simple Surrogate Profile that helps Intended Parents get to know them and determine if they might be a good fit. Before a match the Surrogate also receives information about the Intended Parents so they can ensure they also feel comfortable with the match.

Video Call
Our Surrogate coordinator will have a call with the Surrogate to get to know one another better and go over any questions they have about the process.

We’ll also discuss the type of relationship the Surrogate would feel comfortable having with the Intended Parents before, during, and after delivery. This helps us match the Surrogate with Intended Parents who hope for a similar arrangement.

Home Visit
A social worker will come to your home to meet you and your partner.

Agency Agreement
As Surrogate prescreening is done at the expense of the Agency; we require Surrogates sign an exclusivity agreement. This agreement increases the chance of the cycle moving smoothly.


WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A SURROGATE IS MATCHED

Following the Surrogate’s pre-screening and approval we work on finding her an ideal match. Once that occurs, we support her through the following steps.

Completing Surrogacy Contract
We retain a family law attorney for the Surrogate who will call her to review the agreement between her and the Intended Parents. During this call the Surrogate can make any requested changes. When everyone is satisfied with the agreement all parties sign.

At this time the Surrogate receives the remainder of her $4,000 signing bonus and will begin receiving the monthly payments agreed upon in the Surrogacy Contract.

Beginning IVF for Surrogacy
After signing the Surrogacy Contract, our Agency works with the Surrogate and fertility clinic to schedule the Surrogate’s monitoring appointments and determine when she will begin medications.

Surrogates receive an additional payment upon starting medications.

If the Surrogate is not local to the fertility clinic, the Agency will work with the clinic to determine if certain Surrogacy evaluations can be completed at a fertility clinic near the Surrogate.

Embryo Transfer
The next exciting phase of this process is the embryo transfer. If the fertility clinic the IPs are working with is not local to the Surrogate, we arrange travel for her and a companion. One of our coordinators can also accompany her on the day of the retrieval if needed.

All travel costs are covered by the Intended Parents.The embryo transfer is a quick, painless procedure that does not require any incisions.

Post-Embryo Transfer Medications
Following the embryo transfer the clinic provides medication the Surrogate must take to help ensure the healthy development of the baby. It is imperative that Surrogates follow all medication instructions very carefully.

Pregnancy Test for Surrogate
About two weeks after the embryo transfer the Surrogate undergoes a pregnancy test at a local clinic to determine if they’re pregnant.

Gestational Surrogate Ultrasound
If the pregnancy test is positive, the Surrogate has an ultrasound about four to six weeks after the embryo transfer to assess the baby’s heartbeat.

Enjoying a Healthy Surrogacy Pregnancy!
When it’s confirmed that the Surrogate is pregnant with a healthy baby, our Agency and the Surrogate’s medical care providers will support her in having a healthy, happy pregnancy. As you’ll see in the payment schedule, all pregnancy needs, such as clothes, childcare, compensation for any lost wages, and other needs are fully covered.

Preparing for Birth
The Agency supports the Intended Parents and Surrogate in determining where the Surrogate will give birth, who will be present, and other aspects of the birth experience.

To help ensure that the Surrogate goes into birth feeling calm and prepared, our founder, Bailey Gaddis, who worked as a Certified childbirth preparation educator and birth doula for many years, can provide childbirth prep classes for the Surrogate, and the Intended Parents if they want to attend.

These classes are typically done on Zoom but can occur in-person for those living in the Los Angeles area.

Giving Birth to the Baby!
When the Surrogate goes into labor the Agency will be in touch with all parties to help ensure the birth experience moves smoothly for all involved.