Step-by-Step Process of Becoming a Parent Through Surrogacy
Learn more about each part of the Surrogacy process, from matching with a Surrogacy Mother to bringing your baby home.
Surrogate Pre-Screening
This life-changing process starts with us finding quality Surrogate candidates through comprehensive prescreening. This prescreening begins after the Surrogate’s application is accepted and helps ensure the Surrogacy journey is as smooth and successful as possible for all involved.
Medical Record Review – There is a thorough review of the Surrogate’s medical records from her past pregnancies (prenatal and labor/delivery) and her latest pap smear results.
Background Checks - We run a comprehensive background check on the Surrogate and all other adults residing in their home.
Drug Screening – Surrogate candidates undergo a comprehensive drug test.
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 with the support of ART Risk and paid through escrow funds.
Surrogate Profile – Applicants must complete a 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.
Zoom Call – We do a Zoom call with all Surrogates to get to know them better and ensure they’re a good candidate for this journey. We are also happy to do a Zoom call with Intended Parents upon request.
Home Visit – If the Intended Parents desire, we can schedule a social worker to go to the Surrogate’s home and meet with the Surrogate, and any other adults living in their home, and asses their living conditions. We also discuss the Surrogate’s living situation early in the prescreening process.
*See below for Gestational Surrogate Psychological Evaluation.
How Intended Parents Match With Their Ideal Surrogate
When we begin working with Intended Parents our first step is understanding what type of Surrogate they’re looking for, and what their timing and overall expectations are.
Surrogate Profile Review – Following initial communication with Intended Parents we send them the profiles of Surrogates who could be a good fit.
Meeting the Surrogate – Once Intended Parents narrow down their options, we can facilitate a Zoom call with their top candidate if they'd like.
Confirming the Match – After Intended Parents decide to move forward with a Surrogate, they confirm the match by signing our Agency Retainer Agreement and paying the first Agency Fee installment, which is outlined on the Fee Schedule.
Next Steps After Gestational Surrogate Match Confirmation
Following match confirmation we guide the Intended Parents and the Surrogate through this exciting journey that hopefully results in the birth of a healthy baby.
Psychological Evaluation – Soon after match confirmation the Surrogate has a psychological evaluation and PAI (Personality Assessment Inventory) with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in Surrogacy.
We have a wonderful psychologist we typically work with and provide the Intended Parents information about her credentials. If the Intended Parents prefer, we can discuss the option of another mental health specialist administering the evaluation.
Medical Evaluation – The Surrogate undergoes an ultrasound, lab work, and a urine analysis at the fertility clinic the Intended Parents are working with.
Completing the Surrogacy Contract – After the Intended Parent’s fertility doctor confirms the Surrogate is cleared to move forward, the Intended Parent’s attorney drafts the Surrogacy agreement. We retain a family law attorney for the Surrogate.
Beginning IVF for Surrogacy - After signing the Surrogacy Contract, our Agency works with the Surrogate and fertility clinic to schedule the Surrogate’s required appointments and determine when she will begin medications.
Embryo Transfer – The next exciting phase of this journey is the embryo transfer! If the Surrogate is not local, we arrange travel for her and a companion to the area where the fertility clinic is located. One of our coordinators can also accompany the Surrogate on the day of the transfer, if requested by the Intended Parents. All travel costs are covered through escrow.
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.
Surrogate Pregnancy Test – About two weeks after the embryo transfer the Surrogate receives a pregnancy test at a local clinic.
Gestational Surrogate Ultrasound – If the pregnancy test is positive, the Surrogate has an ultrasound about four to six weeks following the 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.
During this time we facilitate communication between the Intended Parents and Surrogate and provide any other required support.
Preparing for Birth – We support 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 the Surrogate and Intended Parents go into birth feeling calm and prepared, our founder, Bailey Gaddis, can provide childbirth prep classes for the Surrogate, and the Intended Parents, if all parties desire these classes. Bailey worked as a Certified childbirth preparation educator and birth doula for many years and can provide quality support.
Classes are typically done on Zoom.
Giving Birth to the Baby! This journey culminates in the amazing moment when the Intended Parents meet their child for the first time.
Breastmilk Coordination – If the Intended Parents and Surrogate agree that she will ship frozen breastmilk for a certain period of time, we help ensure the Surrogate has what she needs to successfully pump and ship the milk.
