Any woman who pursues the path of becoming a surrogate mother is extraordinary. Her fantastic gift provides hope to individuals and couples who are experiencing infertility. The road to surrogacy is a unique journey; one that will change your life forever.
If you are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, read the following to begin your journey:
What is a Surrogate Mother?
When talking about surrogacy, there are two types: gestational and traditional.
Gestational surrogacy is the most common type of surrogacy. A gestational surrogate mother is someone who becomes pregnant through in vitro fertilization. The eggs and sperm that are used to create the embryo are either from the intended parents or from egg and sperm donors. The embryo itself is formed in the clinic’s IVF lab. The gestational surrogate will receive the embryo in her womb via a quick embryo transfer procedure. In gestational surrogacy, there is no genetic connection between the surrogate mother and the unborn child.
A traditional surrogate is a woman who donates her eggs and also shares a biological link to the child she is carrying on behalf of the intended parents. In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated with sperm from either the intended father or a donor.
What are some of the requirements to become a Surrogate Mother?
- Woman must be between the ages of 21 to 40
- She must be a U.S. Citizen
- Cannot receive any State financial aid, i.e. welfare
- Has a driver’s license and dependable vehicle
- No serious complications during previous deliveries or pregnancies
- Living in a stable environment
- Lives in a “surrogacy friendly” state
- No criminal/drug history
How long does the process take?
It can take up to three months for a surrogate to be matched with the intended parents. Once the matching has occurred, the screening and legal processes will begin. This can take an additional 3 months. Once you are cleared to begin the IVF cycle, you will receive medications for up to 4 weeks before an embryo transfer is made.
What does the medical process entail in becoming a surrogate?
The first step is screening. The physician will perform a series of urine and blood tests on you and your spouse/partner (in case you’re in a relationship). You will also receive a pelvic exam and an ultrasound, followed by a consultation with the IVF doctor. He or she will explain the procedure in detail.
Once you have understood the process and are in agreement with what to expect, you must sign a legal contract to proceed further. After the contract is signed, you will begin your IVF cycle. During this phase, you will receive a series of medications and instructions that you must follow. The medicines are administered to synchronize your cycle with either the Intended Mother’s or egg donor’s menstrual cycle. These medications will also prepare your uterine lining to prepare it for embryo transfer. After the embryos are transferred, you must agree to bed rest for up to 72 hours. Twelve days after the IVF procedure, a pregnancy test will be conducted (usually a blood test). When pregnancy is confirmed, you must continue to take prescribed medications to ensure that your pregnancy will continue to develop. At the end of the first trimester, if the doctor deems that your pregnancy is stable, you will be asked to stop taking the prescribed medications and visit your personal OB/GYN for the remaining pregnancy terms.
Why is it better to work with an agency versus being independent?
Becoming a surrogate mother involves many aspects apart from carrying and delivering a baby. These aspects include scheduling appointments, dealing with lawyers and doctors, discussion of legal contracts and costs, determining compensation, escrow accounts, etc. These items can stress and overwhelm the delicate relationship between the surrogate and the intended parents.
An agency can manage and process these details, enabling both parties to fulfil their commitments successfully.
Interested in pursuing surrogacy or becoming a surrogate? Contact Rite Options.
