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How Does Surrogacy Work?
Navigating the array of family planning choices can feel overwhelming, but we're here to make it easier! If you're considering surrogacy as your path to parenthood and wondering, "How does surrogacy work?" - we've got you covered. Our friendly team is dedicated to walking you through the process with care and clarity, ensuring you feel supported every step of the journey.
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Utilize A Surrogacy Agency
On your surrogacy journey, the last thing you want to experience is confusion and concern. As a surrogacy agency, we help you throughout the entire process to answer any questions you have, help develop any legal requirements, and ensure you find a surrogate who is perfect for your unique situation and needs through your surrogacy process.
Great Beginnings Surrogacy specializes in gestational surrogacy, when a woman carries a child that she has no biological connections with on behalf of the child’s intended mother(s) and/or intended father(s). Whether you have questions, concerns, or are just ready to start the process, we can help you take the next steps for your family.
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Surrogacy is when a woman carries a fetus for the hopeful parents.
Reproductive Technology
After a woman’s eggs have been preserved, or if an embryo is fertilized outside of the uterus, surrogates will receive an embryo transfer through in vitro fertilization. Referred to as IVF, in vitro fertilization is when a woman’s eggs are removed from her uterus when they are mature and able to be fertilized. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm from a sperm donor or from a male partner while outside of the egg donor.
IVF is utilized by gestational surrogacy, which we focus on at Great Beginnings Surrogacy. In the IVF process, the eggs of an intended mother and/or the sperm of an intended father can be used to create the embryo.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate does not receive IUI, or intrauterine insemination (when a mother’s eggs are fertilized while in her uterus). This is because the gestational surrogate’s eggs are never used during the surrogacy process; she receives the embryo transfer in order to carry a baby.
Gestational Surrogacy
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate’s uterus will receive an embryo transfer. Again, the embryo can include an intended parent’s egg and/or sperm, or it can be only those of egg and sperm donors. The embryo transfer happens through in vitro fertilization, although the gestational surrogate will not have her eggs removed for the process.
Although she is the one having the baby, the gestational surrogate is not the birth mother of the child. The baby and the surrogate are not biologically related because the gestational surrogate’s eggs are not used, so her genetic material can’t be carried over into the embryo.
Gestational Surrogates Requirements With Us
It is a very selective process when choosing a surrogate. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate must meet several requirements and be thoroughly vetted before being able to participate in surrogacy with the intended parents. All gestational surrogates go through a screening process to ensure that there is the best possible chance for a healthy pregnancy.
With Great Beginnings Surrogacy, we ensure your surrogate would have a record of at least one but no more than five healthy pregnancies prior. Only three can have been delivered via cesarean section.
A surrogate would have to live a healthy lifestyle and not smoke. She also would have to be at a healthy age to have a pregnancy, so be between 21 and 36 years old. Psychological and drug screenings would also take place to ensure the surrogate’s health and wellbeing.
These requirements are in place to protect both the surrogate and the baby throughout the pregnancy. It gives the best chance for the pregnancy to be healthy, go smoothly, and avoid complications. Gestational surrogates who meet these requirements are able to meet with hopeful parents to determine if they are a good fit for each unique situation.
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Pre-Birth Order
A surrogacy contract (pre-birth order) explains that the child belongs to the intended parents and protects the intended parents’ parental rights. It also limits and specifies what medical costs the intended parents will be taking care of for the medical procedures the surrogate needs.
The contract also specifies what will happen in the event of any unpredicted circumstances such as multiple embryo taking or birth complications occurring. It also clears up any potential legal issues that could arise from confusion about surrogacy.
Legal Counsel
The pre-birth order is formed with the help of a surrogacy attorney or attorneys. They can be sure to correctly individualize the agreement for your particular situation and offer direction on what can be included.
Each party should have legal counsel so that both intended parents and surrogates can receive what they need. Using a surrogacy agency that already has access to legal counsel can be helpful, reduce costs, and take the stress off of the legal aspects of surrogacy.
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Are you ready to become a surrogate? Apply below!