Step 1: Completion of Application

Upon receipt of each Surrogate’s application and profile information, we will interview each Surrogate prior to acceptance into our program.

Step 2: Matching Process

Intended Parents complete an in-depth questionnaire which explores the many facets of surrogacy. Advocates for Surrogacy will then provide Intended Parent(s)’ with Surrogate profiles who appear to be a possible match based on our review of responses to questionnaire and interviews (identifying information removed) which includes comprehensive information on the Surrogate’s medical, social, work, academic, and family history. The Surrogate will also be provided a profile of the Intended Parent(s). If both parties feel comfortable with the other party and if requested by Intended Parent(s), Advocates will coordinate an introductory meeting by telephone.

Step 3: Background Checks and Psychological and Medical Screening

Once an initial match is achieved, Advocates will conduct criminal and financial background checks on the Surrogate.

The Surrogate and her spouse will travel to Miami for an appointment with our Director of Psychological Care for a psychological assessment and interview to make sure that she and her spouse are ready to provide surrogacy services.

Step 4: Finalization of Agreement between Surrogate and Intended Parent(s)

Advocates for Surrogacy will conduct a meeting between Intended Parents and Surrogate and her spouse at our offices in Miami to discuss and agree on the specific terms of the surrogacy contract.

Advocates for Surrogacy will draft the terms of the Agreement and each party will then consult with independent legal counsel (counsel must be experienced in surrogacy and approved by Advocates).

Once you are cleared medically, psychologically and the Agreement has been signed by all parties, and required escrow funds have been placed in escrow, the medical process begins, as follows:

The Egg Donor Screening Process (for Parents needing an Egg Donor) 

Step 1: Completion of Application

Upon receipt of an Egg Donor’s application and profile information, we will review the information and if the potential Egg Donor meets our initial screening criteria, she will be interviewed by our Executive Director or Director of Client Services.

Step 2: Matching Process

Advocates for Surrogacy will provide Intended Parent(s)’ with Egg Donors’ profiles (identifying information removed) which includes comprehensive information on Egg Donor’s medical, social, work, academic, and family history as well as photographs.

Step 3: Medical and Psychological Screening

Once there is an initial match, Egg Donor will then be scheduled for an appointment with our Director of Psychological Care for a psychological assessment to make sure that the chosen Egg Donor is ready and emotionally prepared to become an Egg Donor.

The Egg Donor will also be scheduled for a medical examination, blood tests, and an ultrasound to make sure that she is a good candidate for egg donation.

Once the Egg Donor has been cleared medically and psychologically for the process, the medical process begins, as follows:

Egg Donor Medical Process (for Intended Parents Needing an Egg Donor)

Stage 1: Egg Production (Ovarian stimulation, monitoring, and ovulation triggering)

The process begins with the synchronization of both donor and carrier's menstrual cycles and may require using the medication Lupron. The goal of the first stage is to create a large number of mature follicles so as to increase the chances of fertilization. Since a woman's body normally releases one mature egg every month, a medication is used to stimulate the ovaries to develop more follicles. Follicles are fluid-filled sacs in which eggs mature. During this stage, the healthcare provider may use ultrasound to monitor the number and size of maturing follicles in the Intended Mother’s (or donor’s) ovaries. Blood tests may also be used to monitor hormone levels which will help determine the best time to administer medication and to retrieve the eggs. At a time determined by the physician an injection of medication (human Chorionic Gonadatropin (hcG) is given to bring the eggs to final maturity. Approximately 35 hours after this injection, the donor will undergo the egg retrieval that is done in the clinic on an outpatient basis.

Stage 2: Egg retrieval

The health care provider will identify the mature follicles using ultrasound and hormone levels and the, with a needle, withdraw the eggs while the Donor is under light sedation. The eggs are then held in an incubator until the time of insemination in the laboratory.

Stage 3: Post-Retrieval

The Egg Donor should expect to rest for the remaining part of the day and may need a couple of days.

Surrogate Medical Process

Stage 1:

Surrogate starts taking birth control pill to synchronize her menstrual cycle with the Intended Mother’s or donors. This may also require the medication, Lupron. These medications are usually well-tolerated, and most women do not have any side effects when taking these medications for a short time. However, some women may have hot flashes, fatigue, headaches, irritability or nausea. The Surrogate takes estrogen twice per week by injection – this is to thicken the lining of the uterus. The surrogate will be evaluated using blood tests and ultrasounds to determine when she is ready for the implantation. Approximately 4 days before the transfer and until an ultrasound confirms pregnancy, the surrogate takes injections of progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone produced by the ovary after ovulation. This medication can be given to improve the uterine lining, which may improve implantation of the embryo. It is usually started in the second half of the cycle, several days before the embryo transfer. Progesterone can be given as an intravaginal suppository, oral capsule, or an intramuscular injection. Side effects can include bloating, irritability, and breast tenderness.

Stage 2: Egg Retrieval and Fertilization

The health care provider will identify the mature follicles using ultrasound and hormone levels and the, with a needle, withdraw the eggs while the Intended Mother or Donor is under light sedation. Once the eggs are retrieved, they are examined in the laboratory and each one is graded for maturity. The maturity of an egg determines when the processed sperm will be added to it. The processed sperm is placed together with each retrieved egg in a separate laboratory dish to allow the fertilization process to occur. After a period of time, the eggs are examined under a microscope for the first signs of fertilization. When the embryos have reached the expected stage of development (usually in 3-6 days), any embryos in excess of the number agreed upon for the embryo transfer, are frozen for future use.

Stage 3: Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer is performed with the Surrogate Mother in a gynecological position and requires no anesthesia. After the proper cleansing procedures, a tiny plastic catheter is introduced into the uterus through the cervix and the embryos are transferred into the endometrial cavity. The Surrogate Mother is required to stay in this position for a short period of time, then the nurse will reposition her per the physician's instructions and monitor her for the required time.

Stage 4: Monitoring and Support

When the Surrogate Mother is released after the embryo transfer, she will be taken to a hotel for complete bed rest; getting up only to use the bathroom. This regiment is continued for two more days. After this time, the Surrogate Mother may resume her normal activities with the limitations provided to her by the physician at the time of the embryo transfer. Some of the limitations are:

-Complete Pelvic Rest
-No douching or sexual intercourse
-Showers only - no tub baths
-No strenuous activities - no exercising, running, heavy lifting including children, groceries, luggage, etc.

A pregnancy test will be performed two weeks following the embryo transfer. If a pregnancy occurs, the Surrogate Mother will have several visits to the clinic to monitor the hormone level and the progress of the embryo(s). This monitoring is done by blood tests and ultrasound. If pregnancy does not occur, the physician will instruct the Intended Mother when to stop the medications and when to expect her menstrual period.

Stage 5: After Confirmation of Pregnancy

Advocates for Surrogacy will ensure that scheduled payments are made in accordance with the Agreement between Intended Parents and Surrogate. Advocates for Surrogacy will provide continual counseling including individual counseling, monthly group counseling and will be available to mediate issues that arise between the Intended Parent(s) and Surrogate Mother. Advocates for Surrogacy will provide guidance, assistance, and coordination between Intended Parent(s) and Surrogate in preparation for delivery. We are here for both parties each and every step of the way to offer our expertise, counseling, mediation in an effort to make the process a positive and miraculous journey to parenthood.