Surrogate’s FAQs
What are the Requirements to Become a Surrogate?
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- Between the ages of 21 and 41
- Have given birth to at least one child with no complications
- BMI of 35 or less (most clinics require closer to a BMI of 31) – Calculate BMI
- Healthy lifestyle – no smoking, recreational drugs, alcohol abuse
- No more than two c-sections, sometimes three
- Reliable Transportation
- Not on public benefits such as Section 8 housing or disability
- Not on anxiety medication unless can prove not on medications for at least 6 months
- Will do criminal history check
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
- We cannot work with surrogates who live in Arizona, Michigan, Louisiana, because of laws in those states
Complete a 2 minute questionnaire to see if you are eligible!</li>
What is Gestational Surrogacy?
Using the process of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or egg donor’s ovaries and fertilized with the sperm of the intended father or sperm donor. Embryos are then transferred to the gestational surrogate mother’s uterus where she will carry the fetus to term and deliver a baby for the intended parents.
Why does a woman want to be a surrogate mother?
There are many reasons why a woman chooses to be a surrogate mother. Often a surrogate mother has had someone close to her experience infertility; wants to experience the joy of giving the most precious gift that one can give another; has a history of easy, uncomplicated pregnancies; knows the importance of her own children in her life; wants an opportunity to make a unique contribution to a family’s life. Our surrogates are women who have a very special loving and giving spirit. The financial rewards can often assist a surrogate and her family in realizing dreams and goals that would be otherwise unattainable such as buying a home or going back to school or staying at home with her own children.
How much compensation will I receive and how will I be paid?
You set your compensation. Generally, first time surrogates can expect to receive $54,000 and experienced surrogates receive $69,000+ and California surrogates receive $70,000 – $80,000+. In addition, there are many more payments for lost wages, child care, health and life insurance, food allowance for longer travel. All travel is arranged and paid by our agency so you are not ever out of pocket. If you have to travel, we arrange and pay. If you have lost wages we will pay them. If you need childcare, we pay. Mileage? We pay. You will also receive additional compensation for other procedures (as necessary and/or agreed to between you and your Intended Parents, such as amniocentesis, Cesarean, multiple births ($10,000 for each additional fetus), and multiple IVF transfers). Once the gestational surrogacy agreement has been signed by you and your spouse and the Intended Parents, we require the Intended Parents to deposit funds anticipated for the entire process, plus an additional contingency amount, into an escrow account. You will be paid from these funds according to your signed gestational surrogacy agreement.
What is the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy?
A Gestational Surrogate has no genetic link to the child/ren she is carrying; rather, the egg is provided either by the Intended Mother or an Egg Donor. A Traditional Surrogate is genetically related to the child she is carrying, she is both the Egg Donor and the Surrogate. The Traditional Surrogate is inseminated with the Father’s or Donor’s sperm monthly at ovulation until pregnancy occurs.
Why do you recommend that a Surrogate works through an agency such as Advocates for Surrogacy?
You can waste a great deal of time trying to match independently with Intended Parents who may not really be committed to the process, may not have their finances in order, and who have not been vetted. Finding Intended Parents is only the very first step. There are many details that need to be worked out and sometimes these details involve topics that are not always so easy to confront directly such as compensation amount, ensuring prompt payment, communication, and boundary setting. Having a professional guide you through these areas can save a great deal of frustration later. You may have a lawyer whom you trust or you have worked with before but depending on where your Intended Parents live, there may be more coordination required than your lawyer is prepared to provide. Insurance matters are critical and we can expertly guide you and your Intended Parents in the right direction so that you don’t end up having unpaid medical bills.
How do you evaluate potential Surrogates?
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- We will first ask you to complete a 2 minute questionnaire to see if you meet the basic eligibility requirements. If you do meet basic requirements, then you will complete an in-depth questionnaire inquiring about your medical, social, psychological and biographical history.
- We will conduct a zoom meeting with you to go over the process, get to know you better and answer any of your questions or concerns.
- We will obtain your ob/gyn and delivery records from each of your pregnancies.
- A criminal background check will be completed for you and your partner.
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How will I be matched with Intended Parents?
You always have a choice as to the Intended Parents you match with – you will never be mandatorily matched! Moving forward with a match with Intended Parents is as much your decision as it is theirs. We explore, in depth, the many facets of surrogacy, choices, preferences, and medical considerations with you and with Intended Parents. Based on the information in your profile, your views and our conversations with you, we review the profiles of Intended Parents to find potential matches. If you like their profile then we set up a zoom introduction. If all goes well, we provide contact information to both of you so you can keep the conversation going and get to know each other better. Perhaps you want to meet them in person? That can be arranged.
How long does it take to be matched?
Usually, just as soon as we have your intake questionnaire and medicals, we begin the matching process immediately.
How much contact can I have with Intended Parent(s)?
When you complete your profile you tell us how much contact you want to have before, during and after the pregnancy. We will match you with Intended Parents who wants the same contact as you do.
The level of interaction between you and your Intended Parents is a personal preference between both parties. You will need to decide how much interaction you are comfortable having.
What is your application process?
The first step is to complete a 2 minute questionnaire to see if you meet the basic eligibility requirements. If you do meet basic requirements, we will reach out to you to ask you to complete an in-depth questionnaire inquiring about your medical, social, psychological and biographical history. During this time, Candace O’Brien, our President and Founder is available by phone, email or text to answer any questions or concerns you have. If you are in the Miami area, she will meet with you personally and we can also connect by Zoom or FaceTime.
If you first want to just contact us to ask questions rather than completing our initial 2 minute questionnaire, that works too! We will answer any questions you have and discuss further how we can help you have an incredible and safe journey.
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