What Can a Surrogate Expect from Her Journey?

Becoming a surrogate is one of life's biggest decisions and will take commitment and dedication. No two journeys are the same. You will have hopes and dreams for your journey and you will also begin your journey with many questions and perhaps some anxiety.

As you begin your journey, you will need to do some research about the requirements for surrogate candidates, the overall surrogacy process and decide which agency is the right match for you.

Making a decision about the agency you will work with is an important decision. We don't think you should simply settle on the first one you contact. Reach out to a few. Maybe reach out to large agencies, medium agencies and small agencies and see the differences in what each offers you and at the end of the day, which services and approach make you feel the most comfortable.

Your agency will spend some time getting to know you, will ask you to complete a questionnaire, and will make sure that you meet basic qualification requirements.

A good agency will be your guide throughout the process and will ensure that your journey is handled with your best interests in mind financially, medically, and legally. A good agency will be there for you 24/7 and will provide a stable environment for your journey so that you don't feel like you are lost in a bureaucracy.

Your journey will begin with your agency getting to know you. You will be given a questionnaire to complete and asked to provide approval for your agency to run a background check on you and your spouse or significant other. At this time, if there are any issues in your background, you should talk with your agency.

Once your agency has your medical records and performed background checks, the next step is to introduce you to Intended Parents. Your agency will be looking at multiple factors that make for a good match such as how much communication you and they would like during the process; what type of parents you are comfortable matching with such as gay, straight, married, single; your view on termination of pregnancy because of medical issues and any other issues you may have brought up during your intake process with the agency.

You will be presented with background info on Intended Parents and they will be presented with the same for you. If both feel that "meeting" would be a good idea then a SKYPE or FaceTime meeting is set up. This initial meeting can feel daunting to both you and Intended Parents.

Once you and your intended parents decide to move forward, you are considered to have a "tentative match." The reason that this is referred to as a "tentative match" is because you will need to be further screened medically and psychologically to ensure you are physically and emotionally ready to move forward with being a surrogate.

Surrogates are not required to have health insurance in place but your agency will ensure that you have insurance which will cover the costs of pregnancy and complications.

The medical screening will consist of presenting your medical records from your previous pregnancies and deliveries to the clinic. The fertility clinic will have you complete intake questionnaires, the doctor will consult with you and conduct a physical examination and ultrasound to ensure your uterus is healthy and ready for another pregnancy.

You and your spouse or significant other will be required to meet with a mental health professional for an interview and you will also take a personality assessment test.

You will be represented by an experienced surrogacy attorney and your intended parents will have a separate attorney. The cost of your attorney will be covered by your intended parents.

Once you begin the medical process, it is extremely important that you follow the instructions with exactness. Not following instructions exactly as required by the clinic can result in a failed embryo transfer or miscarriage.

The clinic will monitor your pregnancy during the first trimester and then you will be under the care of your ob/gyn for the remaining pregnancy.

The commitment and responsibilities that go with being a surrogate are great; the personal rewards that you receive for becoming a surrogate for someone who cannot have a child are among the greatest you will experience in your lifetime.