advocates for surrogacy logo

305 358 2450 | info@advocatesforsurrogacy.com

Why a Surrogate Needs an Agency

Posted on by

surrogacy agencyThere are many independent matching sites and groups.  The idea of independent matching and being able to jump right in and start meeting Intended Parents may seem exciting.  Independent matching may seem much more personal and less bureaucratic than contacting an agency.  An independent match may feel like a surrogate has much more control  in the process.  But independent matching is not all it may seem. A surrogate needs an agency.  Having an agency by a surrogate’s side can actually result in a much more enjoyable journey with Intended Parents that is based on bonding, enjoying the milestones in the pregnancy and not having to deal with the business aspects because the agency does that.

Here are 10 reasons why a surrogate needs an agency:

  1. Matching with Intended Parents: A surrogacy agency can help connect a surrogate with Intended Parents who are a good match. The agency screens potential parents and ensures they are suitable for surrogacy, including assessing their emotional and financial readiness for the process.  Many surrogates on an independent journey think they are matched with great Intended Parents only to find out that they are not financially ready months into the process or they simply decide not to move forward for other reasons months into the process.   Agencies are working with seriously committed individuals and couples.
  2. Legal and Financial Guidance: A surrogacy agency can provide guidance on the legal and financial aspects of surrogacy. An agency will provide guidance to a surrogate so she understands her rights and responsibilities and is prepared for expectations and responsibilities that will be part of her contract with Intended parents.  An agency will ensure that a surrogate receives proper compensation for her services.
  3. Handling the Business Aspects:  An agency removes the burden of having to negotiate with Intended Parents on financial issues.  If a surrogate’s compensation requirements are not within Intended Parents budget, the agency will screen for this ahead of time.  Payments due to a surrogate according to the contract are overseen by the agency rather than Intended Parents. Any money due the surrogate is always deposited ahead of time with an escrow company.
  4. Insurance and Medical Bills:  A surrogate as the patient and is responsible for medical bills during her pregnancy as far as providers are concerned.  An agency makes sure that the surrogate is properly and adequately insured and that bills are paid so that the surrogate is not left with unpaid medical bills.
  5. Emotional Support: Surrogacy can be an emotional journey, and a surrogacy agency can provide emotional support and counseling to help a surrogate navigate the process. A good agency will provide ongoing professional, individualized counseling and support as well as group support with other surrogates and surrogate mentors.
  6. Medical Assistance: A surrogacy agency will provide guidance on medical matters, such as finding a reputable fertility clinics for the monitoring phase and coordinating medical appointments.
  7. Avoid Weird or Inappropriate Asks: A surrogacy agency will make sure that a surrogate is not asked to do something that is not in her best interests.  A good agency will ensure that a surrogate is not asked to  use public health benefits or be paid directly by Intended Parents who have not escrowed funds. An agency will step in if Intended Parents are overstepping reasonable boundaries..  The agency will mediate issues as necessary  so that the surrogate is not alone in working through sensitive situations that may arise.
  8. Coordination and Advocacy:  An agency will assist a surrogate in presenting her medical records to the fertility clinic that must approve her. An agency will help a surrogate navigate through the many appointments and steps required during the process.   Clinics are very busy and staff are often not so easy to reach or surrogates may be left with questions.  A good agency is there every step of the way and easy to reach so that when other professionals are not easy to reach, the agency smooths it out and gets the answers or fixes the problem.
  9. Hospital Plan:  An agency will smooth the process during delivery at the hospital by setting up a hospital plan with case management staff and ensuring proper legal documents are on file, arranging separate rooms for Intended Parents and surrogate and ensuring the surrogate is comfortable with the delivery protocol.
  10. What, When, Where:  Having a knowledgeable expert who handles surrogacy day in and day out and who is available 24/7 at the touch of button on your phone and who will guide you through each and every single step (and there are hundreds) takes so much stress away from what then can be an extraordinary experience in your life.

Lastly, a surrogate must choose an agency wisely. An agency has to feel right for a surrogate.  A surrogate needs to know who in the agency is her advocate, make sure she feels safe and secure in her hands and knows that she is available 24/7.  The last thing a surrogate needs is a revolving and ever evolving list of staff members who are available to help depending on the time of day, day of the week and particular issue.

If you are thinking about becoming a surrogate and would like to know if you meet basic qualifications, take 2 minutes to complete this questionnaire to see if you are eligible.  If you want to reach out with questions and get to know us, complete this contact form and we will set up a time to talk.

Tags: , ,

Latest Blog Post

Support Launcher

Source: Support Launcher

International Surrogacy? Penny Wise, Pound Foolish?

Intended Parents who seek surrogacy programs in foreign countries outside the United States to save costs face particular risks as presented in this article.  Ukraine was a popular foreign destination for surrogacy. When the war started in Ukraine, the country of Georgia was hosting an ever-growing surrogacy program for foreigners. Now, there are bills being   …Continue Reading

What People Are Saying

  • “Here’s the thing, I thought we could save money by handling the surrogacy ourselves, but the truth is that we tried and we lost time and almost got ourselves into a mess. Our fertility clinic recommended we try an agency and gave us a few recommendations. Advocates for Surrogacy was on the list. We called, we never looked back. Candace and the team were amazing from the time we began matching with a surrogate which was a totally different experience from when we were trying to do that ourselves to handling the contract, to the medical process all the way to the delivery of our beautiful daughter.”

    — B and Z

  • “Candace is great. We must have met with her 3 or 4 times and she was always patient and provided all the answers we needed and when we finally signed up we felt comfortable and at ease. We had called several other agencies before finding Advocates for Surrogacy and the experience was very different. We received information and had a chance to speak with the director but it was obvious that we were expected to make a decision based on information and one meeting. We just didn’t think that was enough for the emotional and financial commitment that surrogacy requires.”

    — Sheila T.

  • “Our surrogacy journey was not easy. We had some false starts with surrogates and then our surrogate had 2 miscarriages but through it all Candace was there to help us get through the rough patches and helped us to stay the course. Candace would always check in with me regularly after the miscarriages and I really appreciated that. Our surrogate also had the same experience with Candace continually checking in with her. All I can say is that surrogacy can have some bumps but having Candace beside us made all the difference. We never lost our faith and confidence and in the end our dreams of having a child came true times two!”

    — M&M

  • “I’ve had 4 surrogate journeys. Candace is great to work with. She is caring and understanding. I had a wonderful experience with Advocates for Surrogacy and would go through them anytime. Thanks Candace for another unforgettable journey.”

    — P.D.

  • “Advocates for Surrogacy was our lifesaver. My cousin agreed to be our surrogate but we did not have the finances for IVF after several failed attempts on our own. I started to look at international programs and stumbled upon Advocates for Surrogacy’s Guatemala IVF Program. It was our answer. Even with the travel costs, it was a major savings. The doctors at the clinic were great and really took time to explain everything. Candace’s team in Guatemala were great. We were picked up at the airport, taken to the clinic and never felt we were on our own.”

    — Tara K.

  • “I just completed my 5th surrogacy journey and my first with Advocates for Surrogacy. I was with another agency for 1st and 3rd journeys and did 2nd and 4th independently. My 1st and 3rd were so so and not much support from agency. 2nd independent was good but I had some problems with bills getting paid on time. My 2nd independent journey was a total mess so I definitely don’t recommend going independent even with experience. I can honestly say that working with Candace was great. She went to bat for me when I needed it and was always there.”

    — C.T.