Choosing a Surrogate How Is It Done?
One of the frequently asked questions from prospective parents is: How can we effectively select a surrogate? The surrogacy journey can be overwhelming if you’re uncertain about the steps to take.Our surrogacy agency family is here to provide assistance! We can handle the initial screening and qualification process before aligning you with a surrogate of your preference. Otherwise, managing this on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you have to evaluate a dozen or more candidates.Our surrogacy progress involves sorting through the best surrogates who have been scrutinized against our professional wellness criteria. They have undergone thorough professional vetting.By collaborating with a surrogacy agency, you’ll also have a broader range of options. Most importantly, you retain complete control over the selection process. Here are the basics of choosing a surrogate.What Kind of Surrogacy Is Right for Me?
When deciding on the type of surrogacy journey, intended parents generally have two options: gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy.Each surrogacy route comes with its own set of pros and cons, but ultimately, both demonstrate high rates of success. Occasionally, intended parents approach us with an altruistic surrogate already in mind, such as a sister or a close friend, who, unfortunately, doesn’t meet the necessary qualifications after medical screening. In such cases, we can present alternative options.However, some intended parents might not be familiar with where to find surrogates initially, and that’s where our role becomes crucial in connecting them with individuals possessing an excellent medical background suitable for successful surrogacy. In a traditional surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate utilizes her own eggs or eggs from donors, becoming pregnant through intrauterine insemination (IUI). During IUI, sperm is directly introduced into the uterus, enhancing the likelihood of pregnancy.Conversely, gestational surrogacy involves implanting a fertilized embryo into the carrier. This embryo is created in a laboratory using reproductive material from the intended parents.Through this approach, the child will not share any genetic material with the surrogate. This aspect is sometimes crucial for intended parents who have a meticulously planned surrogacy strategy in mind.How to Choose Between Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy
Due to jurisdictional restrictions, some intended parents may be limited to relying on gestational surrogacy. For instance, stringent surrogacy laws in their state or an inability to produce a healthy ovum might lead them to opt for gestational surrogacy.However, facing infertility should not dissuade individuals from considering a traditional surrogate. Traditional surrogates still undergo the same procedures to achieve pregnancy. The primary distinction lies in the extent of fertility services and treatments required by the surrogate. If a traditional surrogate possesses a healthy ovum and has a track record of delivering healthy babies, the likelihood of a successful pregnancy is higher.Why Is Choosing the Right Surrogate Important for Your Family?
For some intended parents, the type of surrogacy is not as critical as finding the right person to be a surrogate. The priority is to ensure that the surrogate maintains a healthy lifestyle and can establish a connection with the intended parents. Surrogate pregnancies are just as delicate as natural pregnancies, if not more so, given the involvement of fertility treatments and hormones.The decision of whether to establish a relationship with the surrogate is at your discretion, but in our experience, it often evolves organically. Building a relationship should not be an issue as long as you and your surrogate share similar lifestyles and backgrounds.After the child is born, breastfeeding may be necessary. Therefore, some surrogacy contracts outline whether the surrogate will breastfeed for a specified period after giving birth. If intended parents prefer, they can opt for the surrogate to pump breast milk, but these details need to be clearly outlined in the surrogacy contract to prevent misunderstandings.However, there are instances when intended parents may not connect with a surrogate candidate, and that is perfectly acceptable. The search for a suitable surrogate is a highly personal journey for some intended parents. This is why some individuals approach us with a pre-selected candidate! Nevertheless, we still require that they meet our essential health criteria.What Criteria Are Most Vital When Choosing a Surrogate?
Choosing a surrogate involves several criteria, but the good news is that they are reasonable. A surrogate should be able to pass a background check and have a healthy reproductive history.In addition, we recommend that surrogates also:- Live in a state with legal surrogacy
- Be between 21 years old and 40 years old
- Have a body mass index between 18 to 32
- Have a healthy reproductive history
- Have given birth to at least one healthy baby
- Have no history of alcohol or substance abuse
- Be a non-smoker who doesn’t reside in a home with active smokers
- Wait six months after giving birth before becoming a surrogate
- Aside from these basics, you have complete freedom in choosing a surrogate, provided they meet these qualifications.
