Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a surrogate and help create a family? If you’re considering surrogacy, you might be curious about the overall steps involved, and how long the process lasts. Let’s take a look at a Surrogacy Journey timeline from start to finish.
There’s no doubt that surrogacy is a beautiful and rewarding experience, but it involves multiple steps. Let’s break down the timeline from start to finish, so you know what to expect every step of the way.
Step 1: Initial Inquiry and Application
Of course, the first step in your surrogacy journey is reaching out to a surrogacy agency. Here’s what happens during this stage:
- Contact the agency: You express your interest in becoming a surrogate and contact the agency for more information.
- Fill out an application: You’ll complete an initial application to provide basic information about yourself.
- Preliminary screening: The agency conducts a preliminary screening to ensure you meet the basic requirements.
Overall, this stage helps determine if you’re a good candidate for surrogacy and gives you a chance to learn more about the process. It usually takes a few weeks to complete prior to confirming eligibility.
Step 2: Comprehensive Screening
Once your initial application is approved, you’ll move on to a more detailed screening process. This includes:
- Medical evaluation: A thorough medical examination to ensure you are in good health.
- Psychological evaluation: A psychological assessment to confirm you are equally mentally and emotionally prepared for surrogacy.
- Background checks: Criminal and drug screenings to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the baby.
This stage ensures that you are fully prepared for the surrogacy process and typically takes one to two months.
Step 3: Matching with Intended Parents
After passing the comprehensive screening, the agency will match you with intended parents. Here’s what happens:
- Profile review: You and the intended parents review each other’s profiles to ensure compatibility.
- Match meeting: A meeting is arranged (often virtually) for you to get to know the intended parents.
- Legal agreements: Once both parties agree to proceed, legal contracts are drafted and signed.
Matching can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, because of a variety of factors. Also depending on the availability of surrogates, intended parents, and your mutual preferences.
Step 4: Legal Agreements
The legal stage is crucial to ensure that all parties are protected and understand their rights and responsibilities. This includes:
- Meeting with an attorney: Both you and the intended parents will have separate attorneys to represent your interests.
- Drafting contracts: An attorney will draft legal contracts that outline the rights and responsibilities of both the surrogate and the intended parents.
- Reviewing and signing contracts: Both parties review the contracts with their attorneys and sign once they agree.
This legal process ensures that everyone is on the same page and legally protected. It usually takes a few weeks to complete.
Step 5: Medical Procedures and Embryo Transfer
Once the legal agreements are in place, the medical procedures begin. Here’s what to expect:
- Medical preparation: You’ll undergo medical preparation, which includes taking medications to synchronize your cycle with the intended mother’s or egg donor’s cycle.
- Embryo transfer: The embryo transfer procedure takes place at a fertility clinic. This is a critical step where the embryo is implanted in your uterus.
The medical preparation and embryo transfer process can take about one to two months.
Step 6: Pregnancy Confirmation and Monitoring
After the embryo transfer, the next step is to confirm the pregnancy and begin regular monitoring:
- Pregnancy test: About 10-14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test will confirm if the pregnancy is successful.
- Regular check-ups: If the pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll have regular prenatal check-ups to monitor the baby’s development and your health.
This stage lasts throughout the pregnancy, therefore is typically around nine months.
Step 7: Delivery and Post-Delivery
The final stage of the surrogacy journey is the delivery of the baby and the post-delivery process:
- Labor and delivery: You will give birth to the baby, usually with the intended parents present at the hospital.
- Post-delivery care: After delivery, you’ll receive medical care to ensure you recover well. The intended parents will take their newborn home.
This stage involves the culmination of your efforts and the beginning of a new chapter for the intended parents.
Step 8: Post-Delivery Relationship
For many surrogates, maintaining a relationship with the intended parents and the child is a meaningful part of the surrogacy experience. Here’s what this can look like:
- Stay in touch: Depending on your preferences, you could keep in contact with the intended parents through regular updates, photos, or visits, depending on mutual comfort levels.
- Celebrate milestones: If your relationship is strong, you may get celebrate important milestones like birthdays and holidays with the intended parents and child.
- Continued support: Keeping a long-term connection provides emotional support and a sense of fulfillment for both you and the intended parents.
Remember that this ongoing relationship can vary greatly based on personal preferences and agreements made during the surrogacy process. It’s up to you what you want this step of the process to include.
Above all, throughout this entire process we will be here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced team provides personalized care and comprehensive services, ensuring you have the support and resources needed for a smooth and rewarding surrogacy experience.
Building Families with Stronger Together Surrogacy
At Stronger Together Surrogacy, we’re committed to supporting individuals and couples on their journey to parenthood through surrogacy. Our experienced team provides personalized care and comprehensive services, including matching with surrogates and navigating the legal and medical aspects of the process. When you’re ready to take the next step toward building your family, contact us to learn more.
