The very first step in the surrogate pregnancy process is actually applying to be a surrogate. The application process starts with a qualification questionnaire to ensure that you meet all the requirements to become a surrogate. Some of these questions include topics like your citizenship status, lifestyle, past pregnancy experience, medical issues, and employment history. Once you meet all requirements we ask you about your background, health, and motivations for becoming a surrogate.
After completing your online application, you will have a one-to-one call or in-person interview. This is to help us get a better, more personal understanding of who you are and why you want to be a surrogate. We will go through your application and discuss your journey in more detail. You will also have an opportunity to ask us any questions you want.
The screening process entails a review of your medical records and a background check. Getting all this information might take a bit, so you may want to consider contacting your doctor and OB/GYN beforehand to request your medical records.
After you make it through the application, interview, and screening process, we get started on finding your perfect match. We will share your profile with intended parents who we believe would be a good match for you, based on shared values and geographical location. You will also receive their profile to review. If you’re a good fit for each other we will facilitate a match meeting, allowing you and the prospective parents an opportunity to get to know each other. If all parties would like to move forward, then your matched!
Once the match is successful you will be asked to complete a psychological evaluation by a licensed mental health professional experienced in fertility counseling. You’ll be evaluated by the intended parents’ fertility physician to determine what medication protocol to best prepare your uterus for implantation. This may include a physical, pap smear, vaginal ultrasound or sonohysterogram, hysteroscopy, drug screen as well as other tests.
Once you have been psychologically and medically cleared the legal contract will begin. From here, you and your attorney will work with the prospective parents and their lawyer going over your surrogacy contract. Don’t worry if you don’t have an attorney, we will provide one to you
Once the legal contract is signed, it is time to start prepping your cycle. You will receive your cycle schedule from the fertility clinic, which has the information on when you need to take your medication, how much and upcoming doctor appointments. You will also be informed of any lifestyle changes or limitations you will have to make in order to ensure a successful pregnancy.
At this stage you may be given birth control and medications to prepare your uterus for embryo transfer. Some possible medications you might take include estrogen and progesterone via pill, patch, or injection. You will also have your blood drawn and receive ultrasounds to make sure that your body is taking to the medication and preparing to become pregnant.
The embryo(s) is transferred into your uterus and you will remain on bed rest or modified bedrest for 24 to 72 hours and continue all medications. A very small catheter is placed in your vagina leading all the way to the uterus. The embryo(s) will be fed through the catheter and into the uterus, hopefully implanting and leading to pregnancy. You will be completely awake the entire time and no pain will be felt. The actual transfer itself will be complete in less than 60 seconds!
After the transfer there is a 10-14 day wait to confirm a pregnancy by blood work and 4 weeks until a heartbeat confirmation by ultrasound. You will continue getting your blood drawn and ultrasounds until about 10-12 weeks of pregnancy by a fertility doctor. After that you are “graduated” to your OBGYN. Throughout your pregnancy we offer one on one support, pampering & gifts, and personal case management. These are just ways of helping you get through the process so that you can have the happiest and healthiest surrogacy journey with your intended parents as possible.