Ensure that the legal representative assigned to your case will be aware of all the important information provided by you and the surrogate. Working with an experienced lawyer is critical in better understanding the details surrounding surrogacy. The contract to be agreed upon between you and the surrogate must be comprehensive as it will serve as the binding arrangement that will make for a successful surrogacy experience. It is also necessary to have independent lawyers for the intended parents and the surrogate.

The items listed below are good to know information that will safeguard the best interest of both parties.
1. Names of people involved, namely, the couple and the surrogate.
2. Must be of Legal Age.
3. Number of attempts.
4. The method of attaining surrogate’s pregnancy, like “no sexual intercourse.”
5. Agreement to sustain and continue the pregnancy.
6. A statement that the mother cannot conceive a child and sustain a pregnancy.
7. Statement of in depth medical and mental condition of the woman who carries the intended parents baby as agreed.
8. Medical insurance for all parties involved in the placement of the embryo.
9. Modern treatments involving the placement of the embryo.
10. Stringent checking of surrogate’s activities as well as medication ingested.
11. Agreement on regular prenatal medical health care
12. Restriction on surrogate’s activities that may be considered threatening to pregnancy and the birthing process.
13. Parental rights of the surrogate.
14. The presence of the couple during birth.
15. Legal or physical custody of the surrogate and the couple once the child is delivered.
16. Financial considerations before, during, and after pregnancy.
17. Confidentiality terms.

The list above addresses what is essentially required, but it is still better to check what could be other factors that will help you anticipate for future complications that may arise in the process. Preparation in advance is critical at this phase and will benefit your future family and the surrogate.

Comprehending Surrogacy Companies

The legality involving surrogacy in the USA is still a recurring debate. Aside from having surrogacy legal in some states, it’s the regulations regarding the procedure that somewhat causes confusion and raises many questions from different sectors in the community.

Once you and your partner have decided to sign up for surrogacy services, you will need to arm yourself with information regarding surrogacy laws and legal concerns per state. This will make your experience a little less overwhelming, giving you time to focus on other concerns that may come your way.

Surrogate’s Pay

Knowing how much to pay your surrogate is one of the several concerns to take note of when choosing surrogacy to build your family. Whatever payment a gestational or traditional surrogate receives, it is critical to know for certain that they are not an employee. Even when the woman acting as a surrogate does this free of charge, she is still not qualified due to the employee – employer relationship.

Traditional or Gestational Surrogacy

Traditional Surrogacy is the process wherein the woman carrying a surrogate pregnancy goes through artificial insemination or even IVF by merging the surrogate’s eggs together with the semen of the donor. In this instance, the surrogate possesses a hereditary link to the baby, which can be high-risk due to the said genetic connection.

Gestational Surrogacy varies greatly from Traditional surrogacy since the surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives birth from an already fertilized egg. In this instance, there is actually no hereditary web link in between the surrogate as well as the child.

Lawful Concerns Post-Birth Adoption

Another concern to take note of post birth is the details on the child’s birth certificate.
Most states will allow the parents’ name to be written in the child’s birthing documents. Other states allow the surrogate’s name to be on the birth documents which can be later amended when necessary.

Another consideration would be pre birth order. It is permissible for some states to have pre-birth order, but only under certain conditions. Ultimately, what is it essential to do is to have a complete understanding of the laws of surrogacy for each state.

For most couples, starting a family is as easy as 1-2-3; but, for some, they may opt to choose a surrogate carrier or a gestational surrogate. So how does a couple select a gestational surrogate?

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. However, choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. Still, it is always a good idea to consult with your own preferred doctor.

Choosing the Right Agency for You

A couple or single parent usually has an ideal surrogate carrier in mind. Before this, the first step would have to be choosing the right agency for you. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Always remember that this will be the agency that you will have to work alongside with for the next 12 to 24 months. Do your research; make sure that the agency is well established. Read feedbacks from single parents or other couples who have already used the service and the reason why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place? It is always best to trust your gut instincts.

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The ideal candidate should have had at least one successful pregnancy, with no background on miscarriages, abortions, bleeding or any other medical issues that may be a risk factor. It is always best to consult with your OB/Gyne or reproductive endocrinologist regarding the medical history of the GS that you plan to work with. A thorough medical examination must be performed on the GS so that any complications may be prevented. This will include, but not limited to: a physical examination, laboratory examinations, ultrasounds, a comprehensive medical history check, psychological examinations, and screening for any threatening diseases.

The Ideal Gestational Surrogate

The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the post-natal and pre-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. If you or your partner chooses to go through in vitro fertilization, make sure to choose your preferred Reproductive Endocrinologist.
In Conclusion

The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time. Arm yourself with a lot of information, a full heart, and the possibility that your baby will soon be in your arms. Remember that using the service of a GS is not for everyone; there will be a lot of emotions that will run through your mind. In the end, what everyone wants is someone to hold close, carry, and another human being to call their own.

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time.