Finding a Surrogate
There are many steps involved in finding a surrogate agency in Texas, so expect that it will take some time before you finally get to partner with the one who meets your requirements. This is where surrogacy agencies come into the picture—to get you started on the right foot. You will initially be matched with a couple of surrogate mothers to give you a good pool to choose from.
Choosing the Right Agency to Help in Finding A Surrogate
A single parent or couple usually has a surrogate carrier in mind. Prior to this, the initial step is to choose the right service provider. There are many agencies that deliver this service, so make sure you choose one you feel at ease with. You will be working closely with this agency for the next 12 to 24 months, so you must be very confident in your choice. Do your research; ensure that the agency is established. Pay attention to the reviews of other customers who have enlisted the agency’s services; learn about their experiences and why they picked this provider in the first place. To get the right agency for your needs, it is also best to rely on what your instinct tells you.
There are two kinds of surrogates. There is the traditional surrogate, which is much less favored because the surrogate is the child’s natural mother, who had the father’s sperm artificially inseminated. Basically, she turns over her parental rights to the soon-to-be mom. The second kind is the gestational surrogate, which is the preferred approach, since the child is genetically linked to the intended parents.
A comprehensive discussion about the chosen gestational surrogate should take place with your physician. The surrogate must be drug- and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and must be between the ages of 21 and 40 years old. A history of pregnancy that involves the delivery of twins should also be considered. Take note that some couples or single parents may consider a relative for a surrogate so as to preserve genetics associated with the family. The desired reproductive endocrinologist should be agreed upon once you and your partner are willing to undergo in-vitro fertilization.
Select The Right Agency
After choosing a provider to work with, finding a surrogate is the next step. The chosen candidate should have had at least one successful pregnancy, without any miscarriages, abortions, bleeding, or other medical difficulties that may be risk factors. It’s best to consult with your OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist about the medical background of the gestational surrogate you plan to work with. A comprehensive medical exam must be performed on the gestational surrogate to ensure that any complications are prevented. This will include, but not be limited to, a physical exam, laboratory work, ultrasounds, an in-depth medical background check, psychological examinations, and diagnostic tests to check for any diseases.
In Conclusion
As mentioned previously, the process involved in finding a surrogate will take some time. Keep in mind that utilizing the assistance of a gestational surrogate is not for everyone, given the complexity involved in the process. It is best to take this on with an open mind and a patient attitude. In the end, all of this will be worth it once you have a child to call your own. We hope that this post has helped shed some light on your questions in finding a surrogate.