Surrogate Pregnancy: What Intended Parents Need to Know

What Intended Parents Need to Know About Surrogacy: Ensuring Safety, Legal Protections, and Peace of Mind in the Surrogacy Journey

Are you considering starting a family through surrogacy? Surrogate pregnancy is a meaningful journey that helps intended parents bring their dreams of parenthood to life. Here, we’ll break down the surrogacy process, highlight what intended parents should know, and provide valuable resources for this life-changing experience.

What Is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman, known as a surrogate, carries a baby for intended parents. There are two main types:

• Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate’s egg is used, making her the biological mother of the child. This form of surrogacy is less common due to legal and emotional complexities.
• Gestational Surrogacy: An embryo, created using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material, is implanted in the surrogate. The surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. This is the most common and widely preferred option.

There are many reasons people may choose surrogacy to build their family. Medical complications leading to infertility, such as endometriosis or cancer, are some of the reasons families opt for surrogacy. Gay men may also use surrogacy to have children who are genetically related to themselves. Surrogacy has become a growing industry and an increasingly common and successful way to achieve the dream of building a family.

Gestational surrogacy, the most common type of surrogacy today, has a relatively recent history. The first successful gestational surrogacy was achieved in 1985, marking a revolutionary milestone in assisted reproductive technology. Unlike traditional surrogacy, gestational surrogacy involves implanting an embryo created through IVF using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material. This ensures the surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby, providing a clearer legal and emotional framework. Over the decades, advancements in medical technology and changes in societal attitudes have made gestational surrogacy more accessible and widely accepted around the world.

How Does Surrogate Pregnancy Work?

In gestational surrogacy, the process begins with in vitro fertilization (IVF), where an embryo is created and transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate receives medical care and emotional support to ensure a healthy journey for both her and the baby.

How Do You Find a Surrogate Mother?

Finding the right surrogate mother is crucial. A surrogacy agency, like Northwest Surrogacy Center (NWSC), helps match intended parents with carefully screened surrogates to ensure compatibility and a smooth process.

Working with a surrogacy agency is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the surrogate and the legal protection of both parties involved. NWSC conducts thorough psychological and medical screenings, background checks, and only accept surrogates with a history of healthy, full-term pregnancies. Additionally, they ensure that both the intended parents (IPs) and the surrogate are legally protected and covered by surrogacy-friendly insurance.

At NWSC, we exclusively work with surrogates from surrogacy-friendly states, including Oregon, Washington, California, Minnesota, Nevada, Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. We choose these states because of their robust legal frameworks, which provide important protections for all parties involved. In these states, the law ensures:

• Surrogacy is legal, creating a supportive environment for intended parents.
• Compensation for surrogates is legal, guaranteeing fair treatment and recognition for their generosity.
• Intended parents receive a judgment establishing them as the child’s legal parents.
• Surrogates have access to comprehensive prenatal care, including abortion or termination when medically recommended to protect their health.
• The intended parents’ names are listed on the child’s birth certificate upon completion of the legal process.
• Same-sex parents are both listed on the final birth certificate, ensuring equality and recognition for all families.

By working with NWSC, intended parents and surrogates can feel confident in a safe, supportive, and legally secure surrogacy journey. Click here to learn more about NWSC surrogate requirements.

How to Begin the Process

Starting your surrogacy journey requires thoughtful preparation. Here are the key steps:

Choosing a Surrogate Mother

Selecting a surrogate involves reviewing profiles provided by a surrogacy agency. These profiles include information about the surrogate’s medical history, lifestyle, and motivations for becoming a surrogate. Surrogacy agencies conduct thorough screenings to match you with someone who aligns with your values and goals.

Surrogacy Agency Support

Partnering with a reputable surrogacy agency, like Northwest Surrogacy Center, ensures you’ll have expert guidance throughout the process. From legal agreements to emotional support, an agency simplifies the journey and prioritizes the well-being of all parties involved.

What Intended Parents Should Expect

Traditional vs. Gestational Surrogacy

Understanding the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy helps you decide which option is best for your family. Most intended parents choose gestational surrogacy for its legal and emotional clarity. In fact, NWSC only practices gestational surrogacy.

Surrogacy Options

You’ll also get to decide on factors like the surrogate’s location and whether to work with a surrogate who’s experienced or new to the process. Your surrogacy agency will guide you in navigating these options.

Expenses Along the Way

Cost of Surrogacy

The cost of surrogacy varies depending on factors like medical procedures, legal fees, and surrogate compensation. At NWSC, we provide a transparent breakdown of expenses to help you plan.  

IVF Surrogacy

IVF is a key component of gestational surrogacy, involving medical expenses for egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. These costs are sometimes included in the overall surrogacy budget. It is important to clarify this before beginning the surrogacy process. Furthermore, additional costs will be added to your surrogacy budget if you plan to use donated eggs or sperm.

Surrogacy Agency Fees

Working with a surrogacy agency involves fees for matching services, case management, and legal support. While this represents a significant investment, the peace of mind and expertise provided by an agency are invaluable.

Begin Your Surrogacy Journey

Starting a family through surrogacy is a deeply personal and rewarding journey. By understanding the process, choosing the right surrogacy agency, and planning for the associated costs, you’ll be well-prepared to welcome your baby into the world.

To learn more, visit Northwest Surrogacy Center or contact us today to begin your journey.