Top 3 Questions When Looking at Surrogacy Agencies

When they want to grow their family, many aspiring parents use a surrogate. A surrogate carries a baby to term on behalf of the parents. Upon birth, paperwork is filed to transfer all rights to the parents.

A surrogate may be appropriate in cases where either member of a couple is unable to conceive. It may also be the right choice for single adoptive parents. A surrogate may carry an embryo using sperm and egg cells from either member of the couple or any donor they chose.

Like adoption agencies, surrogacy agencies have certain rules they follow to ensure the needs of all parties are protected. But surrogacy agencies are a little bit different. They work with a parent or parents to make the connection to the right surrogate.

Understanding the Surrogate’s Role

Surrogates do not usually have an ongoing role in a child’s life after birth. Even so, the relationship with the surrogate is very important. After all, the surrogate and the parents will be in ongoing contact for nine months of the pregnancy. The parents are usually responsible for all related medical expenses.

The average surrogate is between 25 and 30 years old. However, the age of the surrogate has much less impact on the projected health of the newborn than the age of the mother and father who contribute a sperm and egg cell for the embryo. Still, the surrogate’s health status is an important consideration.

To make sure the relationship is a strong one where everyone knows their rights and responsibilities, it is a wise idea to have a contract with your surrogate. The contract lays out any rules the surrogate might have to follow, such as avoiding certain foods or medications for the duration of the pregnancy.

In return, the surrogate can see in writing that the parent or parents acknowledge their responsibilities. In addition to paying for medical expenses related to the pregnancy, the parents might also provide the surrogate with cash compensation. All of this should be spelled out and agreed to beforehand.

Three Questions to Ask Your Surrogacy Agency

When you are looking for a surrogacy agency, it’s helpful to do everything you would do to research any other kind of professional service. For example, you want to be sure that the organization has been in business for years and that its reviews don’t suggest there are any problems to be concerned about.

At the same time, there are special questions to ask a surrogacy agency that are very useful.

Let’s take a closer look:

 How Are Surrogates Chosen and Screened?

Each surrogacy agency has its own approach to choosing surrogates. Just as with fertility clinics that take donations from the public, surrogacy agencies spend time researching each surrogate’s health. Find out what questionnaires, health screenings, and other methods are used and how to review them.

 How Does the Agency Support the Parent-Surrogate Relationship?

Once screening is complete, then the parents and the surrogate will meet. There may be one meeting or several. Your surrogacy agency should be able to outline the process for you step by step. Also learn if you will be meeting with several different surrogates or just one at a time.

 Does the Surrogacy Agency Offer Any Legal Support?

In general, you will need your own family law attorney to help you draft a surrogacy contract everyone can agree with. Sometimes, however, the agency itself will offer support in the form of documents or mediation services. Don’t go forward with any surrogate without a signed contract.

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