Carrying a child for someone else one is one of the most profound gifts a woman can give. If you enjoy being pregnant and have easy pregnancies, being a surrogate for a family that could not otherwise have a baby can be a deeply rewarding experience.
Start your online Application
The very first step in the surrogate pregnancy process is actually applying to be a gestational carrier. 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.
Interview
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 go through the gestational surrogacy process. We will go through your application and discuss your journey in more detail. You will also have an opportunity to ask us any questions, so you can have a clearer idea of what exactly you are signing up for.
Screening
The screening process entails a background check and a review of your medical records. Getting all this information might take a while, so you may want to consider contacting your doctor and OB/GYN beforehand to get the ball rolling early.
Matching
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 will be a good match for you, based on shared values and certain physical and medical characteristics. If you’re a good fit for each other we will facilitate an introduction, allowing you and the prospective parents an opportunity to get to know each other.
Psychological & Medical Screening
If the match is successful you’ll be asked to complete a psychological evaluation and medical screening by a licensed mental health professional experienced in fertility counseling. You’ll be evaluated to determine your medication protocol to best prepare your uterus for implantation. This may include a physical, pap smear, vaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, as well as other tests.
Legal Contract
Once you have been psychologically and medically cleared the legal surrogacy contract will begin. You and our legal team will work with the prospective parents to officially outline the terms of the surrogate pregnancy process.
Cycle Preparation
Once the legal issues are out of the way, it is time to start prepping your cycle. You will receive your cycle schedule from the fertility clinic, which has 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 surrogate pregnancy.
Medications
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 ultrasound checks to make sure that the cycle is operating properly.
Embryo Transfer
The embryos are transferred into your uterus and you will remain on bed rest for approximately 24 to 72 hours and continue medication. A catheter is placed in your vagina leading all the way to the uterus. The embryos will be fed through the catheter and into the uterus, hopefully implanting properly and leading to pregnancy.
Pregnancy
After the transfer there is a 2 week 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, which will happen more often than a standard pregnancy.