While every surrogacy experience is unique, there is a general timeline that most surrogates follow, from the initial application to the postpartum recovery period. Understanding what to expect at each stage can help you feel prepared and confident as you embark on this incredible journey.
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Step 1: Quiz/Application and Pre-Screening
The first step in becoming a surrogate is completing a quiz or application with a reputable surrogacy agency. This stage helps determine if you meet the basic qualifications for surrogacy.
What to Expect:
- Filling out a short quiz detailing your medical history, previous pregnancies, and personal background.
- A preliminary phone consultation with a surrogacy coordinator to discuss expectations and answer any initial questions.
Once your application is approved, you’ll move on to the screening process to ensure you’re medically, emotionally, and legally ready for surrogacy.
Step 2: Screening Process
Before matching with intended parents, surrogates go through a thorough screening process to confirm they are physically and emotionally prepared for the journey.
What to Expect:
- Medical Screening: A fertility specialist will review your medical records for every pregnancy and delivery you have had, to ensure you’re a good candidate for surrogacy.
- Psychological Screening : A mental health professional will assess your emotional readiness for surrogacy and discuss expectations for the process.
- Background Checks: Many agencies require background checks for surrogates and their partner to ensure a safe and stable home environment.
Once you pass the screening process, you’re officially ready to be matched with intended parents!
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Step 3: Matching with Intended Parents
Finding the right match is one of the most exciting parts of the surrogacy journey. This step involves carefully selecting intended parents based on mutual preferences, values, and expectations.
What to Expect:
- Reviewing intended parent profiles to find a match that aligns with your expectations.
- A virtual or in-person meeting with the intended parents to discuss communication preferences, birth plans, and overall compatibility.
- If both parties agree to move forward, the match is confirmed, and the legal and medical exam process begins.
A strong match is based on trust, communication, and shared goals, making this a crucial part of the surrogacy journey.
For further details on the matching process, check out our blog post on this specific topic!
Step 4: Legal Contracts and Agreements
Before medical procedures can begin, both the surrogate and intended parents must sign a legal contract that outlines rights, responsibilities, and expectations.
What to Expect:
- The intended parents’ attorney drafts a surrogacy contract detailing compensation, medical decisions, and legal parental rights.
- You’ll work with your own independent attorney (paid for by the intended parents) to review and negotiate the contract to ensure it protects your interests.
- Once both parties agree to the terms, the contract is signed, and the medical process can officially begin.
This step is essential for protecting both surrogates and intended parents, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and rights throughout the journey.
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Step 5: Medical Protocol and Embryo Transfer
After contracts are finalized, the medical process begins with preparing the surrogate’s body for embryo transfer.
What to Expect:
- Medications: You’ll take hormone medications (such as estrogen and progesterone) to prepare your uterus for the embryo transfer.
- Embryo Transfer: A fertility specialist will transfer a fertilized embryo into your uterus. The procedure is quick and painless, similar to a pap smear.
- Post-Transfer Rest: Many surrogacy clinics recommend a short period of rest following the transfer to help encourage implantation.
After the transfer, you’ll wait approximately 10-14 days before taking a pregnancy test to confirm if the embryo has implanted successfully.
Step 6: Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
Once pregnancy is confirmed, the next stage is regular prenatal care and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
What to Expect:
- Early Monitoring: During the first trimester, you’ll have frequent monitoring to ensure a stable pregnancy.
- Transition to OB Care: After the first trimester, you’ll begin seeing your regular OB-GYN for routine prenatal check-ups.
- Ongoing Communication: You’ll keep the intended parents updated on the pregnancy, and they may attend medical appointments depending on the agreed level of involvement.
- Planning for Birth: You and the intended parents will finalize details such as the birth plan and hospital arrangements.
This stage is about ensuring a smooth and healthy pregnancy while maintaining open communication with the intended parents.
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Step 7: Labor, Delivery, and Birth
The birth of the baby is the moment everyone has been waiting for!
What to Expect:
- Hospital Admission: When labor begins, you’ll go to the hospital according to the birth plan.
- Support System: Your chosen support person (partner, doula, or intended parents) will be with you as you give birth.
- Recovery: After delivery, the intended parents will take over the care of their baby, and you’ll begin postpartum recovery.
Many surrogates describe this moment as incredibly fulfilling, knowing they’ve helped a family realize their dream of parenthood.
Step 8: Postpartum Recovery and Emotional Support
The postpartum period is a time for physical recovery and emotional adjustment.
What to Expect:
- Medical Recovery: You’ll attend postnatal check-ups to ensure your body is healing properly.
- Hormonal and Emotional Changes: It’s common to experience hormonal shifts, so taking care of your mental and emotional well-being is just as important as physical recovery. Your legal contract should include an allowance for mental health support, should you decide to utilize it.
- Staying in Touch: Most surrogates maintain relationships with the intended parents, getting updates on the child and family. Every journey is unique, and you and the intended parents will decide what is right for you.
Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Taking
Surrogacy is a journey that requires time, commitment, and dedication, but for many surrogates, the experience of helping another family is one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done. By understanding the surrogacy timeline, you can feel prepared and confident every step of the way.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ >>>>> CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
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