What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
A Guide to Becoming a Gestational Carrier with Surrogacy Mentor
Embarking on a gestational surrogacy journey is a profound way to help a family grow. However, navigating through the sea of information—and misinformation—about gestational surrogacy can be daunting. It's challenging to discern fact from opinion, leading to confusion and frustration. If you find yourself overwhelmed by varying surrogacy agency criteria and compensation details, you're not alone.
This guide will equip you with the knowledge needed for a safe, ethical, and fulfilling surrogacy journey.
What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is a form of assisted reproduction where a woman (the gestational carrier) carries and delivers a child for another person or couple. The key distinction here is that the gestational carrier has no genetic link to the baby; the embryo is created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents and/or donors. This process is designed to make dreams of parenthood a reality for those unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
Why Is Gestational Surrogacy Important?
Gestational surrogacy presents a beacon of hope for many—couples struggling with infertility, single individuals wishing to become parents, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who face significant barriers to biological parenthood. Studies indicate that gestational surrogacy has been steadily increasing, reflecting its importance in the realm of family building solutions.
The Screening Process
The journey to becoming a gestational carrier begins with a thorough screening process, ensuring the safety and preparedness of all parties involved. This includes medical evaluations to assess physical health, psychological screenings to gauge emotional readiness, and legal consultations to create a leagl contract to work as a playbook of your journey.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
Choosing the Right Surrogacy Agency
Selecting a surrogacy agency is a crucial step. Look for agencies with a track record of ethical practices, transparent compensation packages, and comprehensive support systems for both surrogates and intended parents. Surrogacy Mentor, for example, only works with agencies who are members of SEEDS (the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy).
How does Surrogacy Mentor Help?
Surrogacy University:
- All of our gestational surrogate candidates receive our proprietary Surrogacy University educational series. Through this series, we dive deeper into each step of the surrogacy process, so each candidate is fully informed and prepared for what to expect for their journey ahead.
Prescreening:
Surrogacy Mentor performs a range of screening methods to ensure that each candidate meets the basic screening criteria to become a GC prior to agency/intended parent matching.
- We start by running background checks on the GC and any adult 18+ living in the household.
- Then we move on to collecting all pregnancy and delivery records. A preliminary records review is then completed by our fertility center. This review helps make sure there are no medical conditions noted in the records that would be a medical disqualification for surrogacy. *Records will still need to be reviewed and approved by the fertility clinic doing the embryo transfer.*
Personalized Matchmaking:
At Surrogacy Mentor and Modern Parent Mentor, we prioritize finding the perfect match between surrogate and agency or surrogate and intended parents, ensuring aligned values and expectations.
We take into consideration the surrogate's individual situation and prefrences to find an agency or IPs that best fit them.
We only work with agencies who are members of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS).
Supportive Community:
Our surrogates have access to a supportive community and resources, enhancing their journey with emotional and practical support.
Ethical and Transparent Practices: We uphold the highest standards of ethics and transparency, ensuring surrogates and intended parents are well-informed and supported every step of the way.
Tips for a Successful Gestational Surrogacy Journey
Research: Start by thoroughly researching gestational surrogacy to understand the process, requirements, and potential challenges.
Choose Wisely: Select a surrogacy agency that aligns with your values and offers comprehensive support.
Communicate: Open and honest communication with the surrogacy agency and intended parents is key to a successful journey.
Start Your Gestational Surrogacy Journey Today
Embarking on a gestational surrogacy journey is a noble and fulfilling endeavor. By understanding the process, choosing the right agency, and preparing yourself for the journey ahead, you can make a significant impact on the lives of those dreaming of parenthood. Surrogacy Mentor is here to guide you. Are you ready to embark on the amazing journey that is gestational surrogacy?