To become a surrogate, you will first have to meet some requirements and qualifications. This includes basic knowledge and having had a previously healthy pregnancy. In addition to this, your age, health history, and lifestyle matter a lot.
If you want to become a surrogate but do not know about the required process, worry not. Here is a detailed explanation to help you out.
1. Application and Initial Screening
The journey begins with completing a detailed surrogate parent application that covers your personal, medical, and lifestyle information. Before moving further, the surrogacy agency determines if you have a stable living situation and meet their basic requirements. If your application gets approved by the surrogacy agency, you will be called for an initial interview.
2. Psychological and Medical Evaluations
Psychological and medical evaluations are essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy without any complications. This is the most important step of the process, as any tiny negligence can lead to many severe health issues later for both the surrogate and the new baby.
Once the application and initial screening are done, the surrogacy agency starts your psychological and medical evaluations. The professionals make you undergo various processes to ensure you are emotionally ready for the journey.
You also have to complete a thorough medical screening. This includes a detailed review of your medical records and a uterine lining check. The medical professionals first confirm that you are healthy and physically capable of carrying a pregnancy.
3. Legal and Contract Phase
The legal and contract phase is equally important as medical evaluations. Therefore, you must find a reliable and reputable lawyer who has years of experience in managing surrogacy contracts. These professionals have already handled various types of cases, so they can offer you expert legal advice and guidance.
You must work with a professional lawyer to draft a legal surrogacy contract that outlines expectations, compensation, and other important details. The intended parents typically pay for your legal representation.
During the legal and contract phase, match with intended parents through profile exchanges and video calls. Good communication will streamline the overall process and reduce the chances of various problems.
4. Medical Process and Pregnancy
After medical and legal clearance, fertility medications are started to prepare your body for the pregnancy. You have to attend local appointments for necessary monitoring. It is essential to ensure your body is responding properly and there are no medical complications.
After that, the embryo transfer is performed. If it goes successfully, the pregnancy will be confirmed through beta tests. Keep in mind that the embryo is created using the intended parents’ or a donor’s genetic material. It is not biologically related to you in any way. You just have to carry the pregnancy to term, which is typically nine months.
In the pregnancy phase, you will receive regular prenatal care. And when the baby is born, the legal process will ensure parental rights are transferred to the intended parents, as defined in your contract.
