Are you ready to embark on your surrogacy journey? To give you a clearer picture of what the process entails, we’ve compiled 10 steps involved in the road to parenthood via surrogacy.
1. Initial Consultation. Most intended parents start their journey with a free consultation that lasts an average of 2.5 hours depending on the agency. At Circle, you’ll meet with our staff by Skype or in person and learn about the programs and options available, the detailed process of matching with a surrogate, the legal process, insurance issues, financial implications, and basic medical information. Prior to your consultation, you’ll complete a basic questionnaire and submit photographs that assist our team in tailoring the information to meet your needs.
2. Officially Becoming an Intended Parent. To join a surrogacy program, you’ll sign a contract. At Circle, this is called an Agreement for Services. Following that, you are asked to transmit a portion of the fees. Next, you are introduced to your program coordination (PC) team that will guide you through every phase of your surrogacy.
3. Screening and Selection Process for an Egg Donor. Egg donors are young, healthy women between the ages of 21 and 29 who live across the United States. They have had their medical records reviewed by a licensed reproductive endocrinologist and have participated in an intensive social work assessment by a licensed clinician. You can browse our egg donor database, or your program coordinator team can help you to complete an egg donor request form and send you egg donor profiles that match your preferences. Once chosen, your egg donor undergoes psychological testing. Some intended parents choose to bring their own egg donors, who might be family members or friends.
4. Screening and Selection Process for a Surrogate. Surrogates are generally 21-41 years old and have undergone a mental health screening prior to being matched with intended parents. A typical screening process involves an extensive medical and psychological assessment as well as thorough criminal and financial background checks. When we have completed the screening process for a surrogate, who we think will be a good match based on your preferences and legal needs, we facilitate introductions between the intended parents and the surrogate. This is initially done through profiles, and then by phone or Skype before you meet in person.
5. Medical Screening. Prior to engaging in the actual process of IVF, all parties (you, the egg donor, and/or your surrogate) will complete medical screening as directed by the reproductive endocrinologist facilitating the process.
6. Legal Agreements. To ensure clarity and legal appropriateness, the egg donor and surrogate are assigned an independent attorney for representation. As the intended parents, you are represented by attorneys who draft all agreements. Circle’s in-house legal team represents its intended parents.
7. Medical Process. The process of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is managed and completed at an IVF clinic under the leadership of a licensed reproductive endocrinologist. We work with many clinics across the United States and can offer guidance in selecting one or coordinate with your clinic if you have an established relationship. Your program coordination team manages every step of the process with the clinic for your surrogate and/or egg donor.
8. Pregnancy. When the joy of pregnancy is achieved, your PC team remains your primary support as you prepare for the birth of your child. They ensure that you and your surrogate are prepared to welcome your child home.
9. Legal Representation. The legal procedures vary from state to state and your Circle legal representative will explain to you exactly when and what documents will be filed to ensure that you establish parental rights. Intended parents who live outside the United States will have their attorney direct them on obtaining necessary legal documentation to get home with the proper court orders and passports.
10. Birth. Prior to the birth of your child, your PC team contacts the hospital to ensure they know who you are and why you are there.