Surrogacy, also known as gestational surrogacy, is a bit different from other types of fertility treatments.

The process usually begins with an agreement between two women–the biological mother, who cannot carry a pregnancy to term, and the surrogate, who will agree to carry the former’s embryo in her uterus instead.

The surrogate’s goal is to carry the baby to full term, intending to give the baby back to its biological parent/s after it is born. Often, the biological mother is present during the birthing process as well.

The Requirements of Being A Surrogate

A woman who wishes to be a surrogate for another couple must meet the following requirements:

– Be between the ages of 21 and 39.
– Must be a non-smoker and come from a non-smoking household.
– Must have given birth to at least one child.
– Provide a letter of clearance from her OB-GYN.
– Have a history of non-complicated pregnancies.
– Must fully understand the implications of surrogacy for all parties involved.
– Have no family history of chronic medical or mental illness.
– Be willing to take on possible health risks related to pregnancy and childbirth.

At Guidance, our potential surrogates also go through a standardized process that involves–

1. Filling out an online application, after which we schedule a video meeting to meet with the surrogate.
2. A pre-screening process, which takes roughly 1-2 months. We conduct medical
tests, background checks, and insurance reviews to make sure the candidate is
suitable to become a surrogate during this process.
3. Matching the surrogate to a family. We like to ensure both parties are comfortable
with each other, so the time it takes to find a good match will vary depending on
the parties involved.
4. Performing necessary psychological and medical screening, which takes up to 3 months.
5. Signing of a legal agreement between all parties, which takes up to 3 weeks.
6. Scheduling regular medical visits to ensure the health of the surrogate and the baby.
7. Guiding the healthy pregnancy of the surrogate and the birth of the child.

Understanding the Legal and Financial Aspects of Surrogacy

If you plan to be a surrogate as a way to help intended parents (IPs) start or grow their families, it’s essential that you fully understand the complexities behind the process.

There are usually three parties involved in surrogacy: the IPs, the surrogate mother, and a physician who will guide you through every step.

If IPs are not already working with an IVF clinic, our team can also help them make a reliable choice. From there, we’ll match the parents with a surrogate who meets their legal, psychological, and emotional needs.

After the IVF doctor clears a potential surrogate, the IPs’ attorney and sent to the surrogate’s attorney for review. Guidance helps simplify and facilitate this process by organizing communication with all legal parties. The guidance then ensures it everyone agrees, with all necessary paperwork signed before the first round of medications begins.

Your Surrogate Journey With Guidance

As a proudly women-owned and operated business, Guidance makes it a mission to advocate for your positive and healthy surrogate pregnancy. We have been through every step ourselves, which allowed us to coordinate cycles with surrogates nationwide successfully. 

We are a team of dreamers who love what we do. Our experiences, both personal and professional, have shaped our lives and the people we help. Guidance is more than just a business; it’s a community–a sisterhood if you will–that allows intended parents to start and grow their family.