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Intended Parenting 101
Many of our Intended Parents know far more about Infertility than we, at The Gift of
Surrogacy, will ever know. What we do know about, is Surrogacy.
Gestational Surrogacy for good reason…
We at The Gift of Surrogacy feel that it is in the best interest of both the Surrogate and
the Intended Parents that the Surrogate not be genetically related to the child. The
technological advances in reproductive medicine have basically rendered the need for
non-familial traditional surrogacy obsolete. These advances, along with the number of
high quality egg donors and the fact that these donors are both easily accessible and
readily available, make gestational surrogacy the obvious choice. This choice protects
the Surrogate from any undue emotional stress, and gives the Intended Parents
increased legal standing, as well as increased peace of mind.
We aim to provide service that is unparalleled in the business:
Our Agency will introduce you to the Surrogate who will carry your baby, to some of the
greatest minds in Reproductive Medicine, and to the realization of your dream. We
have also established long-term, meaningful relationships with the preferred Doctors
and Clinics we utilize. We will make sure that you always receive the best of care. We
will also assist you through the technical and legal aspects of Surrogacy, simplify your
experience, and make sure that no question of yours ever goes unanswered.
Taking the first step…
Unlike other agencies, at The Gift of Surrogacy, you begin with a slight advantage--we
allow you to examine brief profile summaries of our Available Surrogates. The Gift of
Surrogacy has between twenty and thirty Surrogates available at any given time, and
we allow you a preview in order to assure you of the high quality of our candidates. If
you are interested in a few of the profiles, and interested in working with our agency,
call or email our office to set up a meeting or phone interview. Upon deciding that our
relationship will be mutually beneficial, we will send or email you a brief Intended
Parent Questionnaire. Simply return the questionnaire and the Agency Fee (see Fees)
and we will send you the complete Portfolios of the Surrogates that you are interested
in, and an additional few that we feel are well-suited to your individual needs. Once
you have reduced your favorites to three or four, we will arrange those interviews at
your convenience.
Finding your “Perfect” Surrogate…
At The Gift of Surrogacy, we attempt to match Intended Parents with Surrogates who
have similar desires about each individual aspect of Surrogacy. Usually, there is an
obvious connection, and the matching process happens quickly, other times it takes a
little longer. The amount of time required to find your “perfect” match, will depend on
your specific requirements and restrictions.
Surrogates come to work with our agency through a variety of sources, they may be:
Personally Recruited by our Directors
Referrals from other Surrogates or former Intended Parents
Recommendations from Doctors or professionals in the medical field
Discovered in response to Articles or Advertisements
Those who find us through the Internet
The application process for our Surrogates is extensive. Approximately only one-tenth
of all Surrogate applicants will qualify to be represented by The Gift of Surrogacy.
Chances are that by the time you are introduced to a Surrogate, we have spent weeks
and often times months getting to know her. If we would not trust her to carry our
child, we will not allow her to carry yours. She will have gone through an application
process that takes at least six weeks to finish. In addition, she will have undergone a
Background Check, an In-Depth Home Inspection (certified by a licenced Social
Worker), and a Standard Medical Evaluation. Finally, and perhaps most importantly,
she will have undergone a comprehensive Character Assessment, Personality Profile,
and Psychological Evaluation.
Many surrogacy agencies claim that they are the only one to present a Surrogate to a
couple only after she has completed her psychological and medical screening. We do
not claim to be the only agency to do this, nor do we think it is some great
accomplishment, we just think it’s a good way to do business.
Health Insurance…
Need proof that we only represent the highest quality Surrogates? All of our
Surrogates have Medical Coverage. Where surrogacy is considered a normal
pregnancy, you will simply be responsible for the out of pocket expenses incurred by
your Surrogate.
The Contract…
Surrogacy is a very personal journey, but it is also a business. This will never be more
prevalent than during the contract phase of your surrogate arrangement. The contract
outlines the rules of the surrogacy for both the Intended Parents and the Surrogate.
It will also include a detailed payment schedule, and a breakdown of all relevant fees.
The contract also defines what expectations you will have of your Surrogate. It is
essential that both parties are protected by the contract, but unfortunately it can be a
very stressful time for all involved, and must be handled properly.
The most stressful issues encountered in a contract negotiation, are the financial
arrangements. At The Gift of Surrogacy, this is a non-issue. Our fees, and those of our
Surrogates, are non-negotiable. This is really to your benefit. If an agency's fees are
negotiable, how can you be sure that their service is not? Also, if you are working with
an agency who is willing to negotiate their fees, you can rest assured that someone
else is getting a better deal than you are. All of our clients receive unparalleled service
and support--that, we are not willing to negotiate. In addition, the surrogate fee is
recommended by our agency, so you will know the amount requested is fair.
Maintaining a good relationship with your Surrogate is one of the most important
aspects, if not the most important, of the entire surrogacy process. We will be here to
ensure that any difficulties that might arise are handled properly for you.
The body of Surrogacy case law is emerging and remains unsettled; therefore, it is in
everyone’s best interest to work with a lawyer who has extensive experience with
surrogacy contracts. We will provide just such an attorney to mediate your contract.
Before the contract is submitted, a detailed questionnaire will be filled out by both
parties. This document will then be used to draft the contract. The lawyer will review
and outline the contract, which will then be sent out to both parties. The lawyer will
then make any changes or additions requested by either party. Once the contract is
approved, copies will be sent to you and to your Surrogate. The majority of
correspondence with the lawyer can take place by phone, fax, or e-mail. This is
especially beneficial due to the fact that many of our Intended Parents reside outside
of the Treasure Valley.
Escrow…
This allows you and your Surrogate to concentrate solely on enjoying the pregnancy.
It also provides security to your Surrogate, knowing that the payments will be received
as stated. The trust account is established once the contract is signed. You will have
approximately eight to ten weeks to secure the funds between the signing and the
transfer. (We also have additional options for Intended Parents who wish to have
funds withdrawn on a monthly basis.) The trust account is a separate and protected
account. You will receive a monthly statement detailing the status of this account.
The Transfer…
After the signing of the contract, your Surrogate will begin regular appointments at the
clinic. We will schedule her initial appointment, and make sure she is acquainted with
the staff. Soon after, she will begin her meds, such as Lupron, and eventually
Delestrogen and Progesterone, to prepare her body for the embryo transfer. The day
of the transfer you will be speaking with the Doctor, and finalizing the specifics of the
transfer itself. The transfer is the real beginning, even though it seems to occur
halfway through the process. We hope to celebrate the Transfer Day with you!
We will also continue to monitor your Surrogate’s appointments, medications, and
general progress. Surrogacy is a very complex undertaking. Our experience will help
to make it simple and predictable for your Surrogate. We will always welcome your
phone calls, e-mails, and questions, and those of your Surrogate. If you are unable to
attend any of your Surrogate's procedures, we will attend in your absence, hold her
hand through the process, and get her home safely afterwards, when the procedure
requires.
Counseling Sessions
One of the most important services that we are able to provide to our Surrogates is
our series of counseling sessions. Your Surrogate's good mental health ultimately
benefits you and your baby, as well. To that end, we have created a counseling
package which consists of a series of four appointments with a Licensed Psychologist.
The first appointment is designed to go along with the pre-screening of our
surrogates. The second appointment is set to deal with either the confirmed
pregnancy or a failed transfer. The third appointment is meant to prepare the
surrogate for the birth--her role, and what to expect. The final appointment is
intended as an exit-interview (taking place a few weeks after the birth) to bring the
experience full-circle and to address any postpartum issues should they occur.
Nutrition Counseling Classes
We are so excited to offer our surrogates a series of three nutrition counseling
sessions (one each trimester). The series will consist of a five to seven course meal
prepared in front of the Surrogates by a Licensed Nutrition Counselor. The focus will
be on addressing the specific nutritional needs associated with each phase of
pregnancy, and easy-to-prepare meals which focus on providing the best possible
nutrition to both your Surrogate and your baby(ies).
Pregnancy…
“We're pregnant!” We know you cannot wait to say those words, and we cannot wait
to hear them. At The Gift of Surrogacy, we never tire of receiving that call. Now, the
real fun begins, you finally just get to sit back and enjoy the pregnancy. Our role
continues, as we make sure that you and your Surrogate continue to communicate
effectively, and that we are keeping everyone as happy, and informed, as possible. We
also make sure that both parties, from the beginning stages--throughout the entire
pregnancy, are upholding the terms of the contract. This includes making sure that
your Surrogate keeps her appointments, takes her meds properly, and attends
support group and counseling sessions faithfully.
After your pregnancy is well established, your Surrogate will graduate from the clinic,
and begin to see her own OB/GYN. If she chooses not to see her own OB, or does not
have an OB who delivers at our preferred hospital, or simply desires to see an OB who
has had previous experience with Surrogates and Intended Parents, we will provide
her with a list of wonderful OB’s who are Surrogate-friendly, and who would love to be
included in your journey. Either way, she will be required to attend all of her
appointments, and keep you updated of her progress. She will also inform you of the
date of the twenty-week ultrasound, which you may want to attend.
The Birthday…
Most Intended Parents wish to be present in the delivery room at the time of the birth.
All Surrogates have given birth before, and have an idea of what to expect. The
hospital will be aware of the circumstances, also, and will attempt to accommodate
everyone as well as possible. The Intended Parents presence in the delivery room will
seem natural by that stage of the process. It will also be a subject that we will discuss
in detail with your Surrogate both privately, and at support group, as the delivery date
approaches. The expectations and desires of both the Intended Parents and the
Surrogate will also be included in the contract; this will help to ensure that all concerns
have been addressed long before the actual delivery. We will also oversee any legal
follow-up that is necessary after your baby is born.
Because we have been through this process ourselves, we know how easy it is to feel
overwhelmed by the multitude of details. There will be so much going on, make sure
you take time to nurture your relationship with your Surrogate. The Birthday will be
bliss-filled for you, but may be bittersweet for her. Make sure she gets a moment
alone at some point during the hospital stay to say her goodbye if she so chooses. Do
not worry; this tender moment has been what she has anticipated for the past nine
months. Just as you have been waiting to take your baby home, she has been waiting
to hand him/her over to you.
Receiving The Gift of Surrogacy…
What started out as a labor of love, has evolved into an agency designed to improve
the surrogacy experience. We promise you that our primary goal is that should you
ever decide to have another child through surrogacy, that you would choose your
Surrogate and/or our agency, again. We believe that we are able to provide you with
that quality of service. We have made it our mission to improve upon what is currently
out there, and used our experience to simplify your process. Not so long ago, we were
in the initial stages of figuring out the world of surrogacy for ourselves, today, we are
the number one agency in the state of Idaho--dedicated to providing you with the
most enjoyable surrogacy experience possible.
At The Gift of Surrogacy, we are who we say we are; you will not find an agency that is
more honest or sincere. We know that you have a lot of choices in the world of
surrogacy, let us be the first choice you make towards the amazing experience of
growing your family.
Many of our Intended Parents know far more about Infertility than we, at The Gift of
Surrogacy, will ever know. What we do know about, is Surrogacy.
Gestational Surrogacy for good reason…
We at The Gift of Surrogacy feel that it is in the best interest of both the Surrogate and
the Intended Parents that the Surrogate not be genetically related to the child. The
technological advances in reproductive medicine have basically rendered the need for
non-familial traditional surrogacy obsolete. These advances, along with the number of
high quality egg donors and the fact that these donors are both easily accessible and
readily available, make gestational surrogacy the obvious choice. This choice protects
the Surrogate from any undue emotional stress, and gives the Intended Parents
increased legal standing, as well as increased peace of mind.
We aim to provide service that is unparalleled in the business:
Our Agency will introduce you to the Surrogate who will carry your baby, to some of the
greatest minds in Reproductive Medicine, and to the realization of your dream. We
have also established long-term, meaningful relationships with the preferred Doctors
and Clinics we utilize. We will make sure that you always receive the best of care. We
will also assist you through the technical and legal aspects of Surrogacy, simplify your
experience, and make sure that no question of yours ever goes unanswered.
Taking the first step…
Unlike other agencies, at The Gift of Surrogacy, you begin with a slight advantage--we
allow you to examine brief profile summaries of our Available Surrogates. The Gift of
Surrogacy has between twenty and thirty Surrogates available at any given time, and
we allow you a preview in order to assure you of the high quality of our candidates. If
you are interested in a few of the profiles, and interested in working with our agency,
call or email our office to set up a meeting or phone interview. Upon deciding that our
relationship will be mutually beneficial, we will send or email you a brief Intended
Parent Questionnaire. Simply return the questionnaire and the Agency Fee (see Fees)
and we will send you the complete Portfolios of the Surrogates that you are interested
in, and an additional few that we feel are well-suited to your individual needs. Once
you have reduced your favorites to three or four, we will arrange those interviews at
your convenience.
Finding your “Perfect” Surrogate…
At The Gift of Surrogacy, we attempt to match Intended Parents with Surrogates who
have similar desires about each individual aspect of Surrogacy. Usually, there is an
obvious connection, and the matching process happens quickly, other times it takes a
little longer. The amount of time required to find your “perfect” match, will depend on
your specific requirements and restrictions.
Surrogates come to work with our agency through a variety of sources, they may be:
Personally Recruited by our Directors
Referrals from other Surrogates or former Intended Parents
Recommendations from Doctors or professionals in the medical field
Discovered in response to Articles or Advertisements
Those who find us through the Internet
The application process for our Surrogates is extensive. Approximately only one-tenth
of all Surrogate applicants will qualify to be represented by The Gift of Surrogacy.
Chances are that by the time you are introduced to a Surrogate, we have spent weeks
and often times months getting to know her. If we would not trust her to carry our
child, we will not allow her to carry yours. She will have gone through an application
process that takes at least six weeks to finish. In addition, she will have undergone a
Background Check, an In-Depth Home Inspection (certified by a licenced Social
Worker), and a Standard Medical Evaluation. Finally, and perhaps most importantly,
she will have undergone a comprehensive Character Assessment, Personality Profile,
and Psychological Evaluation.
Many surrogacy agencies claim that they are the only one to present a Surrogate to a
couple only after she has completed her psychological and medical screening. We do
not claim to be the only agency to do this, nor do we think it is some great
accomplishment, we just think it’s a good way to do business.
Health Insurance…
Need proof that we only represent the highest quality Surrogates? All of our
Surrogates have Medical Coverage. Where surrogacy is considered a normal
pregnancy, you will simply be responsible for the out of pocket expenses incurred by
your Surrogate.
The Contract…
Surrogacy is a very personal journey, but it is also a business. This will never be more
prevalent than during the contract phase of your surrogate arrangement. The contract
outlines the rules of the surrogacy for both the Intended Parents and the Surrogate.
It will also include a detailed payment schedule, and a breakdown of all relevant fees.
The contract also defines what expectations you will have of your Surrogate. It is
essential that both parties are protected by the contract, but unfortunately it can be a
very stressful time for all involved, and must be handled properly.
The most stressful issues encountered in a contract negotiation, are the financial
arrangements. At The Gift of Surrogacy, this is a non-issue. Our fees, and those of our
Surrogates, are non-negotiable. This is really to your benefit. If an agency's fees are
negotiable, how can you be sure that their service is not? Also, if you are working with
an agency who is willing to negotiate their fees, you can rest assured that someone
else is getting a better deal than you are. All of our clients receive unparalleled service
and support--that, we are not willing to negotiate. In addition, the surrogate fee is
recommended by our agency, so you will know the amount requested is fair.
Maintaining a good relationship with your Surrogate is one of the most important
aspects, if not the most important, of the entire surrogacy process. We will be here to
ensure that any difficulties that might arise are handled properly for you.
The body of Surrogacy case law is emerging and remains unsettled; therefore, it is in
everyone’s best interest to work with a lawyer who has extensive experience with
surrogacy contracts. We will provide just such an attorney to mediate your contract.
Before the contract is submitted, a detailed questionnaire will be filled out by both
parties. This document will then be used to draft the contract. The lawyer will review
and outline the contract, which will then be sent out to both parties. The lawyer will
then make any changes or additions requested by either party. Once the contract is
approved, copies will be sent to you and to your Surrogate. The majority of
correspondence with the lawyer can take place by phone, fax, or e-mail. This is
especially beneficial due to the fact that many of our Intended Parents reside outside
of the Treasure Valley.
Escrow…
This allows you and your Surrogate to concentrate solely on enjoying the pregnancy.
It also provides security to your Surrogate, knowing that the payments will be received
as stated. The trust account is established once the contract is signed. You will have
approximately eight to ten weeks to secure the funds between the signing and the
transfer. (We also have additional options for Intended Parents who wish to have
funds withdrawn on a monthly basis.) The trust account is a separate and protected
account. You will receive a monthly statement detailing the status of this account.
The Transfer…
After the signing of the contract, your Surrogate will begin regular appointments at the
clinic. We will schedule her initial appointment, and make sure she is acquainted with
the staff. Soon after, she will begin her meds, such as Lupron, and eventually
Delestrogen and Progesterone, to prepare her body for the embryo transfer. The day
of the transfer you will be speaking with the Doctor, and finalizing the specifics of the
transfer itself. The transfer is the real beginning, even though it seems to occur
halfway through the process. We hope to celebrate the Transfer Day with you!
We will also continue to monitor your Surrogate’s appointments, medications, and
general progress. Surrogacy is a very complex undertaking. Our experience will help
to make it simple and predictable for your Surrogate. We will always welcome your
phone calls, e-mails, and questions, and those of your Surrogate. If you are unable to
attend any of your Surrogate's procedures, we will attend in your absence, hold her
hand through the process, and get her home safely afterwards, when the procedure
requires.
Counseling Sessions
One of the most important services that we are able to provide to our Surrogates is
our series of counseling sessions. Your Surrogate's good mental health ultimately
benefits you and your baby, as well. To that end, we have created a counseling
package which consists of a series of four appointments with a Licensed Psychologist.
The first appointment is designed to go along with the pre-screening of our
surrogates. The second appointment is set to deal with either the confirmed
pregnancy or a failed transfer. The third appointment is meant to prepare the
surrogate for the birth--her role, and what to expect. The final appointment is
intended as an exit-interview (taking place a few weeks after the birth) to bring the
experience full-circle and to address any postpartum issues should they occur.
Nutrition Counseling Classes
We are so excited to offer our surrogates a series of three nutrition counseling
sessions (one each trimester). The series will consist of a five to seven course meal
prepared in front of the Surrogates by a Licensed Nutrition Counselor. The focus will
be on addressing the specific nutritional needs associated with each phase of
pregnancy, and easy-to-prepare meals which focus on providing the best possible
nutrition to both your Surrogate and your baby(ies).
Pregnancy…
“We're pregnant!” We know you cannot wait to say those words, and we cannot wait
to hear them. At The Gift of Surrogacy, we never tire of receiving that call. Now, the
real fun begins, you finally just get to sit back and enjoy the pregnancy. Our role
continues, as we make sure that you and your Surrogate continue to communicate
effectively, and that we are keeping everyone as happy, and informed, as possible. We
also make sure that both parties, from the beginning stages--throughout the entire
pregnancy, are upholding the terms of the contract. This includes making sure that
your Surrogate keeps her appointments, takes her meds properly, and attends
support group and counseling sessions faithfully.
After your pregnancy is well established, your Surrogate will graduate from the clinic,
and begin to see her own OB/GYN. If she chooses not to see her own OB, or does not
have an OB who delivers at our preferred hospital, or simply desires to see an OB who
has had previous experience with Surrogates and Intended Parents, we will provide
her with a list of wonderful OB’s who are Surrogate-friendly, and who would love to be
included in your journey. Either way, she will be required to attend all of her
appointments, and keep you updated of her progress. She will also inform you of the
date of the twenty-week ultrasound, which you may want to attend.
The Birthday…
Most Intended Parents wish to be present in the delivery room at the time of the birth.
All Surrogates have given birth before, and have an idea of what to expect. The
hospital will be aware of the circumstances, also, and will attempt to accommodate
everyone as well as possible. The Intended Parents presence in the delivery room will
seem natural by that stage of the process. It will also be a subject that we will discuss
in detail with your Surrogate both privately, and at support group, as the delivery date
approaches. The expectations and desires of both the Intended Parents and the
Surrogate will also be included in the contract; this will help to ensure that all concerns
have been addressed long before the actual delivery. We will also oversee any legal
follow-up that is necessary after your baby is born.
Because we have been through this process ourselves, we know how easy it is to feel
overwhelmed by the multitude of details. There will be so much going on, make sure
you take time to nurture your relationship with your Surrogate. The Birthday will be
bliss-filled for you, but may be bittersweet for her. Make sure she gets a moment
alone at some point during the hospital stay to say her goodbye if she so chooses. Do
not worry; this tender moment has been what she has anticipated for the past nine
months. Just as you have been waiting to take your baby home, she has been waiting
to hand him/her over to you.
Receiving The Gift of Surrogacy…
What started out as a labor of love, has evolved into an agency designed to improve
the surrogacy experience. We promise you that our primary goal is that should you
ever decide to have another child through surrogacy, that you would choose your
Surrogate and/or our agency, again. We believe that we are able to provide you with
that quality of service. We have made it our mission to improve upon what is currently
out there, and used our experience to simplify your process. Not so long ago, we were
in the initial stages of figuring out the world of surrogacy for ourselves, today, we are
the number one agency in the state of Idaho--dedicated to providing you with the
most enjoyable surrogacy experience possible.
At The Gift of Surrogacy, we are who we say we are; you will not find an agency that is
more honest or sincere. We know that you have a lot of choices in the world of
surrogacy, let us be the first choice you make towards the amazing experience of
growing your family.
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Intended Parents