Monthly Support Group Info: surrority@thegiftofsurrogacy.com
The Girlfriends' Guide to Surrogacy
Surrogate Terminology… There are two types of Surrogates, gestational and traditional. The defining factor is whether or not the Surrogate has a genetic link to the child that she is carrying. Gestational Surrogacy is the process by which a Surrogate becomes pregnant through In- Vitro Fertilization. The eggs come from either the Intended Mother, or an egg donor. Either the Intended Father or a sperm donor provides the sperm. The Surrogate receives the fertilized egg through an Embryo Transfer. The Gestational Surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. A Traditional Surrogacy occurs when the Surrogate becomes pregnant, through Artificial Insemination, using her own eggs. Therefore, a Traditional Surrogate has a biological and genetic link to the child. The Intended Father or a sperm donor supplies the sperm.
To be eligible to be represented by The Gift of Surrogacy, you must: Reside in Idaho or Southeastern Oregon Be between the ages of 21 and 39 years old Like being pregnant and desire to help another family Be a non-smoker, who maintains a healthy lifestyle Be willing to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy Be willing to limit caffeine intake during pregnancy Have a healthy body mass index (height/weight ratio) Have a history of full-term, healthy pregnancy Have health insurance Have successfully carried at least one child, who is currently in your custody Be financially stable, and in a safe home environment Not be receiving State Assistance If married, have a spouse who is supportive of your becoming a Surrogate
Taking the first step… Step one of becoming a Surrogate is to do some serious soul-searching. Our screening process is designed to introduce you to, and educate you in, the world of Surrogacy. By the completion of the screening process, you will know whether or not becoming a Surrogate is the right choice for you. Becoming a Surrogate is a decision that will change your life, and ultimately, feed your soul. How many other jobs can promise that?
Your “Perfect” Intended Parents… Matching Surrogates with their “perfect” Intended Parents is an extremely personal and emotional process. Intended Parents are typically looking for a Surrogate who is healthy, stable, and has views similar to their own. However, Intended Parents also want someone to whom they feel a strong connection. You will most likely meet prospective Intended Parents at an “Interview Day,” where they will meet individually with between two and four Surrogate finalists. An interview is a wonderful opportunity for you; it is your chance to shine. We will be present at the interview, and you will be allotted a specific amount of time to get to know the Intended Parents. We will contact you and the other candidates as soon as possible with the results of those interviews. You could be selected as a result of the first interview you attend, or the fourth or fifth. Keep in mind that if you were not chosen, those Intended Parents were not the right couple for you. They chose the Surrogate who was “perfect” for them; you will be the “perfect” choice for someone else.
When you are chosen, you will receive a copy of the Intended Parents’ questionnaire and a brief Biography. You will then be given the choice to work with them. From this point, the contract will be finalized in thirty days, or less. And now, your journey begins...
The Contract… This story is the same for both sides: 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 Surrogacy. Many Surrogates consider the contract to be the most stressful part of their Surrogacy experience. The contract outlines the rules of the surrogacy for both the Surrogate and the Intended Parents. It will include a detailed payment schedule, including a breakdown of all relevant fees, and when you will receive them. The contract also defines what you will be able to expect from your Intended Parents, and what expectations your Intended Parents will have of you. At The Gift of Surrogacy, the fees of our Surrogates are non-negotiable. This eliminates potential hard feelings between you and your Intended Parents. Your Surrogate Fee will depend on a variety of factors, but will start at $20,000 for first-time Surrogates, or $30,000 for proven Surrogates. This eliminates the need to negotiate; your fee will be set, and you will never have to answer the question, “Are you willing to reduce your fee?” We know that you became a Surrogate for all of the right reasons. Your Intended Parents can expect what they are asking for…their child. We believe that you should receive what you ask for, as well. Still, many difficult issues remain which will require negotiation, and we will act as the liaison between you and the Intended Parents in order to resolve those issues (with as little conflict as possible).
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 outline and review 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 Intended Parents. The majority of correspondence with the lawyer will be handled for you by the agency.
Payments… The surrogacy arrangement ensures that being a Surrogate will be of no cost to you. The Intended Parents are responsible for all expenses, including: medical procedures, doctor fees, medications, attorney fees, etc. In addition, you will receive a monthly allowance to pay for some of the smaller expenses that you will incur. Any additional amounts that are listed “In the Gray Area,” will be paid within seven days of the given procedure.
The Intended Parents will also have a trust account opened for you, into which they will place all of the funds you will be receiving, prior to the Embryo Transfer. This allows you and the Intended Parents to concentrate solely on enjoying the pregnancy. It also provides you security, knowing that you will receive your payments as stated. Generally, Surrogates receive a payment the first of each month, if this schedule is inconvenient for you, arrangements can be made. The trust account is established once the contract has been signed, a sample disbursement schedule is listed in the application portfolio.
The Transfer… When you meet the other Surrogates, their first question will be “when do you transfer?” The transfer is such an exciting event because it signifies the beginning of the Surrogate process. The medical procedure for the Embryo Transfer is similar to the combination of a Pap test and vaginal ultrasound. In most cases, the procedure is pain free. For a "fresh" cycle, (a sample protocol would be) that the clinic will adjust your menstrual cycle to fit the transfer schedule through a series of birth control pills and daily injections of Lupron, a drug that suppresses ovulation. If you are thinking, “but I hate needles,” do not worry, once you get past the initial shock (and we will help you through it), it will seem just a normal part of your daily routine. Everyone who has been through the process felt intimidated at first, but after just two days, you will be amazed at how simple and relatively painless the injections are. You will attend a “shot class” at the reproductive clinic (not nearly as fun as it sounds), where a nurse will talk you through the first injections, and we will always be available to assist you, as well. For "fresh" as well as "frozen" cycles, you will also begin Delestrogen (Estradiol Valerate) injections two to three weeks prior (and Progesterone injections approximately four to six days prior) to the transfer date. These meds are designed to maintain the integrity of the uterine lining, and assist in making the transfer successful.
You will be subject to weekly blood tests to monitor your meds, and an ultrasound every few weeks to evaluate your uterine lining. The eggs will be retrieved from the Intended Mother or egg donor and fertilized, and three days (cleaved embryo) or five days (blastocyst) later, the Doctor will transfer the embryos into your uterus. You will be on strict bed rest following the Transfer for approximately 72 hours. You will then continue your Delestrogen and Progesterone injections, and likely begin Progesterone vaginal suppositories at that time. Your continued plan of care will depend on your individual response to the meds, and we will be available to assist and support you in anyway possible.
On the eighth and tenth days after the embryo transfer, you will have blood draws at the clinic to confirm your hCG levels. On the afternoon of the tenth day, the clinic will call you with the results of those tests. We hope that you will hear the words:
Congratulations! You’re Pregnant… You and your Intended Parents will determine the amount of contact you will have during the pregnancy. If both parties are open to a lot of contact, you can arrange for frequent visits and/or phone calls. If you both prefer a more reserved approach, your Intended Parents may just attend a few doctor appointments, and correspond by e-mail. At The Gift of Surrogacy, we encourage healthy and respectful relationships between the Surrogate and Intended Parents. We are also committed to making the surrogacy experience as stress-free as possible, and the best way to ensure that--is good communication. If there are ever questions, problems, or changes to be made, we will be there to help to resolve those issues.
Counseling Sessions One of the most important services that we are able to provide to our Surrogates is our series of counseling sessions. Your good mental health is essential to a positive surrogacy experience. Surrogacy is a deeply personal and emotional investment. To borrow the Army's old ad-campaign slogan, "It is the hardest job you'll ever love." To that end, we have created a counseling package which consists of a series of four appointments with a Licensed Psychologist with knowledge specific to Surrogates, Intended Parents, Egg Donors, and others involved in Third-Party Reproductive Medicine.
The first appointment is designed to go along with the pre-screening, to assess where you are at both mentally and emotionally, and to prepare you for the process. The second appointment is set to deal with either the confirmed pregnancy--or a failed transfer. It is nearly impossible to gauge, before-hand, how you will feel after a failed transfer. We want for you to understand that, unfortunately, this is a common part of the surrogacy experience--and that the next step is to make sure that everyone is looking forward--to the next transfer. The third appointment is meant to prepare you for the birth--your role, what to expect, and how to honor both yourself and the Intended Parents on this wonderful day. 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 you 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 you and the other Surrogates by a Licensed Nutrition Counselor. The focus will be on addressing the specific nutritional needs associated with each phase of pregnancy, and providing easy-to-prepare meal ideas for you and your busy family.
The Gift of Surrogacy .... You would probably like to know how much contact you will have with the agency. The answer is, as much or as little as you would like. Some of our Surrogates contact us on a daily basis, others monthly. A lot of that depends on where you are in the process. We contact each of our Surrogates on (at minimum) a weekly basis, and more often in the beginning, when the process is most intensive. If this is too much for you, we will work together to create a schedule that everyone can agree on. Some Intended Parents contact their surrogates on a daily or weekly basis--others, less frequently. The relationship will evolve into one that works for both of you.
From the time you are accepted into the program, until the birth of the baby; you will become very familiar the entire support staff of our agency. We will introduce you to the world of Surrogacy, and answer any questions you might have along the way. We will be with you every step of the way, offering insight, encouragement, guidance, support, and advice.
An offer you can’t refuse… Once you become involved with our agency, you will find yourself emotionally invested in the world of surrogacy. You will constantly think of friends or family members who you know would make excellent Surrogates. Educated and confident in your decision, you will be a walking advertisement for The Gift of Surrogacy, and cannot help but introduce others to this part of your life. Should one of those potential candidates become interested themselves, we would love to meet her and/or have her attend a support group meeting. If your referral is matched, you will receive a $250 "finder's fee" at the heart-beat ultrasound. It’s just our little way of saying, “Thanks!”
In Closing… We've thought and thought about to conclude this section; we wanted to be absolutely sure that we would say the right thing. When we were Surrogates, we were certain that there had to be a better agency out there. That day it existed only in our minds, today it exists as The Gift of Surrogacy. This agency is the culmination of our wishes and desires for those just beginning the process of becoming a Surrogate. We have done our best to maintain the nearly impossible balance of the smart business sense that you would expect from a goal-oriented agency, and the heart-felt generosity of spirit that such a personal journey requires. Being a Surrogate is not just something that you do, but rather a reflection of the person who you are. It takes a special woman to be willing to carry a child for someone else. It is a life-affirming decision, and something we have felt called to do and blessed by.
The Gift of Surrogacy is deeply committed to our Surrogates. Many of our Surrogates have also become dear friends of ours. We conduct fun and informative monthly support group meetings, and an annual "girls weekend" retreat. We even have past surrogates who continue to attend our meetings, they think of it as their "surrority." You will find that this type of positive support is essential to making your experience a meaningful and enjoyable one. In addition to bringing a miracle child into the world, you will also gain wonderful, life-long friends.
If you feel that you might be a good candidate to become a Surrogate, we feel that you are probably right. In the world of Surrogacy, you have many options, but it is difficult to know where to begin. If the first choice you make towards becoming a Surrogate is to contact our agency, you can rest assured that you will have a friend along side you every step of the way.
To begin the process right now... Fill out the on-line request form on the Contact Us page. After you submit your request, we will contact you to schedule a meeting. This meeting is simply a way for us to introduce the agency, and for us to get to know each other. Once we agree to work together, we will schedule a series of appointments in order to begin completing the individual documents included in your Portfolio. Your Portfolio, once completed, will be shown to prospective Intended Parents as an initial representation of who you are.
Your Portfolio will include: A Photo or Photos of You and Your Family A Sample Contract Brief Biography Initial Questionnaire Home Interview Fee Schedule Medical Coverage Information (Deductibles, Co-pays, Out of Pocket Maximums) Position on the Difficult Issues Sheet (Selective Reduction, Termination, etc.)
Any Identifying information, including your last name, will not be released until you are negotiating a contract, and The Gift of Surrogacy has received your consent.
Surrogates
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Surrogate... What an amazing gift!