MANY OF OUR INTENDED PARENTS KNOW FAR MORE ABOUT INFERTILITY THAN WE WILL EVER KNOW.

WHAT WE DO KNOW...IS SURROGACY.

 

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 provide. We will make sure that you always receive the highest standard of care. We will also assist you through the technical and legal aspects of surrogacy, streamline the process, and make sure that no question ever goes unanswered.               

 

Taking the first step…

The Gift of Surrogacy has 20-30 surrogates available at any given time, and we assure you of the high quality of our candidates. If you are interested in reviewing surrogate profiles, and interested in working with our agency, call or email us to set up a meeting, phone, FaceTime or Skype interview. Upon deciding that our relationship would be mutually beneficial, we will send or email you the intended parent questionnaire. Simply return the questionnaire and the agency fee (see Fees) and we will send you the complete portfolios of our available surrogates. From there you will choose your top 3-4 candidates and 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 views on every individual aspect of surrogacy. Often, there is an obvious connection, and the matching process happens quickly. Other times the matching process consists of interviewing several candidates and the process takes a bit longer. The amount of time required to find your “perfect” match will depend on your specific requirements and restrictions, but we will always have several high-quality candidates for your review.   

 

Surrogates come to work with our agency through a variety of sources, they may be:

• Referred by other surrogates

• Recommended by medical professionals

• Discovered in response to media

• Recruited by our directors

 

The Application Process...

Approximately only 1/10 surrogate applicants will qualify to be represented by the Gift of Surrogacy. By the time you are introduced to a Surrogate, we have spent weeks and often 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 a rigorous application process that takes at least six weeks to finish. In addition, she will have undergone a background check and a standard medical evaluation.  Finally, she will have undergone a comprehensive character assessment, personality profile, and psychological evaluation. This will be followed-up by a clinical records review and medical exam, and the MMPI-2 and final psychological interview once a match has been made following the FDA guidelines for organ-donation. 

 

Health Insurance…

Need proof that we only represent surrogates of the highest quality? 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 all attempts must be made to protect both parties. This will never be more prevalent than during the contract phase of your surrogate arrangement. The contract outlines the expectations of and for the intended parents and the surrogate. It will also include a detailed payment schedule, and a breakdown of all relevant fees. The contract also establishes guidelines for all parties.  It is essential that both parties are protected by the contract, your attorney will insure that any potential responsibilities and ramifications are addressed. 

The most stressful issues encountered in surrogate contract negotiations are the financial arrangements. At the Gift of Surrogacy, this is a non-issue. Our fee schedule is provided in advance. We have taken every possible step to eliminate unexpected fees. In addition, the surrogate compensation is determined by our agency, following industry standards, so you know the amount is fair. 

Maintaining a good relationship with your surrogate is one of the most important aspects of the entire surrogacy process. We will be here to insure 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 your surrogate. The majority of correspondence with the attorney will take place by 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 defined by the agency and the contract. The trust account is not handled or established by the Gift of Surrogacy. It is normally overseen by your attorney. We also have additional options for Intended Parents who wish to have funds withdrawn on a monthly basis.

 

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 Estradiol Valerate (Delestrogen) and Progesterone (or Crinone) to prepare her body for the embryo transfer. The day of the transfer you will be speaking with the reproductive endocrinologist, and finalizing the specifics of the transfer itself. There are often important decisions that cannot be finalized until the day of the actual transfer as they depend on real-time embryo status. The transfer is the real beginning, even though it seems to occur halfway through the process.  We hope to celebrate your 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 outline and simplify the process for your surrogate. We always welcome your questions and those of your surrogate.  If you are unable to attend any of your surrogate's procedures, we will attend in your absence and/or at her request.

 

Counseling Sessions...

If necessary, one of the most important services that we are able to provide to our surrogates is the option of a series of counseling sessions. Your surrogate's good mental health ultimately benefits you and your baby, as well. To that end, a counseling package is available to all surrogates which consists of a series of up to four appointments with a licensed psychologist with knowledge specific to surrogates, intended parents, egg donors, and others involved in third-party reproductive medicine.  These counseling sessions are provided at an additional expense, not to exceed $500.   

 

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 by keeping everyone as involved 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 attends all schedules appointments, administers medications properly, and is present at support group and counseling sessions when possible or required.  After your pregnancy is well established, your surrogate will graduate from the clinic, and begin to see our preferred OB/GYN.

 

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 prior to the actual delivery. At the moment of birth, the baby will be added to your pre-existing insurance policy. After release, we will facilitate any additional legal paperwork that is required.

 

In Hospital...

Assuming that the delivery results in a full-term health baby--that time at the hospital is so precious. Those 48 hours are a very important transition period for everyone. It's such a sweet beginning for you as new parents, and also a time for important closure for the surrogate and her family. All parties are encouraged to "share" in the hospital experience. This also includes sharing time with the baby. One of the most rewarding aspects of surrogacy is seeing the intended parents with their newborn baby. It is important that everyone gets to celebrate the experience together, and neither party should ever be excluded while in the hospital. The perfect ending is allowing everyone to feel involved and appreciated during the hospital stay. This approach provides the most healthy and natural transition for the baby and makes the healing process infinitely easier for the surrogate. When all parties are released from the hospital--that is the official end to the surrogate’s journey. (And they love to receive further updates and pics!)   

 

Receiving the Gift of Surrogacy…

What started out as a labor of love, has evolved into an agency designed to improve the surrogate experience. 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. It is our mission to improve upon what is currently available in surrogate agencies. Use 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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