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The child’s birth is an anxious moment that future parents look forward to. After all, they have gone through such a long and challenging journey of the surrogate program. 

It seems to be a natural process at the end of the pregnancy that everyone goes through in a similar way. But at the same time, so many nuances can affect the emotional and physical health of the surrogate mother and the newborn baby. A birth plan helps you to be as prepared as possible for this important moment. And here in the article, we suggest you read some tips on how to create a surrogacy birth plan.

What is a surrogate birth plan?

A birthing plan is a simple script where all the steps of the birthing process are carefully laid out. This concept was first introduced about 20 years ago. It is created for women who give birth naturally or by cesarean section. As a rule, it takes about one page. But a surrogacy delivery plan is usually a more extended document that covers every detail. All conditions of this plan should be discussed with the surrogacy manager and the surrogate before the expected day of delivery. After all, she is facing a difficult process, so she needs to be as comfortable as possible.

The purpose of such a plan is to think of all possible scenarios of events on that day. This allows you to reduce the stress of waiting for the baby to be born. You will also reduce the risks of various unforeseen factors for yourself; you will be able to predict the course of action in emergencies and explain clearly to the clinic staff what you expect from the process.

What should a surrogacy birth plan include?

You may want to add any special wishes of prospective parents or a surrogate mother to the plan. Every case is different. But first, it is recommended to pay attention to the following aspects:

#1 Define who should be present in the birth room

This event is complicated and exciting for both parties: the surrogate mother and the parents-to-be. The woman in labor needs support. She may want someone close to her to be present at the birth. For example, her partner or a family member. Would a parent of a child agree to this? Often the parents themselves want to be present when the baby is born. How comfortable will the mother in labor feel? This should be discussed in advance and added to the surrogate birth plan, so that conflicts do not arise on the day of birth.

#2 Choose the suitable hospital

The rules for women in labor and visitors may vary from hospital to hospital. For example, who can be present during the birth, how many people can stay in the delivery room? Some maternity hospitals have a separate room for intended parents; in some, they will have to stay in a local hotel. Equipment, staff qualifications, the possibility of receiving any services and medical care, and more are worth researching and considering when choosing a maternity hospital. 

Also, you or the surrogate may already have a positive experience with a particular birthing center. This can make a choice easier.

#3 Define how the birth process will look like

Of course, it’s impossible to predict everything, and sometimes unexpected situations can arise. But some things are worth discussing with the surrogate and the clinic staff in advance. For example, will the birth be vaginal or with a C-section? How do the parents feel about the use of epidural to reduce pain during the birth? Will the birth take place standing or lying down? Who will cut the umbilical cord? 

Parents may have their own wishes on this matter. While for a surrogate mom, the other option may be better. A well-planned birthing process will help you not to be confused at the most crucial moment.

#4 Decide if birth pictures or videos can be taken

For each family, the birth of a child is a historical process. It’s a moment you want to remember forever. After all, it’s the first time you meet your child! But for surrogate programs, there is one thing to keep in mind. Another woman will be involved in the birth process, and she may disagree to be photographed. This is a delicate issue that should not be overlooked when creating a surrogacy birth plan. 

#5 Think of post-birth

Also, determine in the plan what will happen after the baby is born. Will it be placed on the surrogate’s breast? Perhaps it will be given to the parents-to-be right away. It is essential to discuss this point with the surrogate and the obstetrician to avoid embarrassment. 

Also, specify where the baby will stay for the first time after birth: with the surrogate, in a separate room, or in a room with the parents.

#6 Determine the process of feeding the baby

The surrogacy birth plan will also need to specify how the newborn will be fed. It may be acceptable for someone to have a surrogate mother feed the baby for the first few days. In this case, it is vital to be aware of the likelihood of emotional attachment to the child. In addition to breastfeeding, there are also options for using special formula or a combination of breast milk and formula.

#7 Consider the contact after birth

If the delivery is successful and the baby feels well, they are discharged from the hospital within 24 hours. The surrogate mother can also leave the hospital or stay for a couple of days to recover. It is essential to understand how the surrogate mother’s saying goodbye to the parents and the baby will go. After all, it can be an emotionally demanding process. Some couples allow a woman to communicate with her baby for a short time after delivery. But for some people, this is not necessary. It happens on a very individual basis. So each party may have different expectations about it.

Important points for creating a surrogate birth plan

So, you already know what should a surrogacy birth plan include. But there also some moments you need to consider creating a plan. Some simple rules help you to make your birth plan the most effective.

Make it legal

This plan governs the behavior of the medical staff, you, and the surrogate during the birth. It may also include some medical documents. That is why it is better to have it notarized.

Keep the plan short and clear

Don’t write a lot. Your birthing script should be as clear as possible for all involved. After all, childbirth is a very stressful process in itself. Keep in mind that it will be read by obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and others. You can also use a surrogacy birth plan template to do it more conveniently.

Prepare copies

Make copies for all clinic staff who will accompany you during the birth. They should read it before delivery.

Make a backup plan

Sometimes unexpected circumstances may arise. It is better to be prepared for them, too, while planning a surrogacy birth.

Our Experience

The professionals at StartYourSurrogacy.com have years of experience accompanying surrogate parents on this demanding journey. We offer our clinic services to women in labor and delivery.

All your wishes and conditions can be discussed and approved by the doctor prior to birth. We provide you with maximum support during and after birth. And our lawyers will help you with the legal certification of the document. 

Conclusion

Remember that childbirth is an individual process for each family. There are many aspects to consider when making a plan. The interests and needs of each party must be taken into consideration. Going through the whole process of surrogacy in our clinic will help you establish good contact with our specialists, and it will be easier for us to help you organize your surrogacy hospital birth plan. 

Surrogacy is quite a long, complicated journey. But the end of this adventure will be a happy one for the intended parents. 

Agencies help to make it easier, but their services don’t suit everyone. Some couples prefer to do everything themselves. In this article, we try to explain to you how to organize this program independently, the pros and cons, what costs you should consider, and how to find a surrogate mother without an agency.

What you need to know about private surrogacy

Couples who dream of having a child but cannot give birth naturally often turn to a surrogacy agency. Such organizations take over the entire surrogacy planning. This frees up a lot of time for prospective parents to spend preparing to meet their new family member. It also helps to avoid emotional overload. After all, the decision is not an easy one, and the possible complications and risks can take a lot of energy. But you have to pay extra for such services. The average agency fee can be $15,000 to $30,000.

But people who dream of having a child have another alternative. They can completely abandon the agency services and coordinate everything on their own. Such a surrogacy program is called independent or private. It is usually chosen by people who have an acquaintance who agrees to give birth to a child for them or people who have already participated in such a process and know all its nuances. Sometimes the surrogate mother herself, who has already had such an experience, can offer help in the private surrogacy arrangement.

Steps of independent surrogacy

If parents choose indy surrogacy, they should consider the following steps:

Find a surrogate mother

There are two options here: either you have a woman you know who agrees to be an independent surrogate mother or use special channels to find a potential surrogate mother. 

Such a search can take months, so be patient. It is quicker to do it with an agency since they usually already have a potential surrogate’s base. A surrogate mother also has to meet several strict requirements concerning age, physical and mental health. Agencies take that into account when selecting candidates. But if you are doing your own search, be careful. Find out if the woman has children, if she has had unsuccessful pregnancies, what experience she has in surrogacy.

Find donors

You may be able to use your own sperm and egg for fertilization, or you can look for donors yourself as well as turn to special services. Keep in mind that like a surrogate mother, sperm and egg donors must meet very high requirements. After all, the health and development of your future baby depend on it.

Concluding the contract

Discuss all legal and financial issues with the surrogate. Pay attention to the following questions:

• Private surrogate mother cost
• Yours and her responsibilities in the program
• How often you will have contact with her during the pregnancy
• Conditions she should meet

All these and many others questions should be discussed with your surrogate before you sign a contract. Research your state’s laws regarding surrogacy. To avoid future unpleasant situations or just to avoid becoming a victim of frauds, at this stage, it is better to involve your lawyer, who can advise you on all issues.

Pre-birth or post-birth order

There is also one essential legal aspect of surrogacy. Can a surrogate mother keep the child? Unfortunately, there are such cases. To protect yourself from such risks, you should sign a pre-birth or post-birth order with her. This document ensures that you will be listed as the legal parents on the child’s birth certificate. The surrogate mother will not have any parental rights to it. In addition, such an agreement will avoid the need to adopt the child after birth and feel safe during the program.

Surrogate Insurance

Find out what causes your surrogate mother’s insurance covers. Most often, a special insurance policy is required for surrogacy. This is because the IVF procedure is quite complicated and may require several approaches. Surrogate insurance is added to the independent surrogacy cost. Therefore, you should thoroughly research this issue and discuss everything with your lawyer if possible.

Managing medical tasks

• Initial tests and screenings. A woman who seems like a suitable candidate for you should undergo several examinations that will confirm her good health status.
• Artificial insemination. Parents must decide whose sperm and egg they will use for fertilization. Donors can be brought in, or material from one or both parents can be used. Also, frozen or fresh material will be used for fertilization? Perhaps you have frozen embryos from previous IVF programs? A qualified specialist can help you with these questions.
• PGD and PGC testing future parents can do at their own discretion. These tests are done before transferring the embryo into the uterus. They allow finding out if there are any abnormalities in the embryo’s chromosomes, which could lead to serious genetic diseases later on.

Support during pregnancy and birth

A pregnant woman will need medical monitoring, sometimes take medication or stay in the hospital. These costs must be covered by the prospective parents. In addition to finances, a private surrogate mother may need emotional support in various situations. The intended parents also take care of all issues regarding the birth and the surrogate’s recovery after the birth.

According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), many factors influence the effectiveness of surrogacy. The average IVF success rate in US clinics is 75%. At the same time, after a surrogate mother becomes pregnant, a healthy child is born at a rate of as high as 95%. In order to have a successful pregnancy, a woman needs to receive necessary medical care, healthy nutrition, and emotional support from her close people. 

What is included in the cost of surrogacy without an agency?

The average cost of surrogacy in the United States is $95,000-$150,000. The estimated average price for such a program in Georgia would be US$54,000-$200,000. The agency may charge $15,000 to $30,000 for its services. If you use the agency’s services, this will be your down payment.

The cost of surrogacy without agency can vary from case to case. Still, there are basic factors that affect pricing.

Surrogate commission

This is usually the largest part of the private surrogacy cost. This sum depends on many factors. In addition to the basic commission that the surrogate receives, the intended parents also cover her monthly expenses during the pregnancy, clothes for the expectant mother, carrying two or more children, travel expenses to the clinic, etc.

Medicare clinic fee

This includes all medical expenses. IVF is paid for each cycle. In case of failed IVF attempts, repeating the procedure is paid. Other medical expenses include blood tests, mental health analysis, various screenings and tests, PGD and PGS, embryo transfer, delivery fees, abortion possibilities, etc.

Legal costs

This part includes two mandatory contracts:

• The contract that is signed with the surrogate for her services
• Pre-birth or post-birth order

Surrogate insurance

A woman needs separate insurance to participate in the surrogacy program. It is paid for by the intended parents.

In the table below, we offer you a comparison of surrogate program costs depending on whether you organize everything yourself or an agency helps you. The table shows the average US prices for the services. Note that they may vary depending on the agency, clinic, and individual situation of the future parents.

	Independent surrogacy	Surrogacy with agency
Screening	$3,000+	$3,000+
IVF	$10,000+	$10,000+
Surrogate Mother’s Compensation	$10,000-40,000	$10,000-40,000
Embryo Transfer fees (per cycle)	$500+	$500+
Multiples fee (per fetus)	$1,500+	$1,500+
Invasive procedure fees	$500+	$500+
Cesarean section fee	$1,500+	$1,500+
Surrogate Mother’s Reimbursement	$2,000+	$2,000+
Legal Fees	$5,500+	$5,500+
Egg donation related costs	$12,000-30,000	$12,000-30,000
Agency service fee	–	$20,000
Trust account management	–	$1,000
Surrogate support group fees	–	$1,200+

Pros and Cons of a private surrogate mother

Some of these tasks may seem complicated or nearly impossible for inexperienced parents. In turn, thanks to a well-established process, agencies can perform these steps very easily and quickly. Despite this, independent surrogacy has its advantages and disadvantages. It is worth considering the pros and cons and weighing the risks if you want to make an informed choice.

Advantages

• Lower cost. Organizing the whole process yourself is a good way to save money. You won’t have to pay the agency a commission for their services.
• More control from parents. Usually, the agency takes care of all the work of settling the surrogacy process. The parents take very little part in it. If you do everything yourself, you can be involved in the surrogacy program every step of the way.

Risks

• Surrogate searching. Searching for a surrogate on your own can take a lot of effort and time. But the biggest risk a parent faces is fraud. Besides, a woman may agree to a private surrogacy just because several agencies rejected her.
• Missing any legal aspects. If the private surrogate contract is not concluded correctly, the parents risk incurring serious costs in the future. If a pre-birth or post-birth order is forgotten or improperly created, there is a risk of suing the surrogate for parental rights in the future. In some US states, surrogacy is completely or partially prohibited, and one type of surrogacy (traditional or gestational) may be prohibited. Not knowing or ignoring all these nuances can lead to unpleasant consequences for the parents.
• Unplanned increase in payments. Although parents will save money at the agency, they may overpay for some services of specialists who charge hourly rates.

Our Experience

The most common reason couples choose independent surrogacy programs is the high cost. After all, surrogacy in the United States is expensive. But there is also another option to save money. For example, go through such a program in another country where prices are more affordable. In Georgia, the surrogacy cost is much lower. At the same time, the quality of medical services and specialists’ qualifications is very high.

Our clinic assumes all the responsibilities for organizing this process. Our services include:

• Consulting of future parents. You can book an appointment and get answers to any questions: how much it costs, what the risks are, how long the process will take, what tests should be done, what are the program stages, etc.
• Searching for a surrogate. We have a large database of surrogates. These women live in Georgia and they will be here during the whole period of pregnancy and delivery.
• Surrogate mothers in our clinic meet very high requirements: age 21-30 years; no harmful habits; perfect physical and psychological health; absence of genetic diseases; at least one healthy child.
• Selection of donor sperm and eggs. We also have a large database of donor material. That’s why we can quickly find something suitable for you.
• Fertilization. IVF is done in our clinic in Georgia, after all the necessary tests.
• Carrying out PGS and PGD testing.
• Supervision during pregnancy and delivery. 
• Mediation in the legal issues. Surrogacy is legal in Georgia. Our lawyers will help you to conclude a contract, legal paperwork. After the baby is born you will receive his/her birth certificate, where you will be listed as legal parents.

Conclusions

You can weigh the pros and cons of independent surrogacy, think carefully about your options and limitations, and make the best choice for you. Even if you find a surrogate on your own, you may need help arranging other related matters. The professionals at StartYourSurrogacy.com are passionate about your family and strive to adjust to each client and challenge. We will be happy to help you every step of the way in this challenging yet exciting and very important program for your family.

Due to the progress in reproductive medicine, it is now possible to solve the infertility problem. For many couples, IVF has become a real chance to fulfill a cherished dream and become parents. However, when choosing this treatment method, it is essential to consider all the possible pitfalls and weigh the pros and cons. In turn, PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) helps to increase the efficiency of IVF and the probability of a successful pregnancy. Such testing allows you to avoid transmitting a genetic disease to your child, reducing the risk of not carrying a pregnancy. 

How is PGD conducted? Who needs this test? What pros and cons of preimplantation genetic diagnosis should be taken into consideration when choosing a PGD? Future parents can find the answers to these questions in this article.

What Is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

The PGD method of gene therapy was developed to prevent possible genetic abnormalities in early embryonic development. A healthy embryo is also called an euploid embryo. It contains 46 chromosomes, 23 of which come from the egg and another 23 from the sperm. 

An aneuploid embryo has a higher number or lack of chromosomes. This can lead to problems with implantation or carrying the fetus and increase the risk of miscarriage. But, if the pregnancy is successful, the newborn child can have physical or mental disabilities. Timely testing will help to detect an aneuploid embryo early and avoid problems in the future.

In addition to these two types of embryos, mosaic embryos have also been recently identified. Such embryos contain two or more cell lines with different numbers of chromosomes (e.g., some cells are euploid, and others are aneuploid).

Possible reasons for PGD

• A couple in which one or both partners are carriers of a genetic disease.
• If either partner has an altered karyotype, i.e., an abnormality in the number of chromosomes.
• Age of the partners. The older the future parents are, the higher the risk of their child having genetic disorders.
• If the couple has an experience of failed IVF attempts.
• The woman has repeated cases of miscarriages.
• The presence of hereditary genetic diseases in the family of one or both partners.

Steps of PGD

One of the main advantages of PGD is that it takes place before artificial insemination. Thus, only healthy, high-quality embryos are selected for transfer. The procedure itself consists of several steps and takes several days to complete.

Egg fertilization

After the egg is picked up and assessed in the laboratory, fertilization is performed. This can be done by using the usual method of fertilization when sperm and eggs are placed in a cup for cultivation. But ICSI is the most common method used for PGD. With this method, each individual sperm cell is injected into an egg cell.

Culture 

We take a few days for the embryo to grow. There are two approaches:

• In the first case, the embryo develops for 3 days. During this time 6-8 cells manage to form. 
• In the second, the process lasts for 5-6 days. After 6 days, the blastocyst develops. At this stage, the embryo already consists of 100-150 blastomeres. They are divided into two groups. One part of the cells will take part directly in the fetus development, while the second group (trophoectoderm) will be a source for the placenta.

Biopsy

When the embryo is fully developed, a biopsy is performed. A few cells are extracted through a small hole in the zona pellucida. This step can vary depending on how long the embryo has been growing. 

On the third day of embryo development, one or two cells are taken for the test. On day 5-6, a specialist in the laboratory takes a small set of cells from the trophectoderm. This approach is less traumatic for the embryo and is also more effective. At the same time, these cells must be uninucleate (having a single gene where DNA is stored). Otherwise, there is a risk of distorting the results.

Tubing

This involves the delicate storage of the obtained cells in a special vessel prior to direct testing.

Cell Analysis

Using molecular biological techniques such as PCR, FISH, CGH array, or NGS, specialists examine the obtained cells. This step can take one to two weeks. This analysis will reveal possible chromosomal abnormalities in the cells and exclude such embryos.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

As you can see from the description, preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a fairly complex process. This method can help expectant parents prevent a variety of complications. But is this kind of genetic testing suitable for everyone? The right decision can only be made after a comprehensive study of the PGD testing pros and cons.

Pros of PGD

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis can help you achieve such benefits from the reproductive treatment process:

Detecting wide range of diseases

With PGD, you will not detect all possible fetal abnormalities, but this test can reveal many dangerous diseases. You can check if the embryo is prone to Muscular dystrophy, Cystic fibrosis, Hemophilia, Fragile-X, Tay-Sachs, Sickle-cell anemia.

Transfer of euploid embryos only

PGD allows early detection of abnormal embryo formation and thus eliminates diseases of the future child.

Increase the successful implantation and pregnancy rate

One of the essential aspects of preimplantation genetic diagnosis pros and cons is that this test allows us to determine whether the embryo is healthy and suitable for implantation. Thus, the most viable embryos are selected. As a result, the possibility of a successful pregnancy and a healthy child is increased.

Reduced abortion rate

One of the benefits of preimplantation genetic diagnosis is the possibility to define the genetic status of the embryo before starting pregnancy and the subsequent need for abortion in case of unfavorable results.

Early testing

At this stage of embryo development, it has totipotent stem cells. This means that these cells are actively dividing until the human body is formed. Therefore, taking a couple of them from the embryo will not affect the development of the future child’s organism.

Cons of PGD

Although the effectiveness of this method is quite high, intended parents should also consider the preimplantation genetic diagnosis risks.

Risk of damage to the embryo

Such testing involves some manipulation of the embryo. Because it will be outside the incubator for some time, some of its common features may change. This can cause it to stop growing. Pregnancy will not be gained in a case like this. This problem can occur even with healthy embryos without any abnormalities. But it is worth noting that the probability of such damage is very low. But still, couples who agree to do PGD should be aware of this risk.

Possibility of undetected disease

PGD has a very high success rate and really helps to reduce diseases. But speaking about the disadvantages of PGD, it is essential to remember that, like all other tests, it does not always guarantee 100% accuracy. Therefore, there is still some probability of not detecting the issue. But this risk is very low compared to how often the PGD helps reduce the possibility of different disorders.

Ethical issues

For some people, weighing all the PGD pros and cons is very important because this kind of testing can be emotionally challenging. After all, if the result is positive, the embryo transfer will have to be canceled.

Our Experience

StartYourSurrogacy.com is a team of skilled professionals with years of experience in reproductive medicine. Our main goal is to provide you with the highest quality service. Our clinic can provide you with all the services associated with the reproductive program, including the selection of a sperm and egg donor, all the necessary testing, observation of the surrogate during pregnancy and childbirth.

Conclusion

IVF is a serious and responsible step for future parents. There are usually a lot of emotions, stress and fears associated with this process. No one can guarantee you a 100% successful result. But with the help of a PGD, a couple can exclude some risks and reduce IVF time and expenses. 

StartYourSurrogacy.com specialists will give you the comprehensive information you need and tell you if PGD testing is necessary in your case. You can also discuss with them all the advantages and disadvantages of PGD.

Thanks to IVF and surrogacy, homosexual couples can have children. But what if both men in such a couple want to be biological parents? Can you have surrogate twins with two fathers? Let’s explore what the answer to this question gives modern reproductive medicine.

How high is the chance of becoming gay dads with surrogate twins?

In order to understand whether such a chance exists, you should have an idea of how twins are born. A woman can have two or more children in one pregnancy. There are identical (monozygotic) twins. One zygote is formed from one egg and one sperm. It later divides into two eggs. This creates two embryos that develop into two fetuses.

There are also fraternal (dizygotic) twins. In this case, two sperm fertilize two separate eggs. Two eggs in one cycle can occur as a result of hyperovulation. It is worth noting that the genes of identical twins are 100% matched, while those of identical twins are only 50% the same.

And here the main question arises: “Is it possible to have surrogate twins from two dads?” 

Yes, it is. But they will be fraternal twins. There have been known cases where, after a DNA test on twins to determine paternity, it was found that they had different fathers. This occurs when a woman has had sex with two different men during the period of hyperovulation. This effect is called heteropaternal superfecundation. 

Thanks to this phenomenon, it is possible to fertilize two different eggs with sperm from two different men and transfer the embryos into one woman’s uterus. The paternity of twins is determined by a DNA test, which can be performed both before and after the twins are born.

Tips for Gay Dads Considering Twins in Their Surrogacy Journey

If you and your spouse have decided on such a responsible step, you should think about and discuss all the nuances of having surrogate twins with 2 fathers beforehand. Pay special attention to the following aspects of the program:

How does IVF for gay fathers look?

The IVF procedure itself for same-sex couples with twins is no different from the usual one. The egg is fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, and then the embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. For this procedure, the couple will need a donor egg, sperm from one or both partners, and a surrogate. If one or both men in the couple have an infertility problem or other conditions affecting reproductive function, you will also need to use donor sperm.

But gay male couples may have the dilemma, “Who will be the biological father of the child?” This means choosing whose sperm will be used for fertilization. Typically, during a couple’s first surrogacy program, they choose an older partner to be the father. But alternatively,  a couple can have surrogate twins with two fathers during the one surrogacy journey.

Do you both want to be the biological fathers of the children?

If you do decide to have twins, and each of you wants to be the biological father of one of the children, this will require some changes in the process of fertilization of the eggs. Specifically, the eggs you receive will need to be divided into two groups. One group would use the sperm of one father to fertilize them, while the other group would use the sperm of a second father. After that, the embryos from both groups will be transferred to the uterus of the surrogate giving birth to twins. If this procedure is successful, in 9 months, you will become the happy parents of twins.

Do you want to use frozen or fresh sperm?

In some cases, it is more convenient to use frozen sperm for artificial insemination. This is especially true for couples who use another country for their surrogacy journeys. In any case, a specialist will be able to give you the most detailed advice on this issue.

Do you need PGS?

On the one hand, such a test would increase the cost of a surrogate parenting program. But with preimplantation genetic screening, abnormalities that could cause serious diseases in the future can be detected before the embryo is implanted. This allows implanting only the healthiest and most viable embryos, increasing the odds of a successful pregnancy. It is also possible to determine the sex of the future child. Some parents want to have both a son and a daughter at the same time.

Who will be your surrogate?

After the intended parents have chosen a clinic and surrogate agency, one should decide on a surrogate mother. There are several factors to consider: age, health condition of the intended surrogate mother, bad habits and lifestyle in general, if she has family and children. Sometimes this search can take months and be very stressful and exhausting. Therefore, it is better to consult with an agent. In some cases, the surrogate search can be outsourced to a surrogate agency or clinic.

Does a surrogate mother agree to deliver surrogate twins by different dads?

In this case, the surrogate expects a more complicated fertilization process, more risks during pregnancy and delivery. Ask her beforehand if she is ready for this and if she is aware of all the possible complications for her body.

The likelihood of a dual surrogacy instead of a twin pregnancy

As an alternative to a double pregnancy, two surrogate mothers may be considered to participate in the program, carrying one child from each spouse at a time. This method is considered simpler and less risky for the surrogate and the babies.

Are you ready to pay more for a surrogacy program?

It’s no secret that a surrogate program is quite expensive. But in the case of carrying twins, additional costs are waiting for the potential parents. First, you have to pay an increased surrogate fee. Secondly, the costs during a twin pregnancy are also doubled. At the same time, there are increased risks of OBGYNs. Childbirth and postnatal care costs may also increase.

Are you ready to take care of two children?

There is no doubt that children in the family are a great pleasure! But taking care of one child requires a lot of effort and time. It is even more challenging to care for two children. Twice as much food and diapers. Twice the responsibility. So, you should think thoroughly about this decision before starting a surrogacy program and discuss all possible difficulties with the clinic and the agency.

How much does it cost to have surrogate twins for a gay couple?

To end up calculating surrogacy costs, you should consider all the steps that it involves. The parents-to-be must pay for such services:

• Search for a surrogate mother and her commission payment
• Payment for a share egg donor
• IVF fees
• Fees for tests and screenings
• Surrogate’s pregnancy and delivery costs
• Legal fees

For homosexual dads with surrogate twins, the cost of the program increases significantly. The services of two surrogate mothers will cost you more than the birth of fraternal twins from one surrogate. In the first case, you will have to pay for the commission, medical tests, and the cost of the pregnancy of two women. But many families choose the second option for reasons of economy. 

Of course, you will have to pay more for the birth of twins from one woman; it is still less than two surrogate programs simultaneously. But the first option is safer for the babies, the woman who carries them. In the second option, there is a risk of premature birth, hence the additional cost of the NICU. All the advantages and disadvantages of both options are best discussed with your agency and doctor.

Surrogacy in the USA is very expensive. Not every family can afford it, especially when the aim is to deliver twins. As an alternative, you can choose countries where this procedure is cheaper. For example, in Georgia, the surrogacy program costs less, while the quality of medical services remains high.

Our Experience

StartYourSurrogacy.com accompanies gay dads with surrogate twins from the beginning to the end of the surrogacy journey. Our specialists will provide you with comprehensive information on any issue related to surrogacy. You will be able to learn about the benefits and the necessary conditions of participation in the program and likely risks.

After signing the contract, patients pass medical tests. They help determine whether the parents need to undergo additional infertility treatment and whether their sperm can be used for conception. Then, the woman is fertilized at our clinic. We keep observing her through the whole period of pregnancy until the child is born.

Our clinic takes care of all organizational, legal, and medical matters. StartYourSurrogacy.com provides the following services to its clients:

Search for egg and sperm donors

We have a large donor base. This allows us to find the right donor for you quickly. People whose material we use undergo a thorough examination.

Surrogate Search

We have very strict requirements for women who want to participate in the birth of other people’s babies. And for you, it’s an opportunity to avoid a long and stressful search for a surrogate.

Medical tests

Surrogate mom and future donor parents undergo all the necessary medical tests. In addition, in our clinic, you can order PGD and PGS testing.

Legal support

You will get legal advice concerning surrogacy. Our lawyers will help you to process all necessary documents. And after the newborn is delivered, you will receive the birth certificate, where you will be listed as the child’s legal parents. So, you can avoid adoption.

The clinic is located in Georgia. It is a wonderful country with a wonderful climate, pure ecology, and beautiful nature. All this, of course, will have a positive effect on the pregnant woman. The cost of a surrogate program in Georgia is much lower than in the USA or European countries. At the same time, in this country, the value of family is very high.

Conclusion

The process of surrogacy is quite complicated and involves many aspects. In order to realize the dream of a homosexual couple about a big family, it is necessary to take the medical challenge very seriously. In any case, you can rely on the team at StartYourSurrogacy.com. We will offer you the best possible solution. After all, the happiness of our clients comes first for us.

Finding a suitable carrier for gestational surrogacy is not an easy task. Once this important step is completed, it is important for future parents to arrange their plans in regard to medical insurance.

This is a rather complicated issue for many, and can have many nuances to it. Formerly, medical insurance covered all costs of a pregnancy achieved in a natural way within the family. However, with the development of advanced reproductive medicine, the system began to change in order to adapt to parents’ needs.

For some couples, the idea of specifically insuring a surrogate mother may come as a surprise. But insurance is there to help pay for the various medical processes necessary for the well-being of both the surrogate and baby.

As of right now, there is no clearly laid-out procedure involving insurance coverage for surrogate pregnancy in the USA. Various agencies will have differing rules regarding insurance coverage. Thus, it is incredibly important to study all the details in advance and know of all potential added costs. To do so, you will need a detailed analysis of your individual situation, as well as professional advice. It can also be helpful to read up on U.S. legislation regarding general health coverage, along with surrogacy.In this article, we reveal all aspects of this issue in detail and help you answer the following questions: “Does insurance cover surrogacy?” and “What plan is better to choose?

What You Need to Know about Surrogacy Insurance in the USA

Many fertility treatment methods are not cheap, especially in the USA. Due to the risk of unforeseen circumstances—such as failed IVF, premature birth, or C-section delivery—the price of surrogacy health insurance can be altered both suddenly and drastically.

With any decisions made during this step, it is crucial for future parents to understand that they are taking responsibility for both the surrogate mother’s and their future child’s insurance. Before you decide, you must study out your surrogate policy’s references to the costs of pregnancy. In some cases, a surrogate mother may choose to use her own insurance plan. However, she will still need a consultation with a specialist to discuss exactly which expenses can be covered by her plan of choice.

On your end, your family may also need to schedule a consultation with a representative of your agency regarding the additional costs you may need to pay. If the surrogate’s insurance policy does not cover surrogacy, you will need to purchase an additional or supplementary plan. This part is obligatory, as a surrogate program’s charge is more expensive, meaning a conventional plan sometimes cannot cover for those costs.

If you choose to go through this process in another country, it is important to take note of those challenges as well. These include the risk of a frozen embryo being delivered (if necessary), or the cost of a new-born traveling home. Parents should be prepared to pay for these options, as in such cases, a health insurance policy may not be applicable.

The Essentials of the Surrogate Mother Insurance Coverage

In some cases, a woman’s health insurance policy may not cover all medical needs related to this treatment process, meaning it is a better option to use insurance for gestational surrogacy.

This policy can cover the following procedures:

• Infertility treatment. Some surrogate insurance plans may not spread to all treatment needs. Moreover, these plans often cannot pay for them at all. To date, only 15 states have legislation to ensure infertility treatment. In other states, you have the option to buy a policy that includes IVF. But this condition is not mandatory, so it’s important to do careful research before choosing a plan that works for your family.
• Many policies cover the testing costs necessary for fertilization. These are not the largest expenses in comparison with the other ones, but it’s still important to calculate them into the final cost.
• Birth of a child. Though a child in the womb is insured, once the umbilical cord is cut, the child will need an extra insurance policy.
• Pregnancy of a surrogate mother. American legislation provides insurance for pregnancy within the family. For a surrogate mother, however, it will be necessary to purchase an individual policy. Sometimes intended parents will have to pay for pregnancy charges themselves.

Oftentimes, parents will have to pay for some services on their own, either due to insurance not covering everything, or unforeseen circumstances.

Does Surrogacy Health Insurance Cover a Newborn?

Medical insurance for surrogacy is only extended to the baby’s medical care costs for the period of pregnancy. In addition to this, potential parents must also purchase a newborn insurance plan.

A newborn insurance plan comes into force the moment the baby comes into the world. It is recommended to arrange it immediately after pregnancy confirmation, or no later than the third trimester. However, if you postpone this decision for too long, and the baby is born prematurely, you will have to pay a large enough sum for both the birth and all medical services performed in the hospital.

You shouldn’t put off taking out coverage for your child. We recommend doing it in the United States. However, if you have a personal insurance plan, you should check with the agency in advance and confirm whether it will apply to childbirth in another country.

Surrogacy Insurance Cost in the USA

Technically, there is no special surrogacy insurance policy in the USA. A woman is required to purchase regular coverage, which pays for the costs of pregnancy and childbirth. A woman can also choose to use her own insurance for this purpose. In this case, she should contact a specialist and get the necessary information to answer the question: “Does insurance pay for surrogacy?”. All this should be taken into account when choosing an insurance policy, so as not to spend too much money on additional medical services.

There are two main surrogacy insurance plans in the USA:

●     Affordable Care Act (ACA),

●     Surrogate Maternity Contractual Liability Insurance Plan.

The first plan is traditional medical coverage, based on the surrogate mother’s place of residence. You can purchase this plan during open enrollment hosted every November.

The second program is not a medical insurance policy, but covers the expenses of potential parents for testing, pregnancy, and childbirth. These costs are usually specified in the contract. At the same time, this insurance does not extend to health costs that are not related to the surrogate mother’s pregnancy.

The main factors affecting maternity covering policies are included in medical services. Thus, it can be difficult to determine the exact amount.

●        For a traditional plan — the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — you will pay approximately $11,000–$13,000. However, there issues may arise during the pregnancy that can significantly increase this amount.

●        The second plan — Surrogate Maternity Contractual Liability Insurance — is suitable only for women who are pregnant with one child or twins. For those who will have three or more children, this option cannot be used. This plan costs more, about $25,500–$28,350; and $42,500–$60,000 for a twin birth.

It’s important to note that both plans can only be used for surrogate mother insurance coverage. Once the baby is born, you will need to take care of your child’s insurance separately. 

To select the best option for your family and to avoid unnecessary expenses, it’s crucial to discuss any pros and cons with your agency.

How Startyoursurrogacy.com Can Help You

At Startyoursurrogacy.com, you’ll receive consultation regarding everything you need to know about surrogate health insurance. Your baby needs insurance regardless, and our team can help to provide you with information about insurance in Georgia. This way, parents can add their newborn to their policy and add an international status to it. It is also important to mention that when the baby is born, the parents will receive a birth certificate with only their names on it, and not the name of the surrogate. This allows parents to go home with their child without any legal problems.

Conclusion

This maternity process can be very complex and full of surprises, leading it to be a very costly procedure. It is impossible to predict all the nuances and difficulties, which is why it is so important to thoroughly prepare in advance. Financial issues, including surrogacy insurance coverage, can be one of the most complex aspects of the entire process.

Startyoursurrogacy.com supports parents at all stages of the surrogacy program, providing all necessary information, as well as help with the registration of your baby’s healthcare insurance. Don’t hesitate to ask our representatives any questions you may have in relation to health insurance for surrogate mothers and children.

A surrogacy program is an incredibly mindful process, as it can be a difficult decision to make. Any potential surrogate must meet our criteria regarding age, mental/physical health, and lifestyle. Alongside these requirements, the woman who helps you become a parent must be perfect for your family. Therefore, before you can make a final decision, it is important to get to know your surrogate. 

In this post, we include tips for meeting your surrogate for the first time. We explain how to prepare for the initial introduction, how to understand if your surrogate is right for you, how to build good communication with her, and highlight important questions to ask a potential surrogate mother.

Tips for the First Meeting with Your Surrogate

Meeting your potential surrogacy match is a very exciting moment. Between all of the overwhelming emotions and stress, you may forget everything you intended to ask. Be sure to spare some time to prepare beforehand so that you can discuss all of the details and be able to decide if this woman suits your family’s needs. Keep the following tips in mind.

1. Prepare

Before your first interaction with the surrogate, take a look at her profile, and take note of what you may want to ask her about. Highlight the most controversial facts about her or the program, and prepare a few clarifying questions to avoid miscommunication. 

On the other hand, you should keep in mind that this woman has already decided to take part in the program. Do your best to make your conversation as amiable as possible. 

Finally, before the meeting starts, ensure any video calling apps, webcams, and mics work properly if meeting online. If you are meeting in person, be sure to come to the venue at least 30 minutes ahead of time to make yourself more comfortable. Plan your time in advance so that you can give this first meeting your undivided attention.

2. Consider the communication channels

Be ready to discuss how communication with your surrogate will work. This is especially imperative today, as the COVID pandemic has led the World Health Organization to recommend refraining from travel. Take into account such limitations and discuss your plans to keep in touch during the surrogacy. Here are examples of some questions to ask:

• Will you get in touch during pregnancy? How often and via what tools?
• What will happen after the birth of the child? 
• Will she be seeing the baby for some time? 
• How should you schedule your meetings during the journey? 

All of these questions should be discussed before the program starts.

3. Try to relax

Try not to be nervous before the initial meeting. The primary purpose of this is to get introduced to each other and make a good first impression, not to stress about the future. You can think about the more important decision later on, comparing any and all the factors, or pros and cons. 

4. Tell your story

Tell your surrogate about yourself, your family, and why you chose surrogacy. A match meeting for surrogates and intended parents is meant to allow you to make close contact, leave a positive impression, and develop a deeper understanding and form a relationship with the surrogate. 

An extra tip from us: make a draft of your upcoming encounter and write down any of the information you’d like to share.

5. Be on the same page

Discuss both yours and the surrogate mother’s expectations regarding the process of pregnancy. You should specify how involved you plan to be in the pregnancy and childbirth.

The Questions to Ask a Surrogate Mother

Well-prepared questions will help you see whether you and your future surrogate align and hold common beliefs regarding surrogacy methodology. The more detailed your questions are, the more information you can take note of. During your first conversation with a prospective surrogate, you can discuss the following points:

1. Priorities and interests

Women decide to become surrogate mothers for a multitude of reasons — many of which align with a genuine desire to help others start families. During this conversation, you can get an idea of how important family values are for her, as well as how much they coincide with your own values.

2. How does her family feel about her decision?

Is she married? What is her partner’s attitude towards surrogacy? Only a woman who has experienced at least one healthy pregnancy can successfully partake in a surrogacy matching process. Some family members may have difficulties with this decision, and it will take some time to get used to it. But for a pregnant woman, it is extremely important to have the support of the people she loves to assist her in feeling comfortable and confident throughout the journey.

3. Does she have kids of her own?

How does she plan to explain the surrogate program to them? When you meet your surrogate match, you can discuss how this mother’s decision could affect her children. Has she already talked to them about it? Would it be stressful for them? Any tension may affect the baby, so it’s important to clarify this matter at the initial meeting. 

4. Has she ever been a surrogate mother before?

Why did she choose this program? If a woman has participated in such a program before, she will be familiar with all the necessary procedures, allowing her to make the decision more consciously. The first meeting with potential surrogate mothers is the best opportunity to clarify why she chose to become a surrogate.

5. Does she realize the risks?

It is important to discuss the possibility of multiple pregnancies, and discuss beforehand if the surrogate will agree to a selective reduction in the case of multiple pregnancies. Is she aware of the risks of pregnancy termination? These aspects are better to be discussed with the expectant mother during the face-to-face meeting for surrogacy matching.

6. What are her expectations from the surrogacy journey?

This is one of the most difficult questions on the list — thus, it’s best used as a conclusion after you get to know one another. The surrogate will already feel comfortable in your company, and may also need some time to answer this question. 

The surrogate mother will probably also want to ask you some questions as well. Try to be honest and open with her, as your answers can influence your future relationship.

What You Should Avoid During the Surrogacy Matching Process

Some matters should not be discussed during the first meeting with your surrogate. These questions may be irrelevant at that very moment, while others aren’t considered polite. We recommend you not to mention the following:

• Financial aspects. The main purpose of this first meeting is getting to know your surrogate. You will discuss finances during a separate contract discussion. An attorney will help you throughout this stage of the program and be able to give you detailed advice.
• A list of strict requirements. Let the first encounter take place in a more relaxed atmosphere — discuss more general questions about your surrogate’s lifestyle, profession, and habits. Personal requirements are discussed later, and can also be found in the contract. Try not to rush, and forget about formal subjects to enjoy an open conversation with your potential surrogate.
• Do not ask too many questions. The conversation at your first meeting should not be uncomfortable for either party. It isn’t a job interview, but rather a friendly conversation. Yes, you want to be cautious about choosing the woman who will bear your baby, but it’s better not to push things. Be curious without overstepping; let the surrogate answer any of your questions freely. Ask open-ended questions; this will give your surrogate room for additional details. 

Our Experience

At Startyoursurrogacy.com, prior to the first surrogacy match meeting, the surrogate has already passed a variety of tests for eligibility. Thus, your meeting is the final stage before concluding the contract. As a rule, it involves you, your partner, and a representative of the agency. The agent will help you clarify any questions that may arise. 

You can make an appointment for this meeting online. Now, our agency mostly hosts match calls as opposed to match meetings. Calls are much more convenient for those who are in different countries. However, if you wish to travel to Georgia, we can arrange this trip for you.

Final thoughts

Your first match meeting with a potential surrogate mother of your future child should be treated like a date. During this appointment, you can get an idea as to how the relationship between you and your surrogate will develop in the future. After this meeting, you may need to search for a better match. Startyoursurrogacy.com is flexible about this process, providing parents with many options in regard to potential surrogates, as well as assisting you in finding the perfect match.

People facing problems with infertility have to go through a series of challenges in order to make their dreams true and become parents. If there is still no possibility of giving birth on their own after undergoing a number of tests and procedures, they can consider alternate methods — such as third party reproduction, or surrogacy. Surrogacy programs are currently provided by clinics in various American states, as well as many countries throughout the world. One of such clinics is Startyoursurrogacy.com in Georgia, Europe.

An important factor to consider when choosing this treatment method is surrogacy success rates. Couples or single people who want to become parents may be worried about the risks of the program and the likelihood of achieving a positive result after undergoing treatment. It can be difficult to accurately predict particular outcomes, as IVF and pregnancy success are often influenced by several factors simultaneously.

What Is The Success Rate Of Surrogacy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study on surrogacy success rates in the United States and published the results on its website. These studies contain information on how often women of a certain age, weight, and health status successfully carry and give birth to a healthy child, as well as other variables that can affect the probability of getting pregnant. The purpose of this study was to highlight objective data that may later influence the parents’ decision about surrogacy, from choosing the right method to picking a surrogate.

The Most Common Factors that Affect Surrogacy Rates

The study found that the younger and healthier the carrier and donors, the higher the likelihood of the procedure being successful. However, in order to better understand the question of what are success rates of surrogacy, it is necessary to study other factors that are involved. The number of attempts taken to get pregnant, bearing a healthy baby, and the time frame of the program completion can differ from case to case. The following aspects should be taken into account:

What to choose — gestational or traditional method?

You often have a choice between these two types of surrogacy methods. The traditional method tends to be simpler, faster, and more affordable. It uses IUI for fertilization, and a carrier’s egg is inseminated. However, this method is not very popular in America and Europe due to the fact that many countries and states prohibit it. This may lead to difficulty finding a clinic that provides traditional surrogacy services.

The second method uses IVF and donor egg, leading the gestational surrogacy success rates to depend on IVF results. The results of the CDC study indicated = that this is the most efficient method to achieve pregnancy. Its success is about 38.2 percent, with slightly lower rates—27.6 percent—in Europe.

How the quality of the donor material used for fertilization (sperm and egg) can influence the outcome

This is one of the most important criteria for successful fertilization. When quality donor material is used, the success rate of the procedure increases to 75-85 percent. Sperm and egg donors must be young, healthy, and medically able to conceive a baby (this is established by fertility testing prior to adding a donor to the base).

Health state of the surrogate mother

A potential surrogate mother undergoes a number of medical tests to confirm that she is both physically and mentally healthy. However, in some cases, other factors can still affect the success of pregnancy. Fortunately, the statistics of surrogacy success rates show that failures are rare because exclusively young women who meet basic fertility criteria are selected for this program.

The Complexity of Pregnancy Prediction

It is important to mention factors that can increase or decrease the probability of positive IVF results, affect the course of pregnancy, and, as a result, change the surrogacy rates. 

What is the best age of the surrogate mother?

The study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included 85,000 assisted reproductive technology cycles, all of which were conducted during 2016. It was found that about 36 percent of women under 25 years of age successfully got pregnant; for women aged 35-37 years, this rate was 29 percent, lesser for women from 38 to 40 — only 21 percent. For women over 40, IVF surrogacy success rates were about 9.8 percent. At Startyoursurrogacy.com, we always select women under 35 years to participate in any of our programs.

How many IVF attempts are optimal for conception?

The probability of pregnancy after the first cycle of IVF tends to fall at about 35-40 percent, provided that the woman is in good health. According to the statistics of surrogacy success rates, the probability of success increases to 50+ percent after repeated attempts at IVF.

What is better — to use frozen or fresh material (sperm, eggs, embryos)?

In addition to the method of impregnation and the carrier’s health condition, the success rate of surrogacy can also depend on using fresh or frozen donor material. In some cases, it is most convenient to freeze an embryo and then unfreeze it again before transferring it into the uterus. This method is often necessary for testing of the embryos. In this case, unfortunately, the probability of a successful result is reduced slightly.

Conclusion

Surrogacy is a reliable way to welcome a child into your family, though the surrogacy success rate can be difficult to predict. Our clinic in Georgia has a high success rate in comparison to industry standards. We are glad to provide you with an option for multiple attempts if needed, and our specialists are committed to helping you start a family as quickly and safely as possible.

Parentage can bring great joy into your life. You will be able to give all of your love to your child, taking part in his or her life and passing your values, experience, and skills onto them. Unfortunately, such a role is not easily accessible to everyone. However, there are several options for those struggling with infertility. Surrogacy is one of them. A woman of fertile age, who has no reproductive and health issues, can opt to help couples become parents. A surrogate mother will bear and give birth to a child that will then be raised by a different couple. Obviously, surrogacy is a rather complicated procedure, and the participants in this process can have a variety of questions. A common question potential parents may ask is “how long does the surrogacy process take?”

Types of Surrogacy: Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy

Before analyzing how long the surrogacy process will take, you should decide which type of program is better suitable for your family’s needs. You can choose between two types — gestational and traditional surrogacy.

Gestational surrogacy

This method is more complicated, often requiring a battery of tests, as well as examinations of the gestational carrier and the child’s future mother. Due to these extra measures, the cost and duration of the program are affected. 

However, this is an option that many people choose for a number of reasons. First, the baby is not related genetically to the surrogate mother, which can be an important value for intended parents. Fertilization occurs through IVF, and the egg comes from a donor or the future mother, so she can be the baby’s genetic mother.

Traditional surrogacy

The traditional method, unlike the gestational one, requires less time and money. Insemination is simpler and more reliable, as the surrogate gets pregnant through IUI. However, here, the carrier’s egg is used for fertilization, meaning that the surrogate mother transfers her genes to the fetus. 

If you choose this method, note that in many states of America, as well as some European countries, it can be prohibited by law.

Independent/Private Surrogacy

To be eligible for a surrogacy program, couples may contact an agency or find a surrogate mother themselves. The second tends to be cheaper, but often takes more time and requires more responsibility on the part of the intended parents and surrogate mother. 

Another point to take into account is that parents will need to coordinate medical and legal procedures themselves. That is why if this is your first experience with surrogacy, it is better to choose an agency service because such a program will assist you throughout the entire process.

Some surrogate mothers who have already taken part in a surrogacy program may provide their services without an agency, therefore making it cheaper.

In the case of independent surrogacy, a couple should always study the legislation themselves. If the intended parents apply to an agency, they will usually receive professional consultation to answer any of their questions, including the question of “how long will the surrogacy journey take in the US?”.

The Surrogacy Process Timeline 

The length of the surrogacy process with the center for surrogate parents may vary depending on various factors. Below we’ve split the surrogacy journey into separate stages with the approximate duration of each.

Consultation and decision making — 1-3 months

One of the most important stages of the surrogacy process is decision making. First, you apply for services. At this stage, you will receive all necessary information: the cost, the surrogacy process timeline, the necessary documents, and all legal procedures. You will also have a consultation regarding the risks and success rates of such a program.

Search for a matching surrogate, a sperm/egg donor — 3-6 months

At this stage in the timeline of the surrogacy process, a couple can actively take part in making up the requirements for their future surrogate. This is when the search for a woman who will help you create your dream family begins. Our clinic has a very large base of surrogate mothers. We only add women who meet our strict requirements regarding age, physical health, and mental health. Before making the final choice, we carefully analyze your individual requirements and preferences to coincide with those of any potential surrogates.

Legal procedure — 2-6 weeks

After a suitable surrogate has been chosen, the intended parents are encouraged to get in touch with her. This is a very important and emotionally-involved step of the surrogacy process. It’s necessary to discuss every detail: the money the surrogate will get in return for her services, all necessary medical tests for her and the parents, future pregnancy conditions. With Startyorsurrogacy.com, you will receive our advice and support, as well as be provided with the preparation of all of the necessary documents.

Medical tests and fertilization process — 2-4 months

This stage can be divided into several small steps, consisting of the following: testing future parents (if their sperm and egg are used), testing of the carrier, and the process of fertilization. Fertilization in particular is the process most likely to affect how long surrogacy takes.

The pregnancy stage — 9 months

After embryos are successfully transferred and pregnancy is confirmed, the final and often the longest stage of the process begins — pregnancy. At this time, the surrogate mother is under a doctor’s supervision and is required to follow strict recommendations to ensure a healthy pregnancy, and the birth of a healthy child. 

At this stage, parents can prepare for the trip to meet with their baby for the first time.

Birth & beyond

The final stage of the program is childbirth. If you use the services of our fertility clinic,  Startyoursurrogacy.com in Georgia, you will receive your childbirth certificate which lists you as the child’s legal parents. At this stage, you can finally meet your baby and return home as a new family.

Conclusion

No matter which route you take, whether you decide to look for a surrogate mother yourself or rely on an agency, and how long the surrogacy process is, you will need patience. 

When applying to our clinic, Startyoursurrogacy.com, you will receive the necessary support during the entire process of the surrogacy journey. And, with loyal legislation regarding surrogacy in Georgia, you can avoid additional legal stressors throughout the surrogacy process. Though a surrogacy program can be a long and tedious journey, you will receive the most important and valuable prize at the end — your baby.

The help of a surrogate mother may be necessary not only for couples, but also for single people. After all, we are all different, and there are many reasons as to why someone can’t have a baby. Regardless of the reasoning, there is no reason to give up your dreams of parenthood. Here we have gathered some pros and cons of surrogacy.

The Pros of Surrogacy for Intended Parents

The decision to have a surrogacy is never easy to make. It requires money, time, and plenty of patience. However, before making this decision, it is crucial to understand the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy. Here we have decided to describe some benefits of this program first.

With surrogate motherhood, you can have a full family

Regardless of marital status, if you have turned to reproductive medicine, one thing is clear—you want to have a baby. Children can make our lives feel so much more complete. One of the advantages of surrogacy is the opportunity to create a real, large family.

LGBTQ+ couples can become parents

LGBTQ+ couples are often unable to have a child biologically. But is it worth giving up the dream of becoming parents? Thanks to reproductive medicine, everything is possible. Instead of giving up, they can consider all the pros and cons of having a surrogate mother and begin their journey to becoming parents.

One or both potential parents may be genetically associated with the prospective child

Depending on whose sperm and egg are used, one or both partners may also be the birth parents of their baby. The gestational carrier is not considered a birth mother; she doesn’t have any genetic connection to the child, or parental rights.

Surrogate motherhood has a very high success level

With surrogate motherhood, young women up to 35 years old with good health status are chosen and artificially fertilized. The chance of miscarriage is low with this option. Additionally, our clinic is located in Georgia, Europe, with an excellent ecology, benefitting the health of the surrogate mother throughout the course of pregnancy.

Parents are involved in the process of surrogate motherhood and can be involved in their baby’s life from birth

Unlike cases with an adoptive child, in surrogate motherhood, you can experience the development of the fetus from the moment of the embryo creation. You immediately get to know the woman carrying your baby, and you are aware of all the processes through pregnancy. And you can be there all the way through the most exciting moment—the birth of the baby.

The Cons of Surrogacy for Intended Parents

But there are some disadvantages to this method of treatment. Is it worth giving up surrogate motherhood? Here we talk about some cons of surrogacy for parents:

The surrogacy program might be costly, especially in the USA

The cost is often very high, but there are alternatives. For example, you can go to a country where prices are more reasonable. Our StartYourSurrogacy.com clinic is in Georgia, offering high-quality services for a more affordable price.

The process requires medical assistance at all stages

This could be classified not as a disadvantage, but rather simply as an aspect of the methodology. To ensure your family is getting the proper care, choose a clinic with a good reputation and extensive experience.

Surrogacy laws vary from place to place

Surrogate motherhood is not legal in all states of America. In some states, many conditions can limit your choice. But in Georgia, this method of fertility treatment is perfectly legal. The surrogate mother will also have no parental rights over the baby, allowing you and your partner to be stress-free throughout the entire legal process.

Surrogacy requires full trust from the intended parents.

Despite the high success rate, the program results are not always predictable. This is why prospective parents need to feel safe and comfortable in the hands of their clinic and surrogate mother. StartYourSurrogacy.com will take into account all your special needs to help ensure that you only experience the benefits of surrogacy. 

It’s an emotionally complex process

From the surrogacy pros and cons list, this point concerns the surrogate mother. She’ll have to give up the baby after the birth. Fortunately, this role is filled by psychologically mature women who are capable of making their own conscious decisions. Parents are also made aware of the emotional complexity of this process. 

How to Choose Your Perfect Surrogacy Option?

Before making such a serious decision, you should consider the pros and cons of surrogate motherhood carefully. Be sure to do the following throughout the process:

• Choose a lawyer who will inform you of all the legal rules governing this process and help with all paperwork;
• Find out whether surrogate motherhood is legal in your state;
• Study the prices of this program in different countries, clinics, and surrogacy agencies;
• Surrogacy pros and cons can also vary in different countries, so choose the clinic and the country best suited to you.

Conclusion

Here we’ve mentioned the pros and cons of surrogate parenthood. But the greatest pro is this— you are presented with an opportunity to share your love and take care of your child. In Georgia, a family is considered to be of the highest value. And here at StartYourSurrogacy.com, you can trust us to give your family the highest quality of care, for reasonable prices.

Thanks to surrogacy, your family can grow, allowing you and your partner to become happy parents. However, before choosing this treatment, it is important to fully understand the process, who it’s suitable for, and any frequently used approaches. It is absolutely necessary to know any and all risks, as well as advantages. In this post, you’ll find a comparison of traditional surrogacy vs. gestational surrogacy, including the main drawbacks and benefits of each option.

What is Traditional Surrogacy?

If you choose to take the route of traditional surrogacy, it is important to understand that your future baby will receive genes from the woman who carried it. This gene-transfer is inevitable due to the use of the surrogate mother’s egg for fertilization, which is one of the key distinctions between traditional vs. gestational surrogacy. The prospective father can provide semen, or a donor can be chosen. The surrogate is inseminated via IUI or, in rarer cases, IVF. The IUI method is considered to be simpler and faster, as the intended mother will not need a complicated infertility treatment or additional medication. Another benefit is that you will not waste time trying to find an egg donor.

Reasons to choose traditional surrogacy program

Why do couples choose this method? The principal causes for this choice can be described as the following:

• Traditional vs. gestational surrogacy has more preferable prices;
• Impregnation involves fewer procedures and is more likely to succeed;
• Using surrogacy vs. gestational carrier, the future legal mother won’t need to undergo tests and screenings because she won’t be involved in the conception;
• This method is perfect for single men, gay couples, and couples with any health issues that can obstruct a woman’s journey to motherhood.

What is essential to notice choosing a traditional surrogacy

Regardless of the advantages of this method, there can still be obstacles. To avoid them becoming an unpleasant surprise, it is better to learn about these peculiarities in advance:

• More legal processes and additional costs;
• Prohibited in many USA states and countries in Europe;
• A carrier will be passing her genetics to the baby, so you will need to choose her much more carefully while deciding between a surrogate vs. gestational carrier.

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

The key point of gestational surrogacy is that the carrier will have no genetic connection to the child. This is the essential difference between a surrogate and a gestational carrier, as the IVF method is used. Sperm and egg can be obtained from legal parents or donors, and one or both parents can be the child’s birth parents.

Reasons to choose gestational surrogacy program

As compared to the previous version, here are the advantages:

• Both parents can become the child’s birth parents, which is a rarity;
• It is allowed in many states and countries, so you won’t have to deal with as many legal issues;
• There is less paperwork. As a gestational carrier vs. surrogate mother is just a carrier without shared genes with the fetus, you can feel more secure in knowing she cannot claim maternity.

Main factors of gestational surrogacy

As you can see, this option has its advantages. However, keep in mind these points as well:

• The intended mother cannot be genetically related to the child if she has a physical condition preventing the production of healthy eggs;
• If the semen and eggs of a couple are used, both must undergo a comprehensive medical examination and, if necessary, treatment;
• Artificial insemination is more complex, often requiring several attempts.

Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy: How to Choose a Perfect Option for Your Couple

For each couple, there is an appropriate option. To determine the best solution for you, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons. Such aspects should be taken into account:

• Use of egg/sperm donor. Consider whether you will require this service. With traditional surrogacy, no search is necessary. All you need to do is find a surrogate mother. If the prospective mother is able to provide a healthy egg, the couple can consider gestational surrogacy.
• Medical procedures. Each option of surrogacy has its specifics, and it’s important to consider which will be more convenient for you and your family.
• Legal work. Regardless of your preferred service, both programs include specific legal procedures to follow. Be sure to study the laws carefully and be patient.
• Cost. In comparing traditional and gestational surrogacy, it is worth considering the cost. As traditional surrogacy has no need for a donor egg, it costs less than gestational surrogacy upfront. However, with this price difference is often balanced out after the legal costs of traditional surrogacy are accounted for.  
• Waiting time. These are processes that requires patience. With gestational surrogacy, it is sometimes necessary to wait until a suitable donor or carrier is found. This time does not need to be accounted for with traditional surrogacy, as there is no donor necessary.

Conclusion

Each family is different and has its own unique characteristics. Therefore, there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone. In this article, we’ve explained as many important details that are important to consider on your journey to parenthood. 

We at Startyoursurrogacy.com understand how serious and complex this solution is for you and are eager to advise you regarding any and all important questions, including the differences of gestational vs. traditional surrogacy. Our clinic is located in Georgia — a quaint and beautiful country with a positive attitude towards both types of surrogacy, as well as general family values. All you need to do is get in touch with us and start your journey to having a family.