How Long Does the Surrogacy Journey Take for Intended Parents?

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.