Surrogacy Services in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois has one of the best environments for surrogacy services. Why? Because there is a statute highly favorable to gestational surrogacy which governs the process from contracts to birth certificates. Gestational surrogacy uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using the eggs from the prospective mother and/or the sperm from the father that is then implanted in a surrogate mother, who carries the baby until birth. The Illinois statue applies to single parents and heterosexual couples where at least one person has furnished their own genomes.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy can be thought of as an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a baby to term on behalf of “intended parents” who cannot or choose not to conceive the traditional way.

What is the difference between Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy?

Traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate mother, who is pregnant with her own child, makes an agreement with “intended parents” to bring the baby to term and then turn over the baby to the “intended parents”. The surrogate’s egg may be fertilized using an intended father’s sperm or with donor sperm. Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate mother has no biological connection to the baby, as both the egg and sperm come from the “intended parents” or donors. The surrogate or gestational surrogate is implanted with the fertilized embryo through In Vitro Fertilization. In both case, the baby is turned over to the intended parents.

Some states specifically outlaw surrogacy, some states are favorable, and many states have no statues at all and leave the entire issue to individual cases in the courts. Illinois is one of the most favorable states for surrogacy. Generally, the state where the child is born is the state whose laws apply. So, it makes sense for the intended parents of a surrogate baby to choose a surrogate mother living in Chicago. Picking a surrogacy agency in Chicago, Illinois is a great way to start the surrogacy process for intended parents.

Once you have chosen a state that is favorable for surrogacy, you need to find a surrogate mother, advisably through a reputable surrogacy agency, who has the experience to guide all parties through the process. An agency can help parents find a surrogate mother, help with the agreement between the parties, and make helpful referrals to other parties such as attorneys, counselors and fertility clinics.

Some agencies are quite large and spend a lot of money on finding surrogate mothers and advertising, which makes their overhead costs higher. These large firms charge much more for their services. A small firm can save intended parents thousands of dollars and keep the services much more personalized. Parenting Partners, Inc., is a smaller surrogate agency in Chicago, Illinois, with years of experience and who has successfully managed many surrogate experiences. The owner is an advocate for surrogacy and is also a parent through surrogacy herself. This experience leads to higher quality surrogacy services and lower costs.

Surrogacy in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois has one of the best environments for surrogacy. Why? Because there is a statute highly favorable to gestational surrogacy which governs the process from contracts to birth certificates. Gestational surrogacy uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using the eggs from the prospective mother and/or the sperm from the father that is then implanted in a surrogate mother, who carries the baby until birth. The Illinois statue applies to single parents and heterosexual couples where at least one person has furnished their own genomes.

Some states specifically outlaw surrogacy, some states are favorable, and many states have no statues at all and leave the entire issue to individual cases in the courts. Illinois is one of the most favorable states for surrogacy. Generally, the state where the child is born is the state whose laws apply. So, it makes sense for the intended parents of a surrogate baby to choose a surrogate mother living in Illinois. Picking a surrogacy agency in Chicago is a great way to start the surrogacy process for intended parents.

Once you have chosen a state that is favorable for surrogacy, you need to find a surrogate mother, advisably through a reputable surrogacy agency, who has the experience to guide all parties through the process. An agency can help parents find a surrogate mother, help with the agreement between the parties, and make helpful referrals to other parties such as attorneys, counselors and fertility clinics.

Some agencies are quite large and spend a lot of money on finding surrogate mothers and advertising, which makes their overhead costs higher. These large firms charge much more for their services. A small firm can save intended parents thousands of dollars and keep the services much more personalized. Parenting Partners, Inc., is a smaller surrogate agency near Chicago, Illinois, with years of experience and who has successfully managed many surrogate experiences. The owner is an advocate for surrogacy and is also a parent through surrogacy herself. This experience leads to higher quality surrogacy services and lower costs.

Read Surrogate Mother Stories

Considering becoming a surrogate mother in Illinois? What a great gift you will be giving to a family who wants a child but is unable to have one. This is an important decision and it’s best to talk it over with everyone you care about and who cares for you. This journey should not be entered to lightly or for any other reasons other than to help others have the joy of parenting through your hard work. This should not be done for money or status; it is a physical, emotional, and legal journey to be a surrogate mother and should not be undertaken with the wrong motivations. If you are convinced that you want to look into it, I would strongly recommend looking for stories of other surrogate mothers who have already gone through the process as they will be your best input into what you might experience. If you are absolutely sure that this is your calling, then you are ready to learn more about the process.

First, what is surrogacy? Gestational surrogacy uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using the eggs from the prospective mother and/or the sperm from the father that is then implanted in a surrogate mother, who carries the baby until birth. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not genetically related to the baby. It is important to note that with this option, extensive medical preparation and management may be needed and increase the chance of multiple births. Once the baby is born, the surrogate mother will allow the genetic parents to raise their baby.

Some of the best surrogate mother stories and pictures can be found online, but you may have to search really hard for them. Because of that, I recommend the site www.parentingpartners.net to read the stories and see the pictures on that site. Because it is a surrogacy agency near Chicago, it will be a good resource for Illinois residents. Be ready for the process and make sure you are between the ages of 21 and 37, are in good health, have a stable lifestyle, have given birth before and have had a great pregnancy history. Surrogacy agencies typically have different requirements for becoming a surrogate mother, so make sure you understand what is required.

Here are some links to get started reading stories from real surrogate mothers. Are you ready?

My Surrogacy Journey and Birth Story for Ethan – Surrogate Mother Story

Athena's Story - Being A Surrogate – Surrogate Mother Story

A Baby To Love : Chicago Parent Magazine – Surrogate Mother Story

Parenting Partners, Inc., is a smaller surrogate agency in Illinois, with years of experience and who has successfully managed many surrogate experiences. The owner is an advocate for surrogacy and is also a parent through surrogacy herself. This experience leads to higher quality surrogacy services and lower costs.

Gestational Surrogacy - Definition

Gestational surrogacy is a term that defines a situation in which a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else. The woman who carries the baby is known as the gestational carrier or surrogate mother. The parents-to-be are known as the "intended parents" and are typically involved in the pregnancy, are present at the birth, and become the child's legal parents after the baby’s birth. The baby isn’t genetically related to the gestational carrier because the egg usually comes from the intended mother and the sperm comes from the intended father. This is the typical gestational surrogacy situation, although sometimes the sperm, eggs, or embryos come from a donor.

Gestational surrogacy utilizes IVF, or in-vitro fertilization, in which eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory setting and the resulting embryo is implanted in the gestational carrier. 

Is gestational surrogacy legal?

Most states don't have specific laws covering gestational surrogacy, so it's important to work with a licensed attorney in your state who has expertise in third party reproduction. An attorney can advise you on your options and draft a legally binding contract. 

Currently, a handful of states allow gestational surrogacy contracts, but they aren't always enforceable depending on what's legal. Some states require couples to be married, and some don't allow gestational surrogates to be compensated. Also, there may be requirements about sexual orientation.

Illinois has one of the best environments for surrogacy. Why? Because there is a statute highly favorable to gestational surrogacy which governs the process from contracts to birth certificates. The Illinois statue applies to single parents and heterosexual couples where at least one person has furnished their own genomes.

When is gestational surrogacy the right choice?

Gestational surrogacy may be a good choice for a woman if she is unable to carry a pregnancy safely or at all because of uterus problems. Men choose gestational surrogacy because they are single or in a gay relationship.

How do you get started with gestational surrogacy?

Whether you set up the arrangement through an Chicago Surrogacy agency such as www.ParentingPartners.net or negotiate it privately, using a gestational surrogate is a legally complex and emotionally intense process. If you decide to go this route, be prepared to commit a lot of time, money, and patience to succeed.

Though you won't carry the baby, it's likely you'll be very involved in the pregnancy. You'll also probably pay the gestational surrogate's expenses, including medical appointments, health insurance bills, travel costs, legal bills, and agency fees (if you're using one). Here's what happens when you choose gestational surrogacy:

1.      You speak with a fertility counselor to help you consider the pros and cons, sort through your emotions, and explore the potential impact of a relationship with a gestational surrogate.

2.      Next, you decide whether to ask a relative or friend to be the gestational surrogate, or use an agency that can match you with someone.

3.      You and your partner, if applicable, and the gestational surrogate undergo medical and psychological screenings.

4.      Hire an attorney experienced in gestational surrogacy for yourself and your gestational surrogate. Create a legal agreement that protects everyone and describes important details such as compensation, parental rights, legal custody, where the baby will be delivered, future contact between the parties, insurance coverage, and control over medical decisions made during the pregnancy.

5.      You and your partner, or you and the donor use IVF to produce an embryo that's genetically yours and the embryo is transferred to the gestational surrogate.

How long does gestational surrogacy take?

Finding a healthy, willing gestational surrogate can take months or even years, whether you screen candidates through an agency, decide to ask a friend or relative, or search for someone online.

Once you've finalized the agreement and have begun treatment, it can take at least three or four IVF cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy. Each IVF cycle takes four to six weeks.

Surrogacy Services in Illinois

Illinois has one of the best environments for surrogacy services. Why? Because there is a statute highly favorable to gestational surrogacy which governs the process from contracts to birth certificates. Gestational surrogacy uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using the eggs from the prospective mother and/or the sperm from the father that is then implanted in a surrogate mother, who carries the baby until birth. The Illinois statue applies to single parents and heterosexual couples where at least one person has furnished their own genomes.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy can be thought of as an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a baby to term on behalf of “intended parents” who cannot or choose not to conceive the traditional way.

What is the difference between Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy?

Traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate mother, who is pregnant with her own child, makes an agreement with “intended parents” to bring the baby to term and then turn over the baby to the “intended parents”. The surrogate’s egg may be fertilized using an intended father’s sperm or with donor sperm. Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate mother has no biological connection to the baby, as both the egg and sperm come from the “intended parents” or donors. The surrogate or gestational surrogate is implanted with the fertilized embryo through In Vitro Fertilization. In both case, the baby is turned over to the intended parents.

Some states specifically outlaw surrogacy, some states are favorable, and many states have no statues at all and leave the entire issue to individual cases in the courts. Illinois is one of the most favorable states for surrogacy. Generally, the state where the child is born is the state whose laws apply. So, it makes sense for the intended parents of a surrogate baby to choose a surrogate mother living in Illinois. Picking a surrogacy agency in Northern Illinois is a great way to start the surrogacy process for intended parents.

Once you have chosen a state that is favorable for surrogacy, you need to find a surrogate mother, advisably through a reputable surrogacy agency, who has the experience to guide all parties through the process. An agency can help parents find a surrogate mother, help with the agreement between the parties, and make helpful referrals to other parties such as attorneys, counselors and fertility clinics.

Some agencies are quite large and spend a lot of money on finding surrogate mothers and advertising, which makes their overhead costs higher. These large firms charge much more for their services. A small firm can save intended parents thousands of dollars and keep the services much more personalized. Parenting Partners, Inc., is a smaller surrogate agency in Chicago, Illinois, with years of experience and who has successfully managed many surrogate experiences. The owner is an advocate for surrogacy and is also a parent through surrogacy herself. This experience leads to higher quality surrogacy services and lower costs.

CHOOSING A SURROGACY AGENCY: Part 2

Help for surrogate moms

Matching you with intended parents

Your match with an surrogacy intended parents is critical.  You are embarking on a new partnership. You want to feel good about this relationship from the very first meeting. So how the match is made, how the first meeting is organized, and what will happen day to day is what matters most. What makes an agency successful is the care they take in achieving good matches. They involve all parties and help them decide what matches are best for them. It is important to know how the surrogate agency works when matching you with intended parents. You should have a say in what intended parents seem right for you and avoid any situations that don’t seem exactly right for you.

Know about the compensation

For some, a key factor in deciding to go with a particular Chicago surrogacy agency is the compensation for your time and effort, as well as reimbursement for your expenses. It cannot be stressed enough to make sure you fully understand what is being offered by the particular agency. Be aware as you review different agencies that it can be confusing to compare “compensation” levels. Some agencies include expenses in their “compensation” amount, which can make it sound higher than it actually is. Compensation and reimbursement for expenses are not, in fact, the same and should be viewed separately. Larger agencies may be able to offer more compensation but may not give you the personalized attention that is much more important in being happy about the surrogacy.

What about medical insurance

How will I know if I have the right coverage? Make sure the surrogacy agency or program reviews your insurance needs — it is not your responsibility to do so. Furthermore, it should never be your responsibility to find the best insurance plan, if you need one. The matching program should guide you and the intended parents through the insurance minefield — and it is a minefield — changing every year. Only experts who know and understand health insurance and how it intersects with surrogacy will be able to determine whether a particular policy has an applicable surrogacy exclusion or not, and only such an expert can identify the best plan and when to apply for it. Your agency or matching program should lead you through the whole process in the best and most logical way. It should never be the surrogate’s or intended parents’ responsibility.

Legal protection

When you work with a surrogacy program or agency, confirm that you will have independent legal representation in your state of residence, and that you are free to choose whom that attorney will be. The cost should be paid for by the intended parents. For an Illinois surrogacy agency, you will have the protection of liberal Illinois laws.

CHOOSING A SURROGACY AGENCY: Part 1

Help for surrogate moms

Surrogacy is a Journey

Surrogacy is a journey that can be incredibly rewarding, but it is important to realize that it surrogacy is a process. You want to weight the decision very carefully and take your time deciding. From initial screenings, interviews, medical testing, psychological evaluations, on through pregnancy and delivery, it's important to choose a surrogate agency that will be with you every step of the way and that will provide clear guidance. Make sure that you are comfortable with the agency you choose to take this journey with.

Your Motivation

The most common reason women give to us for becoming a surrogate mother is the genuine desire to help others have the child they could not otherwise have. Many surrogates point out that they truly love being pregnant and find that pregnancy is easy and enjoyable — they are excited about being pregnant again. For some, financial compensation is a part of the equation too; although, in truth, money is not and should not be the sole driving factor. In any case, you need to be honest with yourself and others as you begin the process so that you can articulate your motivations. Pick an agency that can help you to make sure that your motivations are true and will listen to you and help you sort out your feelings.

Understand the Requirements

Always make sure the specific requirements are clearly explained to you from the start. There are age-related requirements, medical, financial, lifestyle, and other requirements to consider before you can become a gestational surrogate mother. A good agency will help you go through these requirements, explaining the reasons for, and the thinking behind each of them, so you’ll fully understand the responsibilities, the demands and the obligations of becoming a surrogate for someone. There should be no surprises. We understand how important this decision is, both for you, of course, and for the parents-to-be. An agency’s goal should be to assist in making the process as clear as possible from day one, and as enjoyable as possible throughout.

What support is available

With an Illinois surrogate agency, you should be comfortable with the coordinator who will get to know you and be available to you as an adviser and as someone who is tuned into your personal needs and is responsive in a timely fashion. They will be consistently available, including, quite frequently, outside of regular office hours. With such a personal approach, they can assist in facilitating discussions with treating physicians — working through any medical bumps in the road that might arise — and with anyone else involved in the process along the way. Make sure your agency offers the right surrogacy services for you.