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.