Surrogacy Blog

Surrogacy 101

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There are some states where surrogacy is considered legal. An example of this would be the Golden State of California, where there are already developed regulations on the procedure. Despite the emerging fame of this medical procedure, there are lots of people who are still confused with this process.

 

How is this procedure defined?

Before we define Surrogacy, let us understand why it came about in the first place. It is a known fact that not all can easily procreate and start their own family. This is true for infertile heterosexual couples and gay couples who, obviously, can’t bear their own child since they are of the same sex.

Science has come up with an answer in the form of Surrogacy. This process becomes possible by means of IVF; this is the process of fertilizing an egg outside the human body. If the woman is not capable of carrying the fertilized egg (embryo) to term, the solution is surrogacy. Therefore, this can be defined as the process by which a couple (intended parents) goes into contract with another woman (surrogate) to carry their fertilized egg or embryo.

 

Is there an association between the surrogate and the child?

There is a term specifically called, “gestational surrogacy,” which implies the surrogate carries the child in her womb and does not have any genetic association with the baby. Traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, involves either natural or most commonly, artificial insemination using the intended father’s sperm and the surrogate’s egg. This creates a genetic connection and is somewhat considered legally complex.

 

Are there circumstances that a surrogate claims the child?

Just before a surrogate is ultimately chosen, testing and screenings will be administered to check the surrogate’s overall capacity to carry out this procedure. To safeguard the best interests of all parties concerned, legal documentations are created and acknowledged to ensure that certain expectations are laid out and followed.

 

How much is the cost?

Admittedly, this process is expensive. There are a lot of costs to consider starting with the surrogate’s compensation down to the medical bills. It is ideal to find the best agency or clinic to know which can cater to the intended parents’, as well as the surrogate’s specific needs.

 

Is Surrogacy legal?

In Florida, as well as other states like Oregon, and Illinois, this procedure is considered legal and also have their own defined laws on the process. Some states, however, have their own different insights on the matter such as New York and New Jersey.

Surrogate Compensation

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Surrogate Compensation 

When one makes the selfless choice to become a surrogate, payment hardly becomes the top concern. That goes without mentioning the physical and emotional changes that a surrogate mom undergoes. Many folks understand that surrogacy is a very challenging role and that the compensation received is sometimes not equivalent to the sacrifice involved from the surrogate mother. Nonetheless, a surrogate mom should be compensated fairly.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Costs for Services

Surrogacy expenses are not all the same since it varies from agency to agency. Fees for application are paid by the intended parents, the cost of which normally work upwards of around $500, with legal costs typically come at $15,000. These expenses do not go straight to surrogate mom, but they go towards the direction of ensuring that she and the intended parents actually shielded economically.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Surrogate Cost

Turning into a surrogate is comparable to working full time, thus intended moms and dads usually recompense surrogate with a cash fee, which is determined and agreed upon prior to pregnancy; as well as ensuring that payment for various other costs are covered.

Expect that a first time surrogate mom will earn around $25,000 to $35,000 lower than what  an experienced surrogate is entitled to.

 

Surrogate Compensation: Additional Fees and Costs

As discussed above, a surrogate mom’s health care expenses are already settled by the intended moms and dads, this mainly consists of doctor’s appointments as well as other medical expenses incurred.

There are instances that will be out of the surrogate mom’s control that can still be covered by the intended parents. An instance, will be when the surrogate is kicked out of her property. There is this “back up plan” offered by the intended parents to ensure that her overall well being is still protected.

Understanding Surrogacy in Arkansas

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The legitimacy of surrogacy in the USA is actually still an on-going controversy. In addition to having surrogacy legal in some states in the US, it is the rules concerning the treatment that complexes the matter, and also increases inquiries coming from different communities in the country. Once you and your partner have decided to sign up for surrogacy services, you will need to familiarize yourself with information regarding surrogacy laws and legal issues per state. This will ease a little of the overwhelming feeling you are bound to get once you start your research on the topic.

The Basic Elements of Surrogacy Agreements

A legal professional with an extensive knowledge of Surrogacy laws is a key participant that will assist you in coming up with a contract with your surrogate. It is ideal to have independent or separate lawyers as well.

Having a list similar to the one below is important to outline the items that are essential to be agreed upon with your surrogate.

1. Names of parties involved, namely, the couple and the surrogate.

2. Must be of Legal Age.

3. Number of attempts.

4. The process of achieving surrogate’s pregnancy, like “no sexual intercourse.”

5. Agreement to sustain and continue the pregnancy.

6. A declaration that the mother cannot conceive a child and sustain a pregnancy.

7. Statement of in depth medical and mental condition of the woman who carries the intended

parents baby as agreed.

8. Medical insurance for all parties involved in the placement of the embryo.

9. Modern technology or practices involving the placement of the embryo.

10. Close monitoring and checking of surrogate’s activities as well as medication ingested.

11. Agreement on regular prenatal medical health care

12. Restriction on surrogate’s activities that may be considered threatening to pregnancy and the

birthing process.

13. Parental rights of the surrogate.

14. The presence of the couple during birth.

15. Legal or physical custody of the surrogate and the couple once the child is delivered.

16. Financial considerations before, during, and after pregnancy.

17. Confidentiality terms.

The items discussed above covers much of what is needed, but it is better to consider other factors to help you prepare for cases that you are not yet aware of. Planning ahead is critical at this stage to avoid having problems that will not only affect you but also the child‘s welfare.

Surrogate’s Compensation

The surrogate’s pay is one of the many issues to expect when deciding to opt for surrogacy. This answers the question on how just how much a surrogate is entitled to. It also covers the schedule of payment – before and during pregnancy checkups and medications, child delivery, and after birth. Expect more issues to arise if the childbirth is complicated or compromised due to medical issues. Given this, it is strongly advisable for all possible cases to be anticipated and covered, which includes fiscal commitments and insurances. Take note as well that whatever compensation a traditional or gestational surrogate gets, it is important to know that they are not an employee. Even if the surrogate does it for free, they are still not qualified under the definition of employee-employer relationship.

Gestational or Traditional Surrogacy

It is essential to know the difference between these two types of Surrogacy procedures. Traditional Surrogacy is the process wherein the surrogate undergoes artificial insemination or IVF by combining the surrogate’s eggs with the sperm of the donor. In this case, the surrogate has a genetic connection to the child, which could be very risky because of the said genetic link.

Gestational Surrogacy on the other hand, is the process wherein the surrogate carries the pregnancy and delivers the child from an already fertilized embryo. The egg and sperm are from the couples who request the help of a surrogate. In this case, the surrogate serves only as a carrier for the child, and there is no genetic link involved.

Legal Matters Post-Birth Adoption

There are still many legalities to be checked and agreed upon prior to or after the child’s birth. In many states, legal courts allow the intended parent’s name directly indicated on the child’s birth certificate. In other states, the surrogate’s name is the one placed on the birth documents, which can be amended in the future when the order for the intended parent’s come and be listed. Some states allow pre-birth order, however only under certain conditions. The main point is to know and understand the laws of each state in terms of surrogacy.

How To Select A Gestational Surrogate in Arkansas

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For most couples, starting a family is as easy as 1-2-3; but, for some, they may opt to choose a surrogate carrier or a gestational surrogate. So how does a couple select a gestational surrogate?

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but can not bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. Still, it is always a good idea to consult with your own preferred doctor.

Choosing the Right Agency for You

A couple or single parent usually has an ideal surrogate carrier in mind. There are many agencies that offer this service so always choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Read feedbacks from other couples or single parents who have already used the service and the reason why these couples or single parents chose them in the first place?

Selecting A Gestational Surrogate

After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. It is always best to consult with your OB/Gyne or reproductive endocrinologist regarding the medical history of the GS that you plan to work with.

The Ideal Gestational Surrogate

The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. If you or your partner chooses to go through in vitro fertilization, make sure to choose your preferred Reproductive Endocrinologist.
In Conclusion

The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time. Remember that using the service of a GS is not for everyone; there will be a lot of emotions that will run through your mind.

A gestational surrogate is defined as a woman bearing the child for another couple or single parent who wishes to have a child; but cannot bear to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. Choosing a gestational surrogate has a course that usually has to be followed. After choosing the agency to work with, finding the right candidate for the gestational surrogate is the next step. The gestational surrogate should ideally be drug and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and between the ages of 21 to 40 years old. The process of finding the right gestational surrogate may take some time.

Communicating with your gestational surrogate.

Intended Parents 101: Communicating with Your Gestational Surrogate

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Communicating with your gestational surrogate during the surrogacy journey is very important to its success. The surrogate agency you work with will make sure that all of your preferences are met in finding an ideal gestational surrogate to assist you. The degree of communication and relationship you want with a gestational surrogate will really depend on you and your partner’s preferences. So it is very important to be truthful with your agency when disclosing this information.

After you have disclosed your personal preferences on the type of relationship and communication you want with a gestational surrogate, your surrogate agency will match you with a gestational surrogate who shares the same preferences with you and your partner. If you would like to keep your relationship with your gestational surrogate on a more personal level – meaning you want to have a close working relationship with open communication – your surrogate agency will find you a gestational surrogate who wants the same type of relationship.

If you prefer a more “business like” relationship with your gestational surrogate, your agency will pair you up with a suitable gestational surrogate who shares the same preferences. In this scenario, your agency will be doing most of the communicating with your gestational surrogate and will be informing you of any doctor’s appointments or checkups that you may want to attend with your gestational surrogate.

Communicating with your gestational surrogate is now easier than ever thanks to the services of a reliable surrogate agency. Remember, a good surrogate agency should be able to provide excellent services and support all throughout your surrogacy journey. They should be able to assist you in any way possible to make the journey a lot easier and more stress free for you and your partner.

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Communicating with your gestational surrogate.

Surrogates in Arkansas and Their Relationship with the Intended Parents

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Surrogates in Arkansas and their rapport with the intended parents is exclusively unique in its own way. Mounting a rich understanding of your expectations of the relationship and allocating those specifics with your surrogacy agency and each other is important.

The prime areas to focus discussions about your surrogate relationship concerns are regularity of communication, types of communication, and the overall tone of your personal relationship. This relationship can be reflected many different ways or you may indicate that you do not wish to have a relationship. Every intended parent’s approach will be different, as will that of the surrogates in Arkansas.

Relationships evolve and change over time. Being aware of this creates a balance with your surrogate mother, enabling a healthy relationship to develop and grow.

Surrogates in Arkansas must have a balance of communication between themselves and intended parents. It can be a delicate process involving each of you. Determining the amount of communication and gaining an insight into the surrogate’s expectations should be carefully considered. Some intended parents like high levels of interaction, regular updates via e-mail or phone, and the expectancy of attending the doctor appointments.

It is extremely essential to some intended parents to be included in the pregnancy. Similarly, some surrogates in Arkansas also desire this close bond with their intended parents and may be disappointed if the intended parents choose not to engage in regular contact throughout the journey and beyond. Many choose to have a life-long friendship even after the birth.

A small percentage of intended parents and surrogates in Arkansas feel compelled to have a small dose of contact such as quick updates and texts or phone conversation. Before entering into a surrogacy agreement together, it is important that several discussions take place as to the desirable amount of communication that will take place throughout the pregnancy and beyond.

It is important to talk with your partner about what type of relationship you would like to have with your surrogate before, during and after pregnancy. There are so many advantages and disadvantages to both options. The final decision ultimately rests on your shoulders and your personal preferences.

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Ideal Organic Food Diet for Surrogate Mothers in Arkansas

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During pregnancy, surrogate mothers in Arkansas are eating for two. Eating a well-balanced diet not only provides your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but provides the unborn baby with the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop. Surrogate mothers need increased amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the health and growth of the unborn baby. Vitamin supplements are also recommended.

There are foods you should limit or avoid during pregnancy, especially foods that have been treated with pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals, but organic foods are foods that are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Meat and dairy products must not be produced using antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed composed of animal products in order to be considered organic.

Organic food is very expensive — often twice the price of the same, non-organic product. If you have a limited budget, eat only organic fruits and vegetables. The health benefits of organic meat, poultry, eggs, and milk are not clear. You can even cut corners by purchasing only certain organic fruits and vegetables that have not been exposed to large amounts of pesticide or herbicide. Traditionally, grapes, peaches, strawberries, winter squash, green beans, apples, spinach and tomatoes have high levels of pesticide. You can consume non-organic foods that have inedible peels, such as oranges, or have outer layers that can be removed, such as lettuce.

Supplement your diet with vitamins. Vitamins and minerals help you maintain good health. As a surrogate mother in *state*, your food is not only providing your body with nutrients, but also that of the unborn child. Usually a well-balanced diet provides all the vitamins and minerals you need, but surrogate mothers in Arkansas often take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid and other vital nutrients needed during pregnancy. When choosing a vitamin or vitamins, make sure it contains folic acid, iron, and Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Folic acid helps prevent nervous system disorders in the unborn child and protects mothers from cancer and stroke. Surrogate mothers in Arkansas should ingest 600 mg of folic acid every day.

Eating a diet that consists of organic fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and dairy products and lean protein sources such as beans, legumes, poultry, low-fat red meat, and fish low in mercury will give your body the widest array of vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet also provides your body with fiber, which is necessary for intestinal health, and calcium and vitamin D, which promote bone strength for you and your baby. If you can afford it, you can switch your diet to organic foods to ensure better health and development for you and your baby.

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Surrogate Cost Insurance Questions & Answers

Surrogate Cost: The 3 Biggest Surrogacy Insurance Questions Answered

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Surrogacy is a wonderful journey that leads to the creation of families, but there are a lot of details to be worked out, and the process can be confusing. One of the biggest sources of confusion is the overall surrogate cost. The biggest factor that affects the financial aspect is the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because the surrogate insurance has such a big impact on the financial cost, it is important to understand as much as possible about how the coverage works. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about surrogacy insurance:

Question 1: What is the advantage of being covered for surrogacy over someone who has no surrogacy insurance coverage?

The intended parents face a great deal of expenses regarding the surrogacy process. They have to pay for fertility medications, the surrogate’s stipend, agency fees and legal expenses. If a surrogate already has insurance coverage for surrogacy, the intended parents would not have to purchase a separate policy for her. Because they do not have to buy an insurance policy for that surrogate, using that surrogate is more affordable for the intended parents than using a surrogate without the surrogacy insurance coverage. Because of this, the intended parents may be more inclined to choose a surrogate who already has surrogacy insurance coverage over one with no insurance coverage so that they can save money on the surrogate cost.

Question 2: Another surrogate uses the same insurance company that I do and she got paid on her claims. Since I am using the same insurance company, will my surrogacy claims get paid, too?

No, not necessarily. Insurance policies and rules change and vary from state to state, time to time, and employer to employer. It is not a good idea to assume that because you are using the same company that you have the same policy. Surrogate agencies are experienced in researching insurance benefits for surrogacy. Ask your surrogate agency for assistance with investigating your insurance benefits.

Question 4: I qualify for Medicaid. Will Medicaid cover my surrogacy?

No, not necessarily. Another common mistake surrogates make is that they make the assumption that Medicaid always covers pregnancy. Pregnancy care and surrogacy are not considered as the same thing by the insurance company. Your surrogate agency will be able to contact medicaid for you and verify your coverage for surrogacy. In all likelihood you will not be covered for surrogacy under medicaid.

These are some of the most common insurance questions frequently asked by surrogate mothers. By understanding these questions, you will get a better idea of how your insurance works and how much they will cover, if any, of the surrogate cost. As a general rule to remember, it is not wise to assume that your insurance will just cover your claims. It is better to have your surrogate agency handle surrogacy insurance concerns, because they are experts in this field. Having a surrogate agency assist you and the intended parents will help the surrogacy journey be less complicated and more stress free.

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Gay Intended Parents 101: Simple Ways to Bond with Your Newborn

Intended Parents 101: Simple Ways to Bond with Your Newborn

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One of the major fears gay parents face is whether they will bond or connect with their newborn, but most intended parents don’t realize that this is a very common worry amongst all types of parents. Here are some helpful tips and ideas to help gay parents bond with their newborn baby:

  • Before your newborn arrives, it is best to join a support group or a network with other gay parents that have tried surrogacy. The more you are able to talk through your fears, learn suggestions and hear stories from other parents, the more you will be prepared and have reasonable expectations of the initial months with your newborn. Reading books on parenting and watching DVDs or TV programs will help you feel ready when your newborn is placed in your arms.
  • Once your newborn arrives, it is best to focus on nurturing and meeting the baby’s needs. This is one of the main ways that parents and children bond to each other. You and your partner need to pay close attention to the nurturing tasks you are doing for your newborn, like feeding, changing, dressing and holding. By coming to your child when called and when you are needed, you will build trust and a feeling of safety which is at the basis of bonding. Responding to your baby’s cries or perceived “neediness” with consistency, love, and gentleness will let them slowly know that you are the parent and you can be depended on. For babies, dependency is a good thing.
  • Talk to your newborn. Language is a key element of connection and will help your baby in his development. Even with a newborn, it is important to talk and sing and coo and use your voice to share information and emotion. You can talk while you are doing care-taking tasks, talk about what you’re doing, and talk while you’re taking a walk. Even though you may think your child doesn’t understand you, you are conveying attachment and sharing information when you talk to him or her.
  • Play. Play is one of the joys of both parenthood and childhood. Before you know it, your newborn will be in the terrible teens and you will miss the days when you were his or her favorite playmate. For infants and babies, traditional games like peek-a-boo and singing games are wonderful ways to interact and bond, as well as teach your baby.
  • Touch. This may seem like a no-brainer, but touch is a key element in attachment and bonding. With an infant or baby, you will be holding your child to feed, rock, and comfort. A thousand words of comfort and security can easily be conveyed to your newborn through touch.

These are just some of the simple ways gay parents can bond with their newborn. By learning all the important skills new parents need to care and nurture for their child, you can easily build a lasting bond with your newborn baby.

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How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

How to Tell Your Family You Are a Surrogate

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When you want to become a surrogate mother, it is not an easy task. Along with the numerous responsibilities before, during, and after the surrogacy journey, you will be left with the dilemma of letting your family, children and friends know of your decision to become a surrogate mother for others. Getting all the moral support you can from your family, children, and friends is very important for your surrogacy journey. The moral support your family can give you will help you cope with all the emotions you might feel during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that any pregnancy usually affects those people who are near and dear to you. Your immediate family should be the first ones to find out about your decision to become a surrogate mother. Your husband, parents, and children should be well educated on the surrogacy process. The best time to tell your immediate family about your decision to become a surrogate mother is when you have firmly decided on being a surrogate. Letting your immediate family know the reasons why you decided on being a surrogate will greatly help them understand your purpose and goals. Being truthful with them will help them understand and accept your decision.

Letting your children understand your situation as a surrogate will take a bit of time and patience. Remember that the reaction of your children will depend mainly on what you have told them. Explaining this sort of thing to your children will always call for sensitivity, and most importantly, the truth. You should also consider introducing the concepts and ideas of surrogacy to your children over a period of time, rather than all at once. For example, as you arrange a meeting with the intended parents, you can take the opportunity to bring up these ideas with your children. You can begin talking about families and what makes a family between television shows or after social gatherings with other children so that they can get the importance of family.

For your friends and other relatives, it is highly advisable to not let them know about your situation as a surrogate immediately. The best approach would be to let the pregnancy come up naturally in conversation. The more natural, confident, and happy you are about it, the more accepting they will be to you being a surrogate. If you are nervous and scared of their reaction, they may question your decision. Just remember that they won’t all accept or agree with your decision to become a surrogate mother and this should not affect you.

You should not fool yourself into believing that your pregnancy will not affect the people who are closest to you. It is vital for your family to be well prepared and supportive, and this is a very important aspect for your pregnancy to be a success. They need to fully understand that the baby is not going to be a member of your family. If you have children, you need to make them realize that they are not getting another brother or sister. They need to understand that you are merely providing a service for some couple who were not able to have a baby on their own. Surrogacy can be a very educational and socially expanding experience, not only for yourself and your family, but also your community.

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