After choosing a life partner and deciding to have children, picking a surrogacy agency is one of the biggest choices you can make. It is crucial for both gestational carriers and intended parents to ask the right questions to find an agency that is both trustworthy and supportive.
Everyone claims to have the top surrogacy agency, but agencies are not all created equal. We will teach you what to look for to have the best possible surrogacy experience.
How to Find the Best Surrogacy Agency as a Gestational Carrier
As a gestational carrier, what you should look for in a surrogacy agency is support. Your role as a surrogate will be physically and emotionally challenging. Because of that, you need an agency that cares for your needs in both of those areas. Gestational carriers perform a beautiful act of service and deserve comprehensive, continuous care before, during, and after pregnancy.
During the application process, you will be interviewed by the agency. However, this is your chance to interview the agency right back. You’re probably wondering what questions you should ask a surrogacy agency. As always, we have your back.
Questions to Ask a Surrogacy Agency as a Gestational Carrier
- How much will I be compensated? This is a simple, straightforward question. If an agency won’t give you a simple, straightforward answer before you sign any contracts, don’t sign.
- What medical care is included? Every agency offers a slightly different plan, and health insurance coverage varies by state and provider. Be sure to do your research!
- What support will be offered to me? Again, every agency is different. Some are very heavily focused on meeting the needs of their intended parents but neglect the surrogates in their care. Make sure that your chosen agency takes good care of gestational carriers as well as intended parents.
- What are your screening requirements for intended parents? Though you won’t be carrying your own child, you surely want them to be raised in a good home. How does your agency screen their intended parents?
- Do I get to choose my own lawyer? In-house lawyers will always prioritize the interests of the agency over your individual needs. We recommend choosing your own lawyer.
How to Find the Best Surrogacy Agency as Intended Parents
Bringing a child into the world is no small matter, and it’s important that you choose a good surrogate agency! As an intended parent, you are trusting an agency with the life and care of your future child. We will be with you every step of the way, and confidence is a necessity.
Questions to Ask a Surrogacy Agency as Intended Parents
- How much should I expect to pay for surrogacy? In the United States, surrogacy usually costs at least $75,000. Your agency should easily be able to estimate your expected costs.
- How long does finding a surrogate take? Again, every agency is different. Most give estimates ranging between 1 and 12 months; it depends on the surrogacy program you choose.
Your agency should be able to give a relatively close estimate. This should be easy, based on the average wait time for their previous clients. - What are your screening requirements for gestational carriers? For medical and general safety reasons, this is incredibly important to know. Your lawyer can help you determine an agency’s trustworthiness in this area.
- What is the emergency plan? Does your agency offer 24-hour care? How will you be notified if something happens to your gestational carrier or her pregnancy?
- What are my parental rights during my surrogate’s pregnancy? This is incredibly important information. Your agency should be entirely transparent about your state’s laws on assisted reproductive technology.
Our 5 Top Surrogacy Agency Finding Tips
The questions we’ve included for carriers and parents are slightly different, but they all have the same intention. An agency that’s truly good for gestational carriers will also be good for intended parents, and vice versa. Both parties need protection and support during this momentous time.
The better the communication is between surrogates, agencies, and intended parents, the better outcomes for all parties involved. Surrogacy is a team effort to bring life into the world, and those involved should act like a team. At Simple Steps Fertility, you’ll have a personal contact available to you for every step of the process. We provide comprehensive, continuous care for intended parents and gestational carriers alike.