Becoming a surrogate is an exciting, life-changing experience — and if you are searching for information on how to get started, you have already taken the first step. Learning more about the process and requirements is an important stage for every woman considering a surrogacy journey.
Whether you live in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, or Alabama, here’s how to become a surrogate with Southern Surrogacy:
1. Meet Initial Screening Requirements to Be a Surrogate
The first step for any woman considering surrogacy is to complete a brief Information Request Form, which will help us determine whether you meet some basic surrogate qualifications, including:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a previous healthy pregnancy
- Be raising your own child in your home
- Be smoke- and drug-free
- Have a healthy BMI
- Be able to travel for surrogacy appointments
- And more
If your questionnaire indicates that you meet these basic surrogate requirements, you will be invited to complete another, longer questionnaire that asks for more detailed and personal information about your social and medical history. Southern Surrogacy staff will review this longer questionnaire and you may be invited to schedule a time to discuss our program and the requirements for surrogacy in more detail.
Women who meet the general qualifications to be a surrogate can then proceed with the surrogate screening process, which includes:
- Obtaining Medical and Insurance Documents: Our team will work to obtain medical records from your previous pregnancies. If you have health insurance, you will be asked to provide us with a copy of your insurance card and your benefits booklet. We will assist you in gathering these documents.
- Background Check: Southern Surrogacy will conduct a background check on you. Please note that intended parents will undergo the same background check to ensure both parties are truly ready for surrogacy.
- Psychological Consultation and Evaluation: Southern Surrogacy will arrange for you to complete a psychological evaluation administered by a trusted mental health professional. This professional will schedule a one-on-one evaluation and later, when matched, a group meetings with you and the intended parents.
Once you have satisfied Southern Surrogacy’s preliminary screening requirements, you are ready to be matched with hopeful intended parents. However, after a match has been made, you will need to undergo further medical and psychological evaluations before entering into your surrogacy agreement.
2. Match with Intended Parents
After you have been admitted to the surrogate program, we will begin the matching process. We are committed to finding the right match for each gestational carrier and intended parent, and we take the time to get to know each client before introducing them to a potential match.
When presenting prospective intended parents to you, we will forward you their profile, including pictures and a statement from them introducing themselves to you. You will have a similar profile that includes a written introduction, as well as some photos of you and your family. The prospective intended parents will have an opportunity to review this information, and if everyone is comfortable moving forward, we will facilitate the match meeting for you.
We will work with you to ensure everyone feels comfortable and has the support they need throughout the matching process. You are never navigating anything alone!
3. Meet Medical Requirements to be a Surrogate
Surrogacy is a physically demanding, emotionally overwhelming, and medically complex process. Before the embryo transfer, it is important to complete additional screening to ensure you are truly physically and emotionally ready to carry a surrogate pregnancy:
- Medical Screening: During your first medical appointment, you will likely complete a physical, a variety of laboratory testing and a screening for sexually transmitted diseases. (Your spouse or partner will also need to be screened for STDs and other communicable diseases). You may undergo an ultrasound to determine the health of your uterus. This medical screening is the final step to be officially approved as a gestational carrier.
- Joint Session with Psychologist:During this meeting, you will discuss the psychological aspects of surrogacy, as well as everyone’s expectations of each other and the process. The group meeting is invaluable and can help to avoid later issues, in the event that your expectations differ. We feel strongly that this is critical to a successful and enjoyable relationship with the intended parents.
Once you have met all the qualifications for surrogacy and have found the right intended parents, you will be ready to begin the legal and medical surrogacy process.
4. Satisfy Legal Requirements for Surrogacy
Upon receiving confirmation from the physician that you have completed all necessary testing and are ready to proceed with the surrogacy arrangement, the intended parents’ attorney will begin drafting the surrogacy contract.
Once the contract is ready for your review, we will assist you in the selection of independent legal counsel to review the contract with you and to negotiate any changes. The intended parents will cover your legal fees for the contract review process.
Your surrogacy contract will be tailored specifically to meet your needs and those of the intended parents. It will clearly outline compensation, risks, and each party’s responsibilities throughout the process.
Once the contract has been fully executed, then you are ready to begin the medical process and start preparing for the embryo transfer.
For more information about becoming a surrogate in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, or another southern state, please click the following to get started.
