Are you searching for egg donor agencies to begin your journey as a surrogate mother? Your selfless gift will help an individual/couple start their own family.
Every egg donor agency varies slightly in how they operate. However, they share a list of pre-screening, medical and legal requirements that every surrogacy candidate must complete.
These are listed below:
Screening Requirements
After you’ve met all the necessary general requirements, you are ready to complete the screening process. This includes the following:
An Application:
This will gather detailed information about your identity.
Medical and Social History:
These forms ask you to outline a detailed history of your and your family’s medical and social history, as well as personality.
Physical Examination:
You will meet with a fertility doctor for a physical check-up and lab work to determine whether your body can handle a healthy surrogacy.
In-Home Assessment:
A social worker will visit you in your home to discuss your motivations and goals for considering surrogacy. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the process.
Background Check:
You must provide your consent for background and criminal record checks.
Mental Health Evaluation:
A mental health professional will meet with you to determine whether you comprehend the emotional impact of this process and if you’re psychologically ready to face the challenges of surrogate motherhood.
Medical Requirements
Your health is central to having a successful surrogacy, and as a result, it will be closely monitored for the entire journey duration. Becoming a surrogate mother begins with medical screening and terminates with delivery.
Medical Screening:
This phase involves laboratory testing and physical exams. You will be required to screen for STDs, infections, viruses, and several infectious diseases that may affect fertility. An ultrasound test is also necessary to learn about the health of your uterus. Both you and your partner will also be screened for illicit drug use.
Fertility Treatments:
After you’ve signed a legal contract with the future parents, you must prepare for pregnancy via blood tests, fertility treatments, ultrasounds, and self-administered injections. You will be required to take some medications, including hormones and birth control pills, to regulate your menstrual cycle and prepare you for IVF.
Embryo Transfer:
The donor or intended mother’s egg is fertilized in the lab using the intended father or donor’s sperm. After a sufficient incubation period has passed, the fertilized embryo will be transferred into your womb.
Prenatal Care:
After the embryo is implanted, you will be required to make regular visits to the clinic where ultrasound and blood tests will occur. Once a pregnancy is confirmed, your care will be transferred to your personal obstetrician/gynecologist.
You will maintain regular contact with your intended parents during these medical procedures. The intended parents may want to attend your doctor’s appointments if you feel comfortable.
Legal Requirements
Before starting any medical procedures, you (the surrogate) and the intended parents must agree and sign a contract outlining all surrogacy’s legal facets. These include:
- Possible Risks
- Compensation
- Relinquishment of rights to the child
- Surrogate mother’s responsibilities, etc.
The attorney representing the intended parents will create the contract in most cases. As the surrogate, you must carefully review this contract with your attorney. After incorporating the necessary revisions agreeable to both parties, you and the intended parents must sign the contract.
Surrogacy laws vary in every state. Therefore, the legal process may be quite complex, but working with an experienced surrogacy attorney helps immensely. This is why it’s recommended you hire your attorney so that your rights are represented.
To begin your surrogacy journey, get in touch with one of the most reputable egg donor agencies now. Contact Rite Options.
