Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Surrogates

General FAQs for Surrogate Mothers

We know, as a surrogate you have plenty of questions on becoming a surrogate mother; what does the process of surrogacy involve, what are the legal complications, and a lot of other concerns.

While you can clear your doubts with surrogacy professionals without any hesitation, we have summed up a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) for surrogates. We have tried to cover the entire surrogacy process and its related doubts in the FAQs that will serve as your ultimate guide to being a surrogate mother.

1. What is Surrogacy? 
Surrogacy is a process where a woman (surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a baby for someone else (intended parents). Most couples who are not able to conceive a child naturally opt for surrogacy. Apart from them, single parents and couples belonging to the LGBT community can also use this medical process to extend their families and live a happy life.

2. What is the major difference between Genetic and Gestational Surrogacy? 
In genetic or traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother donates her eggs and thus establishes a genetic link with the child. The surrogate mother is artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not genetically related to the child. She only carries the embryo (which is created using donor eggs or intended mother’s eggs and sperms of the intended father or a sperm donor) for the intended parents. Gestational surrogacy is a more common form of surrogacy.

3. Why opt to work with an agency instead of working independently?
Surrogacy has legal and medical complications; hence there is some degree of risk for both the surrogate and the intended parents. When adopting an independent route, you should be ready to face some unforeseen troubles and disputes over costs, doctor’s appointments, lawyers, etc. This can spoil the relationship between you and the intended parents.

Working with an agency ensures that everything is streamlined. For example, at Rite Options, we take care of every detail of the process so you can just enjoy the experience and joy you are about to bring into someone else’s life.

4. What are the requirements to become a gestational surrogate?
First things first, you must be fully aware of the process. You must be in a good physical and mental state to carry and give birth to a child. For the full set of requirements, please refer to our separate article on surrogate mother requirements.

5. What is the age requirement of being a Surrogate?
While every agency can have its own criteria for age, generally accepted age for surrogates is between 21 and 42.

6. Why do I have to have my own kid before I can apply for being a gestational surrogate?
Most of the agencies require their surrogates to have experienced at least one successful childbirth and must have raised at least one child. 
It is not a technical requirement but an emotional one. Practically, you can carry a child even if you don’t have any past experience of pregnancy. But having experience makes you feel more confident and comfortable during the entire process. It is a sigh of relief for the intended parents also when they know that the woman who will be giving birth to their child already has experience in carrying a child.

7. How much is the compensation for a gestational surrogate?
It can vary from country to country and from agency to agency. First-time surrogates get a little less benefit than the repeat surrogates. 
Get in touch with our surrogacy professional to know about surrogate compensation.

8. How long does the process take?
Before you start your journey as a surrogate, you must apply with an agency. The agency will check your profile; you will need to go through several screening processes to ensure whether you’re fit for surrogacy or not.
Once your profile is approved, the matching process will start. There’s no guarantee that you will become a surrogate. It will take 1-3 months to match your profile with the suitable intended parents. Once your profile is matched, it will take another 1-3 months to schedule and pass the medical and psychological screening and set the legal contracts. Once everything is done, the embryo transfer takes place in the next 3-4 weeks. After that, you just have to go through the normal pregnancy term.

9. What are the different types of screenings required before I can start my journey as a surrogate?
Screening is an important part of the entire surrogacy process. Most agencies have their own set of screening required for surrogates. Generally, there are two main tests – physical/medical tests (blood tests, vaginal ultrasound, Hysterosalpingogram/HSG, Gynecological exam, Hysteroscopy/HCG) and psychological screening.

10. Are there any medications that a surrogate mother needs to take?
Yes, you will require certain medications to prepare your body for the surrogate pregnancy and embryo transfer. Again, each surrogate agency/clinic has its own protocols for surrogate medications. Doctors may recommend oral medications, vaginal suppositories, and intramuscular injections.

11. What are my responsibilities as a Surrogate?
As a gestational surrogate, you must: 
    • Finish all paperwork and legal formalities related to the surrogacy contract. 
    • Abide by all the terms written in your contract.
    • Stick to the doctor’s appointments. 
    • Take the recommended medications and diet chart. 
    • Inform your agency of all doctors’ appointments and any issues that may arise during the term of pregnancy. 
    • Keep your pregnancy expense reports handy to get reimbursed quickly.

Have more doubts? 
Feel free to contact your surrogacy professionals at Rite Options anytime.