Tips For Selecting Surrogacy Agencies

There are multiple legal, financial, and medical issues to be considered before, during, and after the pregnancy. Using a surrogacy agency ensures that everyone involved is comfortable and protected during the process.

What do Surrogacy Agencies do?

The most important role played by a surrogacy agency is to match intended parents with a suitable gestational surrogate and vice versa. Many couples considering surrogate parenthood do not have the resources to find surrogate mothers for the process. They also lack the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively screen potential surrogate mothers. Finally, different states have different laws regarding surrogacy. It is important to have a legal advisor who is thoroughly familiar with your state’s surrogacy laws to help protect everyone’s rights during and after the surrogacy.

Similarly, becoming a surrogate mother is a fulfilling but potentially dangerous process. Surrogate mothers, without the aid of a neutral agency, often find themselves left in the cold by intended parents. A surrogacy agency can also introduce you to other surrogate mothers. Having someone to talk to about various issues and concerns can really help in your surrogacy journey.

Choosing a Good Surrogacy Agency

Not all surrogate agencies are the same. Currently, there is no regulating agency for surrogate agencies, so intended parents and surrogate mothers need to take special care when making their choice.

It is a good idea to get a referral from your physician or any other medical professional. There are also several online resources for finding surrogate agencies in your area.

Before you start your search, evaluate your family’s needs carefully, especially if you have an unusual or unique situation. Once you have a list of agencies, try to find out as much information as you can about them and their surrogacy process.

Begin by finding out how long each agency has been in business. Surrogacy agencies have a high rate of failure and dozens of agencies were shut down in their first couple of years. Choosing an untested agency can, therefore, end up costing you thousands of dollars. It is a good idea to choose an agency that has a long history and a solid reputation in the business. Another good way of judging an agency is to find out the number of surrogates and intended parents they have helped in the past.

Finally, make sure any agency you choose has an extensive screening process, including medical and psychological checks, in place for both the intended parents as well as the surrogate mother.

Choose carefully to find the best surrogacy agencies.