Choosing to be a surrogate is a powerful choice. We're here to guide you through the process, ensuring you feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Evaluating Your Role as a Surrogate
Considering surrogacy is a significant and life-changing decision. It means creating a connection with another family. You experience the highs and lows of surrogate pregnancy while carrying a child for them.
Becoming a gestational surrogate with Pacific Surrogacy and Egg Donation (PSED) is rewarding:
- You form meaningful connections with the intended parents. The difference you make in the lives of the parents is more rewarding than anything.
- Being a surrogate with PSED allows you to offer an invaluable gift. You will receive financial benefits in exchange for your help.
If you're still unsure or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to us at PSED.
Our surrogacy consultants dedicate themselves to providing all the information you need and will help you determine if you are ready for this rewarding journey. Our team of expert referrals will address emotional, medical, and psychological needs.
Your Surrogacy Journey with PSED
Considering surrogacy? Here are key considerations for your journey:
- Overview: Becoming a surrogate involves forming a meaningful connection with intended parents, supported by PSED consultants.
- Initial Considerations: Understand your role and benefit from personalized guidance.
- Matching Process: PSED aids in finding and vetting intended parents, ensuring a compatible match through shared profiles and meetings.
- Screening: Medical and psychological evaluations are essential to confirm readiness.
- Legal Framework: Includes creating a legal agreement and finalizing parental rights, with independent legal counsel provided for surrogates.
- Medical Procedure: The IVF process is carefully monitored from embryo transfer to pregnancy confirmation.
- Post-Birth Support: PSED offers ongoing support and potential counseling after the birth.
Finding Your Ideal Intended Parents
At PSED, we facilitate the journey of connecting surrogates with ideal intended parents.
Our coordinators will work closely with you to understand your preferences. They will also discuss any specific conditions you may have for the surrogacy journey.
Your profile, highlighting your story and photos, is shared with prospective parents, helping them understand who you are and ensuring a meaningful match. Our team will assist in planning meetings once we find a potential match.
This will ensure that both individuals have the opportunity to get to know each other better.
Medical Screening and Psychological Assessment Simplified
Before surrogates are matched with intended parents, they undergo a medical screening and psychological assessment. The fertility doctors we work with are associated with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
The screening process is designed to help ensure the surrogate is healthy and capable of carrying a pregnancy without complications.
This includes:
- Obtaining previous medical records
- Physical examinations at the IVF Clinic which will include examination of the uterus, laboratory tests for infectious diseases and overall health
- Psychological assessments to evaluate your mental and emotional readiness
Legalities Simplified
There are two parts to the legal process:
- A legal agreement between you and your intended parents
- The finalization of the parental rights
We'll arrange for you to have your own lawyer who will protect your rights and interests, explaining all legal aspects of the surrogacy, including your compensation.
The lawyer will ensure the contract reflects your needs and what you’re comfortable with.
After all parties agree on the terms and sign the contract, the parents will open an escrow account and funds for the surrogacy journey will be placed into the account, ensuring you receive periodic payments as outlined so that you can focus on the journey without any worries.
The Implantation Process Explained
After completing the contract, the medical procedure begins. You will take fertility medications to prepare your body for the in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Once your body is ready, according to the doctor, there will be an embryo transfer procedure.
This procedure is quick and usually painless, so you won't need sedatives or anesthesia. After the procedure, the clinic may require you to stay briefly before advising you to rest at home for a few days.
After a confirmation of pregnancy via blood test you will have a follow up appointment at the IVF Clinic. Once there's a heartbeat, usually around six weeks after the embryo transfer, you start receiving your payments.
You will continue to see the IVF doctor until between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. After which you’ll graduate to your own OBGYN doctor. During this process you’ll be in communication with both PSED and the intended parents.
Next steps include first and second trimester screenings, which are important to confirm the health of the baby.
Celebrating the Miracle of Birth
The highlight of your surrogacy journey is the unforgettable moment when you bring a new life into the world. Many times, the intended parents are right there with you in the hospital, sharing in the excitement.
After the baby is born and you fully recover, you may go your separate ways. However, the deep sense of pride and satisfaction from giving the gift of family will always stay with you. The bond you've built with the parents may deepen, potentially leading to a lasting relationship as the child grows. Our agency will continue to support and guide you even after the process is complete.
We dedicate ourselves to your well-being during and after the surrogacy journey. Following the birth, you will have the option of counseling if needed. Also, PSED offers regular online support group meetings.