FAQs FOR PARENTS
How do you screen your surrogates?
Our initial contact with a potential surrogate is a phone interview. Then she will fill out an application and an extensive 10 page surrogate profile. We also review her medical and delivery records from previous pregnancies. We do a City, County and Statewide criminal background investigation on the hopeful surrogate and her spouse, as well as a Quasi Criminal History Search that includes domestic violence writs, juvenile in need of supervision and Personal Restraining Orders filed. Surrogacy by Faith follows the guidelines set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine for psychological testing and screening as well. Your IVF physician will screen both the surrogate and her spouse/partner for infectious diseases and will evaluate your surrogate’s ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy, insuring you that they are healthy, happy and ready to start immediately!
Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11
How soon will we be matched with a surrogate?
It can be a matter of days, weeks or it may take several months to be matched with a surrogate. Because our qualifications and the extensive process the hopeful surrogates endure before they are able to be matched, it does take our agency time to have an array of surrogate profiles for you. It is our priority to match parents with surrogates based on your needs and desires, rather than matching you with whomever may be available. You will always be kept informed of any new surrogates who join our team.
How can we be assured the surrogate will “give up” the baby?
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions of gestational surrogacy. The gestational carrier enters in to the arrangement of surrogacy knowing that the baby she will carry is that of the intended parents, and will have no biological connection to the child. Surrogates already have a family and children of their own. Generally it is the result of the surrogate’s love for her children that compels her to become a surrogate, allowing her to provide another couple with the same opportunity to experience parenthood.
What do we do if the surrogate does not have health insurance?
In some states there may be the option of purchasing an individual health plan for your surrogate. Otherwise, there are policies available for surrogate mothers that are designed specifically for surrogate pregnancies.
Can we use the surrogate’s health insurance for the pregnancy?
Provided the surrogate’s health insurance policy clearly and specifically states coverage for a surrogate pregnancy, you may utilize the surrogate’s personal health insurance plan with her consent. Our insurance specialist will review the policy to investigate what coverage is available. This information will be provided to your attorney for review.
How are financial issues handled?
All funds related to the surrogacy process are required to be held in a escrow account. All payment requests are reviewed by the agency for concurrence with your contract for accuracy. In the event of a request that falls outside the realm of the contract, you will be contacted by the agency for approval prior to submitting the request to the manager of the escrow account for payment. All financial matters are handled by the agency, removing this element from your relationship with your surrogate.
Why do women want to be surrogates?
Many women who become surrogate mothers state that their motivation in doing so is to contribute the unique and valuable gift of parenthood to another person or couple. Surrogates, by nature, are generous and loving women who have found joy and purpose in their own experience as a mother.
What kind of relationship will the surrogate expect from us?
During your surrogacy journey to parenthood, you may encounter many obstacles and experience many joys. Your surrogate will experience these emotions with you. Your relationship will develop and unfold as you share in the experience together. We believe that all surrogates need to know that they have made a difference in your life and that your dream of being a parent has been fulfilled. By staying in touch with her after the birth of your baby and sending her photos from time to time, she can see that she did indeed, achieve her goal.
Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11