Decisions

There are certain decisions which need to be made before proceeding with surrogacy.  Review the list of items below:-

• What is your budget?  Remember you, as the Intended Parents, have to pay for everything from medical expenses to plane tickets and co-payments.  The following link will give you an idea of what costs are involved.  Please note that these costs are approximate and the list is not all inclusive.

• What characteristics are you looking for in a surrogate?

• How many embryos should you transfer?

• How do you feel about having multiples (twins, triplets etc)?

• How do you feel about selective reduction - for example reducing from 3 fetuses to 2? 

• What would you want to happen if a birth defect is found?

• If anything should happen to you and your partner during the pregnancy, what provisions will you make for the child?  Who will take care of the child?

• Are you prepared to work with a surrogate who is in another state?  You might have to if the laws in your state are unfavorable.  Many arrangements are with parties who live in different states.

• Will you work with a surrogate mother who is not experienced eg. has had children before but not via surrogacy?  An experienced surrogate mother usually has higher fees than a surrogate mother who has never been a surrogate mother before.

• Are you prepared to travel - to meet your surrogate, to attend appointments?

• How much contact will you want with your surrogate mother before, during and after the pregnancy?

• How much contact will your surrogate mother have immediately after the birth?  How much time  and in what way will you allow her to say goodbye to your child/ren?

• What and when will you tell your children?

• What and when will you tell your family, close friend and colleagues?