Surrogacy is an agreement where a woman agrees to get pregnant and deliver a baby for someone else. Typically, a surrogate mother becomes pregnant by providing her own egg, but has conceived the child with the intention to relinquish him to be raised by others. People generally arrange for surrogate pregnancies due to female infertility and other medical complications that make a pregnancy dangerous. Many same-sex couples and single men and women opt for surrogacy.
Step 1
Make a list of requirements for your surrogate mother. You should look for a woman who is 23 to 42 years old, has a body mass index of 30 or less and does not have gestational diabetes, serious health issues, more than three C-sections or premature deliveries. You should also seek out a woman who will have supportive people around her during the pregnancy. She should have surrogate experience. Your surrogate should be financially stable (i.e. not on public assistance) and not have bankruptcy or criminal history.
Step 2
Decide on a budget for the surrogacy. Agencies charge $2,500 to $5,000 plus legal fees, according to the website Shared Journey. Decide how much of the surrogate mother's pregnancy you would like to pay for and how involved you would personally like to be in caring for her during her pregnancy. You should also decide whether you would like the surrogate mother to have visitation rights for the child.
Step 3
Find a family lawyer who specializes in surrogacy to protect you against the financial risks associated with surrogacy. Check out the Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists, LLC and American Fertility Association for listings.
Step 4
Work out most of the details of your surrogacy contract (excluding minor details about your surrogate) with your lawyer. Finalize with your lawyer the items you have decided upon in steps 1 and 2.
Step 5
Search for an appropriate and reputable surrogate agency. You can check out the American Fertility Association for a listing of quality agencies.
Step 6
Once you have narrowed your list of potential agencies, select one that screens its surrogates' medical records. Ask to see potential surrogates' test results for hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted diseases, rubella and HIV. Make sure the agency can provide you results from potential surrogate mothers' most recent pap smears, lung X-rays and electrocardiograms.
Step 7
Meet with potential surrogates from your chosen agency. In addition to the items listed in steps 1 and 6, make sure to ask potential surrogates about medications they take, all surgeries and hospitalizations they have had in the past 10 years, whether they have mental illnesses, consume alcohol, smoke tobacco or take drugs. Ask them about health problems their parents and siblings have, as well as whether they have their own children, how old they are if so and whether these children have any health problems. Ask potential surrogates why they wish to become surrogates.
Step 8
Once you have selected a surrogate, hvae her sign the contract you created in step 4.
Step 9
Add the surrogate woman's details to the contract.
