An Insight into the Surrogacy Process in the USA
Many people imagine starting a family and
having kids of their own. But, unfortunately, this is not possible for all couples.
Some people are physically unable to carry a child, while others will be
putting their life in danger if they attempt a pregnancy. This leaves a lot of
people hopeless about starting their own family.
Though this has prevented many people from natural
pregnancy, being unable to have a child for these couples is no longer an
issue. There are many ways for people to start their own families, from
adoption to surrogacy.
This article will give you an inside look
at how the surrogacy process works in the United States through the parties
involved.
What
is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy means that a individual or couple
that is unable to get pregnant hires a third party to carry their child for
them. There are many parts that go into the surrogacy process. These include
the people wanting to have a child, the surrogate, and the hospital workers
involved in the process.
Want
to Hire a Surrogate?
Hiring a surrogate is a big decision for
any family to make. First things first, make sure all parties involved
(everyone in the family) are aware of this decision and have come to a
consensus. If one person doesn’t want a baby, hiring a surrogate might not be a
good choice.
After everyone is decided, it is time to do
some research. There are plenty of websites online or services in your local
area that offer lists of surrogates through an agency.
These individuals are pre-screened for
diseases and have a list of characteristics to make your choice easier.
Unfortunately, the only downside is that the person will virtually be a
stranger.
On the other hand, if you have a close
friend or relative that would be willing to carry the child for you, you do not
have to go through an agency. This can potentially lead to other complications
though, including having to get the screenings done yourself.
Whichever method you decide, make sure a
lot of research goes into the process beforehand. Surrogacy is not a casual
decision, and everyone involved should be prepared for commitment.
Want
to Become a Surrogate?
Becoming a surrogate involves an extensive
screening process. First, you must decide if you are ready to carry a child for
9 months just to give it away. If the answer is yes, you are ready to contact
agencies. The agencies differ on the type of programs they offer and how
involved they are in connecting you with a potential family.
After you completed the screening for
diseases and the quality of your eggs, you are ready to find a family. Of
course, you must pass a screening of compatibility with the family as well.
Finally, once everything is settled, you will be ready to make a family’s dream
come true.
The
Professionals Involved
Whether you are a surrogate yourself or you
have hired the perfect surrogate to carry your child, it is extremely important
to find the right hospital services to take care of the process. There are many
agencies that can be discovered via a Google search, but don’t just trust the
first one that comes up.
You should dive into some research before
choosing a clinic to go to. If you are the family, you need to include the
surrogate in the process of your research. The same goes for the surrogate
(though it is usually the family that researches the clinic).
Specifically, many agencies work by state.
So, if you are in California, for example, a search for surrogacy
agencies in California on Google is a great way to get started.
Important things to consider are insurance,
in-patient care, and the length of the process. Finding the right clinic will
take time, but it will be worth it.