How Do Surrogacy Agencies Connect Surrogates with Intended Parents?
Gestational surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else. Men and women across the country use gestational surrogacy when they’re unable to procreate naturally.
The surrogate mother, also known as the gestational carrier, is the woman who carries and delivers the baby (babies) for the intended parents. Sometimes the intended parents ask a close friend or a family member to be their surrogate. This isn’t always the case. Some women become surrogates after having no prior relationship with the intended parents.
Surrogate mothers and intended parents typically find each other through agencies like Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma. Surrogacy agencies recruit surrogates, and then they connect them to the intended parents through the matching process.
The Surrogacy Screening Process
Before the surrogacy begins, before the intended parents and the surrogates meet each other, both parties will be screened and interviewed. This includes background checks, medical evaluations, house visits, etc.
During the recruitment process, surrogates undergo both a physical examination and a mental/emotional evaluation. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma wants to make sure they’re healthy and prepared for the job.
A surrogate mother’s health and wellbeing will affect the surrogacy’s outcome, so we want to make sure she’s healthy and fertile. We want to decrease the likelihood of a miscarriage, and we want to avoid potential complications during the pregnancy.
Gestational surrogacy puts a lot of strain on the mind and the body. We want to make sure women understand all the challenges that come with surrogacy before they commit to the process.
The Surrogacy Matching Process
The matching process is when a surrogacy agency introduces the surrogate to the intended parents after interviewing both parties. During these interviews, each party will have the opportunity to share what they hope to gain from the surrogacy experience. They’ll get to discuss what type of surrogacy they wish to pursue (compensated or altruistic), and they’ll get to discuss what they want from the other party.
At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma, we strive to learn as much about our clients as possible. Once we know what each party wants, once we know what they’re looking for, we introduce them to each other.
Some women become surrogate mothers because they want to help specific people have children. For example, a gay or lesbian couple can’t have biological children through conventional means; so, a woman who cares about LGBTQ+ issues may want to become a surrogate for an LGBTQ+ couple.
Some intended parents want their surrogate mother to have a specific routine or diet during the surrogacy. Some surrogate mothers are willing to adhere to such requests, but others aren’t. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma will make sure surrogate mothers are matched to intended parents who will make them feel comfortable.
After the Surrogacy Matching Process
When the surrogate mother and the intended parents finally meet, they can form a relationship and establish boundaries.
They can decide how often they’ll be in contact with each other, and they can decide how they’ll maintain said contact. They can meet in person, or they can communicate over the phone or via email, etc.).
Throughout the surrogacy, the surrogate and share information on the child’s development. If everyone is comfortable, the intended parents can be present for the ultrasound screenings and for the child’s birth.
Are You Ready to Meet the Intended Parents?
Are you interested in becoming a surrogate mother? Are you ready to apply and meet an indented parent who needs you? Do you have any more questions about the matching process (or about gestational surrogacy in general)? If so, don’t be afraid to contact us. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma looks forward to meeting you, and we look forward to introducing you to intended parents.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is a surrogacy and adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the community. We assist both intended parents and gestational carriers (surrogates). Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized experience to all involved in the surrogacy process.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”