Important Considerations For Your Gestational Surrogacy Contract

Surrogate mothers and gestational carriers bring a child to parents that cannot carry or give birth to their own. If you’re considering becoming a gestational carrier contact us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma. We’d love to help guide you through the journey of becoming a gestational carrier and answer any questions you have. By choosing to be a gestational carrier, you’re giving your current lifestyle up to carry and grow another couple’s child. Going through pregnancy is a lot on its own, and the fact that you’re willing to do so for another family is unmatched and incredible.

Surrogate Mothers and Gestational Carriers

The main difference between gestational carriers and surrogate mothers is where the egg comes from. Surrogate mother, under traditional surrogacy, donate their eggs to be artificially fertilized. Gestational mothers have embryos implanted in their uterus via IVF. These eggs can be directly from the mother or donated by another woman at a fertility clinic. Gestational mothers do not have any genetic links to the child, whereas a traditional surrogate mother is the child’s biological mother. 

Becoming A Surrogate Mother or Gestational Carrier

There are some strict requirements you should know about before continuing forward with your application. For example, you must have carried a pregnancy to full term and still have custody of your child, you must be between the ages of 21-32, and you need a clean bill of health. These are the three requirements that many clinics look at first. If you pass these, you can continue forward with the process of being approved after passing a psychological exam and other medical tests.

Gestational Contracts

OK surrogacy and gestational carrying are beautiful things but remember they are legally binding situations. Awaiting parents will have their lawyer draw up a contract for both parties to agree on and sign. Your surrogate professional will be able to walk you through everything and answer any questions you may have. You do not have to pay for or provide your own lawyer. The agency you choose to go through is there for that reason. 

What Should Be In My Gestational Contract?

Typically, gestational contracts frame out the legality of everything involved in the process. Since it is a multifaceted process that involves your health, as well as a child’s every detail, it should be spelled out for both parties. Nobody should be in the dark about important factors such as medical bills, procedures, and birth.

• Expenses

Awaiting parents come into surrogacies and gestational carrying knowing they are footing the medical bills and paying for IVF or intrauterine insemination. As a gestational carrier, it should cost you absolutely nothing. How you receive any money to cover maternity clothes, travel to fertility clinics or the doctor’s office, or any other financial aid for the duration of the pregnancy should be included as well. 

• Pregnancy and Medical Decisions

Should multiple pregnancies arise, there should be a specific guideline set in place. If they are going to keep all the children or terminate if they want to make the decision when it happens, and who will be making the decision are all important factors that should be in your contract. Even if all your prior pregnancies went smoothly, there is always a chance a pregnancy can become high risk. What to do if this ever occurs needs to be included, so there is no hesitancy or confusion if the problem arises.

• Birth

Where and what type of birth will take place. Since there are a variety of birthing options, the details need to be hammered out before you sign in case they wish to do a birth you’re not comfortable with. Decisions on epidurals and Pitocin should also be included in this section of the contract.

• Relationship Between You and The Parents

Some awaiting parents want constant updates, and others are more relaxed. You should know how invasive the parents are going to be about the pregnancy. If they want to go to every doctor’s visit, expect to be in the delivery room, or want to be updated regularly via photos or email. Or any other form of communication.

• Custody

GSA contracts should state that the parents have legal custody of the child and do not have parental rights. Custody must be stated legally for it to be recognized in the courts. Not having this stipulated in the contract can cause a lot of issues for you and the awaiting parents. 

Contracts Regarding Gestational Carriers

Contracts can make the Oklahoma surrogacy process seem less personal, but the truth is they are necessary. They provide the parents with legal custody of their child and ensure you are not left hanging. Want to know more about gestational carriers? Call or email us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma.

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

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