Whether you are an intended parent or a surrogate carrier, it’s important for you to learn all you can about gestational surrogacy and the surrogacy process before you enter into an agreement with one another. This will help you fully understand the expectations and give you insight into whether or not you are ready to commit to not only the surrogacy process, but also parenthood. If you need help, or have any questions or questions, Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is here to guide you through the ins and outs and provide you with all the information and resources you need.
The Surrogacy Process for Intended Parents
In gestational surrogacy, intended parents use their egg and sperm, respectively, to create their family. Once these are collected, their egg and sperm are fertilized in a lab. However, if one or both intended parents are unable to use their own genetic material, there are other options that intended parents can use, including, but not limited to:
- Donor egg and intended father’s sperm
- Donor sperm and intended mother’s egg
- Donor sperm and egg
- Donor embryo (which may be donated by someone who’s gone through IVF and had one left over)
The Surrogacy Process for Surrogate Mothers
While the embryos are being created, the surrogate may have to go through fertility treatments to ensure that her body is prepared for pregnancy. It’s important for the surrogate to consult with her primary health provider (PCP) and care-team about any and all preparations she’ll need to undergo before insemination takes place.
When the intended parents’ embryo is ready, the surrogate will be implanted through a process known as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Because the surrogate is not using her eggs in the surrogacy process, she has no genetic or biological connection to the child. This can bring peace of mind to both the surrogate and the intended parent, as this causes less legal issues in the surrogacy journey.
The Surrogacy Process with Our Surrogacy Agency in Oklahoma
Before getting officially started on your surrogacy journey at our surrogacy agency, both intended parents and surrogates are required to go through an intense and extensive screening process. This not only lets us know that all parties fully understand what lies ahead of them, but also that surrogate is healthy and can carry a baby to term successfully. The screening includes, but is not limited to:
- Application process
- Physical examinations
- Background check
- Criminal record check
- Psychological evaluation
As there may be additional or supplement requirements, depending on where you live and the surrogacy agency you use, be sure to consult with your surrogacy caseworker to see if there is any other information you need to provide.
