In short, surrogacy is a life-changing experience, not only for yourself but for the family you are helping to build. Nowadays, it’s easy to look up information about the surrogacy process. And that’s a great first step. But not all the information you need is out there. Hearing the top surrogate surprises from our Shared Conception surrogates can make your expectations and experience a whole lot easier.
If you are interested in surrogacy and can’t help but wonder what to expect, we’ve compiled a list that our surrogates helped combine. This list covers the 5 things they wished they knew before embarking on a journey.
1) You Don’t Get Paid Right Away
Compensation can be an uncomfortable subject but is still very important to discuss. Your contract will outline what you are getting and when. Most surrogacy agreements are spread out throughout the pregnancy.
2) The Screening Process is Surprisingly Long and Intense
The process and requirements to become a surrogate are more intense than most expect. Roughly, only two out of every twenty women who apply to become a surrogate will qualify. There is a long list of requirements, some of the things Shared Conception will be checking are:
- Proof that you’re financially secure
- That you already have children who you are currently raising
- If you have a partner that you have their consent to start the process
- That you have a strong support system
- And much more
It may feel that everything in your life will be under a microscope. But this is for the safety of yourself, the intended parents, and the baby-to-be.
3) The Many Steps to Prepare Your Body
Not only do you have to go through an arduous screening process, get records from every medical professional you are under the care of, fill out tons of paperwork, and mentally and emotionally prepare yourself to become a surrogate, you’ll also have to get your body ready for the embryo transfer.
This involves medications, so think pills, patches, and injections. You or your partner will have to administer the injection yourselves and they need to be taken on a very strict schedule for the first 10-12 weeks. Also, you’ll have to visit the clinic weekly for blood tests and ultrasounds to make sure everything looks the way it should. This takes up a lot of time, so make sure you have the time to commit to the weekly appointments.
4) Your Bond with the Intended Parent’s
A relationship with your intended parents is bound to form. This means that you’ll be expressively invested in the rollercoaster of emotions during the embryo transfer process, the pregnancy, and beyond. Many surrogates and intended parents find themselves “like family” by the end of the journey.
5) You’ll Need to Be a Good Communicator
Intended parents cannot feel the baby kick, but they would like to hear about it. The truth of the matter is, it never hurts to communicate and share your experience with the intended parents. And doing what you can to involve them can help you build a stronger relationship, too.
6) You Might Decide to Pursue Surrogacy Again
It’s hard to describe how you felt during your surrogacy. After experiencing such intimate and wonderful moments during your pregnancy and seeing your intended parents hold their baby for the first time, it’s not uncommon to want to do it again. Many of our surrogates only planned to pursue one journey and many found themselves doing it again.
If you haven’t started your surrogacy journey yet, but you’d like to learn more about the process, we’d be happy to answer your questions. Contact us at either our Houston 713-622-1144 or Dallas 214-390-4024 office for more information. Or, visit www.deliveradream.com for more information.
Recent Comments