The steps to surrogacy
The surrogate’s journey is beautiful, rewarding and not without its challenges (like pregnancy!). The good news? You’re never in this alone. We’re with you every step of the way, from our initial interview until after the baby is born.
Here’s the process, from A to Z:
Complete and submit our surrogate intake form.
We call within 48 business hours to let you know your status. Qualifying individuals receive a longer, more thorough application via email.
We will prepare medical records releases for you to sign so that we may obtain your pregnancy and delivery medical records.
Once we have your medical records, they will be reviewed by our physician for a preliminary medical clearance. If we get the thumbs-up, you’ll complete more paperwork (background checks, benefits package, OB release form).
We schedule you for a phone or in-person (preferable) interview with our staff. Daytime, evening and weekend appointments are available.
We schedule your psychological evaluations. Once we have the thumbs-up results, you’re officially cleared to be a gestational carrier with Texas Surrogacy.
We prepare your Surrogate Profile for presentation to potential intended parents.
You’re matched with the intended parents—this can take a few months—and we arrange your meet-up. One of us from Texas Surrogacy will always be at your initial meet-up!
You head to the intended parents’ IVF clinic for a full medical workup.
An independent attorney, paid for by your intended parents, represents you in explaining and negotiating a legal contract between you, your spouse (if applicable) and the intended parents. This legal contract protects you as the surrogate and ensures that the child will be the legal child of the intended parents. The agreement includes your compensation plan and the wishes you and your intended parents have agreed to regarding the pregnancy and birth.
Once legal is in place, a licensed reproductive endocrinologist (fertility doctor) at an IVF clinic prescribes the medications necessary for embryo transfer. The embryo transfer follows and the next stage—pregnancy—begins.
The Texas Surrogacy team and your medical team support you, answer your questions and are here for you throughout your pregnancy.
Your intended parents take the legal steps, with your cooperation, to acquire a court order before the baby is born. This document may be called a pre-birth order (PBO), parentage order, or birth order, depending on the state involved. This document stipulates that their names be placed on the birth certificate. We want to make sure you’re only responsible for carrying and having the baby and nothing more!
The baby is born! Everyone celebrates the family you’ve helped to create! We’re standing by to help with any logistics and post-delivery concerns.