Surrogates have helped countless couples facing infertility become parents. If your physician has introduced the idea, there can be a lot of questions. It’s important to understand everything about the process, including how to find a surrogate. Below are answers to all the basics to help you get started on your journey.

What You Need to Know About Surrogates

How does surrogacy work?

There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. During a traditional, a surrogate mother is inseminated by the intending father. They will then carry the baby until delivery, and it will be turned over to the intending parents. With traditional surrogacy, the carrier is genetically related to the baby.

During gestational surrogacy, doctors remove an egg from the intending mother and fertilize it with the sperm of the intending father in a lab. The fertilized egg is then transferred to the surrogate.

Who qualifies for surrogacy?

Intended parents must have a combined age no greater than 110 years. They have to prove they have stable living arrangements and can financially support the child. It’s helpful to also prove support from friends or family.

Many clinics will also perform psychological assessment for both the intended parent and the surrogate.

Intended parents need to also fully weigh the emotional aspects of surrogacy. They need to be comfortable with a stranger carrying their child and accept that any birth complications or physical or mental health issues the child presents with are not the surrogate’s fault.

How do I pick a surrogate?

Many couples turn to family and friends for surrogacy, but you can also find surrogates through an agency. These agencies carefully screen all surrogates to ensure they’re qualified to carry a child. They perform background checks, physical and mental health exams, and ensures they’re able to support themselves during pregnancy.

They also check that surrogates who have become pregnant have had full-term pregnancies free of complications. This is the safest way to choose a surrogate, and you’ll also have the support of their agency throughout the process.

Is pregnancy guaranteed?

It’s crucial to understand that pregnancy is never guaranteed. Birth complications can happen even in the healthiest of women, which is why pregnancy is not guaranteed. However, there is a high chance that a healthy surrogate will be able to carry an embryo. 

If you and your spouse want to explore surrogates further, Dr. Ndidimaka Onwubalili and the team at Diamond Institute for Infertility & Menopause can assist. This Millburn, NJ, practice is committed to helping families achieve their pregnancy goals and offer low-cost fertility solutions. You can begin exploring IVF procedures on their website or call (973) 761-5600 to schedule a consultation.