Should I Become a Surrogate?

Making big decisions is never easy. We waver back and forth, listing out all of the possible pros and cons, reading all kinds of research telling us to do one thing, only to find other research telling us to do another. Maybe that’s the situation you’ve found yourself in today as you’re wondering, “Should I become a surrogate mother?”

We’re here to help. You may have found other resources trying to convince you, but that’s not our goal. We know that becoming a surrogate isn’t right for everyone. Instead of trying to convince you — one way or the other — we simply want you to have all the facts you need when you are deciding to be a surrogate.

Sometimes, speaking with a professional can be helpful alongside your personal research. If you reach a place where you just need to hear what a real person has to say about whether or not you should be a surrogate, you can contact us today.

Should I Become a Surrogate?

You are the only one who can know the right answer to this question. It’s deeply personal, and your reasons for “yes” or “no” are likely different from any other woman deciding to be a surrogate.

As you continue reading the information below, learning about how the process works, the benefits and risks, and how a surrogacy program like ours could be helpful, here are a few questions to keep in mind.

• Do I feel excited or anxious about this idea?
• Am I healthy enough to be a surrogate?
• Do I meet the surrogacy requirements?
• Why do I want to be a surrogate?
• Are the rewards worth the risks?
• Am I ready to take my next step?

Check in with yourself as you learn new information, and see how your answers change. Hopefully, you’ll begin to develop a clearer answer to the question, “Should I be a surrogate?”

Understanding the Process

How does surrogacy actually work? Understanding the process may help you decide if you should be a surrogate.

While every surrogacy process is unique based on your specific circumstances, many will follow the same important steps. We have created a more in-depth guide to the process, if you’d like even more details. For now, this broad outline should help clarify what it would actually be like if you became a surrogate:

Step 1: Deciding to Be a Surrogate

You’re already in the middle of the first step, and you didn’t even know it! Taking the time to research your options and commit to the process is the place to begin.

Step 2: Meeting the Initial Screening Requirements

Each surrogacy program has its own screening requirements before you can begin the process. You can take a look at our requirements to see whether or not our surrogacy program could be a good fit for you.

Step 3: Finding a Match

Waiting for a match is an exciting, if also slightly anxious, time. Anticipation builds as you work with your surrogacy professional to find the right intended parents. Our team is committed to developing personal relationships with each client. That way, we can really get to know people and determine who would be a good match. Additionally, we always try to find local matches, so that a true relationship can grow and everyone can be involved in the pregnancy.

Step 4: Beginning the Medical Process

The fertility clinic (chosen by the intended parents) takes the lead at this step. Your surrogacy professional will coordinate with the clinic to make sure everything is arranged properly. It’s important to maintain close contact with the clinic and follow the directions for surrogacy medications exactly.

Step 5: Finalizing the Contract

Another important professional, your attorney, will review with you your surrogacy contract. One major benefit of working with Southern Surrogacy is that we are owned by Claiborne | Fox | Bradley | Goldman, a local family law firm with years of experience with surrogacy contracts.

Step 6: Completing Your Surrogacy Journey

With the contract finalized, you’re ready to complete your journey. Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll follow the direction of your clinic, OB/GYN and surrogacy professional. You’ll be able to develop a relationship with the intended parents. And, when the time comes, you’ll give them the greatest gift they’ve ever received.

Examining the Benefits         

Do you think you’d be up for following the steps of the surrogacy process? That’s one checkmark in the “yes” column when you are asking, “Should I be a surrogate?”

Next, it’s worth considering all of the benefits of this process for gestational carriers. If you find these benefits extremely appealing, then that is another sign that deciding to be a surrogate could be right for you.

• Surrogacy is a very rewarding experience, and you are able to help people fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.
• Most surrogates enjoy being pregnant, and surrogacy is a way to experience pregnancy even when your family is complete.
• Surrogates are fairly compensated, and we place a strong emphasis on offering competitive compensation.
• The relationship with the intended parents can become a special, long-lasting piece of your life.
• Surrogates are legally protected, especially when working with a law-firm-owned surrogacy program, like ours.

Considering the Risks

This process can be beautiful, but it can be also be challenging. There are difficulties and risks associated with deciding to be a surrogate. Anyone trying to answer the question, “Should I become a surrogate?” needs to have a clear picture of all the potential risks.

• Pregnancy always carries risk, even if you feel very comfortable being pregnant.
• The surrogacy medical process is a bit different, and you’ll have to be comfortable with the prescribed surrogacy medications, including possible side effects.
• The emotions of carrying someone else’s baby are often confusing, which is why we provide counseling throughout the process.
• Surrogacy will cause disruptions in your life, both professionally and personally.
• Sometimes, travel and brief stays away from family are required.

Do these risks seem particularly overwhelming or anxiety-inducing for you? That’s not necessarily a sign that you shouldn’t be a surrogate, but it is an important internal indicator. Listen to the way your body naturally responds to these risks, and evaluate what that could mean for your deciding to be a surrogate.

And remember: Southern Surrogacy works hard to minimize all of these risks. When you decide to become a gestational carrier with our program, you will have surrogacy professionals providing support, protection and guidance at every step of the process.

Finding the Right Program

The best way for any woman to minimize her risks and maximize her benefits during the process is to work with the right surrogacy program.

Our program is different from most. We believe that a personal approach will put you in the best situation. That’s why we focus on local matches, so that everyone can be involved in the pregnancy and you’ll have a chance to develop a real relationship with the intended parents.

Additionally, as mentioned above, we are owned by a local law firm. This means our team has a family-law background and experience with surrogacy contracts that very few other programs can offer.

Deciding to be a surrogate is a major choice. We want you to feel supported, safe and confident as you step into this process. Our personal approach, legal background and years of experience mean that our surrogacy program can do just that.

Deciding to Be a Surrogate

We’ve covered a lot of information. From how the process works, to the benefits and risks, to what a tested program like ours can provide, you now know all of the most important facts about deciding to be a surrogate. Which means that, sometime soon, it’s time to make your choice.

You shouldn’t feel rushed. You may need time to think on this information before answering the all-important question: Should I become a surrogate?

We believe that surrogacy isn’t right for everyone, but it could be right for you. And if you’d like to learn more about beginning your process with our program today, your next steps are just a couple clicks away.

Take Your Next Steps

The first thing you can do is fill out our Information Request Form. We want to ensure that our program is the right fit for you. If your initial answers line up with our qualifications for gestational carriers, we’ll send a longer questionnaire to learn even more about you. We’ll be in touch to tell you more about our program, and what it could look like for you to begin your journey.