Southern Surrogacy in Tennessee helps match intended parents (IPs) with the ideal gestational surrogate to help with their family-building journey. We strive to foster relationship-building through local matching in communities throughout Tennessee, including Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and more.
Welcome to Southern Surrogacy in Tennessee
Southern Surrogacy sets itself apart from much of the competition because it serves the local Southern community. We assist IPs in finding well-qualified surrogates, as well as support surrogates and IPs during every stage of the surrogacy process, from the initial application phase to the delivery and legal parentage of the baby.
Gestational Surrogacy, Explained
There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational surrogacy.
A gestational surrogate is not biologically related to the baby; rather, an embryo is created in vitro using the intended mother’s egg or a donor egg, and either the sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor. Next, a fertility specialist transfers the embryo to the surrogate’s uterus via the embryo transfer procedure. In traditional surrogacy, the embryo is created using the surrogate’s egg, making it biologically related to the surrogate. Southern Surrogacy only works with gestational surrogates.
The Surrogate Process in Tennessee
There are several steps in the surrogacy process, and although many steps are the same for the surrogate candidates as for the intended parents, there are some differences.
For Intended Parents
The surrogacy process for IPs in Tennessee includes:
- Learning about surrogacy, medical procedures, and how the matching process works
- Creating a profile to allow potential surrogates to learn about you and your family members
- Reviewing prospective surrogate profiles to identify a potential match
- Participating in a match meeting to learn more about potential surrogates and hopefully find one who suits your needs
- Meeting with a surrogacy attorney to learn about the state’s surrogacy laws.
- Establishing legal parentage through a pre-birth order, prepared by legal counsel
- Signing a surrogacy contract
- Building a relationship with your surrogate
- Preparing for the birth of your baby by creating a birth plan
- Bonding with the newborn after birth
- Bringing the new addition to your family home!
For Surrogates
Surrogates undergo many of the same steps as IPs during the surrogacy process. But there are some action steps, such as certain medical procedures, unique to surrogates. Steps for surrogates include:
- Understanding the process of surrogacy
- Creating a personal profile for IPs to learn more about you
- Passing the initial screening process (e.g., background checks, etc.)
- Participating in a match meeting to get acquainted with potential IPs
- Selecting the IP/s that you want to work with (both surrogate candidates and IP/s must agree to work with each other)
- Passing medical and mental health screenings
- Learning about the legalities of surrogacy from a licensed Tennesee surrogacy attorney
- Signing the surrogacy agreement/contract
- Building a relationship with the intended parents
- Preparing your body for pregnancy by taking hormonal medicine injections
- Undergoing the embryo transfer
- Taking blood tests and ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy
- Attending regular prenatal visits with your OB/GYN specialist
- Taking part in the birth plan prepared by the IPs
- Giving birth
Surrogacy Laws in Tennessee
There are no laws that prohibit surrogacy in Tennessee. Therefore, the state doesn’t regulate surrogacy contracts/agreements. To ensure that both parties’ interests and rights are protected, intended parents and gestational surrogates must be represented by separate Tennessee licensed surrogacy attorneys.
The Surrogate Matching Process
One of the most important aspects of a successful Tennessee surrogacy is choosing the right surrogate. At Southern Surrogacy, we specialize in matching you with the best surrogate for you and your family. We know that the relationship between a surrogate and the IP/s is a personal one; finding and nurturing that relationship involves a matching process that is just as personal. Matching involves the following steps:
- Identifying your personal surrogacy goals and your ideal surrogate with the help of Southern Surrogacy staff
- Creating a profile, including family photos, for surrogate candidates to get to know you
- Analyzing the profiles of gestational surrogates
- Meeting the surrogate candidate in person to discuss important issues such as Interests, values, lifestyles, and expectations
- Selecting the right surrogate for your family-building needs
Legal Aspects of Surrogacy
The attorneys at Southern Surrogacy are highly experienced and knowledgeable about the laws governing surrogacy throughout the Southern states. To ensure that all aspects of the surrogacy process are handled safely and legally, we work closely with each intended parent and surrogate and refer our clients to trustworthy independent legal counsel. It is your attorney’s responsibility to discuss the surrogacy goals and preferences with you and then negotiate a surrogacy agreement with the other party’s lawyer.
Medical Procedures in Surrogacy
Several medical procedures are involved in the surrogacy process, including:
- Self-injections of hormones to prepare the surrogate for pregnancy
- Fertilization of an egg in a petri dish in a laboratory using in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a type of advanced reproductive technology (ART)
- Fertilized embryos are then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus by a fertility specialist
- Pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy are part of medical support and close monitoring provided throughout the surrogacy process
Birth and Transfer
In most cases, the surrogate gives birth at a birthing center where the attending OB/GYN doctor has privileges. Following the baby’s birth, IPs are given time to bond with the baby; this usually involves skin-to-skin contact.
Because of our close relationships with lawyers in Tennessee, we are confident in obtaining pre-birth orders for all of our clients. The pre-birth order allows the intended parent(s) to take legal custody of the baby immediately following birth.
Becoming a Surrogate in Tennessee
While surrogacy is a significant commitment, there are many benefits of becoming a surrogate in Tennessee, including experiencing the satisfaction of helping an individual or couple struggling to build their family. One of the major advantages of being a Southern Surrogacy surrogate is our generous compensation plan.
Working with Southern Surrogacy means you’ll have the opportunity to interact with agency staff and mentors face-to-face and be matched with local IPs who can engage in hands-on involvement during your pregnancy. A strong IP and surrogate relationship is formed through this type of in-person interaction, which contributes to high levels of satisfaction for our surrogates.
Surrogate Requirements in Tennessee
The basic requirements for becoming a surrogate in Tennessee include:
- You are between the ages of 21 and 45
- You have previously given birth to a healthy child
- You are raising your child in your home
- You do not use tobacco or drugs
- Your body mass index (BMI) level is healthy
- You can travel for any surrogacy appointments outside of your local area
- Other requirements
Learn more about the specific requirements for surrogates in Tennessee here.
Become a Surrogate in Tennessee
Once your initial questionnaire has been approved, indicating you meet our basic surrogate requirements, you will receive a longer form with more detailed questions. Questions about your medical history are included on this form. Following the medical questionnaire, those who meet our preliminary requirements will move on to the next step of our qualification/screening process, which includes:
- Medical records from previous pregnancies
- Your insurance information
- An in-person meeting
- Completion of authorization forms
- A review of our gestational surrogacy agreement
- Passing a background check
- An in-home visit
Following your preliminary screening with Southern Surrogacy, you will be matched with hopeful intended parents. A physical and psychological evaluation must also be completed once you are matched with IPs.
Begin your surrogacy application process here.
Finding a Surrogate in Tennessee
To ensure a successful surrogacy experience, Southern Surrogacy provides personalized matching services. An initial consultation is arranged so surrogates and IPs can get to know us and learn whether we are the right agency for them. Learn how we can help you find the surrogate who most closely matches your family planning requirements.
Start Your Surrogacy Journey in Tennessee
Our full-service surrogacy agency guides intended parents and surrogates through every step of the surrogacy process. A local surrogate will be matched with IPs in Tennessee to foster in-person relationship building. Southern Surrogacy can help you find the perfect surrogate for you and your family while simplifying the entire process. Learn more by completing our online meeting request form to schedule a free 30-minute consultation here.