Top Advice: Finding A Surrogate
Finding a surrogate in Utah takes time, and protective plans are created to safeguard your interests and needs. There are numerous providers that deliver these support services and that will set you up with a couple of surrogate moms so that you hopefully end up with the best match.
Choosing the Right Agency for You
A single parent or couple likely have the desired traits of an appropriate surrogate carrier in mind. The first step, however, is to choose the right agency for you. There are many agencies that deliver this kind of service, so make sure you choose the one you feel the most satisfied with. Expect constant collaboration with this agency for the next 12 to 24 months, so you must be very comfortable with the agency you end up with.
Finding a Surrogate
There are two forms of surrogates: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy is the less favored approach because the surrogate is the child’s natural mother, who had the father’s sperm artificially inseminated and who hands over her parental rights to the soon-to-be mom. A gestational surrogate, on the other hand, acts only as a carrier for the couple or single parent who wants a child but who is unable to go through the process of a normal pregnancy. This is the preferred approach because it provides more legal security, as the child is not genetically related to the carrier.
After you have found the agency to work with, finding a surrogate is the next step. The potential candidate should have had at least one successful pregnancy, without any record of miscarriages, abortions, bleeding, or other associated medical issues that may be risk factors. It’s best to consult with your OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist about the medical history of the gestational surrogate you want to partner with. An extensive medical examination must be administered on the gestational surrogate to identify and eliminate any foreseen complications. This will include, but is not limited to, a physical exam, laboratory work, ultrasounds, an in-depth medical background check, psychological examinations, and diagnostic tests for any illnesses.
The Ideal Gestational Surrogate
A thorough discussion regarding the suitable gestational surrogate should take place with your physician to ensure that initial requirements are met. The surrogate must be drug- and disease-free during the pre-natal and post-natal stages, and must be between the ages of 21 and 40 years old. A history of pregnancy that involves the delivery of twins should also be considered. A relative of the couple or single parent may be considered for the purpose of preserving genetics.
The process of finding a surrogate will take time. This undertaking will require that you be patient and also do some research to understand more about the process. A positive attitude and patient heart will go a long way in this endeavor.