What To Know Before Surrogacy
What To Know Before Surrogacy
At Iranian Surgery, we’ve successfully supported many intended parents and surrogate mothers through their journeys. And, while surrogacy is a complete game-changer in family planning, intended parents should be prepared to invest a lot of time, money, and heart into the process. This is a “journey” after all. Based on our experience, here are Iranian Surgery’s top insights into how to have a successful, and the least stressful, surrogacy experience.
Find a Surrogacy Agency with Experience that Relates to You
Let’s start with the basics – surrogacy is, in the end, a process of fertilization and pregnancy, and each surrogacy journey and pregnancy is special and unique. Since the process is so personal to each individual or couple with various steps to navigate, professional accompaniment throughout your journey is a necessity. Many surrogacy agencies tout their “experience” with large numbers of clients they have had, however, it is important to work with a team that has experience with your type of journey. For example, if your an international couple, look for an agency that has specifically worked with intended-parents from your country to ensure they have completed the processes and dealt with the nuances and obstacles that may arise in your specific journey.
Here are some questions you can ask when evaluating surrogacy agencies:
. Do they have experience working with individuals and couples like yourself? I.e. single father, LGBTQ+ couples, gender selection, hiv+ patients, international patients from a different time zone, clients with language barriers
. Do they have experience with matching people like you and finding insurance?
. Have they worked with your clinic and their specific requirements before?
. How do they care and support the surrogate?
. How many journeys do they manage at a time?
. What is the expected wait time until you are matched with a surrogate?
. Will they present you with a surrogate that has already been screened and approved by your clinic?
Budgeting for Your Surrogacy Journey
Let’s not fool ourselves, a journey to parenthood via surrogacy and IVF is not cheap. The process is complicated and expensive, and it is important to make financially-wise decisions throughout your journey. There are many variables that should be taken into consideration when estimating the total cost of your surrogacy journey. Be sure to take into account any additional services you’re considering (i.e. genetic testing that you may not always know in advance what your financial responsibility is if you’re utilizing insurance or if any unforeseen costs pop up like pregnancy complications. The surrogacy process is truly unique as is the care for the gestational carrier, fertilization, embryo development, medical examinations, etc.
Things to consider when comparing Surrogacy agency prices:
. Bids vary and are just as important as anything else
. Review offers and take notes
. Ask to see the agency’s legal contracts
. Read the fine print
. Consult with experts – compare apples to apples.
Two Key Things to Look for in a Surrogacy Agency and Fertility Clinic
An agency with experience and legal guidance
When choosing a surrogacy agency to work with, it’s crucial to find an agency that will provide support and care for your special and unique journey. Look for professionals that can speak to your specific treatment and process needs. If you’re an international patient traveling to the Iran, be sure to look for an agency such as Iranian Surgery with experience working with other international intended-parents. You will also want to work with close legal guidance throughout the process. Your journey to parenthood will be a stressful period, filled with fears alongside joy and excitement. There’s no reason to burden yourselves during this time with legal concerns when professionals can help you navigate the sophisticated process.
Success Rates
Many people think there are no major differences between fertility clinics and that success rates are not the most important thing to look at before choosing a clinic to work with, however, we strongly recommend asking to see the statistics and success rates of any fertility clinic you are considering. The higher the rates of a successful pregnancy and live birth, the less time the whole process will take. With a higher chance of success on the first attempt, you will save yourself time, money, and, of course, stress and heartache.
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
As with any pregnancy, unexpected things are bound to happen. Surrogate pregnancies are inherently higher risk, so it’s essential for intended parents to remain calm, level headed, and understanding of the challenges that this journey may bring. It helps to have a positive outlook about your future, but to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally if things don’t go as you had hoped.
In the early stages of your surrogate’s pregnancy, it’s important to be mindful of her emotional state. To prepare for the transfer and after the implantation, she is pumping herself full of hormones, causing emotions to run high. However, her extra sensitivity and compassion mean she feels every disappointment and shares each success alongside you—you’re in this journey together!
What to Expect from your Surrogate
Most surrogates are excited to create a positive, life-long relationship with their intended parents. However, it helps to plan ahead for the inevitable challenges that will arise during your journey. If you work with a surrogacy agency, they will help with introductions in the early stages of your surrogacy journey but eventually, the success of the relationship depends on the effort put in by both you, the intended parents, and your surrogate.
Throughout the pregnancy, you’ll want to build a mutually-respectful, healthy relationship with your surrogate. It’s important to remember that you and your surrogate will make decisions not only for the health of your baby but also for your surrogate, too. It’s best to talk about your expectations such as, for example, a strictly organic diet upfront in the matching process.
We encourage open lines of communication to ensure your surrogate’s needs and emotions are being considered. There’s a lot of trust that goes into this process. It’s understandable to want the very best for your baby but intended parents must trust that the surrogate has the best intentions at heart and takes her own health (and the health of your baby) very seriously.
Create a Strong Bond with Your Surrogate
Sometimes your surrogate may live very far from you and you won’t get the opportunity to meet in person. However, having a strong bond with your surrogate can help not only bring you closer to her but also share in the joy of bringing your new baby into the world.
At times, you might feel removed from the process, but this will help your surrogate to share more personal stories, silly cravings, and her feelings with you, in addition to the anticipated ultrasound photos, heartbeat recordings, and appointment updates! Talk to her upfront about these wishes during the match meeting to make sure everyone is 100% clear on the level of involvement expected. The more engaged you are, the more responsive the surrogate will be.
Remember your surrogate wants nothing more than to make sure you feel safe and happy about choosing her to carry your child. However, in the event that any difficult hurdles come up your surrogacy agency should always be there to help manage communication of any sensitive topics.
Trust the Process
It’s all about letting go – and trusting the process. We understand that this is easier said than done, especially for intended parents who have likely already been through a lengthy fertility journey.
This is imperative if you are going to remain positive and proactive throughout this entire process and maintain a great relationship with your surrogate. The most important thing is that everyone enjoys the journey.
Most importantly, take your time when making decisions and catch up on your hours of sleep- once your baby arrives you won’t have that many.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best doctors and fertility specialists in Iran. The price of Surrogacy in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined by an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of Surrogacy in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
Source:
https://ormfertility.com/loveisfamily/what-to-know-before-your-surrogacy-journey/
https://www.gostork.com/blog/surrogacy/what-to-know-before-starting-your-surrogacy-journey-as-an-intended-parent/