What is the best method for choosing a surrogate is one of the most frequent questions we receive from intended parents. After all, if you have to learn how to move on, surrogacy can seem like a whirlwind. Before we connect you with a surrogate of your choice, we will perform initial screening and eligibility. If you need help, you have to do everything yourself, which can be difficult when interviewing a dozen or more prospects. Our surrogacy process selects top candidates who meet our professional health standards. They underwent expert inspection. Working with a surrogacy agency will often give you additional possibilities. Here are the basics of choosing a surrogate, and the best part is that you are completely in charge of the selection process.
Which type of surrogacy is best for me?
Intended parents often have two options regarding the type of surrogacy journey they choose: gestational surrogacy and conventional surrogacy.
Both surrogacy options have good success rates, but each has advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed. Sometimes intending parents approach us with the idea of using a charitable surrogate in mind—perhaps their sister or a close friend—but they don’t pass the medical requirements. In this situation, we may offer replacements.
However, intended parents may need help knowing where to look for surrogates in the first place. That’s where we come in to match them with a candidate with the necessary medical training to be a successful surrogate.
Traditionally, a surrogate would use a donor or her eggs to conceive through intrauterine insemination (UIU). UIU improves the chances of conception because the sperm enters the uterus directly.
On the other hand, a fertilized embryo is implanted in the carrier through gestational surrogacy. In a lab, the intended reproductive tissue of the parents is used to fertilize this embryo.
This method ensures that the child will not inherit any genetic traits from the surrogate, which can be important for intended parents considering a surrogacy strategy.
How to decide between traditional and gestational surrogacy
Your scenario will determine which type of surrogacy is best for you. Each one is different!
Because of their legal system, some intended parents can only use gestational surrogacy. For example, your state’s surrogacy rules may be strict, or you may not be able to produce a healthy ovum. A surrogacy pregnancy may be a better option in this situation.
The same processes must still be followed for traditional surrogates to conceive, but you shouldn’t let infertility stop you from finding one. A surrogate’s need for fertility services and treatments can make the biggest difference.
The likelihood of a successful pregnancy increases if a traditional surrogate has a healthy ovum and a track record of giving birth to healthy children.
What are the main factors to consider when choosing a surrogate?
The good news is that the criteria for selecting a surrogate are acceptable. A surrogate must pass a background investigation and have a positive pregnancy history.
In addition, we suggest that the alternatives:
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reside in a state where surrogacy is legal
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between the ages of 21 and 40
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own a body mass index of 18 to 32
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possess a successful reproductive history
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Give birth to at least one healthy child and never abuse alcohol or other drugs
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Be a non-smoker who doesn’t live with people who smoke.
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Wait six months to become a surrogate after giving birth.
Apart from those grounds, you are free to choose any substitute you like as long as they can fulfill these requirements.
In the end, it may take some time to choose a replacement, but we will take all possible precautions! Our top priority is to build families using ethical surrogacy methods.
