5 Misconceptions About Surrogacy

One of North America’s leading surrogacy agencies, Family Source Consultants, highlights five areas of misconception when thinking about Surrogacy. 

1. The child is genetically related to the surrogate.

Although this can be true if the arrangement is considered to be a traditional surrogacy, with a gestational surrogacy arrangement, the embryos are created with either the intended mother’s eggs or an egg donor – never those of the surrogate.

2. Building a family via surrogacy is only for the wealthy.

Based on Family Source Consultants’ experience, many intended parents have an average income. Additionally, there are financing options available from lenders who specialize in reproductive arrangements, as well as cash discounts and payment plans.

3. The surrogate may not give up the child.

Surrogates have to already have their own children and completely understand that they are helping another family to have this child. Of course, the surrogate will care for the child and have an emotional bond, however, she is fully aware that the child is not hers to keep. Surrogacy agencies should always work with attorneys who specialize in reproductive law and, with the correct legal procedures in place, intended parents are the legal parents of the baby. In addition, a surrogate (and her partner if applicable) must undergo a psychological evaluation prior to entering into a legal agreement with the intended parents.

4. The surrogate needs the compensation or is poor.

Many surrogates who are enrolled in Family Source Consultants’ surrogacy programs have a full-time career, are financially stable, and often have a partner who has a secure, well-paid job, too.  Family Source Consultants have actually worked with many surrogates who are considered to be the breadwinners of their marriage or partnership. A surrogate should never fully depend on the compensation that she receives in order to live a stable lifestyle. Financial problems or any indication that a surrogate candidate is motivated by money can be the reason for disqualification.

5. Intended parents who live in a less surrogate ‘friendly’ state cannot utilize surrogacy as a family building option.

Family Source Consultants’ intended parent clients come from all 50 states and internationally. The important factor is that the surrogate must deliver in a surrogacy-friendly state, such as Illinois, Florida, California, or Texas.

What’s unique is that the majority of the employees at FSC have been a surrogate, egg donor, intended OR recipient parent, including Staci Swiderski, Family Source Consultants CEO & Founder, who completed her family through surrogacy and has been an egg donor twice.