How to Get Started with Gestational Surrogacy

How to Get Started with Gestational Surrogacy 

Thinking of taking the next steps to grow your family? If you and your partner are interested in pursuing your dreams of parenthood, Family Source Consultants can help make those dreams a reality. Surrogacy is a great way to help deserving families around the world become parents. It’s also a popular option for many same-sex couples who wish to be biological parents to a child. Here is what to expect when starting your gestational surrogacy program: 

• Arrange consultation 

• Review cost of surrogacy 

• Look into way to finance 

• Learn how the matching process works 

Arrange a Consultation  

The first step of the surrogacy process is finding a trustworthy and credible agency to schedule a consultation. At Family Source, consultations are free of charge and are offered in multiple languages.  

If you’re not located near a Family Source office or cannot meet in person, video consultations are available. 

During the consultation, you and your partner will learn more about the steps and process of gestational surrogacy. If you decide to move forward, you will complete a file and sign a registration where the initial fee will be due.  

Review the Costs of Surrogacy 

At FSC, we offer a new fixed-cost surrogacy program, which includes: 

• Mental health support 

• Criminal background investigation 

• A matching process with unlimited rematching available 

• Management of the journey 

• Legal fees, escrow management 

• Medical accounting support 

• Local monitoring 

• Surrogate expenses 

• Surrogate base compensation 

• Bed rest 

• Travel expenses for all parties involved 

• Insurance 

If you and your partner require an egg donor, it’s important to know that donors’ fees often vary from $8,000 to $10,000 based on their experience. Other costs for our egg donation program includes: 

• FSC professional fee 

• Donor mental health evaluation  

• Egg donor attorney fee  

• Intended parent’s attorney fee of  

• Escrow management services  

• Donor insurance  

• Travel or incidentals based on the location of the donor 

Look Into Ways to Finance 

Although the cost of becoming parents is priceless, surrogacy comes with a price tag that can add up fast and leave you feeling uneasy. It’s important to know that there are ways to help finance the cost of the surrogacy program: 

• Home Equity Loan: If you own a home consider applying for a low-interest home equity loan. Home equity loans provide borrowers with a large, lump sum payment that can be paid back in fixed installments over a predetermined period. Because you can use the money for just about anything, it’s a great option for funding surrogacy program costs.  

• Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding on GoFundMe is another way to help raise money to pay for the program. You’ll start by asking a large group of people to donate an affordable amount over a small period. By using crowdfunding, it’ll be easier to reach people outside your network.  

• Surrogacy Grants: Consider applying for a surrogacy grant. This is a fundraiser or scholarship run by a nonprofit organization. Unlike a loan, however, surrogacy grants do not need to be repaid.  

• Personal Savings: Don’t forget that simply setting money aside each month will help grow a surrogacy fund faster than you think. 

Learn How the Matching Process Works 

At FSC, it’s our goal to provide a healthy relationship with all parties involved. Finding the right surrogate is the start of your surrogacy journey. A few things to think about when choosing your surrogate are: 

• Location:  Where is your surrogate located? 

• Qualities: Do they have the qualities you’re looking for? 

• Communication: How often and by what method do you want to communicate 

Communication is key because you’ll likely be in close touch while waiting for the baby’s due date. If you’re not the best about being open, find ways to help improve your communication skills. This will make it easier to be candid with your surrogate and improve the chances that you will have a close relationship throughout your journey.  

Surrogate Screening Process 

Every surrogate at FSC has been pre-screened and has gone through extensive background checks to ensure the safety of all parties involved. The pre-screening process includes: 

• An in-depth application process 

• A personal interview with FSC 

• Written consent from their medical provider 

• Complete medical history 

• Psychological evaluation 

• An independent review of their health insurance 

Along with the screening process, the surrogate also must meet all the requirements, such as height, weight, age, living situations, and more.  

Building Your Family 

Building your family with a surrogate does not have to be emotionally draining. Finding the right team to help make the process easy for you and your partner is important. Knowing what to expect with the surrogacy process ahead of time before making a decision will allow you to feel more comfortable.  

Questions? 

If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation appointment with the FSC team, request a consultation online. 

Related Blogs 

• Considering Surrogacy? Here’s How to Get Started 

• Family Source Named a Top 90 U.S. Surrogacy Agency 

• Having a Successful Relationship with Your Surrogate 

• Important Questions to Ask Your Surrogate at the Match Meeting