What is the best method for selecting a surrogate is one of the most frequent queries we receive from intended parents. After all, if you need to learn how to proceed, surrogacy can seem like a whirlwind. Before we link you with a surrogate of your choice, we can do the initial screening and qualifying. If you need help, you'll have to do everything yourself, which might be challenging when interviewing a dozen or more prospects. Our surrogacy process selects the top candidates who have met our professional wellness standards. They have undergone expert inspection. Working with a surrogacy agency will often provide you with additional possibilities. Here are the fundamentals of selecting a surrogate, and the best part is that you are totally in charge of the selection procedure.
Which kind of surrogacy suits me best?
Intended parents often have two options regarding the kind of surrogacy journey they choose: gestational surrogacy and conventional surrogacy.
Both surrogacy options have excellent success rates, yet each has advantages and disadvantages to weigh. 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 can offer substitutes.
However, intended parents might 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 enhances the likelihood of conception since sperm enters the uterus directly.
On the other hand, a fertilized embryo is implanted into the carrier via gestational surrogacy. In a lab, the intended parents' reproductive tissue is used to fertilize this embryo.
This procedure ensures that the child will not inherit any genetic characteristics from the surrogate, which can be important for intended parents with a well-thought-out surrogacy strategy.
How to decide between traditional and gestational surrogacy
Your scenario will determine which sort of surrogacy is best for you. Each is distinct!
Given their legal system, some intended parents may only use gestational surrogacy. For instance, your state's surrogacy rules can be tight, or you might not be able to develop a healthy ovum. Gestational surrogacy might be a preferable choice in this situation.
The same processes must still be followed for traditional surrogates to conceive, but you shouldn't allow infertility to stop you from looking for one. The surrogate's requirement for fertility services and treatments will make the most 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 should be able to pass a background investigation and have a positive history of pregnancy.
In addition, we suggest that surrogates:
reside in a state where surrogacy is legal
between the ages of 21 and 40
own a body mass index of 18 to 32
possess a successful reproductive history
Give birth to at least one healthy child and never have before abused alcohol or other drugs
Be a non-smoker who doesn't live with people who smoke cigarettes.
Wait six months to become a surrogate after giving birth.
Apart from those fundamentals, you are free to select any surrogate you like as long as they can fulfill these requirements.
In the end, selecting a surrogate can take some time, but we take every precaution possible! Our top priority is to build families using ethical surrogacy procedures.