Welcome to Surrogacy Assist – Your Guide to Family Building

Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where a woman, known as the surrogate mother, agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple, who will become the child's parent(s) after birth. Surrogacy is often pursued by individuals or couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term due to medical, genetic, or other reasons.

There are 2 types of surrogacy – Traditional and Gestational.

Traditional Surrogacy:

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child. Her egg is fertilized with the intended father's sperm (or donor sperm) through artificial insemination.

Since the surrogate uses her own egg, she has a genetic connection to the baby.

Gestational Surrogacy:

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother carries a child that is not genetically related to her. An embryo created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents (or donors) is implanted into the surrogate's uterus through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The surrogate has no genetic ties to the baby in this case.

One of the first question that any intended parent have is determining if you are a right candidate for surrogacy. It involves considering several factors, including medical, emotional, financial, and legal aspects. Here are some key considerations to help you evaluate if surrogacy is the right path for you:

• Medical Considerations

Infertility Issues: If you have been unable to conceive naturally or through other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF.

Medical Conditions: If you have medical conditions that make pregnancy risky or impossible.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: If you have experienced multiple miscarriages.

• Emotional and Psychological Readiness

Commitment: Surrogacy is a long and often emotionally challenging process. Are you prepared for the emotional ups and downs?

Support System: Do you have a strong support network of family, friends, or professionals to help you through the surrogacy journey?

Bonding: Are you comfortable with the idea of another woman carrying your child? Have you considered how you will bond with your baby once they are born?

• Financial Considerations

Costs: Surrogacy can be expensive. It involves medical expenses, legal fees, and compensation for the surrogate. Are you financially prepared for these costs?

Insurance: Have you checked whether your insurance covers any part of the surrogacy process, including potential complications?

• Legal Considerations

Surrogacy Laws: Surrogacy laws vary widely by location. Are you aware of the surrogacy laws in your country or state? Is commercial surrogacy legal in the place where you would like to go to or only altruistic surrogacy is allowed.

Legal Contracts: Are you prepared to engage a lawyer to draft a surrogacy agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved?

•  Ethical and Moral Considerations

Values: Have you considered your personal values and beliefs regarding surrogacy?

Openness: Are you open to discussing the surrogacy process with your child when they are older?

Conclusion

If you and your partner (if applicable) feel ready for the emotional, financial, and logistical demands of surrogacy, and you have consulted with medical and legal professionals who support your decision, you may be good candidates for surrogacy. It's a deeply personal decision that requires thorough consideration and planning. Who do we offer this service to?

The cost provided are approximate and can vary from country to country and specific circumstances. This is a broad range of the costs.

• United States: $150,000 - $200,000
• Ukraine: $40,000 - $65,000
• Georgia: $50,000 - $75,000
• India: $25,000 - $50,000 (currently restricted to Indian citizens)
• Kenya: $30,000 - $45,000
• Greece: $70,000 - $80,000
• Russia: $50,000 - $60,000 (currently restricted to Russians only)

Surrogacy is legal in various countries under specific regulations. Here are some examples:

• United States: Varies by state, commercial surrogacy is legal in many states.
• Ukraine: Commercial surrogacy is legal.
• Georgia: Commercial surrogacy is legal.
• Russia: Commercial surrogacy is legal.
• Greece: Commercial surrogacy is legal.
• Kenya: Surrogacy is unregulated but practiced.
• India: Only altruistic surrogacy for Indian citizens is legal.
• Canada: Altruistic surrogacy is legal. Commercial payment to surrogate is not allowed as per law.
• United Kingdon: Altruistic surrogacy is legal. Commercial payment to surrogate is not allowed as per law.

Surrogacy might be an option for individuals who:

• Have medical conditions preventing pregnancy.
• Have had multiple failed IVF treatments.
• Are single and want to have a biological child.
• Are part of the LGBTQ+ community seeking biological children.

Surrogacy might be suitable for families who:

• Cannot conceive naturally due to medical reasons.
• Have a history of genetic diseases they want to avoid.
• Are looking to expand their family with a biological child.

Surrogacy is an excellent option for same-sex couples who:

• Want to have a biological connection to their child.
• Are male couples needing an egg donor and surrogate.
• Are female couples where one partner donates eggs and the other does not carry the pregnancy.

Before childbirth, intended parents and surrogates can expect:

• Regular medical check-ups and scans.
• Legal agreements to be in place.
• Open communication between intended parents and the surrogate.
• Psychological support and counseling for all parties.

• Be of legal age (usually 21-40 years old).
• Have had at least one successful pregnancy.
• Be physically and mentally healthy.
• Not have any criminal background.
• Undergo medical and psychological evaluations.

If your eggs are not fertile, you can:

• Use donor eggs from an egg bank or a known donor.
• Consider other fertility treatments like IVF with donor eggs.

• Psychological screening and counseling help surrogates understand their role.
• Legal contracts clearly outline the surrogate’s and the intended parents' rights.
• Emotional support is provided throughout the process.

Our services include:

• Matching intended parents with surrogates.
• Legal assistance and documentation.
• Medical coordination and monitoring.
• Psychological support and counseling.
• Assistance with birth and post-birth processes.
• Passport and legal documentation assistance for the baby.

When choosing a surrogacy agency, consider:

• The agency's experience and reputation.
• Transparency in costs and services provided.
• The support system for both surrogates and intended parents.
• Legal and medical expertise.
• Success rates and reviews from previous clients.

Countries where surrogacy is legally practiced include:

• United States (varies by state)
• Canada (altruistic surrogacy)
• Ukraine
• Georgia
• Russia
• Greece
• Kenya (unregulated)
• India (altruistic surrogacy for citizens)

Conclusion

Surrogacy is a viable option for many individuals and families who wish to have children but face medical, social, or personal challenges. Understanding the legalities, costs, and processes involved can help intended parents make informed decisions. Whether you are an individual, a couple, or a same-sex family, surrogacy can offer a path to parenthood with the right support and resources.

Here are some of the most prominent destinations: (Pls check the current status as the laws are constantly evolving based on the requirement of that state or region or country)

United States

Many states in the U.S. have surrogacy-friendly laws that support gay and lesbian couples:

California

Extremely supportive legal environment for surrogacy.

Comprehensive protections for intended parents, regardless of sexual orientation.

Connecticut

Offers strong legal recognition of surrogacy agreements.

Supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Illinois

Known for being surrogacy-friendly with clear legal processes.

Allows pre-birth orders to establish parental rights for LGBTQ+ parents.

Massachusetts

Positive legal environment for surrogacy.

Supports gay and lesbian couples through established legal procedures.

New Jersey

Recent legal changes have made it supportive of surrogacy for LGBTQ+ couples.

Provides for pre-birth orders.

Europe

United Kingdom

Altruistic surrogacy is legal.

The law allows gay and lesbian couples to become legal parents through a parental order post-birth.

Greece

Legal framework supporting surrogacy for heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Requires a court order for surrogacy agreements.

Other International Destinations

Colombia

Emerging as a surrogacy-friendly destination with inclusive laws.

Allows surrogacy for gay and lesbian couples with clear legal protections.

South Africa

Legal framework supports surrogacy for both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Requires a court order to approve surrogacy agreements.

Important Considerations

Legal Advice: Always consult with a reproductive law attorney experienced in surrogacy in your chosen location. They can guide you through the legal processes and ensure all agreements are legally binding.

Agency Support: Work with reputable surrogacy agencies that have experience with LGBTQ+ intended parents. They can provide valuable support throughout the process.

Medical Facilities: Ensure that the medical facilities and fertility clinics in your chosen location have a good track record and offer comprehensive care.

Financial Planning: Surrogacy can be expensive. Plan your finances carefully to cover all costs, including medical, legal, and surrogate compensation (where applicable).

Conclusion

Choosing the right location for surrogacy as a gay or lesbian couple involves careful consideration of legal, financial, and medical factors. The United States, the United Kingdom, Greece, Colombia, and South Africa are among the most favorable destinations. Consulting with legal and medical professionals and working with experienced surrogacy agencies will help ensure a successful and smooth surrogacy journey.

• Initial Consultation: Our initial consultation is completely free and confidential. This is your opportunity to share your story, discuss your goals for parenthood, and ask any questions you have about surrogacy. We'll provide a comprehensive overview of the process, answer your questions openly, and address any concerns you may have. This is a chance for you to get to know our team and feel confident that we're the right partner for your journey.
• Matching Process: Once you decide to proceed with surrogacy, we connect you with compatible pre-screened gestational carriers. We have a rigorous screening process that ensures both intended parents and gestational carriers are physically, emotionally, and psychologically prepared for this journey. Our detailed profiles allow you to learn about potential carriers' backgrounds, motivations for becoming a surrogate, and any preferences they may have regarding the surrogacy arrangement. This personalized matching process fosters a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling surrogacy experience
• Legal and Medical Care: Surrogacy involves crucial legal contracts that protect the rights of all parties involved. We work with experienced attorneys who specialize in surrogacy law to ensure your journey is legally sound and secure. We also connect you with reputable fertility clinics that have a proven track record in surrogacy cases. Our network of trusted professionals ensures you receive the highest level of legal and medical care throughout the process.
• Financial Guidance: Surrogacy can involve various expenses, and we believe in open communication about these costs. We provide a detailed breakdown of potential fees, including compensation for the gestational carrier, medical expenses, legal costs, and agency fees. We also assist you in exploring different financial options and navigate insurance coverage where applicable.
• Support Throughout Your Journey: At Surrogacyassist, we understand that surrogacy is more than just a medical process; there are many aspects to be taken care of including the specific requirement of the intended parents, religious and cultural beliefs, budget, health of the baby and the surrogate mother, mother's well-being during the pregnancy, taking care of extraneous circumstances, taking care of premature delivery, NICU admission of child, and finally assisting you by providing documents to getting the passport for the child.

When selecting a surrogate mother, intended parents often consider physical appearance. However, it is recommended that the IVF doctor selects and assigns a surrogate mother to the program after a thorough physical examination to assess her health. This assignment takes place two weeks before the preparations begin. The case coordinator will provide the parents with a detailed profile and pictures of the surrogate mother along with a screening sheet. Parents can then make the final decision about the candidate.

During the surrogate mother’s preparation, there is always a slight possibility of her being replaced. This may occur for various reasons, all aimed at maximizing the chances of success. Factors such as endometrial thickness, sudden bleeding, synchronization issues with the egg donor or intended mother, or other medical reasons might necessitate using an alternate surrogate. Parents are always informed of the change and are promptly updated about the replacement candidate’s personal details.

If the first cycle fails, parents face two common scenarios. If they have frozen embryos left from their previous fresh cycle, these can be transferred to the surrogate mother. If not, another fresh egg donor cycle must be performed, or the intended parents need to be prepared again.

Check with the agency how many cycles will they cover?

Parents start by sending an inquiry through the website, providing specific requirements and preferred dates for the program. Once dates are negotiated, parents begin the donor selection process. They can access the egg donor database on our website with login details provided by a case coordinator. The database includes donor pictures, personal profiles, medical history, donation history, occupation, education, and more.

After selecting a donor, parents send copies of their passports, and the contract is signed electronically. Parents make the first payment according to the invoices sent. After receiving payment, a full screening of the egg donor is conducted, and preparations begin. The IVF procedure takes place on the assigned dates, requiring parents to be present for about five days.

The next steps involve egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer to the surrogate mother. It is common to transfer day three embryos, but day five blastocyst transfers can be done upon request. Typically, three embryos are transferred per trial, but parents can opt for two if they prefer to avoid the possibility of twins. Transferring more than three embryos is not recommended.

Initial pregnancy confirmation is done through HCG tests 14-16 days after the embryo transfer. If the HCG level is confirmed, a follow-up test is conducted two days later to verify the pregnancy. One month after the embryo transfer, the first ultrasound is performed.

Parents send an inquiry through the website, providing their requirements and preferred participation dates. For surrogacy with us, parents have two options. The intended mother can either undergo stimulation at a local IVF clinic and go to the country where they intend to do surrogacy for egg retrieval or undergo the entire stimulation process in that country. In the first scenario, parents need to stay in that country for about six days, while the full procedure in that country requires approximately 17 days. The IVF doctor must complete a screening of the parents and approve their participation in the program.

After sending the full screening, parents provide passport copies, and the surrogacy contract is signed electronically. Parents make the first payment according to the invoices sent. After receiving payment, preparations begin. The intended mother’s preparation is synchronized with the surrogate mother’s preparation. If prepared locally, stimulation updates on days five and eight, including follicle count and sizes, must be sent to the IVF clinic in Georgia. On day nine, the intended mother must be present at our IVF clinic for final trigger injection timing and egg retrieval scheduling.

Parents send an inquiry through the website, providing their requirements and preferred dates for the program. After negotiating dates, parents proceed with donor selection. They can access the egg donor database on our website with login details provided by a case coordinator. The database includes donor pictures, personal profiles, medical history, donation history, occupation, education, and more.

The intended mother must send her complete screening for review and approval by our IVF doctor. Once approved, parents send passport copies, and the contract is signed electronically. Parents make the first payment according to the invoices sent. After receiving payment, the egg donor undergoes a full screening, and preparations begin.

The egg donor and surrogate mother start stimulation simultaneously. The intended mother can prepare at a local IVF clinic and go the country for egg retrieval and embryo transfer, or the full preparation can occur in the country where the program is done

Parents send an inquiry through the website, providing specific requirements and preferred dates for the program. Parents must arrange for the embryos to be shipped to our laboratory. The clinic storing the frozen embryos prepares a detailed report, including information on the number of frozen embryos, the number of straws they are frozen in, the grade of each embryo, the number of days they were frozen, and the freezing method used. Infectious disease test results (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis) of both parents are also required.

Once the embryos are delivered to the laboratory, parents send passport copies, and the contracts are prepared. Parents make the first payment, after which the surrogate mother’s preparation begins. The embryos are thawed and transferred to the surrogate mother. The number of embryos to be transferred is discussed with the parents in advance.

After a positive human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood test confirms pregnancy, the case is assigned to a pregnancy care coordinator. This coordinator provides regular updates on the pregnancy’s progress and sends ultrasound reports to the surrogate mother. Parents can communicate any questions or concerns during the process and are welcome to visit that country to see their surrogate mother at any time during the pregnancy. We facilitate communication to ensure comfortable interaction between parents and the surrogate mother.

Pregnancy is confirmed once the baby’s heartbeat is heard. If a positive HCG test and first ultrasound confirm pregnancy but do not detect a heartbeat, it is not considered a miscarriage. Parents move on to the next trial without making an agency payment (if within the three trials included in one agency payment). If a heartbeat is heard and the pregnancy is later lost, it is considered a miscarriage, and parents must start a new program with a full program payment. The surrogate mother’s payment at specific pregnancy stages is outlined in the contracts.

It is not possible to guarantee a specific number of eggs before the actual retrieval process. However, an Antral Follicle Count performed on the egg donor can provide an estimate of the expected number of eggs. This count offers a rough prediction, but the actual number retrieved can vary as not all follicles may respond to stimulation in the same way.

Parents typically need to visit twice: once to provide sperm (and/or for egg retrieval) and once to take their baby home. If parents cannot adhere to the clinic’s timeline, they can visit the clinic at their convenience to provide frozen sperm for fertilization in the IVF program. For parents shipping frozen embryos, a limited Power of Attorney can be granted to the agency, allowing parents to travel to the country only once to pick up their baby. The Power of Attorney contract must be notarized and authenticated in the parents’ home country.

Immigration laws of different countries are different. Hence it is advisable to check with the country where you plan to go for surrogacy on their entry requirements.

• Intended parents need to apply at their embassy.
• Required documents typically include the birth certificate, surrogacy agreement, and DNA proof of parentage.
• The process can take several weeks to a few months.

• Intended parents must contact their embassy.
• Documents required usually include birth certificate, surrogacy agreement, and DNA proof of parentage.
• Processing time varies but can take between 2 to several weeks.
• The embassies of almost all countries provide the passport for the new born kids.

• Application should be made at the embassy.
• Necessary documents include birth certificate, surrogacy agreement, and DNA proof of parentage.
• The process duration ranges from weeks to a few months.