Surrogacy is a very intimate process, for both the surrogate and the Intended Parents. It’s a big step in creating the family you’ve always wanted, so it’s understandable that you’d want to know all the details, even the ones that are hard to find. To help you on your journey as a potential Intended Parent, here are some answers to the most popular surrogacy questions you were afraid to ask.
Can the Surrogate Decide to Keep the Baby?
We’ve all heard the stories about people entering into surrogate contracts and through some strange set of circumstances, the surrogate changes her mind and decides at some point in the journey to keep the baby. It’s a heartbreaking tale that is depicted in dozens of movies and TV shows, and it is often based on a 1988 incident and court case.
But this is not a concern you should have as the Intended Parent in gestational surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy is an agreement between Intended Parents and a surrogate, but the surrogate contributes none of the genetic material, which means she has no legal or biological claim to the baby.
One thing to remember when doing your surrogacy research is that all surrogates have their own families with their own children and are doing surrogacy for fulfillment. They love being a part of helping a couple start a family.
Do We Get to Choose Our Surrogate?
Intended parents and potential surrogates who work with All Families Surrogacy create a lasting bond that is much more than a transaction. The deep connection and intimacy that comes with a surrogacy journey mean that you and your surrogate absolutely get to choose to match with each other. Check out our Testimonials to see what this partnership means to people who have already been where you are going.
Be Honest – How Much Does It Cost?
One of our main goals at AFS is to make surrogacy accessible to more Intended Parents, and as such, we’ve created two programs based on your needs and budgets.
Our most popular program is the Full Service Program, which gives you and your surrogate the most comprehensive care and support for your surrogacy journey. You can see the price sheet for our estimated agency fees here.
Our second option is the Case Management Program, which is for Intended Parents who recruit their own surrogates. Outside of that, the care and coordination you receive is identical to that of the Full Service Program. See our agency fees for this program here.
Can a Surrogate Decide to Abort?
Most of the matching process for any surrogate agreement, like the ones we facilitate here at All Families Surrogacy, include comprehensive discussions and profiles on the values and lifestyle of the surrogate, to ensure that you, as the Intended Parent, find the ideal surrogate partner to go through this journey with.
The surrogate has the exclusive legal right to abort a fetus. But it’s not quite as simple as that. If this creates a breach of contract, she may be obligated then to refund her compensation. Also, abortion access and rights are controversial and vary widely across different states, so those laws would still apply in any situation.
What Do I/We Have to Do to Become Intended Parents at AFS?
Surrogacy is a choice that can be overwhelming and difficult to decide. But if you are a person or couple (regardless of gender, race, religion, fertility status, marital status, or sexual orientation) looking to begin your surrogacy journey with All Families Surrogacy, you will need to meet the following criteria first:
- Between the ages of 21-55
- Must pass comprehensive background, psychological and medical screenings
- Financially stable and able to afford the costs of surrogacy
- Be in a stable living situation
- Have the support of your spouse or partner (if applicable)
- Do not use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol
All Families Surrogacy feels strongly that surrogacy should be for all families.
Take the Next Step on Your Journey to Surrogacy
We know this list of tough questions is just the tip of the iceberg for anyone interested in becoming an Intended Parent. And that’s why we’re here – to answer your questions and guide you through every stage of the surrogacy process. This is more than a business to us – All Families Surrogacy is passionate about helping you start your family in a positive and inclusive environment.
Are you interested in starting your own surrogacy journey with us? Call today at (503) 936-7960 or send us an email: info@allfamiliessurrogacy.com.
