5 Common Questions a Colorado Surrogate Mom Might have about Surrogacy
Are you looking to become a surrogate mother? Are you trying to find a way to help others in a connective way? Are you starting to do some research on surrogacy and have some questions you need answering? Then let’s take a moment to talk about the surrogacy journey.
Becoming a surrogate mother is a selfless act of kindness. You deserve to have reliable answers to the questions you might have about the surrogacy process. Also, by keeping informed, you are ensuring your safety and well-being.
With Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, you have access to a team of professionals eager to help you on your journey. We recognize that the process can seem overwhelming, which is why we work to help relieve your stress.
Who are the Women Who Want to be Surrogates?
As you look into the requirements of becoming a surrogate mother, you might be wondering how your values and personality line up with the women who choose to be surrogates. With our agency, she is a selfless, kind, and caring person who feels driven to help someone in need. She is someone who has had a previous successful pregnancy and has found her pregnancy overall enjoyable. She is someone of sound mind and body who can take on the responsibility of being a surrogate; however, she does not have to take on this process alone. With a healthy support system at home and the use of a surrogacy agency, a surrogate mother can prepare herself for her journey. If you relate to these qualities, then the surrogacy path might be an excellent way for you to help others.
What is the Colorado Surrogacy Process?
You might be wondering where to start to become a surrogate mother. The first step is to fill out our contact form to begin your application process. From there, we help you organize interviews with some intended parents to find your match. After that, you and your intended parents will go through medical screenings to make sure you are both physically and mentally ready for your journey. You will then sign the necessary legal documents that you will go over with your chosen lawyer. Then finally, you get to carry your intended parents’ child to term!
What is Gestational Surrogacy?
You have probably been seeing the term “gestational surrogacy” pop up in your research. Gestational surrogacy means the surrogate mother is in no way genetically linked to the baby. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado provides gestational surrogacy because it keeps everyone involved mentally, physically, and emotionally safe.
How is gestational surrogacy done? Through in vitro fertilization (IVF), the intended mother’s egg is then fertilized by the intended father’s sperm in a lab. Then the surrogate mother carries the fertilized egg to term. This way, the surrogate mother is not biologically linked to the baby. This process allows you, the surrogate mother, to focus on giving and receiving support through your journey. You are not alone in this process. Your intended parents will be there to provide emotional support, and our professional team will be ready to help you through each step.
In What Ways am I Protected through the Surrogacy Process?
By working through a surrogacy agency instead of independently, you are ensuring your well-being. Our surrogacy agency can offer you access to physical, legal, and emotional protection. We can help you find reliable doctors and make appointments so you are not worried about scheduling. Our counseling team can offer you emotional support as you work your way through our step-by-step process. We will also help you find a lawyer, so you have help going over legal documents. Our goal is to make your journey go as smoothly as possible. Your well-being will always be our top priority which is why we provide reliable protection throughout the surrogacy process.
How am I Compensated as a Surrogate Mother?
You are taking on a selfless, brave, and kind act of generosity, so we want to make sure you are fairly compensated on your journey. Our compensation plan varies on the individual needs of the surrogate mother. Our goal is to be fair and transparent when discussing a compensation plan. We take the time to help the intended parents, and you agree on what needs to be covered. You can be sure that our agency will be honest with you about your pay.
What Are Some Common Questions Surrogate Mothers Ask?
As you take on your surrogacy journey, it is in your best interest to stay as informed as possible. It’s also important to know that you are not alone and can have access to reliable resources. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado has a team of professionals ready to help you every step of the way.
Now that some common questions have been answered, are you ready to take on the next steps? How can you best prepare for your surrogacy journey? Contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
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Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!