5 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Surrogate Mother in Colorado
Are you a surrogate mother or someone looking to become a surrogate mother? Are you trying to best prepare yourself for the journey ahead of you? Do you have some questions that have been tough to find reliable answers for? Then let’s go over some things that could help you answer these questions. The surrogacy process can seem overwhelming to take on alone. By researching things you should know before becoming a gestational surrogate in Colorado, you are better preparing for your journey. By being better informed, you are ensuring your well-being. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is determined to provide you with reliable information and resources. Here are five things you should know before becoming a surrogate mother in Colorado.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a surrogate, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado.
Before Becoming a Surrogate Mother in Colorado
- What Does it Mean to Be a Surrogate?
Technically speaking, a surrogate mother, or gestational surrogate, carries a baby for an individual or couple. With In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the intended mother’s egg is fertilized in a lab with the intended father’s sperm— the surrogate mother then carries the fertilized egg. Through this process, the baby is not genetically linked to the surrogate mother.Beyond the technical definition of a surrogate mother, she is a caring and selfless individual who needs to help someone grow their family. She sees surrogacy as her way of helping someone through a tough time. She has enjoyed pregnancy in the past and is willing to go through it again so someone else can experience the joys of parenthood. Ultimately, a surrogate mother is strong and determined to help her fellow human being.
- Who are the Intended Parents that Work with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado?
Our agency helps couples and individuals of all backgrounds grow the families they are hoping for. We help same-sex, heterosexual, and transracial couples who are eager to become loving parents. We believe everyone deserves a chance to start a family. Whether the person seeking out surrogacy is single or a couple, married, unmarried, we aim to help them grow their family.
- Working with a Surrogacy Agency vs. Working Independently?
As someone looking to become a surrogate mother, you might be faced with two options: work with an agency or work independently. The surrogacy process is very delicate and can be overwhelming for one person to navigate. By working with a surrogacy agency that has reliable resources, your journey can go smoothly. Our agency can help you every step of the way. We provide you with health screenings, help match you to your intended parents, and help you schedule your appointments. In addition, you will have access to our team of professionals who can support you mentally and physically. Our agency also gives you access to any resources you will need so your well-being is protected and prioritized.
- What is the Colorado Surrogacy Process?
For surrogate mothers, the surrogacy process starts with filling out our application form and contacting our team. Our agency will then help you find intended parents to match with. Through video and in-person interviews, you will have the chance to connect with your helping people. After you are matched, you and your intended parents will go through health screenings to ensure everyone’s safety. Then you will carry the child to term and help a loving couple grow their family.
- What Health Screenings are Provided for Both the Surrogate Mother and the Intended Parents?
Throughout the surrogacy process, the intended parents and the surrogate mother go through regular health screenings. Why is this important? The health screenings are to ensure your physical safety and the safety of the baby. In addition to physical screenings, you will also go through mental screenings. These are meant to make sure you are ready for your surrogacy journey and make sure your well-being is taken care of.
How to Be Prepared for Your Surrogacy Journey?
The surrogacy process can be overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. With Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado can make sure your well-being is taken care of throughout your journey. By relying on us, you can focus on fulfilling your main goal of helping someone grow their family.
Now that you know what to expect on your journey, are you ready to take on the next steps?
If you are interested in learning more about your gestational surrogacy options, 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.
Meet the Author: Courtney Chunglo is a California-based writer who keeps her poetry romantic and her prose thrilling. Courtney has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Her poetry has been published in Sonoma State University’s anthology titled, Zaum XXI where she also served as one of the editors for the short story submissions.
Courtney grew up in a family of women storytellers who could make you feel, hear, smell, and even taste their tales. This inspiration to tell stories and being a voracious reader morphed into an unshakable desire to write. Possessed by the pen, Courtney strives to engage readers’ intellect and satisfy their need for a good story.
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!