7 Things People get Wrong about Colorado Surrogacy
If you are looking to become an intended parent, a surrogate mother, or if you are a friend or family member of someone looking into surrogacy as an option, you might have come across some assumptions that have caused you to worry. With all the information about surrogacy, it can be hard to tell apart opinion from fact. Let’s clear the air and talk about some things people get wrong about surrogacy!
Misinformation can lead to misconceptions about surrogacy and the surrogacy process. There can be outside opinions and concerns that can cause you confusion as well. Surrogacy can be an intimidating journey at first, which is why it’s crucial to identify reliable information.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado can help debunk some of these misconceptions about surrogacy so you can stay better informed and better prepared for this incredible journey.
1. Surrogate Mothers are Only in it for the Money
False. Many assume that someone would want to become a surrogate mother because of the pay. This is not true! A surrogate is someone with a kind and caring heart who hopes to help a loving couple or individual grow their family. She is someone who’s had an enjoyable pregnancy and sees surrogacy as her way to help others. While compensation may be an option for the surrogate mother, the pure joy of bringing a human life into the world to be loved and cared for by a couple or individual is motivation enough for her.
2. Since the Surrogate Mother is Pregnant with the Child, She is Biologically the Child’s Mother
Incorrect. To many people, this makes sense. If a woman is carrying a baby, the baby is biologically hers. However, with gestational surrogacy, the surrogate doesn’t use her own egg in the surrogacy process. It is the egg of the intended mother that is fertilized in a lab then transferred into the surrogate through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This ensures the surrogate mother is not biologically linked to the child. As the intended parents, if you can’t use your egg or sperm, we can help you find a donor.
Gestational surrogacy also protects the surrogate mother emotionally and legally. It also makes sure that the intended parents are as closely genetically linked to their child as possible. Our priority as a surrogacy agency in Colorado is to make sure everyone involved is properly cared for.
3. The Surrogacy Process is Long and Complicated
It’s easy to assume the surrogacy process can be strenuous and tedious. But when you work with us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, we guide you every step of the way. We provide both the intended parents and the surrogate mother with a team of professionals, so they are protected and cared for.
There are carefully planned steps in the surrogacy process that take about 3 to 6 months each. This can seem like a very long time, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. Both the intended parents and the surrogate have access to specialists and resources that make the surrogacy journey smoother and more enjoyable.
4. Anyone can Become a Surrogate Mother
Yes and no. Yes, anyone has the potential to help a couple or individual grow their family. However, there are some qualifications a potential surrogate has to meet. To start, the surrogate mother must be between the ages of 21 and 39. She has also had a previous successful pregnancy and has children (or a child) of her own. When the surrogate works with us, she goes through screenings and interviews to find the intended parents she best fits with.
5. Surrogacy is only Available for Heterosexual Couples
Not true! Surrogacy is an excellent option for anyone! We help heterosexual, same sex, transracial couples and individuals help grow their families. With us, no matter your background or family dynamic, you will be matched with the best surrogate mother for you and be taken care of both legally and emotionally. Our core belief is that everyone deserves a chance to have the family they want.
6. The Surrogate Mother and the Intended Parents do Not Build a Close Relationship
No! Many believe that there is little to no contact between the surrogate mother and the intended parents. However, the surrogacy process is a connective experience. It can be a mix of excitement, joy, and even stress for both the intended parents and the surrogate mother. Their bond is crucial so they can rely on each other for support. The relationship between the surrogate mother and the intended parents is the core of a positive surrogacy journey.
7. The Surrogate Mother is on Her Own through the Whole Surrogacy Process
Not at all! Being a surrogate can make you very vulnerable, both emotionally and mentally. Knowing this, we make sure the surrogate mother is cared for and prioritized. She is doing a powerful, selfless thing for deserving intended parents, after all. So, we make sure that she does not feel overwhelmed or alone in the surrogacy process. We have a team of surrogacy professionals to help the intended parents and the surrogate mother. We deeply care about her well-being and emotional state throughout the surrogacy journey.
Things People get Wrong about Colorado Surrogacy
Now that you can identify the misconceptions of surrogacy, you can feel confident that you have reliable information to continue your journey, whether as an intended parent or surrogate mother. You can feel safer and less overwhelmed by the process of surrogacy going forward. You’re taking on an incredible journey, so you deserve the most reliable information.
We hope the information above has helped you! If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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!