Birth Orders for Surrogacy in Colorado
While going through the Colorado surrogacy process, as intended parents, there is so much to prepare for before your child is born. That may be preparing a nursery or making sure to have enough baby supplies. Whatever the case may be for you, the birth of your child is one that you want to be prepared for. As you await the arrival of your child through gestational surrogacy, there is a very important detail to know about and prepare for— birth orders. Before understating the importance of birth orders, let’s have a reminder about what Colorado surrogacy entails.
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.
What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate mother does not have any biological ties to the child she is carrying and will eventually give birth to. This woman is often referred to as the gestation carrier. This is important because this means gestational surrogacy creates clear roles for all of the parties involved. The gestational carrier gives birth to the child, and the intended parent then becomes the child’s legal parent. Having these distinct and separate roles in the surrogacy process leaves room for fewer legal issues to arise during this process. However, this is where birth orders come into play.
What Is A Birth Order & Why Do I Need It?
You are probably wondering what a birth order is. To put it simply, birth order is a legal document that assigns parentage to the intended parents. You may be thinking, “Well, I am the intended parent. Doesn’t that mean the baby is automatically recognized as my child?” Yes, you are the intended parents, but that does not automatically equate to you being legally identified as the parent just yet. Upon the birth of the baby, most states automatically presume parental rights to the woman (and her husband if she is married) who birthed the child. Clearly, with surrogacy, this is not the case. This is precisely why a birth order is needed. To be sure that this process is cone correctly, be sure to speak with your lawyer regarding birth orders. Doing this before conception is ideal.
What Are The Different Types Of Birth Orders?
There are two types of birth orders— pre-birth orders and post-birth orders. A “pre-birth order” is referring the legal process of establishing parentage before the child is born. On the other hand, a “post-birth order” refers to the legal process establishing parentage after birth.
In Colorado, the court will most likely grant a pre-birth order without any complications. This means the intended parents are granted parentage once the child is born. At birth, the surrogate mother is relieved of her obligations over the child and removed from parental rights. With a pre-birth order, the intended parent’s names are printed on the child’s birth certificate at birth. A pre-birth order will also mean the hospital your baby is born in recognizes you are the legal parents. This paves a clear road for any necessary accommodations to be made in the hospital for you before and after delivery. A birth order will also allow for your child to be recognized as your responsibility at delivery for insurance purposes as well.
It’s Time For A Birth Order!
If reading this has helped you realize you need to take the necessary measures to get a birth order, you have come to the right place. If you need help in knowing how to take the necessary steps to obtain, Adoption & Surrogacy Choices of Colorado can help. Our team is ready to help you prepare for creating your dream family! Reach out to us today to learn more information and resources to help you along your surrogacy journey.
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: Natalya Castro is originally from New York but has lived in Florida for most of her life. She is currently working towards earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Most people who know her would say she is outgoing and very extroverted. She is a creative person who loves to express herself through various artistic outlets such as pottery, painting, and cosmetics. When Natalya is not working on her studies, you can find her connecting with others and her loved ones, swimming in the Sunshine State’s beautiful beaches, or binging shows from her favorite streaming services. Above all, Natalya is passionate about utilizing creative means to reach people and helping others. Through her writing, she hopes to help others feel supported and cared for during the present journey in their life.
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!