Complete Guide to Surrogacy in the Midst of a Pandemic

Intended Parents

As an intended parent, you probably have a lot of questions about how surrogacy is being done in the time of COVID-19. You’ve come to the right place! At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, we have your complete guide to surrogacy in the midst of a pandemic.

Starting Surrogacy as an Intended Parent during the Pandemic

If you are ready to add to your family, don’t let the pandemic stop you. Surrogacy agencies have done everything in their power to make the process safe, as have fertility clinics. We can guide you through the surrogacy process.

Why should you start now? The better question is, why not start now? We understand that the amount of time it can complete your surrogacy journey can seem daunting. After all, you have to be matched with a surrogate, sign a surrogacy agreement, begin fertility treatments, and wait through the pregnancy before you can have your child. But that’s all natural. So, what’s holding you back? Surrogacy is ready whenever you would like to begin. Don’t put your family on hold because of COVID-19.

The Surrogacy Process for Intended Parents during the Pandemic

So, what are the steps of surrogacy as an intended parent? Once you have found a reliable surrogacy agency, you will need to consult with a surrogacy specialist and sign an agreement for the surrogacy services. Then, you will have an intro video call with the Journey Coordination team. If you need an egg donor, you will be matched with one and create embryos.

After this, you enter the matching stage where our Matching Team will help find you the surrogate who best matches with you. If you and the surrogate are mutually interested in working with one another, you will have an intro video call and be officially matched together.

To begin your surrogacy process as intended parents, your egg and sperm, respectively will be collected, then fertilized in a lab. As the embryos are being created, and your surrogate is preparing for the IVF process, you will work with your surrogacy lawyer to draft a surrogacy contract. The surrogate will also work with her legal representation.

The IVF Process and Pregnancy for Intended Parents

When everything is ready, the surrogate will have the embryo transfer at the fertility clinic. At some initial appointments, her doctor will confirm she is pregnant and your baby will be on its way.

During the pregnancy, you will be able to keep in regular contact with your surrogate through phone calls, video calls, and messages. The clinic may not allow you to be physically present for the 20-week ultrasound to help eliminate COVID-19 risk, but you will be able to attend virtually through video calls. Hospital protocols will determine whether you can be present for the birth, so ask ahead of time to prepare. In no time, you will have your baby home.

Surrogacy Changes due to the Pandemic

Most of the changes brought on by COVID-19 are additional steps to the logistics involved. As intended parents, you can expect to encounter more telecommunication and socially-distanced medical appointments.

Your surrogate will encounter increased COVID-19 safety precautions when attending her medical appointments as well. Specific alterations depend on the protocol of the facilities you agree to use. In general, surrogates have been given pre-screening for COVID-19 symptoms and contact with people exposed to the virus. They may have to wait in their vehicles before appointments to avoid spending time in waiting rooms. If your surrogate tests positive for COVID-19, or shows any symptoms at the time of her appointment, the fertility clinic will delay the embryo transfer. These measures are in place to protect her and your future baby.

Your clinic or hospital will let you know if intended parents are allowed to be present during medical appointments during the pandemic. In many cases, facilities are restricting the number of people allowed in, and surrogates have been allowed to have their support person present. Intended parents can expect to arrange for the surrogate or her support person to use a phone or tablet to let you experience the medical appointments virtually through video calls.

Hospitals have varied on their protocols as to whether the intended parents can be present for the birth during the pandemic. Even though you are the baby’s biological parents, the medical facilities want to limit the potential exposure to COVID-19, especially with your baby’s young immune system. We recommend that you communicate with the hospital in advance to ask about their protocols and prepare for the possibilities.

Intended Parent’s Complete Guide to Surrogacy in the Midst of a Pandemic

At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, our surrogacy specialists are ready to guide you through the entire surrogacy process. Whether you need counsel, support, or someone to answer your questions, we are here to help. Contact our surrogacy agency with all of your questions about gestational surrogacy during the pandemic.

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: Madilyn Moeller is a writer and editor keen on translating the technical. Madilyn’s years of science writing shine through as she explains everything from health insurance to moving for her readers. Madilyn has a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Professional Writing, Psychology, and Neuroscience. She is a lifelong writer bringing her curiosity to the marketing stage, building websites and blogs for businesses moving online. She knows more about Medicare than any young adult should.

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