Surrogacy Terms and Acronyms for Intended Parents and Surrogate Mothers
Are you a surrogate mother or an intended parent overwhelmed by their research on surrogacy? Do you keep coming across certain terms you have trouble finding the right definitions? If so, let’s go over some basic surrogacy terms and acronyms that can help you better understand the process. The surrogacy process can be overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be with the right resources. As you start your journey to become a surrogate or intended parents, it’s important to be familiar with a few concepts so you know what to expect.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado can give you the resources you need to ensure a smooth journey. Our team of licensed professionals can guide you every step of the way.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
- What Does IVF Stand For?
IVF or in-vitro fertilization transfers the fertilized egg of the intended mother to the surrogate mother. The egg is fertilized in a lab by the intended father’s sperm. The surrogate mother then carries the egg to term. IVF is part of the Colorado surrogacy process. Gestational surrogacy is the preferred option for many surrogate mothers and intended parents because it is legal and safest. This form of surrogacy ensures that the surrogate mother is in no way genetically linked to the child. This process ensures everyone’s mental, physical, and legal well-being.
- What Does BMI Have to Do With Surrogacy?
You might have seen “BMI” be mentioned when looking at surrogate mother requirements. Why does BMI matter? It’s extremely important that the surrogate mother is physically ready for the journey ahead of her. Having a certain level of BMI ensures that the surrogate mother and the child she’ll be carrying are safe.
- What is a Pre Birth Parentage Order?
As an intended parent, you have probably seen the term “pre-birth parentage order.” This is a legal document granted by the state of Colorado. This document will give you guardianship of your child before they are born. At the start of your journey, it is good to look for a lawyer. Our agency can help find the right lawyer for you so you can keep track of all the legal documents you’ll need. By working with a Colorado surrogacy agency, you can have a team of professionals helping you every step of the way.
- Who is a Gestational Carrier/ Surrogate Mother?
A gestational carrier is someone who carries an intended parent’s child to term. Because Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado offers gestational surrogacy, you will see the term often. You might be thinking, ‘well, what’s the difference between a gestational carrier and a surrogate mother?’. The terms mean the same thing and can be used in place of one another. What’s important to know is what it means to be a surrogate mother with our agency. A surrogate mother has a kind and caring heart who feels the need to help others in need. She has enjoyed her pregnancy in the past and hopes to share the joys of parenthood with someone trying to grow their family.
- Who is an Intended Parent?
For our agency, intended parents are any couple or individual who needs help growing their family. Our agency helps transracial, heterosexual, same-sex couples and individuals have the chance to have the family they hope for. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to have a family.
What Are Some Terms about Surrogacy I Should Know?
Being well-informed about surrogacy can ensure a smoother journey for you, whether you are a surrogate mother or intended parent. At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, we are ready to give you information and resources that can help you on your journey.
Now that you are more familiar with some surrogacy terms, what are other ways to prepare for your journey? What can you do to prepare for the next steps?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption 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!