HOW DO I BECOME A SURROGATE?
When you become a surrogate in Colorado, you are making a life-changing decision — not only for the intended parents you are helping but also for yourself. Surrogacy is one of the most amazing gifts you can give to another couple or individual, but it is also a long and sometimes challenging process that requires commitment, strength, and selflessness. This leads many women to wonder: Is surrogacy the right path for me? Am I ready to begin the surrogacy process? How do I become a surrogate mother?
If you are considering surrogacy, this guide will walk you through the compensation, screening, medical, and legal requirements to help you decide whether you are ready to become a surrogate mother and begin the surrogacy process.
Surrogacy Compensation
While ‘how much a surrogate gets paid’ is often not the reason a woman chooses surrogacy, she is undertaking the physical and emotional risks of pregnancy, well deserving of fair compensation. Surrogate mother pay varies; with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado and our legal team, surrogates and intended parents agree to a compensation plan. While there is no one plan that covers all situations, a surrogate can expect compensation that generally follows these guidelines:
Fee for gestational surrogate (experienced gestational surrogates may command higher compensation)
Monthly incidentals (travel to doctors appointments, parking, childcare, FedEx, faxes, healthy diet, vitamins, etc.)
- Embryo transfer fee
Health insurance for surrogate (premiums, co-pays and deductibles)
Life insurance for surrogate
Housekeeping allowance
Maternity clothing allowanceGroup/individual support meeting allowance
Other possible compensation benefits might include: multiple pregnancies, additional transfer fee, invasive procedures, caesarean section, loss of uterus, fee for travel and lodging expenses if surrogate lives 100+ miles from IVF clinic, companion travel, companion lost wages, childcare, and/or surrogate lost wages. Once again, together, a compensation plan will be established and agreed on.
Screening Requirements for Surrogates
Women looking for information on how to be a gestational carrier should first understand the initial requirements for prospective surrogate mothers. After contacting Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, the first step to becoming a surrogate is to meet our requirements and pass our screening process. This screening process helps protect the health and safety of the surrogate as well as the baby and ensures you are physically and psychologically ready for the surrogacy process.
Surrogate requirements for becoming a surrogate include:
- Between the ages of 21 and 39
- Have had at least one healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy
- Must be actively parenting at least one child
- Can not be parenting any children on Medicaid, food stamps or TANF
- Can not have had postpartum depression after previous pregnancies
- Can not have any mental health issues
- Can not have been on any medication for depression, bi-polar, or other mental health issues
- Are healthy and free of sexually-transmitted diseases
- Do not smoke or take illegal drugs
- Are not alcohol dependent
- Are not currently on public assistance
- Can pass a background check
- MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES
- Be able to travel as needed for appointments
- Have a stable lifestyle and support system
We know the requirements seem like a lot and are quite strict. It is in the best interest for all parties that we follow the guidelines set by fertility clinics and The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Our requirements help ensure the best possible outcome for success.
If you meet our requirements for surrogate mothers, you can proceed with the screening process. The surrogate screening process will often include the following elements:
- An application: the initial application will ask you some general questions about you and your reasons for pursuing surrogacy. After submitting the initial application, you will be contacted by one of our surrogacy specialist, who will gather more detailed information from you.
- Social and medical history information: this will be included with your initial application. In most cases, we will ask you to submit detailed information about you, your family, your health history, and even your personality.
- A physical examination: you will be required to meet with a fertility specialist for a physical exam and other lab work to ensure you are healthy enough for surrogacy.
- An in-home assessment: we may meet with you in your home to talk more about your goals and motivations for pursuing surrogacy. This meeting helps our social worker get to know you better and provides you with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the process.
- Background checks: you will need to consent to standard criminal records and background checks.
- A mental health evaluation: you will meet with a mental health care professional to ensure that you fully understand the emotional impact of surrogacy and to determine that you are psychologically ready for the challenges of surrogate motherhood.
While the screening process may seem arduous, it is important for everyone involved. You can take comfort in knowing that intended parents will also be screened to ensure they too are ready for surrogacy with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado!
Medical Requirements for Surrogates
Because your health is so important to a successful surrogacy, it will be closely monitored throughout the entire surrogacy process – from screening through pregnancy and delivery. As a gestational carrier, you will be required to undergo medical tests and take fertility medications throughout the surrogacy process.
Medical requirements for surrogates:
- Medical screening: this is part of the screening process. It will involve a physical as well as a variety of laboratory testing. You will be screened for sexually transmitted diseases and other communicable diseases, as well as certain viruses and infections that can affect your fertility. You may need to undergo an ultrasound to determine the health of your uterus, and there is a possibility that you will be screened for drug use. Your spouse or partner will likely also need to be screened for STDs and drug use.
- Fertility treatments: after signing legal contracts with the intended parents, you will need to prepare for surrogate pregnancy with multiple fertility treatments, blood tests, injections and ultrasounds throughout the embryo transfer process (as well as through the beginning of your pregnancy). You will be prescribed several medications, such as birth control pills and other hormones, which will help regulate your cycle and prepare you for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Embryo transfer: the intended mother’s (or donor’s) egg will be fertilized in the laboratory using the intended father’s (or donor’s) sperm. After a brief incubation period, it will be time to transfer the fertilized embryo into your uterus for implantation. This procedure is relatively quick and painless and usually does not require medication or anesthesia. You may be required to stay at the fertility clinic for a few hours and rest for a few days after the transfer.
- Prenatal care: you will be required to make routine visits to the fertility clinic to receive regular blood tests and ultrasounds. Once a heartbeat is heard and a healthy pregnancy is confirmed, you may be transferred to your own OB. You will continue to receive prenatal care as you would with any pregnancy, though checkups may be more frequent to ensure the health of the baby.
Throughout these medical processes and your entire pregnancy, you will maintain regular communication with the intended parents. If you are both comfortable, they may want to be present for doctor appointments so they can experience all of the excitement of the pregnancy with you.
More information about Health Requirements for Surrogates
Legal Requirements for Surrogates
One of the most important requirements in any surrogacy arrangement is the legal contract. Every surrogacy agreement is different depending on your circumstances and your relationship with the intended parents. Your specific legal rights and obligations will be outlined in your contract.
Prior to beginning any medical procedures, you and the intended parents must agree to and sign the contract, which will clearly outline all of the legal aspects of the surrogacy, including:
- Compensation
- Possible risks
- Your responsibilities as the surrogate
- Relinquishment of the child
- And more
In most cases, the intended parents’ attorney will draft the contract. You will then review the contract with you own attorney to ensure that all of your requests have been included. Once all necessary revisions have been made and both parties agree to the terms of the contract, you and the intended parents will sign the paperwork and the contract becomes legally binding. At that point, you can begin receiving payments and prepare for the embryo transfer.
Surrogacy laws vary by state and the legal process can be complex, so it is important to work with experienced legal counsel to ensure your rights are protected. It is highly recommended that you obtain your own attorney to represent your interests throughout the process.
Are you ready to become a surrogate mother AKA gestational carrier?
Want to learn more about the Colorado surrogacy process?
Contact a surrogacy professional with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado now for free information with no obligation.
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!