The Facts About Becoming a Surrogate Mother in Colorado
The surrogacy process is a beautiful and unique way to begin a family. There are so many parts that come together to help form a beautiful family in the end. However, because gestational surrogacy is a very detailed process, there are many details people tend to get confused about. If this is you, then you have come to the right place! Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado has put together information to help clear up some surrogacy misconceptions. Let’s start separating fact from fiction.
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.
- Fiction: The gestational surrogate is related to the child
That statement is fiction. In the gestational surrogacy process, the surrogate is not related to the child. The way gestational surrogacy works is that the gestational carrier does not provide the egg that is to be fertilized. This means there is no possible way for the gestational surrogate to be biologically related to the child. This detail in the surrogacy process is put in place for many reasons. Ensuring that the circuit is not biologically related to the child being born creates clear and distinct roles for the parties involved in the surrogacy process. The surrogate is the gestational carrier whose main role is to successfully complete the pregnancy. The intended parents have the role to provide the fertilized egg. Creating these clear rules ensures that there are no misunderstandings after a child is born.
- Fact: Not just any woman can become a surrogate
This statement is true. Not every woman will be eligible to be a surrogate. There are requirements that a woman must meet to successfully be selected as a potential surrogate. The criteria may range from personal to health requirements. Some examples of requirements that women must meet to become a surrogate mother include, but are not limited to:
- Must be between the ages of 21 and 39
- Must be a US citizen
- Must pass a background check
- Must be healthy and free of any sexually transmitted diseases
- Must have completed one pregnancy successfully without any complications
- Cannot have hand postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
- Must be actively parenting at least one child
These are just some of the requirements that must be met to become a gestational carrier. If you have questions on what other requirements are needed, reach out to Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. They want more information on who can and cannot become a surrogate.
- Fiction: The gestational carrier may decide to keep the baby
This statement is not true. This is a common misconception associated with surrogacy. Many intended parents also have this concern when considering surrogacy. The arrangement between a gestational carrier and intended parents acknowledges that the carrier will not be able to keep the baby after birth. There are also legal measures taken to ensure that the expectant parents are given the parental rights of the child after birth. One of these measures is called a birth order that is a legal document recognized by the court that protects the rights of the intended parents. To learn more about birth orders, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado.
- Fact: Gestational surrogacy is an effective method to starting a family
This statement is definitely true. There have been countless success stories of how gestational surrogacy has helped form families. Successful families have been formed to surrogacy for single parents, parents who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and for parents who may not be able to have a child naturally. Gestational surrogacy is very common and has proven time and time again to be successful. Over 90% of the time gestational surrogacy will result in a healthy baby and a happy family.
Still, Have Questions About Surrogacy?
Just stational surgery is a very detailed process with many intricacies. You may still have questions about what may be a fact or fiction concerning gestational surrogacy. If you still have questions that you want to be answered, don’t hesitate to reach out to Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. Our expert staff is knowledgeable about the subject and ready to help answer any questions you may have. We want you to go into your surrogacy experience with confidence.
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!