What is a Surrogate?
A surrogate, also called a gestational carrier, is a woman who carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple. The surrogate has no genetic relationship to the child, and she is compensated for the time, effort and risk of the services she provides.
What is the Surrogate Process?
There are several surrogacy agencies who offer matching services that help individuals or couples find a surrogate. The process of finding a surrogate is comprehensive and carefully done; the qualifications of candidates including criminal background checks, age, and more information are reviewed. Obstetric, general and emotional health status and tests are determined and assessed. Financial and legal documents and consent forms are completed. The intended mother or egg donor provides the egg and the intended father or sperm donor provides the sperm. The egg from the intended mother or egg donor is removed and fertilized with the sperm to create an embryo. Then, the embryo is transferred to the surrogate who carries the child until birth. Since the embryo is created from the egg and sperm of the intended parents, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child. The intended parent(s) acquire legal rights of parenthood either before or after the child is born.
What is a Surrogacy Package?
These packages typically cover screening and monitoring for both the provider of the eggs and the surrogate as well as the transfer of the embryo to the uterus of the surrogate. Many surrogacy programs also include an additional FET (frozen embryo transfer), if the initial transfer was unsuccessful. They do not include services of agencies who locate surrogates, legal services, obstetrical services, or compensation or benefits to surrogates.
Who offers Surrogacy Packages?
The majority of ARC network medical practices offer surrogacy packages for you to participate in.
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