There is no greater gift than the gift of a baby. If you’re considering helping a family grow, know that gestational surrogacy is life-changing. But before you give of yourself in this meaningful way, spend some time getting to know how gestational surrogacy works and what to expect.
How Gestational Surrogacy Works
In its simplest terms, gestational surrogacy is the process of carrying and birthing a baby for another person or couple. But before you begin the process of getting pregnant, there are several other steps.
1. Application
You must meet certain criteria to be a gestational surrogate. The requirements will vary based on the couple you’ll carry the baby for and the surrogacy agency. But the general guidelines for being a surrogate for Accel Conceptions include:
- Women between the ages of 21 and 38
- A U.S. citizen
- Have given birth to at least one child and have full custody of the child
- Experienced no major pregnancy or delivery complications with your previous pregnancy(ies)
- Given birth no more than five times or had no more than three C-section deliveries
- Have a body mass index (BMI) below 32
- Be drug, tobacco and alcohol-free
- Have no criminal history
- Respond to communication
- Be responsible and dependable
2. Matching
Once you clear the application process, which generally takes about a month to review and validate your information, you can move to the matching phase. This is where the surrogacy agency will evaluate whether you fit the criteria set forth by intended parents. You might not hear from the surrogacy agency for several weeks or even months during this process as they wait for the right family to request help with welcoming a baby. Don’t worry if you complete the application process and don’t hear much for a little while. Important work is happening in the background and you are very much needed!
3. Psychological Evaluation and Medical Screening
You’ll undergo a psychological evaluation and medical screening once you’ve matched with an intended family. While it might sound intimidating, the process is straightforward and swift.
4. Contract
A legal contract is an essential element of the surrogacy process. It’s one of the major perks of serving as a surrogate through a formal agency. Having a good contract outlines your responsibilities as well as the expectations for you and the intended parents. Spend time reading it carefully so you understand what you’re committing to.
The contract can vary based on your preferences and those of the intended parents. Some intended parents want to be very involved throughout the pregnancy and birth. But some gestational carriers are only comfortable with so much contact and interaction throughout that process.
Talk to the surrogacy agency about any parts of the contract that concern you before you sign.
5. Embryo Transfer
You’ll begin going through some initial appointments to help prepare you for the embryo transfer process. Generally, this is done via in vitro fertilization as the gestational carrier bears no genetic relationship to the baby. However, if you are also giving your eggs as part of the process, you might instead go through intrauterine insemination (IUI).
In the case of in vitro fertilization, a lab fertilizes the egg. Once the embryo reaches a mature enough age, the surrogacy agency coordinates the embryo transfer. Most women describe the process as no more painful than a pap smear, so try to relax and know that the process is fairly swift.
After the transfer, you’ll need to plan to rest for a little while and avoid strenuous activity to give the embryo the best chance at implantation.
6. Pregnancy and Pre-birth Orders
Once the surrogacy agency has confirmed you are pregnant, you move to the pregnancy phase of the process. The agency will review the pre-birth orders with you to ensure compliance throughout the process.
You’ll follow the recommended schedule for prenatal appointments and keep the surrogacy agency updated on any changes so they can keep the intended parents updated accordingly.
7. Delivery
Delivery day is an exciting one for everyone involved. Welcoming this little one and giving the intended parents the gift of a lifetime will feel fulfilling. Shortly after delivery, the baby will go with the intended parents, and you’ll get the opportunity to rest and recover.
Once you deliver the baby, your role is over unless you’ve agreed to provide breastmilk to the baby as part of your contract.
Start the Gestational Carrier Process
Apply now to serve as a gestational carrier. Accel Conceptions has been serving parents and surrogates for more than 20 years and has the experience and know-how to guide you through the process smoothly.