The Process

Process Overview

A gestational surrogate is a woman who carries a child that she is not genetically related to for another couple or individual through in vitro fertilization.

Intended parents contact us to assist them in finding a quality gestational surrogate for a number of reasons. Most likely it is due to the intended mothers’ inability to carry a child, they are a same-sex couple, or they are single. If the intended mother is unable to carry a pregnancy, she may still produce healthy eggs that are used. Other circumstances might require the assistance of an egg donor. Through in vitro fertilization, the gestational surrogate will attempt to carry a healthy pregnancy for the intended parents.

Gestational surrogates are oftentimes women that enjoy being pregnant, have known someone with infertility issues, or they feel a desire to assist others in achieving parenthood. Our gestational surrogates are compensated, and all legal, medical, mental health, travel/transportation, maternity clothes, or other costs related to the surrogacy arrangement are paid or reimbursed by the intended parents. Gestational surrogates may also qualify for lost wages, housekeeping, and childcare.

The gestational surrogate will have been through an initial screening processes to ensure that she is a top quality candidate with their best interests at heart by the time the intended parents meet her. Through initial medical, psychological, insurance, and criminal screening, the unqualified candidates are removed from the process and only the best candidates survive the initial screening. Once a gestational surrogate has been matched with intended parent(s), she will be sent to their chosen fertility clinic to undergo the more in-depth screening process, as well as a mental health counselor. There are no legal requirements to becoming a gestational surrogate, but we hold ourselves to the highest of agency standards and conduct screening and support to create the most optimal pool of candidates and successful matches. The Stork’s Nest understands that intended parents have likely been down an extremely emotional road already battling infertility issues and want to minimize the risk for more emotional heartbreak due to losing a gestational surrogate they preferred because she did not pass her screening.

Our intended parents are required to complete background checks and mental health counseling.

The most important aspect of a surrogacy agency is listening to and understanding the needs of the intended parents and gestational surrogates alike. The more information that is disclosed to us provides us an opportunity to better meet your needs, as well as the gestational surrogates needs. Matching identified needs and desires will allow for a solid foundation and relationship from the beginning of a match. The most effective way to match the intended parents with gestational surrogates is by aligning each individual’s medical, legal, and emotional needs to the maximum.

It is imperative to address any psychosocial, legal, and escrowing aspects of the gestational surrogacy process. We offer referrals to highly experienced mental health counselors, attorneys, and an escrow company that will be able to offer their services and help with the complexities of the process that vary from state to state.

Below is a list of our services that we offer at The Stork’s Nest:

• Recruiting, coordination of screening needs, and matching gestational surrogates and intended parents;
  
• Providing intended parents and gestational surrogates with program information;
  
• Providing referrals to reputable and experienced professionals for any medical, legal, insurance, escrow, or mental health needs;
  
• Attending embryo transfer, physician appointments, and/or birth if requested by all parties and is feasible;
  
• Facilitating and coordinating any fertility clinic medical appointments during the journey period of time at the fertility clinic;
  
• Facilitating and coordinating the initial mental health appointments with an approved mental health provider. The mental health provider will conduct meetings with the intended parents, gestational surrogate and her partner/husband (if applicable), to discuss all aspects of the transfer, pregnancy, and delivery to ensure that all parties maintain and understand each others expectations;
• Facilitating and coordinating ongoing mental health appointments with an approved mental health provider, if necessary and requested. 
  
• Facilitating and coordinating a referral to legal counsel specializing in assisted reproductive technology;
  
• Provide resources for any insurance needs;
  
• Facilitating and coordinating any necessary travel arrangements, when requested and necessary;
  
• Coordinating the set up of escrow account management services at an independent escrow management company;
  
• Providing ongoing management of the relationship throughout the gestational surrogacy arrangement by encouraging regular communication with and between intended parents and gestational surrogates. This includes communicating with the fertility clinic, gestational surrogate, OB/GYN physician, legal professional, and mental health counselors regularly to ensure that all parties are informed and prepared for the transfer, pregnancy, and delivery to progress without any problems.
  
• We are always available for any questions or concerns that should come up during the process.
  

If you are interested in finding out more information about becoming a gestational surrogate, you may visit our Requirements page, visit our Contact Us page and submit your information and questions, or email us at info@storksnestagency.com.