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Deciding Between Surrogacy Vs Adoption

Discover the pros and cons of surrogacy vs adoption to help you create the family you’ve been dreaming of.

The choice to have a family is always exciting, but deciding how to have a family can be hard.

To get more information about your family-building options, fill out our online form.

For couples and hopeful individuals who cannot have a family on their own, you may be considering alternatives to starting a family. This can likely include surrogacy vs adoption as potential options.

The Pros and Cons of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

Navigating the pros and cons of surrogacy vs. adoption can lead you to your ultimate choice between the two. Learn more about the major points that can help people decide which one to pursue.

Genetics

A gestational surrogate will not share any genetics with your child. The embryo used will either use your egg/sperm or a donor’s. This would mean the child could be biologically yours depending on the egg and sperm you use.

A birth mother will share genetics with the child, which can cause emotional implications as you go through the process. This can make the birth mother feel more attached to the child, possibly having trouble letting go.

Genetics can often play a determining factor in choosing between adoption vs surrogacy. For intended parents who feel strongly about having a genetic link to their child, surrogacy is sometimes the better option. However, if genetics are not something you feel you need to share with your child, adoption can be a great option.

Cost

The cost of surrogacy vs. adoption can be a big determining factor. Adoption can cost intended parents anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 on average. This can be a more affordable option in comparison to surrogacy. Surrogacy can cost an average of $150,000. This includes surrogate pay, agency fees, legal fees and more. Surrogacy is definitely far more expensive than adoption.

Finances can definitely be a deciding factor between surrogacy vs. adoption, but it’s important that you feel confident in your finances. Raising a child has plenty of costs involved in the process, so being aware of how much you may spend to have a child is imperative. Asking an agency to be upfront about their costs of surrogacy can help you financially prepare.

Matching

The matching process for adoption vs. surrogacy is slightly different. The matching process for adoption generally relies heavily on the birth mother and her decision. During the surrogacy process, you will create a profile when you put together your surrogacy plan. This will be advertised to prospective surrogates and your surrogacy specialist will help you connect with your perfect match. We strive to match intended parents and surrogates in 30 to 90 days.

For adoption, the birth mother will choose the parents. You will put together a profile and video to give a little insight into your family and lifestyle so a birth mother can get to know you. Your adoption specialist will help advertise your profile and video to reach a potential birth mother.

Legal Process

The legal process tends to vary between surrogacy vs. adoption. In surrogacy, legal contracts are signed before the medical process can begin. In adoption, the birth parents must give written consent and their rights must be legally terminated after the baby is born. A birth mother also has the option to change her mind at any time until she legally executes her consent. Because the birth mother has the option to change her mind during the pregnancy and after giving birth, it can be an emotionally difficult road to take.

Benefits of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

The benefit of surrogacy vs. adoption is that you will end up with a child, growing the family you’ve always wanted. The choice to grow your family and how you grow your family is ultimately up to you. With surrogacy, you have the opportunity to have a child who is genetically related to you.

You can also be part of the entire pregnancy and be more in control of the situation. With adoption, you get to create a family for a child who needs one. You can create a relationship with the birth mother where everyone is comfortable and create an environment where your child is able to thrive.

No matter which option you choose to create your family, we can help you. Our surrogacy specialists are ready to assist you with the process. Our sister company American Adoptions can also help you get started in your adoption journey. Don’t wait to create the family you’ve always wanted. Contact us today.

Choosing Between IVF and Surrogacy

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. We explain the difference and how you can achieve your dreams of parenthood.

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. And for anyone new to the process, you might have a lot of questions. We have the answers you need

To get more information about IVF and surrogacy, fill out our online form and one of our specialists will help you evaluate your infertility options.

Struggling With Infertility

For anyone struggling with infertility, you may be looking for alternative routes to parenthood. Many people turn to IVF in the beginning of their journey. The IVF process includes:

Take fertility drugs
Pre-retrieval
Sperm sample analysis
Insemination
Embryo transfer
Pregnancy results

This process is a generally effective fertility treatment for those going through infertility. IVF is often times a good option if you have certain health conditions, fallopian tube damage/blockage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or are experiencing unexplained infertility. The downside to IVF is that it can be a lengthy, expensive and emotional process. The success rate of IVF attempts for people under 35 is 50%, while attempts at ages 42 and over are only at 3.9%

The Difference Between Surrogacy and IVF

One of the main differences between surrogacy and IVF is the carrier of the baby. When people are using IVF, the intended mother is the one carrying the child. The IVF treatments allow her body to prepare to carry a child in ways it otherwise would not be able to. In surrogacy, a surrogate will carry the child. However, the egg of the intended mother may still be used.

If you’ve been working through IVF and are beginning to feel defeated, don’t give up. Your goal to have a family can still be achieved. This is the part of the journey many people may choose to start looking into surrogacy. There are a number of reasons people may choose surrogacy over IVF, including:

They’re ready to move on from IVF treatments.
They’re more interested in becoming a parent than they are in being pregnant.
They’re concerned about the continued cost of IVF.
They only have a few embryos left.
They’ve done their research.

How Surrogacy and IVF Can Work Together

IVF is used in the surrogacy process. Throughout the process you will use IVF to assist in having a healthy surrogacy. They will go through the same IVF process as mentioned above, but through gestational surrogacy, you will help to create the embryo. This will include:

The surrogate will undergo IVF to carry and deliver your child
You and your partner’s gametes will be used to create the embryo
A sperm donor, an egg donor, or both will help create the embryo
A fertility clinic will help create the embryo to be transferred to the surrogate
The baby will not be related to the surrogate.

How American Surrogacy Can Help

For couples and individuals who dream of becoming parents but face significant challenges in conceiving, surrogacy offers a pathway to realize their dreams. By partnering with American Surrogacy, these intended parents gain access to a network of compassionate and qualified surrogates who selflessly offer to carry and nurture a child on their behalf.

This process not only offers a chance at biological parenthood but also fosters a deep sense of emotional connection and shared purpose between the intended parents and surrogates. American Surrogacy’s comprehensive support, including legal guidance, medical expertise and emotional assistance, helps alleviate the burdens that infertility often brings, allowing intended parents to focus on the joyous journey of parenthood that IVF and surrogacy can make possible.

Start you parenthood journey today. Contact us to get more information about IVF and surrogacy.

Do Surrogate Mothers Share DNA With The Baby?

Do surrogates share DNA with the baby? We answer our most asked questions about genetics and surrogacy.

As you go through the surrogacy process you, and maybe even family members and friends, may have questions about the DNA of your child. Many people may choose surrogacy due to the genetic factor. But people still have questions about DNA and the genetic process. Common questions we get asked include:

Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?
Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?
Do surrogates share blood with the baby?
Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

To get answers to these questions and more, you can contact a surrogacy specialist today by filling out our online form or call 1-800-875-BABY.

Use this easy guide to understand the difference between traditional surrogacy vs. gestational surrogacy, and help those with questions understand your surrogacy process as well.

Traditional Surrogacy

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate contributes her own egg to the in-vitro process. Once her egg is artificially inseminated by the intended father’s or donor’s sperm, an embryo is created which she will then carry to term in her uterus. In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child. This genetic relationship can come with unique challenges. Due to the higher level of legal risk with traditional surrogacy, it is rarely done today.

Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate and baby do not share any genetics. An embryo is created from the intended parents’ and/or donor’s egg and sperm. Once the embryo is created, it is transferred to the surrogate’s womb and she then carries the baby to term. This process is the most common form of surrogacy today, and the only form of surrogacy American Surrogacy completes.

Now, let’s answer those questions from above. We understand that many of the questions may be from well-meaning family members and friends who have a ton of thoughts on the process. However, we are here to offer you the information to make it clear that your child will not be genetically related to the surrogate.

Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?

Many people may think of traditional surrogacy when it comes to the surrogate process. They assume it’s her egg being used. This, of course, is not the case. You will use your egg or a donor’s egg to create the embryo that will be carried by the surrogate. The DNA will come from the egg that was used in the embryo. It will have nothing to do with the surrogate.

Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?

Again, the appearance of the baby comes down to who provided the sperm and the egg to create the embryo that results in a child.

Do surrogates share blood with the baby?

When people talk about “blood relation” they may be thinking of literal blood. While yes, a surrogate’s blood is used to help grow your child, they are not of “blood relation.”

Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

No. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother does not have any rights to the child. There will be a legal process that will allow you the legal rights of parenthood while the baby is in the womb.

When people ask if the baby is related to the surrogate mother, the answer is simply no. You will share the genetics with your child through your egg or sperm, or you can choose to use a donor if using your own is not an option for you.

If you want more information on surrogacy, contact us today at 1-800-825-2229 (BABY) or fill out our online form.

Surrogacy for Gay Parents: Celebrating Pride and Parenthood

Through the stories of surrogacy for gay parents that we’ve worked with, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy and the essence of family.

Family is more than just a biological connection. In today’s diverse and evolving society, stories of gay surrogacy demonstrate the power of love and determination in creating families. These heartfelt journeys of gay intended parents we’ve helped have the family of their dreams highlight the path through the surrogacy process to the joy of parenthood.

Each narrative is a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment and resilience, demonstrating how surrogacy turns dreams of parenthood into reality. Through these stories, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy, fostering acceptance, equality and the true essence of family.

To learn more about the process of surrogacy for gay parents, fill out our simple form.

Gay Surrogacy Stories from American Surrogacy

Michael and Viet’s Story

For Michael and Viet, becoming parents was the next step in their journey together as a couple. As they considered their family-building options, surrogacy stood out as a way to share a biological connection to their child.

“Surrogacy just gave us an opportunity to complete our family and it completely changed our lives,” says Viet. “We looked at adoption and at the time there was a two year waiting process and the fees were just about the same so we though why don’t we just go through surrogacy and have someone that is part of me in our family which was something we also really wanted.”

After meeting their surrogate, Alissandra, Michael knew she was the person who they wanted to help grow their family.

“The first meeting with our surrogacy Alissandra I definitely felt like it was an instant connection and it was an amazing match because the reasons why she wanted to this were very heartfelt,” says Michael.

It was as if their family grew by two through surrogacy. “After we started the whole process we just got really close and we were a family I felt,” Viet says.

The birth of Michael and Viet’s son through surrogacy fulfilled them in ways they never could have imagined. Viet recalls the first time he held his son.

“The birth of our son was amazing. Alissandra had just given birth and the nurses handed him to me and I just couldn’t believe after all the years and everything we went through that he was finally here. I was holding my little boy in my arms and he was perfect.”

“My son has filled a part of my existence and should and heart with a love that I just never knew existed,” Michael adds.

Watch more of their story here.

Nicholas’s Story

Surrogacy for gay parents isn’t limited to couples. Nicholas, a single gay man, wanted to have a family. Having a genetic connection to his child was important to him, but he worried that surrogacy wouldn’t be an option on his own.

“You first say, ‘Forget it; it’s too complicated, it’s too risky,” Nicholas says. “And then you start to talking to some people and understanding that it is possible to do so if you really want to, so then you have to sleep on it — and then one day realize this is not just an option, but you can do it.”

After finding American Surrogacy, Nicholas’s surrogacy specialist presented him with Nichole’s surrogate profile. Within moments of getting to know her, he knew she was the perfect fit. “We talked to each other, and it seemed really natural,” he remembers. “But what made me sure that Nichole was perfect was because she came across really genuine, and she wasn’t doing it for the money but truly to help.”

The day Julian, Nicholas’s son was born, was the day his life changed forever.

“I had been waiting for so long that… when I saw Julian, I was just completely overwhelmed,” Nicholas remembers. “It was such a wonderful experience to see Julian coming into our world.”

How American Surrogacy Facilitates Surrogacy for Gay Parents

For all of our intended parents, we work tirelessly to help them find the perfect surrogate match as soon as possible.

“Within a few weeks of making first contact, American Surrogacy told us we have a very, very strong match for you,” Michael remembers. “It was a really wonderful match. I wish all intended parents to have such a wonderful match like that.”

We help you find the right surrogate for you by showing you profiles of surrogates who possess the qualities you want in the person who will carry your child. We put the best interests of you and your future child at the forefront.

“You need someone that you’re going to trust to choose a surrogate for you, and American Surrogacy was the only agency I felt comfortable with and was genuine enough for me to choose over the other agencies,” Nicholas remembers. “I spoke to many surrogacy agencies — small and big — and none of them made me feel the way American Surrogacy made me feel.”

We’re here for you every step of the way throughout your surrogacy journey.

“The staff at American Surrogacy made our experience really good. We spoke to [our surrogacy specialist] and she was just comfortable to talk to,” says Viet. “She reassured us when we needed it. Every time we called her, she always answered the phone. They’re very supportive and invested in our process.”

“The whole thing is to truly find people like [my surrogacy specialist], who have experience, patience and care for what you go through,” says Nicholas. “This is such a wonderful journey because you realize you’re not alone, and it gets easier than you think.”

Whether you’re an LGBT couple or individual, parenthood is just in reach through our agency. If you’re ready to begin your journey or have questions about surrogacy for gay parents, contact us today.

How Do Surrogacy Agencies Find Surrogates?

You can become the parent you’ve been dreaming of being through surrogacy. Find out how a surrogacy agency connects you with a great surrogate.

Becoming a parent through surrogacy can be a beautiful shared journey with a great surrogate, but the process of finding a surrogate can be difficult. That’s why American Surrogacy has a system in place to find great surrogates and connect you with the best surrogate for your family.

You can get help finding a surrogate here or call 1-800-875-2229. Read on to learn more about how we find our surrogates.

Surrogate Advertising

The first step in finding surrogates is to find women who may want to become surrogates. Our advertising team works hard to connect with these women. Women may see an advertisement for our surrogacy agency, hear about us from a friend or family member, or find us through web search results.

Often, women find us through searches because they have been considering surrogacy and are excited about helping out a family who is dreaming of having a child.

These women may send us a message, connect with us through our online contact form, or call our surrogacy specialists directly at 1-800-875-2229.

Surrogate Intake

Once a woman connects with us as a potential surrogate, our surrogacy specialists begin sharing information with her and gathering information about her.

Our surrogacy specialists know the importance of having surrogates who are well-informed and committed to the process, so our surrogacy specialists share all the information a surrogate might need to begin the process of surrogacy, and each woman has the opportunity to ask any questions she might have about the process.

When she feels ready, a potential surrogate will also answer basic questions about herself that help our surrogate specialists determine if she might be a good candidate to be a surrogate.

These initial questions can include:

Age
General health information
Previous pregnancy information
Whether or not she is currently raising a child
Social history
Reasons for wanting to become a surrogate

Surrogate Screening

Once a potential surrogate is well-informed of the surrogacy process, and the surrogate specialist has determined she meets the basic qualifications to become a surrogate, she will begin the screening process.

The screening process goes more in-depth to determine whether a potential surrogate is qualified and ready to become a surrogate.

The screening process involves help from professionals and can include:

A psychological screening
An in-home visit
Medical records review
Background check
And more

Surrogate Matching

Once a surrogate has been fully screened and is ready to get matched with a family, your surrogacy specialist will prepare her for the matching process by helping her create a surrogate profile. The surrogate profile will include important information about the surrogate as well as personal information that can help you find the perfect match for your family.

When you are ready to be matched with a surrogate, you can view profiles of surrogates who are fully screened and ready to help you on your surrogacy journey. At American Surrogacy, you can get matched with a surrogate in as little as 30-90 days, the shortest wait time in the industry.

Identified Surrogacy

Sometimes, we don’t need to do the work of finding a surrogate because some intended parents come to surrogacy with a surrogate already in mind. There have been friends, siblings, in-laws, aunts, cousins, daughters, and even mothers who were surrogates for someone in their life.

When intended parents come to us with a woman in mind who is ready to become a surrogate, we screen the potential surrogate, and if the woman meets the requirements to become a surrogate, we can help them along the rest of the journey.

If you have a friend, family member, or another person in your life who is interested in becoming a surrogate for you, we can help you complete your surrogacy journey through our identified surrogacy program.

Get Help Now

Whether you need help finding a surrogate or have a surrogate in mind, you can call 1-800-875-2229 or get help here from one of our surrogacy specialists.

What to Know About Egg Donor Surrogacy

If you’re interested in growing your family, working with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program can help prepare you for a successful surrogacy journey.

As surrogacy gains popularity as a family-planning option, many egg donor and surrogacy programs are starting to move to the forefront of the conversation. If you’re intended parents struggling with female infertility, a same-sex couple or a hopeful single parent, utilizing an egg donor and surrogacy can help you achieve your dreams of parenthood.

If you’re trying to grow your family and have questions about egg donor surrogacy, you can get connected with our surrogacy specialists today.

Finding the right egg donor and surrogacy program is a big component of the surrogacy journey, so it’s important that everyone involved feels confident and informed. This article will break down the key points of using an egg donor and surrogacy to grow your family.

Egg Donor Surrogacy [What to Know]

Many intended parents utilize an egg donor and surrogacy to start their families. There are typically three parties involved in egg donor surrogacy:

The intended parents
The gestational carrier
An egg donor

To get started, intended parents will need to identify an egg donor for surrogacy. This can be done through a separate fertility clinic or an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program. Intended parents want to be as involved as they can in bringing their baby into the world, which is why they’ll be able to choose a donor who has qualities that align with their surrogacy goals.

Viable eggs are taken from the donor through the egg retrieval process and then fertilized through the IVF process with the sperm of the intended father or a donor. The embryo will then be transferred to the gestational carrier for her to carry to term.

Benefits of Using an Egg Donor and Surrogacy

Using an egg donor and surrogacy to grow your family is a great option if you:

A couple experiencing female infertility
A same-sex couple
A single hopeful father

When you work with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program, you’ll have both the comfort and convenience of having almost all the necessary services and resources for your surrogacy journey in one place. Your surrogacy specialist will be able to help you find an egg donor that matches your preferences so that you can feel in control of your surrogacy journey.

Choosing Your Egg Donor and Surrogacy Program [Questions to Ask]

When it comes to finding the right egg donor and surrogacy program, you’ll want to make sure you’re adequately prepared for the egg donor and surrogacy process. Below are a few of the questions you should be asking yourself about any egg donor and surrogacy program you’re considering.

What are you Looking for in an Egg Surrogacy Donor?

You’ll want to make sure you have a clear vision of what you’re looking for in an egg donor. Think about medical history, genetics, blood type, background, etc. You’ll also need to think about whether you want an anonymous or identified egg donor.

Are You Prepared for Egg Donor Surrogacy and Cost?

You can’t put a price on family, but because egg donation is such an intricate process, egg donor surrogacy can be an expensive process. In addition to surrogacy costs, you’ll want to have enough money set aside for all necessary costs. When you work with an agency that has an egg donor and surrogacy program, you may pay a lower cost than if you went through a separate agency.

Are you Prepared to Raise a Child Conceived from an Egg Donor and Surrogacy?

We know that you’ll love your child, regardless of their genetic makeup. But it’s important that you’re prepared for the unique challenges that come with raising a donor-conceived child. At some point, your child may ask about their surrogacy story and how they came to be. They may even have questions about who their donor was. You’ll want to be prepared to have these conversations.

Next Steps

If you have questions about the intricacies of egg donor and surrogacy programs, our specialists would be happy to answer them. Get connected with our surrogacy specialist today.

How to Find Couples Looking for a Surrogate

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, you’re driven to help others experience all that parenthood has to offer. We’re here to help you find the perfect match.

Choosing to be a surrogate is the start of making your dreams of parenthood come true. One of the biggest decisions you have to make during this life-changing journey is to find the best intended parents.

As a full-service, national surrogacy agency, we’ve helped create tens of families and we can help you find couples looking for a surrogate. We will:

Create your surrogate profile
Show you profiles of people looking for surrogates
Set up a conference call with potential matches

To find great intended parents, fill out our easy form.

How to Find Intended Parents

The easiest way to find intended parents for surrogate mothers is to work with us. That’s because our screening process quickly identifies quality intended parents looking for a surrogate without compromising your safety.

We know you can’t wait to begin life with your new family as soon as possible which is why we’ve designed our screening process to be as safe and efficient as possible. This means our intended parents are:

100% committed to surrogacy
Physically and emotionally ready for parenthood
Living in a safe and viable home in which to raise a child
Free of any criminal or legal troubles
Financially prepared for surrogacy and for raising a child

Here’s how we find the best intended parents:

Surrogacy Planning Questionnaire

The surrogacy planning questionnaire is part of the initial application to work with us and has an extensive list of questions that let us get to know the intended parents looking for a gestational surrogate.

Their answers to the questionnaire will help shape their family profiles, similar to the surrogate profile we create for you. These profiles are what we show to you to help you learn more about their family and situation.

Home Assessment

These are not a legal requirement for you or people looking for surrogate mothers, but it’s something we reserve the right to do.

The home assessment has a licensed social worker visit the home of the intended parents to go more in-depth with them about their lives and the impact it could have on their journey if you were to choose them.

Background Checks

Both sides must complete a background check to be eligible to go through this journey. Intended parents looking for a surrogate must pass:

FBI clearances
Criminal background checks
Child abuse records checks

Get to Know Couples Looking for a Surrogate

Our screening process is thorough but only you can know who the right match is for the journey you’re embarking on.

A conference call can only do so much but it’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know the people looking for surrogate mothers on a deeper level.

Consider these three steps when getting to know the intended parents looking for a gestational surrogate:

Step 1: Be Prepared: Know what you want to talk about ahead of time, and identify what’s important to you.
Step 2: Know Which Questions to Ask: You want to get to know the intended parents but not interrogate them. Talk with your specialists about topics and questions to discuss, as well as what to avoid.
Step 3: Ask About Their Profile: If the intended parent profile drew you in for a specific reason, follow up on their profile and learn more about them to see if they’re a perfect match.

7 Tips for How to Find Intended Parents and Have a Healthy Relationship

Surrogacy changes the lives of everyone involved. The relationship you have with the intended parents is a partnership, you’re both in it together and having a healthy relationship will help make the process that much easier.

Here are seven tips to keep in mind when building that relationship:

Intended parents have no control over their pregnancy
Create a schedule for updates during the pregnancy
Be open and honest about your needs
Be accepting of the intended parents’ desires
Share your pregnancy experience with the intended parents
Treat the parents as you’d like to be treated
Reach out to your surrogacy specialist

If you’re ready to help someone’s dreams of parenthood come true, contact us today to learn more about our intended parents.

Can I Choose Surrogacy for Non-Medical Reasons?

We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience parenthood, but there are reasons why we only work with intended parents who are unable to conceive.

For infertile couples, LGBT couples and single individuals, surrogacy bridges the gap to parenthood. While medical reasons and physical limitations often drive intended parents toward this path, some hopeful parents may consider surrogacy for alternative reasons.

With over 40 years of experience in creating families, we prioritize helping those who can’t reach their dreams of parenthood on their own and safeguarding our surrogates’ wellbeing.

One way we do this is by requiring a medical diagnosis, not as a barrier, but as a way to preserve the integrity of the surrogacy process. To learn more about whether surrogacy is a family-building option for you, contact us today.

Why Do People Choose Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an opportunity to grow your family if doing so on your own is out of the realm of possibility. Everyone deserves the chance to have a family and you may decide to use a surrogate for reasons such as:

Infertility
Being a same-sex couple
Age
Being unable to carry a baby to term
Not wanting to pass on health conditions or genetic defects
You’re a single parent
Trauma during pregnancy or childbirth

What Is Elective Surrogacy?

Typically surrogacy is a family-building method for those who cannot physically conceive on their own for medical reasons or because they’re a same-sex couple.

Elective surrogacy is term used to refer to surrogacy chosen by intended parents who are able to become pregnant on t their own, but do not want to experience pregnancy or child birth, don’t want to take time off work, or they have a career or hobbies that don’t align with a safe pregnancy.

Can You Have A Surrogate Just Because You Don’t Want to Be Pregnant?

No. While we understand that pregnancy and childbirth are physically intensive processes that are not ideal or convenient for everyone, you cannot choose surrogacy for the purpose of avoiding pregnancy. The couples and individuals that we work with come to us because pregnancy is unlikely, impossible or dangerous for them.

Why is a Medical Diagnosis Needed?

Surrogacy with us requires a medical diagnosis because we want to commit our time and resources to helping couples who can’t become parents on their own finally have the family they’ve always wanted.

As a family-building agency, we have worked with infertile couples who, after painstakingly trying to become pregnant on their own, have had to accept that it would be improbable or even impossible and with LGBT couples who have yearned to become parents but have always known they’d only have a family through adoption or surrogacy.

Valuing Our Surrogates

The surrogates we work with share our goal of wanting to help others create families that cant on their own. We want to ensure that when they match with you, you know they’re making a brave decision to offer you the gift of experiencing what it’s like to be a parent.

We also want to protect our surrogates’ time and wellbeing by working with intended parents who truly value and appreciate the service our surrogates provide.

Possible Alternatives

If you want to grow your family, but don’t want to be pregnant, adoption may be an option for you. While you won’t be genetically related to your child, you will have the opportunity to be chosen as adoptive parents by mother who wants to give their child the best possible future with an amazing family. You can reach out to our adoption specialists today to learn more.

While we only accept intended parents with a medical diagnosis, LGBT couples and single individuals, we believe everyone should have the chance to experience parenthood if they want to. To learn more about the options available to you, contact us today.

Surrogacy With Frozen Embryos [What to Know]

Frozen embryo transfers play a pivotal role in the IVF process for surrogacy, and can increase your chances of becoming a parent.

In 2021, more than 97,000 infants were born in the U.S. from more than 400,000 cycles of assisted reproductive technology. Of these cycles, 167,689 used eggs or embryos that were frozen for future use.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen embryo transfers make gestational surrogacy possible, going beyond the traditional aspects of assisted reproductive technologies.

Using frozen embryos on your IVF journey not only enhances the chances of success in the surrogacy process but also brings about several advantages for intended parents who want to grow their family.

To learn more about what freezing your embryos might look like during the surrogacy process, fill out our form.

How Does Surrogacy With Frozen Embryos Work?

In-vitro fertilization plays a pivotal role in the surrogacy medical process. There are two main phases: Embryo creation and the embryo transfer.

Embryo creation

Your fertility specialist will perform a procedure to retrieve mature eggs. These eggs will be fertilized using the intended father’s sperm to create embryos. If you do not have viable eggs or sperm, you can use donor gametes.

By creating multiple embryos at once, you increase your surrogate’s chances of becoming pregnant. Not every egg that’s retrieved will become an embryo and not every embryo is viable. With your consent, additional embryos can be frozen for future use.

If you’ve attempted IVF prior to surrogacy, you may already have frozen embryos.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Once an embryo has formed, it will be transferred to your surrogate’s uterus for implantation.

If the first transfer doesn’t take, you can use one of your additional embryos without having to repeat the egg retrieval and embryo creation process, saving you time and money.

Frozen embryos are typically stored and monitored at hospital facilities, like labs or commercial reproductive medicine centers. They can be safely preserved for 10 years and even longer.

How are Embryos Frozen?

Embryos are frozen through a process known as vitrification. This is done in two stages:

The embryo is exposed to cryoprotectant agent to the embryos, which acts like antifreeze and prevents ice crystals from forming.
The embryos are quickly placed into liquid nitrogen at -321 Fahrenheit and stored in straw-like containers.

Benefits of Frozen Embryo Transfers In Surrogacy

1. Controlled Implantation and Reduced Risks

One of the key benefits is the ability to implant embryos one at a time, reducing the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. This approach not only safeguards the health of the surrogate but also minimizes potential complications during the pregnancy.

The risk of Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is also significantly reduced, ensuring the surrogate’s well-being throughout the surrogacy journey. OHSS is a potentially life-threatening response to fertility medication resulting in fluid in a women’s abdomen and comes with the risk of blood clots getting into the lungs.

2. Increased Chances of Success:

Surrogacy with frozen embryos offers a strategic advantage by increasing the overall chances of success. In cases where the initial transfer doesn’t result in pregnancy, having additional frozen embryos allows for subsequent attempts without the need for repeated egg retrieval.

The higher success rates associated with frozen embryo transfers in surrogacy underscore the effectiveness of this method, providing you with increased confidence and optimism on your journey to parenthood.

3. Cost-Efficiency and Convenience

Storing and using frozen embryos eliminates the need for repeated egg retrieval or acquiring them from a donor. This not only reduces the financial burden but also streamlines the surrogacy process, making it more convenient.

What Happens to Unused Frozen Embryos?

Once your surrogate is pregnant with your baby, you may have leftover embryos. You have 3 options for how to handle your unused frozen embryos:

Store them for future use: If you plan on having more children, you can store your embryos for your next IVF or surrogacy journey.
Disposal: If you feel your family is complete, you can request that your remaining embryos be destroyed.
Donation: You can donate unused embryos to a hopeful couple or individual like you who is growing their family through IVF or surrogacy.

How Are Frozen Embryos Destroyed?

Typically conducted under the guidance of fertility clinics or medical professionals, the common method involves thawing the embryos to room-temperature, rendering them non-viable. The cellular material is then disposed of according to lab policy, or handed over to you for burial if your state’s laws allow.

Using Frozen Embryo Donation

If couples have leftover embryos after IVF, they can donate them to others who want to grow their family.

If you have not yet created embryos or are unable to due to medical reasons, you can choose to receive a donor embryo through a fertility clinic or agency. The process will likely vary depending on the professional you work with, but here’s what you should know:

You will have access to donor info such as medical and family history, ethnic background and physical traits.
You get to choose the donor or approve the match if a donor chooses you.
Some clinics or agencies may allow degrees of openness in the donation where you can have a contact arrangement with the donor. Others only perform closed or anonymous donations where you will have no identifying information about the donor.
An attorney can help you negotiate an agreement where the donor relinquishes their parental rights, allowing you to become the legal parents.

Whether you’ve already tried IVF or have your heart set on surrogacy, if you have frozen embryos contact us online now to begin your journey to parenthood.

What Does Alabama’s IVF Ruling Mean for Surrogacy?

The Alabama Supreme Court’s recent IVF ruling has raised questions among intended parents in the state about whether their surrogacy journey will be affected.

On February 16, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF can be considered children under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act.

“…to all unborn children without limitation. And that includes unborn children who are not located in utero at the time they are killed.” Read more about the ruling.

Following the ruling, many fertility clinics in Alabama suspended IVF services until it is clear how the ruling would affect IVF patients, clinics and providers. Because IVF is a significant part of the surrogacy process, there have been concerns about how this ruling may affect those pursuing surrogacy in Alabama.

Below we’ll break down what you should know about IVF in Alabama following the ruling and how your journey may be affected.

This is an ongoing story that will be updated upon new developments.

The IVF Process for Surrogacy

IVF and surrogacy are both popular family building methods utilized by couples struggling with infertility, same-sex couples or single individuals who are ready to have a family.

In gestational surrogacy, a gestational carrier or surrogate carries and gives birth to a baby for the intended parents. Because of the role IVF plays in the surrogacy medical process, one or both parents can be biologically related to their child.

Embryo Creation

Intended parents create their embryos using their eggs and sperm or a donor’s. This process involves retrieving multiple eggs from the intended mother, or acquiring donor eggs, which are then fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a donor.

The egg retrieval portion of IVF makes up the bulk of the cost, which makes it more economical to create multiple embryos at once. If you tried conceiving through IVF before surrogacy, you may already have frozen embryos.

Embryo Transfer

One or more embryos are selected and then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Since her eggs are not used, the baby does not share DNA with the surrogate.

The first transfer doesn’t always take. Being able to freeze multiple embryos increases your chances of success.

How Does the Ruling Affect IVF and Surrogacy in Alabama?

The ruling did not ban IVF in Alabama nor mention surrogacy explicitly. However, it does set a precedent that IVF providers and patients could face criminal and civil penalties if unused embryos are destroyed.

Many times after an embryo transfer is successful and the parents do not intend to have another child, the unused embryos are discarded.

In the days following the ruling, the many fertility clinics in Alabama paused IVF services out of concern that staff and patients may face criminal or civil liabilities. In an attempt to resume IVF services, Alabama legislature approved bills that would legally protect IVF providers and fertility clinics.

What Can I Do With Leftover Embryos After IVF in Alabama?

When it’s confirmed that your surrogate is pregnant with your child, there’s a chance you will have unused frozen embryos. If you feel your family is complete but you are worried about the legal implications of frozen embryo disposal, you have two options:

You have two alternative options:

Indefinite storage: You have the option of keeping your embryos frozen indefinitely. If this is the route you take, you should be aware that it can become expensive over time. Fertility clinics might have a storage fee of $500-$1,000 a year.
Donation: You can donate your unused embryos to an infertile or gay couple, or an individual who intends to use surrogacy and/or IVF to grow their family. This can be done through an agency or your fertility clinic.

How We Can Help

If you want to grow your family through surrogacy in Alabama, we can provide you with the necessary support and resources for your journey.

All of our intended parents partner with an ART attorney when creating their surrogacy contract. Your attorney will be able to advise you on matters pertaining to how to handle your unused embryos.

If you are prepared to travel for your surrogacy journey, we can connect you with a fertility clinic in a nearby state such as Florida, Georgia or Tennessee.

If you have questions about IVF in Alabama and your journey to parenthood, we’re here for you. To get the support you need, fill out our easy form or call 1-800-875-2229.

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified attorney or legal professional regarding specific legal matters related to in vitro fertilization (IVF).