Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional surrogacy occurs when a woman carries a child conceived from her own egg with the intention of granting parental rights over the child to another party following birth. Donor sperm may be used; however the surrogate mother in a traditional surrogacy arrangement is genetically related to the child.
In gestational surrogacy, a woman carries a child conceived from an egg that is not her own. A gestational surrogate, has no genetic relationship to the child she carries. The child is conceived via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Donor eggs and/or donor sperm may be used.
There are important questions to ask yourself, personal circumstances to consider and key steps to take as you explore the possibility of gestational surrogacy.
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At TSE, we recommend seeking experienced advice during the decision making process, whether it be from a professional, a former intended parent or a surrogate mother. Numerous resources exist, including our agency, to help intended parents understand all facets of the process.
Often, intended parents do not know anyone who has personally experienced surrogacy. Please do not hesitate to contact us and we can put you in touch with other intended parents or a surrogate mother.
On average, the total cost of surrogacy, including all fees, medical reimbursements and miscellaneous expenses, can range from $98,000 to $150,000.
The total cost of surrogacy will vary depending on insurance coverage, medical procedures required, legal representation needed, travel requirements and surrogate compensation/reimbursements.
Working with a surrogacy agency is imperative to help guide you through the surrogacy journey. A do-it-yourself approach only adds legal risk and anxiety to an already complex process. A qualified agency will match intended parents with the right surrogate mother, arrange proper legal representation and handle all insurance and financial related matters.
At The Surrogacy Experience, we welcome intended parents from around the world as they come to the United States to achieve their family dream.
TSE will guide international intended parents throughout the process from decision to delivery, allowing a return home without undue complications. We provide access to an exclusive carrier program, provide referrals to qualified legal and medical professionals, handle all administrative details and manage any additional complexities associated with your specific location so you can move ahead with confidence.
TSE welcomes all individuals or couples considering the journey to parenthood through gestational surrogacy, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
The basic qualifications to become a TSE gestational carrier include:
Meeting these basic qualifications is only the first step in our pre-screening program, which involves getting to know our potential surrogates personally and understanding their motivations. We have found that most surrogates are motivated to help intended parents beyond compensation. We ensure that our surrogates are emotionally, physically and psychologically ready before entering our program. Once accepted, we provide strong support for our surrogates throughout the process and beyond delivery.
Yes, all potential carriers go through a rigorous pre-screening process before being added into our program. We do not accept candidates that do not meet physical, emotional or psychological wellness qualifications. We review their motivations for becoming a surrogate and other aspects of their personal circumstances. A psychological evaluation, home study and background check are performed before each is qualified to begin the matching process.
Every surrogacy relationship is wholly unique. Developing a clear understanding of your expectations for the relationship and sharing those with your agency and potential surrogate is important.
The primary areas for discussion about your relationship expectations include regularity of communication, types of communication and the nature of your personal relationship. This relationship can be characterized in many different ways or you may choose not to have a relationship. Every parent’s feelings will be different, as will those of every surrogate mother.
Of course, relationships evolve and change over time, try to create a foundation with your surrogate mother on which a healthy relationship can develop.
The pre-birth order, or pre-birth parentage order, has had a significant influence on the growing acceptance of gestational surrogacy in the United States. It allows intended parents of children born through gestational surrogacy to have their names listed on the child’s birth certificate, thus granting them full parental rights to the child.
The particular laws of each state and the particular circumstances of the intended parent(s) involved will dictate when a petition for a pre-birth parentage order is appropriate and how it should be handled. Qualified legal counsel should have a firm understanding of this process.