Switching from Infertility Treatments to Surrogacy

Infertility can be a very frustrating experience for couples who are trying to grow a family. And it is quite common, with about 10-15% of American couples dealing with this condition. A lot of hopeful parents spend years and a huge amount of money on infertility treatments without achieving pregnancy. Still, many infertile couples prefer fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI over the surrogacy process, as it allows them to experience pregnancy themselves.

We understand that quitting infertility treatments for surrogacy is a big, difficult decision and it may cause a feeling of failure.

But then again, surrogacy can help you achieve your dreams of having a family! Moreover, with gestational surrogacy, both the parents have a chance to share their genetic material with the baby.

If surrogacy is something you are planning for, the following questions and discussion will help to be 100% sure you are ready to switch from fertility treatments to this process.

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1. Is your spouse okay with the surrogacy option?

A big deciding factor in switching from infertility treatments to surrogacy is whether your significant other is comfortable with this option. It is up to you and your partner to decide whether or not surrogacy is a great option for you.

However, we advise that you and your partner research surrogacy together and understand what is involved. This will enable both of you to have a good idea of what to expect from the process and whether surrogacy is an ideal choice for you!

2. Are you ready to quit other infertility treatments?

One more factor you should consider is whether or not you are ready to forgo other fertility treatments in favor of gestational surrogacy. A lot of infertile couples who arrive at the decision of surrogacy have already undergone several infertility treatments but to no avail.

Typically, these people are thinking of pursuing surrogacy because the treatments failed and may also fail in the future. Hence, this makes surrogacy their best bet if they are looking to grow their families.

3. Will you be okay with parenthood without being pregnant?

One of the things that make switching from infertility treatments to surrogacy difficult is the fact that you won’t be the one to carry your baby.

Many of those who choose surrogacy do so because their need and desire for a child are much stronger than their ability to conceive, and we know that this can be a hard reality to take. Hence, it’s important to be sure you are okay with another person carrying your child before commencing the process.

A special bond exists between surrogates and intended parents, and you should be prepared for the emotional part before deciding to pursue surrogacy.

With a strong support system and the assistance of our well-trained staff and in-house physician’s, you can be sure of a comfortable surrogacy experience.

4. Do you know the surrogacy requirements?

Surrogacy process involves a great deal of time, money, and energy.

That’s why, anyone considering surrogacy to become parents, should thoroughly check the available resources – sit down with a fertility specialist or a surrogacy professional and gather the required knowledge of what it entails.

Consider the following:

• How much does surrogacy cost?
• How are you going to financially prepare for your surrogacy journey?
• How do you choose the ideal Surrogate Mother for yourself?
• Which surrogacy agency aligns with your parenthood goals?
• Can you use your own eggs to create the embryo or require an Egg Donor?
• If donor eggs are needed, what qualities you want in the donor (ethnicity, eye color, educational background, etc.)?
• Are you ready to accept twins if the IVF surrogacy results in multiples and what options are there in such cases?
• What are the international surrogacy laws?

The best way to find these answers is to talk to a surrogacy expert at Physician’s Surrogacy in order to have a better understanding of these aspects of surrogacy.

5. Lastly, what does your fertility doctor suggest?

Taking your fertility doctor’s evaluation and advice before embarking on a surrogacy journey is utterly important.

Although gestational surrogacy is sometimes the best and only option for many infertile couples, it is not always feasible for everyone.

Thus, talking to your fertility doctor about the benefits and shortfalls critical to your case can help you better plan spending time and energy.

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The Gestational Surrogacy Process for Hopeful Parents

Surrogacy is a very complex medical and legal process, so it’s important that hopeful parents have a great understanding of the process and all it entails. Here are some steps you will have to take when trying to become parents through surrogacy.

Getting Started

The first step in the surrogacy process is to fill out our consultation request form.

After this is done, one of our compassionate coordinators will contact you, and complimentary consultation will then be fixed with our medical team. During this consultation, issues like your particular situation, the surrogacy process, the cost, and other important matters will be extensively discussed.

Matching

The second step is the matching of the intended parents with the would-be surrogate.

We will forward your intended parent profiles to potential surrogates who meet your requirements. You will also be provided with the profile of any Gestational Surrogate that likes your profile.

If the two of you agree to work with one another, a mediated call will be arranged. Once the matching has been done, you will open an escrow account for the surrogate mom’s expenses, and the screening process will start.

Screening

The screening process can take place at any clinic of your choice. During this screening, both you and your partner, as well as the would-be surrogate, will be medically evaluated.

However, only the surrogate will have to undergo this screening if you already have frozen embryos you want to use.

Legal

This is an important step in the surrogacy process. During this step, you will need to sign and submit a legal match sheet, which will cover all the financial aspects of the contract.

You will also have to sign an attorney retainer, and the surrogacy contract with be drafted and reviewed by you and your lawyers. The surrogate mother will also review her own copy with her lawyer, and both of you will sign and notarize the contract.

Medical Process

The medical process differs depending on the protocols of the fertility clinic you decided to work with.

The surrogate mother will be given a calendar with their clinic appointments, and the coordinator will walk you through the calendar so that you will understand the timeline.

After this, the surrogate will begin to take the necessary fertility medications, and the embryo(s) will be transferred into her womb once the time is right. You can also attend the embryo transfer if you wish to!

The surrogate will perform an at-home pregnancy test five days following the transfer, and a blood test will be conducted on her two weeks later.

Once a healthy pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate mother will start to receive her compensation (which is usually divided into many equal parts).

Conclusion

If you have concluded that you are ready to switch from infertility treatments to surrogacy and commence the process, we can help! At Physician’s Surrogacy, we will guide you through each step of the process and ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Our team consists of highly experienced professionals who can give you the necessary advice and assistance.

Getting started is easy as you can schedule a complimentary consultation which can take place virtually, from the comfort of your home. Feel free to explore our other resources and blogs for more information.

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