Become an Surrogate Mother
How to Become an Surrogate Mother : A Guide to the Process
Becoming a surrogate mother is an incredibly fulfilling experience that allows you to help others realize their dreams of parenting. However, understanding the procedure, requirements, and duties is critical before going on this route. The World Care Fertility Centre guide to Becoming a Surrogate Mother covers everything from eligibility requirements and medical exams to legal issues and emotional assistance. We want to provide prospective surrogates with the information and guidance they need to make an informed decision. Whether you’re motivated by compassion, a desire to help others, or a sense of purpose, this guide will accompany you through every stage of the surrogacy process, ensuring a safe and fulfilling experience.
What is a Surrogate?
A Surrogate Mother is a woman who carries a child for someone else, without a genetic connection to the baby. There are two main types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s eggs are used, making her biologically related to the child. However, at World Care Fertility Centre, our surrogates are gestational carriers, meaning they do not use their own eggs. Instead, they carry a baby created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, providing a wonderful opportunity for those who are unable to carry a child on their own.
What Is the Process to Become an Surrogate?
The Process to Become an Surrogate Mother involves six Basic steps.
World Care Fertility Centre will be your dedicated partner through every step of the surrogacy journey, allowing you to embrace the joy of the experience while we handle the details to ensure a smooth, healthy process. Our approach is grounded in precision, support, and compassion. With years of experience working alongside surrogates, families, physicians, and experts nationwide, we anticipate every key decision to create an exceptional outcome. Trust our expertise to guide you confidently, knowing we’re here to make your journey as fulfilling and seamless as possible.
The first step is to explore whether surrogacy aligns with your values and lifestyle. Fertility expert Dr. Bala shares insights into the incredible women she has met who become surrogates in our video, "Who Becomes a Surrogate." You can also connect with a supportive community through our Surrogacy Learning Center, where newcomers and experts share experiences.
Complete a 5-10 minute surrogacy application, where we assess basic qualifications such as age, health history, and location. Your privacy is paramount throughout this process. Once your application is approved, you’ll have an introductory call to discuss your medical history in greater detail. World Care Fertility Centre’s thorough review ensures that your journey is safe and well-supported. During this phase, we’ll provide information about your expected earnings, understand your expectations, and gather information about the family values you’d like to see in the intended parents.
Once approved, our Matching Matters® approach links you with intended parents whose values and relationship preferences are compatible with yours. All essential money for the journey have been securely deposited in escrow, giving you piece of mind. A specialized Match Manager will assist you and the intended parents throughout your journey, with bespoke monthly care packages tailored to your preferences.
Now the journey begins in earnest! You’ll join the Surrogate Sisterhood, a private community offering support and advice from experienced surrogates. The IVF center chosen by the intended parents will assess your qualifications, and you will collaborate with our staff to build a legally binding contract that covers everything from health insurance to your support network. After medical preparations are completed, the embryo transfer process begins, using embryos generated by the intending parents, potentially with donor assistance. Pre-pregnancy payments begin after your medical work-up, continuing until embryo transfer. Once a fetal heartbeat is confirmed a second time, the pregnancy is considered "established."
As the pregnancy progresses, the IVF Clinic will hand off care to your obstetrician, where regular appointments will continue. Throughout, you’ll receive ongoing support from your Match Manager, the Surrogate Sisterhood, and the intended parents. Monthly payments start after the second confirmation of a fetal heartbeat, with a personalized care consult provided to support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum recovery, including guidance on doula care, nutrition, and fitness. Midway through, we’ll create a Birth Plan with the intended parents, covering expectations for the delivery. Legal preparations will ensure parental rights are established.
After the birth, the baby goes home with the intended parents, and your Fourth Trimester begins. We provide physical and emotional support during this transition, alongside guidance from the Surrogate Sisterhood and optional one-on-one sessions. A post-birth payment is adjusted to recognize your time, commitment, and the incredible journey you've completed.
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How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take?
Several factors can determine when you are matched with the intended parents and how long the surrogacy procedure takes. Our matching process is designed to match you with suitable intended parents based on your interests and beliefs. Generally, you can expect the entire surrogacy journey—from the initial match to delivery—to take approximately 13 to 18 months, depending on whether the first embryo transfer results in a successful pregnancy.
Once you complete your surrogacy application, the period from application to meeting your intended parents typically ranges from 3 to 6 weeks. This timetable may change depending on several variables, such as how quickly you submit the required paperwork, how quickly your medical records are sent, how quickly you finish reference calls, and when you set up an in-home interview. By taking the initiative, you can speed up this process and help us get you in touch with your perfect intended parents sooner.
Surrogacy Timeline
Once you’ve submitted your surrogacy application, you’ve taken the crucial first step in your journey. This surrogacy timeline will help you understand the process and provide insight into how long it typically takes to assist intended parents in realizing their dreams of parenthood.
Requirements to be a Surrogate Mother
A Surrogate Mother is a woman who carries a child for someone else, without a genetic connection to the baby. There are two main types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s eggs are used, making her biologically related to the child. However, at World Care Fertility Centre, our surrogates are gestational carriers, meaning they do not use their own eggs. Instead, they carry a baby created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, providing a wonderful opportunity for those who are unable to carry a child on their own.
Surrogate Requirements at World Care Fertility Centre:
- Age: Must be Between 21 and 35 years old.
- Lifestyle: No History of Drug or Alcohol use.
- Health: Must be in good Physical health and have previously given birth to a child.
- Commitment: Willing to adhere to the Fertility clinic’s guidelines throughout the Surrogacy journey.
- Medical History: No History of STD’s or any other serious medical conditions (verified through a comprehensive medical screening).
- IVF Readiness: Prepared to undergo the IVF Process.
World Care Fertility Centre ensures the health and well-being of every surrogate mother through a comprehensive medical screening process. This includes 2-D echocardiography, hemoglobin levels, clotting profile, blood sugar testing, screenings for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Pap smear, VDRL for Syphilis, as well as tests for Chlamydia, Thalassemia, and more.
Overview of Surrogate Mother’s Contract
Application and Documentation: The surrogate candidate begins by completing an application, which includes submitting recent photographs of herself and her children. A thorough criminal background check is also part of the process to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties involved.
Identity Verification: The surrogate candidate provides her complete address and identity proof, along with similar documentation for her spouse. This step ensures transparency and accountability throughout the surrogacy process.
Contract Signing: Both the surrogate and her husband are required to sign the contract, which outlines the terms of the surrogacy arrangement. This legally binding document is essential for defining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.
Parental Relationship Agreement: The surrogate and her husband agree to forgo any parental relationship with the child born from the surrogacy. This is a crucial aspect, emphasizing that the intended parents will be recognized as the legal parents.
Assumption of Responsibilities: The intended parents take on all legal, financial, and parental responsibilities for the child. This includes all aspects of care, decision-making, and financial obligations, ensuring that the surrogate’s role is clearly defined and limited to carrying the pregnancy.
At World Care Fertility Centre, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service and support to both intended parents and surrogate mothers, helping them achieve their dreams of family. We take immense pride in our work and genuinely appreciate your interest in our program. Our devoted team is here to guide you through every step of your surrogacy journey, ensuring you feel supported and well-informed throughout the process. Surrogacy is a passion for us, and we would be honored to welcome you into the World Care Fertility Centre family. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate mother or wish to explore surrogate profiles, please fill out the form below.
5 Things to know about Becoming a Surrogate
With so much information available about becoming a surrogate, our specialized and collaborative team stands out as the most qualified to provide authentic, accurate guidance for a successful and fulfilling surrogacy journey.
Circle is the ideal place to begin this meaningful journey, with nearly 30 Years of Experience in Successfully guiding Surrogates to help grow families. If you feel that surrogacy is right for you, start by completing our application today.
How much Surrogate Earn with Worldcarefertilitycentre, and What Benefits are included in their compensation Package?
A first-time surrogate with Worldcarefertilitycentre can earn up to $72,000, depending on location and salary, including a $10,000 limited-time bonus. World Care Fertility Centre offers a comprehensive All-In Care and Compensation program, which includes several key benefits:
- Matching Matters™: Helps match surrogates with the right intended parents.
- Personalized financial package: Clear, straightforward compensation with no hassle.
- Life Simplicity Promise™: Provides legal guidance to ensure a fair surrogacy contract.
- Insurance coverage: Protects against out-of-pocket expenses and potential disputes.
- Shared Decision framework: Allows surrogates to be equal partners in important decisions.
- Step-by-step support: An organized road map to guide surrogates through the embryo transfer process.
This package is designed to ensure top pay, protection, and personalized care for Every Surrogate.
What is the key Certificate required for a Surrogate Mother under India's new Surrogacy Law?
Under the new surrogacy law set to take effect in 2021 in India, a surrogate mother must obtain several certificates before beginning the surrogacy process. The most important of these is the Surrogate Mother Eligibility Certificate, which is issued by the Appropriate Authority. This certificate confirms that the surrogate mother meets all the legal eligibility criteria, such as age, marital status, and physical and psychological fitness. It serves as proof that the surrogate is qualified to undergo surrogacy procedures and helps protect the interests of all parties involved. By ensuring that only eligible and competent women are allowed to participate in surrogacy, the certificate supports ethical and transparent surrogacy practices in India.
Surrogacy Approval Procedure in India
The 2021 surrogacy law in India has introduced a structured approval process for surrogate mothers to ensure ethical practices in surrogacy. Initially, intended parents must submit the surrogate’s health and family history details to the National Surrogacy Board. They are also required to provide a certificate confirming the surrogate’s physical and mental fitness for the surrogacy process.
Once the application is approved, the intended parents can proceed with the surrogacy process through an accredited surrogacy center. The center plays a key role in coordinating the medical procedures, managing the arrangement, and ensuring the welfare of all parties involved. It also arranges for medical and psychological assessments of the surrogate to verify her fitness for the surrogacy journey.
This approval process aims to ensure that the surrogate is both physically and mentally capable of fulfilling her role while protecting the well-being of the child and the intended parents.
Why World Care Fertility Centre?
At World Care Fertility Centre, we bring nearly three decades of expertise and the dedication of eight former surrogates on staff to ensure a supportive and fulfilling surrogacy journey. We go beyond the standard approach by investing in research to truly understand what motivates women to become surrogates. Through an independent study, we explored the motivations, needs, and decision-making processes that surrogates experience. This valuable insight has allowed us to shape our All-In Program around what matters most to our surrogates—your well-being, goals, and expectations.
As a result, 80% of our surrogates rate their experience with us highly and would recommend surrogacy with World Care, while 60% would consider embarking on another journey with us. Together, we’re building families and making surrogacy an empowering experience.
FAQ's About Become an Surrogate
Ans: The Number of times a woman can be a Surrogate is based on her total pregnancies and deliveries, including her own. We work with women who have had up to 6 prior deliveries (making the surrogate journey her 7th pregnancy) and who have had 3 or fewer C-sections.
Ans: Women between the ages of 21 and 42 are eligible to qualify as surrogates. Experienced surrogates may qualify up to the age of 44.
Ans: A baby may resemble the Surrogate Mother if she is a Traditional Surrogate, as she contributes her egg and carries the child, making her genetically connected to the baby. However, if the Surrogate is a Gestational carrier (where the embryo is created using another woman’s egg), there is no genetic link, and the baby will not resemble the surrogate.
Surrogacy comes in two main forms: Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy. Both types can involve altruistic or independent arrangements, each with unique benefits and considerations to explore.
Ans: Yes, but the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act states that a woman can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime. This is to ensure the health and safety of the surrogate and the child.
Ans: The surrogate's legal rights are safeguarded through a formal contract, ensuring her medical care and compensation. She cannot claim parental rights over the child. The intended parents are recognized as the legal parents after the birth.
Ans: If the surrogate dies or faces serious health complications during pregnancy, the intended parents will take legal ownership of the child. Medical insurance and legal contracts protect the surrogate's health and the welfare of the baby.
Ans: The surrogate cannot change her mind regarding the pregnancy once the contract is signed. The legal contract ensures that the intended parents have parental rights from the moment of conception, with the surrogate’s role limited to carrying the pregnancy.