What is Surrogacy Consultation: Tips For Intended Parents

Surrogacy Consultation: A Comprehensive Guide for Intended Parents

Surrogacy is a remarkable solution for childless infertile couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term. It provides an opportunity for them to have a child through the help of a gestational carrier, also known as a surrogate mother. In this article, we will delve into the concept of surrogacy consultation, exploring its purpose, process, and significance for intended parents.

What is Surrogacy Consultation?

Surrogacy consultation is one of the most important steps in the surrogacy journey for intended parents. It is a meeting between the intended parents and a surrogacy agency to discuss various aspects of the surrogacy process, clarify doubts, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the surrogacy journey ahead. The consultation serves as an opportunity for both parties to assess compatibility and determine if surrogacy is the right path to parenthood.

The surrogacy consultation will include the representative from the agency, the intended parents, and an associate who is specialized in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

An experienced surrogacy agency helps the intended parents to map their surrogacy journey and to carry it forward with the help of their specialization. But beforehand, having a surrogacy consultation plays an equally vital role to learn about surrogacy parenthood and choosing the best surrogacy option.

Since the surrogacy process can take unexpected turns at times, many parents choose to work with a surrogacy agency that will help them in the full gestational surrogacy process, from beginning to end, with comprehensive support and guidance. 

Surrogacy consultation is a simple yet eye-awakening meeting where the surrogacy agency gets to know more about the intended parent’s specific needs, hope, desire, expectation, budget, and before providing them best surrogacy program for them. 

The Importance of Surrogacy Consultation:

• Education and Guidance:  It provides intended parents with valuable information about the surrogacy process, legal requirements, financial aspects, and emotional considerations.
• Tailored Advice: Professionals during the consultation offer personalized advice based on the intended parents’ unique circumstances, preferences, and expectations.
• Decision-Making Support: Through consultation, intended parents gain clarity on various options and considerations involved in surrogacy, helping them make well-informed decisions.
• Emotional Support: It offers emotional support by addressing concerns, fears, and anxieties associated with the surrogacy journey.
• Legal and Financial Insights: Intended parents receive comprehensive guidance regarding the legal and financial aspects of surrogacy, ensuring compliance with regulations and understanding the financial commitments involved.

Who Can Benefit from Surrogacy Consultation?

Surrogacy consultation is recommended for anyone (single or couples) considering becoming parents via the surrogacy process. The following individuals may benefits:

• Women without a functioning uterus
• Women with uterine disorders that make pregnancy unsuitable, such as extensive fibroids or scarring of the uterine cavity
• Women with medical conditions that pose significant risks during pregnancy like heart conditions
• Women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss
• Male same-sex couples

How Long Does Surrogacy Consultation Lasts?

Well, it varies from case to case.  However, in general, a surrogacy consultation can last between one to two hours. The process is time-consuming and sort of a step toward the world of surrogacy for the intended parents. The reason for the process to be time-consuming is due to the fact that there are lots to be discovered and shared with the intended parents.

During this time, intended parents can ask the questions (but will have many more during the course of the process) and share their stories and expectations. The surrogacy team also explains the process of surrogacy to the intended parents and also answers the questions or concerns asked by the intended parents.

The Steps Involved in Surrogacy Consultation

It  consultation typically involves several steps to ensure a thorough evaluation and understanding of the surrogacy process. 

Step-by-Step Guide for Surrogacy Consultation:

1. Research and Select a Reputable Surrogacy Agency:

• Look for agencies with a solid reputation and positive reviews.
• Consider their experience, success rates, and the range of services they offer.
• Verify their credentials and accreditations to ensure reliability and professionalism.

2. Schedule an Initial Consultation:

• Contact the chosen agency to schedule an initial consultation.
• Provide basic information about your situation and goals.
• Choose a convenient time for both parties to meet or conduct the consultation virtually.

3. Preparing for the Consultation:

• Compile a list of questions and concerns to discuss during the consultation.
• Gather relevant medical and fertility history, if applicable.
• Discuss the consultation process with your partner or support system.

4. Discussing Personal Circumstances and Expectations:

• Share your medical history, infertility struggles, and reasons for pursuing surrogacy.
• Discuss your preferences regarding the surrogate, such as age, health, and location.
• Express your expectations and goals for the surrogacy journey.

5. Understanding the Legal and Financial Aspects:

• Seek detailed information about the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in your jurisdiction.
• Understand the financial costs involved, including agency fees, medical expenses, and surrogate compensation.
• Clarify any legal or financial concerns you may have.

6. Addressing Emotional and Psychological Considerations:

• Discuss the emotional aspects of surrogacy and potential challenges.
• Explore counseling or support services available throughout the process.
• Develop strategies to manage emotions and build a strong support system.

7. Establishing a Timeline and Next Steps:

• Create a timeline for the surrogacy process, including key milestones and estimated durations.
• Determine the necessary steps to proceed, such as medical evaluations, legal contracts, or matching with a surrogate.
• Discuss the agency’s role in facilitating the surrogacy journey and their support along the way.

Initial Meeting with a Program Counselor

The first step is to schedule a consultation with a program counselor from a surrogacy agency. During this meeting, the counselor provides information about finding a gestational carrier, required screenings, treatment protocols, and program costs, and addresses the social and psychological aspects of surrogacy.

Medical Consultation with a Fertility Specialist

After the initial meeting, intended parents meet with a fertility specialist, usually on the same day. The medical consultation involves a comprehensive description of the surrogacy process, a review of the intended parents’ medical history, a medical examination, and a discussion of potential side effects and medication protocols.

Legal Consultation

As surrogacy involves legal considerations, intended parents may have a consultation with a lawyer specializing in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law. The lawyer provides guidance on legal aspects, rights, and responsibilities, ensuring a smooth and legally sound surrogacy journey.

How to know whether the intended parents are ready for the consultation?

If the intended parents have already done some sort of research ( mostly online), they know a little bit about the process and surrogacy consultation.

They will also be knowing whether they are ready for their surrogacy journey to begin or not. If the intended parents are still confused and are still gathering information on various aspects of surrogacy, then it is important for to them go for a pre-consultation.

Pre-Consultation: Exploring Surrogacy Options

Pre-consultation is a much shorter meeting between the agency representatives and intended parents. During this short time, the agency can answer questions about surrogacy and “How does surrogacy work?”

Intended parents may also ask a few questions if they require more knowledge about the surrogacy process.

If you are still in the information-gathering phase and not yet certain about your plans, a pre-consultation can be beneficial. A pre-consultation is a shorter meeting, approximately 15-30 minutes long, with a member of the surrogacy agency. This meeting allows you to ask questions, learn about the surrogacy process, and understand the associated costs before committing to a full surrogacy consultation.

Do Parents Need to Start Surrogacy Process Soon After Consultation? 

It is not necessary for the intended parents to embark on their journey immediately after meeting with the agency.

Even before a timeline of 24 months, you can go for a surrogacy consultation. This is because you will get to know about the surrogacy process and can make an informed decision about what is right for your specific case.

Also, it is good to have a consultation because having good relations with the surrogacy agency will further help you in the process. So, parents can go for surrogacy consultation even a year or two before they are ready to embark on their journey of surrogacy.

In case parents wish to opt for cross-border surrogacy or international surrogacy, the research time is much more. You need to make sure which surrogacy country is best for you in terms of affordable surrogacy costs and legal security.

More resources about Surrogacy Parenthood:

Top 4 cheapest countries for surrogacy

Countries where surrogacy is legal in 2023

How much does surrogacy cost?

Is surrogacy consultation means a sign of commitment to the agency?

No, scheduling a consultation with the surrogacy agency is not a commitment to work with the agency.

The agencies are aware of the fact that intended parents need to do a lot of research to find the best surrogacy agency for them.

It is important for the parents to make a list of the agencies which look best to them.  Then, narrow down that list to the top 3 agencies. Furthermore, schedule surrogacy consultation with all three agencies, and lastly choose the one which you find out to be the best agency.

What should you do if you want to opt for surrogacy and do not have finance? Should you go for the consultation?

You can definitely go for the surrogacy consultation even if you don’t have financials or you are working on the financials.

It will only help you know and plan your finances well in advance.  An agency can help you set up a financial expectation that is needed for your specific case. A good surrogacy professional will make you more prepared financially when you are ready to take a plunge.

Benefits of surrogacy consultation

Besides looking for information on the surrogacy process, surrogacy agency, and surrogacy costs, sharing your stories, and asking questions, is also the best way to know which agency will be your best fit.

A surrogacy consultation can help the parents:

• To know more about how surrogacy works and whether it is the right parenthood option for them?
• What are the commitment and challenges they might have in their surrogacy journey?
• Being aware of and prepared for surrogacy costs with breakdown.
• To be more aware of the legal side of the surrogacy for them and the surrogate mother.

You need to look for the following questions after the surrogacy consultation with any particular agency:

• Does your view match that of the agency on your surrogacy journey?
• Do you get a good feeling about the surrogacy agency team and their passion for growing families?
• Are you comfortable working with them as it is going to be a more than year-long process?

Conclusion

Surrogacy consultation plays a vital role in the surrogacy journey for intended parents. It provides an opportunity to gather information, assess compatibility with a surrogacy agency, and gain clarity about the entire process.

By engaging in in such consultation, intended parents can take an important step toward realizing their dreams of parenthood.

Growing your family with the process of surrogacy is a big financial and emotional investment. The surrogacy consultation is one of the first big steps in your surrogacy journey.

Hence, it is an important and critical part when you are planning to become a parent via the surrogacy process.

IVF conceptions have more than 10 years of experience in assisting and guiding intended parents before choosing the best surrogacy country and surrogacy program. The best option can be calculated after understanding their marital status, sexual inclination, citizenship, and financial capacity.

Neelam Chhagani, director and chief patient manager, started her international consulting services in 2010 and has helped hundreds of parents to complete their surrogacy parenthood journey successfully.

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Together we can make parenthood possible. For expert guidance, post your questions to IVF Conceptions.

How we can help you with a free surrogacy consultation?

• Discuss and take you through the surrogacy process- and time frame steps wisely
• Best surrogacy countries options with costs, process, legal, risks, and opportunities.
• Recommendations on trustworthy IVF providers, surrogacy agencies, egg donor agencies, reproductive lawyers, and other surrogacy professionals.
• Guidelines in selecting egg donors and surrogate mothers with providing detail of service providers.
• Tips on travel, accommodation, and local support during the local visit.
• Introduction to previous parent reference, if needed
• Introduction to reputed embryo shippers’ companies globally
• Managing the full surrogacy process with 24*7 access at no extra cost!

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.

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