| The decision to become a surrogate for another | | | | that may work in one situation may not be adequate |
| individual or family for compensation is both an act of | | | | for another. |
| loving generosity and a serious legal and financial | | | | Provide Psychological Assessments and Counseling - |
| arrangement. No compensation in the world can | | | | Require psychological assessments of Intended |
| adequately compensate a woman who carries a child | | | | Parents designed to identify major psychological |
| for another individual or couple and above all it is an | | | | issues (which are not always readily apparent) or |
| act of loving generosity. Sometimes the emotional | | | | other issues which may surface before or after the |
| issues surrounding this act can cloud the seemingly | | | | surrogate is pregnant such as issues related to |
| mundane legal, financial, and psychological issues that | | | | infertility, having a child who is not genetically related |
| are very much critical elements of this arrangement. | | | | or who is related to the other parent, feelings |
| Whether to pursue a surrogacy arrangement directly | | | | towards the surrogate once she is pregnant and |
| with Intended Parents or through an agency is one | | | | many other issues. An agency can identify issues |
| of the first decisions a surrogate must make. Let's | | | | before the arrangement which may disqualify the |
| say that you advertise your services on a site and | | | | Intended Parents as candidates for the Surrogate or |
| find a couple whom you perhaps speak to on the | | | | identify issues during the process, counsel the |
| phone, personally meet and with whom you really | | | | Intended Parents, mediate between the parents and |
| form an instant "connection." You feel comfortable | | | | surrogate and offer invaluable support to make the |
| and you really feel that this is a couple you want to | | | | process less stressful. |
| help. At this point, you may not feel the need or feel | | | | Identifying Important Details of A Surrogacy |
| comfortable asking for a psychological assessment, | | | | Arrangement - Identifying and deciding on issues |
| requiring independent legal review of the surrogacy | | | | related to early termination, fetal reduction, |
| agreement, getting into the nitty gritty details of the | | | | amniocentesis, insurance coverage, to name just a |
| financial arrangement, demanding funds be held in | | | | few examples, can seem like unnecessary details to |
| escrow, and a hundred other issues that are involved | | | | work out from the beginning until one of these issues |
| in this arrangement. You feel like you have known | | | | arises and the parties don't agree. Agreements which |
| each other for a lifetime and you just know you can | | | | don't thoroughly examine every aspect of a |
| work out the details. But things can and do go wrong | | | | surrogacy arrangement and particular issues can later |
| - just think about the times you loaned money to a | | | | result in major problems during the process. An |
| friend or member of your family, or got into some | | | | agency can provide invaluable input and guidance on |
| sort of business arrangement with a friend or family | | | | all areas of the surrogacy arrangement. |
| member and then problems arose. | | | | Handling Financial Management - Agencies can ensure |
| Agency fees, though paid by the Intended Parents, | | | | that adequate funds are available and manage those |
| are high, agencies require lengthy application | | | | funds during the entire process so that the surrogate |
| processes and psychological assessments of | | | | does not have to deal with late payments or |
| surrogates, agencies impose sometimes seemingly | | | | uncomfortable confrontations regarding financial |
| strict requirements. Further, the internet is full of | | | | matters. The agency handles this for the surrogate. |
| resource information including sample contracts, what | | | | Mediating Between Parties - Disagreements, |
| to look for in Intended Parents, chats for surrogates | | | | misunderstandings, miscommunication, crossing |
| in which experienced surrogates can advise the | | | | boundaries, can and do happen in surrogacy |
| inexperienced and so forth. The need for an agency | | | | arrangements. An agency can mediate between both |
| may at first seem questionable. | | | | parties and greatly reduce stress, and take on issues |
| An agency, while a seemingly unnecessary party to a | | | | which might be somewhat uncomfortable for the |
| surrogacy arrangement, can provide invaluable | | | | surrogate to do otherwise. |
| expertise, guidance and support in the following areas: | | | | The reasons for seriously considering agency |
| Sorting Through Legal Issues -Evaluate the laws of | | | | involvement from start to finish are innumerable. A |
| both the surrogate's and Intended Parents' states to | | | | good agency with professional staff with professional |
| ensure all legal requirements are met. Each state has | | | | credentials provides a surrogate with tremendous |
| its own laws and particular requirements so contracts | | | | support through an emotional journey. |