AP Photo Robin Layton
Kat had no choice but to have a hysterectomy. She never prepared for the possibility of not being able to get pregnant. Luckily, her best friend, Emma, had graciously agreed to carry Kat's child. Before the process began, however, Kat found herself having second thoughts. Was it reasonable to demand that Emma eat only organic foods and cut out all sweets and caffeine? What if Emma became so attached to the baby she had trouble letting go? Beyond paying for all prenatal care, what was reasonable compensation for Emma? Kat did not want Emma to feel taken advantage of, and certainly did not want this process to negatively effect their relationship. In the end Kat decided it would be better to just hire a surrogate. She just needed to find out how to choose one...
A surrogacy agency is one option to finding your ideal surrogate. Surrogacy agencies differ, so it is important to do research before picking an agency. Surrogates are used by heterosexual couples facing infertility, same sex couples, single males, those with health issues that could effect the fetus, and many others. Some agencies will only work with straight couples. It is important to know this in the beginning. A good agency will screen their surrogates. A screening should include a background check, a medical check, and a psychological evaluation. You will be able to look at surrogate profiles which contain a series of answers by the potential surrogate to a variety of questions. After choosing some potential surrogates, you are able to meet with them and essentially interview them. Once the surrogate is chosen, legal documents will be drafted. These will outline in detail parental rights, as well as the agreed upon compensation to the surrogate.
Expenses vary greatly based on a number of factors. The total cost can be anywhere from $15,000 to $45,000. An excellent resource for the financial aspect of surrogacy can be found at: http://www.surrogatemothers.com/expense.html
Individual needs vary greatly. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions! Ask the agency, the potential surrogate, lawyers, and whomever else anything you are unsure about. Furthermore, it is perfectly reasonable to have a list of requests for the surrogate, from letting you attend sonograms to prohibited foods. Making your expectations clear from the beginning can help this difficult process run more smoothly.
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