Oregon Surrogacy Center, Pacific NW Surrogacy Program

Intended Parent FAQs

Q: What is Gestational Surrogacy?
Q: What is Traditional Surrogacy?
Q: Do we pick the Surrogate or does she pick us?
Q: How do we know we can trust the Surrogate to carry our child?
Q: If my surrogate changes her mind or if she does not get pregnant after trying for a while, will I have to pay you to help find me another Surrogate?
Q: How much contact will we have with the Surrogate Mother?
Q: How will the Surrogate's compensation be paid?
Q: Will our insurance cover the surrogacy?
Q: Do most Surrogates have health insurance to cover the pregnancy?
Q: Is there a fee for the initial consultation?
Q: I am still trying to decide whether surrogacy or adoption is the better option, do you have any insight that could help?
Q: How is our Surrogate selected?
Q: What happens after we have the Surrogate?
Q: How much communication can we expect to have with Oregon Surrogacy Center?

Surrogate FAQs

Q: What are the qualifications to be a Surrogate Mother?
Q: I'm single and live alone with my children, can I still be a Surrogate in your program?
Q: I'm married but my husband doesn't want me to be a Surrogate. Do I need his consent?
Q: Can I be a Surrogate if I haven't completed my own family?
Q: I've had a tubal ligation, can I still be a Surrogate?
Q: Can I choose the couple that I will be a Surrogate for?
Q: How much contact will I have with the couple?
Q: Do I have to take medications and, if so, for how long?
Q: What will I have to pay for?
Q: What if I don't have insurance?
Q: Is it likely that I would carry more than one baby?
Q: What happens if one or both of the intended parents die before the baby is born?
Q: How will I be compensated?
Q: How much contact will I have with Oregon Surrogacy Center?

Intended Parent FAQs

Q: What is Gestational Surrogacy?

A: Gestational Surrogacy is when a Surrogate has an embryo or embryos transferred to her uterus. She is not biologically related to the child in any way, but the embryo can be created by a variety of combinations involving the Intended parents or Egg Donors and Sperm Donors. The key to Gestational Surrogacy is the lack of biological connection between the child(ren) and the surrogate.

Q: What is Traditional Surrogacy?

A: Traditional Surrogacy is when the Surrogate herself is the Egg Donor. She can be inseminated with either the Intended Fathers sperm or Donor sperm. Many Traditional Surrogates are Artificially Inseminated through an IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), but on rare occasion a Traditional Surrogate has had a tubal ligation (tubes tied) and she will need to have her egg retrieved through the IVF process. Again the key to Traditional Surrogacy is the surrogate being biologically connected to the child.

Q: Do we pick the Surrogate or does she pick us?

A:Both. You will be provided with the profiles of Surrogates who most closely match with your stated preferences. Once you select a potential Surrogate, we will send her your profile (no confidential information is included in either profile) and give her an opportunity to decide whether she would be interested in meeting you.

Q: How do we know we can trust the Surrogate to carry our child?

A: We carefully screen the Surrogates prior to you ever even seeing their profiles. They are all women who have at least one child and are in a stable environment. She is the type of women who enjoys being pregnant and wants to do this to create a family for someone else. We will keep in close contact with her throughout the whole process, as well as making psychological support available for her.

Q: If my surrogate changes her mind or if she does not get pregnant after trying for a while, will I have to pay you to help find me another Surrogate?

A: No. Your agency fee covers all administrative costs to match you with other surrogates at no additional cost for two years from the date of the first medical procedure (retrieval/implantation).

Q: How much contact will we have with the Surrogate Mother?

A:As much as you and your Surrogate desire. In your interview with Oregon Surrogacy Center's Director, she will explore how much involvement you wish to have before, during, and after the pregnancy to ensure the Surrogate candidate(s) you are presented have the same desires and expectations. This will also be thoroughly discussed during your meeting with a potential Surrogate.

Q: How will the Surrogate's compensation be paid?

A:We will open an Escrow account with an independent, bonded escrow company from which compensation and expenses payable to or on behalf of your Surrogate will be timely paid. You will receive escrow instructions setting forth various disbursements that will not require your signature, but that are "capped". Once your surrogate is confirmed pregnant, escrow disbursement requests for her compensation will be submitted to you for review and signature.

Q: Will our insurance cover the surrogacy?

A:Although your policy may provide coverage for some fertility-related expenses (you will need to review your policy or check with your employer's benefits administrator), insurance policies do not cover third parties. Therefore, your policy will not cover your Surrogate's obstetrical care once she is not longer under the care of the fertility specialist.

Q: Do most Surrogates have health insurance to cover the pregnancy?

A: Unfortunately, although most Surrogates have health care coverage, most health insurance companies exclude a surrogacy-related pregnancy. We review the Surrogate's policy to determine if there is exclusionary language. If so, we will assist her in applying for coverage through an insurance company that has no written exclusion for which you will be responsible for payment of premiums, co-pays and deductibles associated with maternity care and delivery. These expenses are paid out of your escrow account by your Oregon Surrogacy Center, Case Coordinator.

Q: Is there a fee for the initial consultation?

A: No, Oregon Surrogacy Center, does not charge a fee for consultations or for providing profiles of Surrogate candidates.

Q: I am still trying to decide whether surrogacy or adoption is the better option, do you have any insight that could help?

A:The benefits of surrogacy (and surrogacy with egg donation, when appropriate) are extraordinary; it affords you the ability to have one or both parents genetically related to your child. Unlike adoption, you have knowledge and control over the prenatal environment before conception and throughout the pregnancy. You know that the womb in which your precious little one will grow is a healthy environment. You experience the pregnancy from conception through childbirth - not always an option through adoption. Importantly, there is no opportunity for the Surrogate to chance her mind - the baby she carries is yours so you can relax and enjoy the pregnancy.

Q: How is our Surrogate selected?

A: As soon as we get your Intended Parent Information Packet, we will send you Surrogate Profiles that match your criteria. If you like a particular profile, we will send the Surrogate your profile. If you each agree, we will set up a conference call.

Q: What happens after we have the Surrogate?

A: We will help you locate and retain an attorney in your surrogate’s state. We will help coordinate the medical and psychological testing, as well as guide the surrogate through the whole process according to the clinic's protocol.

Q: How much communication can we expect to have with Oregon Surrogacy Center?

A:We believe that good communication is the cornerstone to a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. We provide our clients with process letters throughout their surrogacy arrangement, setting forth what to expect each step of the way. We will closely monitor your Surrogate's medication protocol, appointments, and status and report back to you (as will the clinic and your Surrogate). There are many steps in the process, but our job is to make is as carefree as possible for you and your Surrogate.

Surrogate FAQs

Q: What are the qualifications to be a Surrogate Mother?

A: In order to be considered to become a Surrogate Mother in Oregon Surrogacy Center’ program, you must:

be between the ages of 21 and 42 (34 for Traditional Surrogates); exceptions made for repeat Surrogates that have borne at least one child that you are currently raising
have easy, uncomplicated pregnancies and enjoy being pregnant
be healthy and free of sexually-transmitted diseases
not have smoked for at least 2 years and never have taken illegal drugs
not be alcohol-dependent and willing not to drink alcoholic beverages while pregnant
meet fertility clinic recommended guidelines for height/weight for gestational carriers
not be receiving government assistance (welfare)
have a good support system, the full support of your husband (if any), and stable living environment
exhibit a pleasant, cooperative attitude
be willing to self-administer hormone injections (or have someone assist you) on a daily basis

have a sincere desire to be a Surrogate for reasons other than financial compensation

Q: I'm single and live alone with my children, can I still be a Surrogate in your program?

A: We do not require our Surrogates be married as long as they have a stable home environment and a good independent support system. We require that our Surrogates be of good moral character and have a healthy lifestyle.

Q: I'm married but my husband doesn't want me to be a Surrogate. Do I need his consent?

A: You absolutely DO need his approval and support to be a Surrogate in Oregon Surrogacy Center's program. We require that the Surrogate's husband/partner accompany her to/participate in the interview with Oregon Surrogacy Center's Director (an approximately two-hour meeting). He will be required to undergo STD screening, sign the Surrogacy Contract with the couple, and provide ongoing support and encouragement to you.

Q: Can I be a Surrogate if I haven't completed my own family?

A: Yes, although you need to be very sure that you and your husband/partner are in complete agreement to postponing adding to your family.

Q: I've had a tubal ligation, can I still be a Surrogate?

A: Yes. As a gestational surrogate, your ovaries are not involved. You could not, however, be considered for traditional surrogacy.

Q: Can I choose the couple that I will be a Surrogate for?

A: Yes. We will provide your profile to couples who most closely match your preferences and, when we have a couple who are interested in you, we will provide you with their profile and give you an opportunity to decide whether they might be a good couple for you.

Q: How much contact will I have with the couple?

A: As much as you and your couple desire. In your interview with Oregon Surrogacy Center's we explore how much involvement you wish to have before, during, and after the pregnancy to ensure the couple to whom we provide your profile have the same desires and expectations. This will also be thoroughly discussed during your meeting with the couple.

Q: Do I have to take medications and, if so, for how long?

A: Yes, if you are a Gestational Surrogate. The most effective way to maintain your hormonal levels is through shots, however, there are other methods such as patches, pills and suppositories. The means of administration is determined by the clinic, not the agency. The duration depends upon the clinic's protocol, but typically you will take Lupron injections (subcutaneous shots) for approximately two weeks prior to pregnancy, Estrogen injections (an intramuscular shot) twice a week for approximately 9-10 weeks, and progesterone injections (an intramuscular shot) daily for approximately 8-9 weeks. Many clinics have a protocol that call for non-injectable estrogen.

Q: What will I have to pay for?

A: Nothing whatsoever. The Prospective Parents are responsible for all expenses such as medical fees, doctor fees, medications, attorney fees, etc.

Q: What if I don't have insurance?

A: The couple you are a Surrogate for will pay for a policy for you and will pay all premiums, co-pays and deductibles relating to maternity care and delivery through their escrow account.

Q: Is it likely that I would carry more than one baby?

A: Likely, no, but it is certainly possible. Our goal is to have one healthy baby, however, in gestational surrogacy, generally more than one embryo is transferred, thereby increasing the possibility of a multiple pregnancy. This issue is explored thoroughly during your meeting with the Director as well as your meeting with the Prospective Parents. Whether a Surrogate is willing to carry more than one baby is a significant factor we look at when making a potential match. Your desires in this regard are extremely important as this could potentially impact you and your family more than a singleton pregnancy.

Q: What happens if one or both of the intended parents die before the baby is born?

A: If one intended parent dies, the other will take sole custody of the baby and fulfill the contract as if both were still living. If both intended parents die before the birth of the child, the surrogate mother will relinquish the child at birth to the person named in the Wills of the intended parents to serve as guardian of the child.

Q: How will I be compensated?

A: The Prospective Parents will fund an escrow account prior to the embryo transfer in an amount sufficient to pay all compensation and expenses contemplated during your surrogacy arrangement (for a singleton, uncomplicated pregnancy).

Q: How much contact will I have with Oregon Surrogacy Center?

A: You will have a lot of contact with the agency, both your Case Coordinator and the Support Coordinator. You will deal directly with the agency Director, a three-time gestational surrogate herself, who will be your Case Coordinator from the time you are accepted as a Surrogate in our program until after you deliver the baby. She will provide ongoing information and support, providing guidance each step of the way.