Thank you for your interest in becoming a Surrogate Mother. Beyond fulfilling a persons or couple’s dream of a family, you are giving someone a future. Although you will receive some financial compensation, you’ll also be rewarded in other, unexpected ways. In fact, surrogacy is emotionally rewarding for both the Surrogate Mother (SM) and the Intended Parents (IPs).

You may have many questions about the surrogacy process, and that’s a good instinct! Although surrogacy is simple in theory (a woman carries a baby for someone else who can’t) in reality it is a complex process with many interconnected elements. In the following paragraphs we are going to give a fairly detailed description of what you’ll be going through. If you want to know more, or if you have special concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email. Questions are always welcome and we will always be honest and straight forward with you.

Once you are registered with Baby Beginnings, we will do our utmost to match you to a couple that meet your stated preferences. There are a number of important considerations when making a potential match, such as:

• The location of your couple
• The type of relationship you would like during the pregnancy and after
• Age preferences
• Religious preferences
• Racial preferences
• How you feel about selective reduction and pregnancy termination (if the fetus is found to have a noncorrectible genetic abnormality)
• Whether the couple already has a child(ren)
• How quickly you and the couple want to begin
• Whether you wish to travel
  

Couples who meet your preferences and requirements will be provided a copy of your Profile (no identifying or contact information is disclosed). When they express interest in you, we will call you to tell you about them. If you think you might be interested in the couple, you will be provided with their Profile to review. If you think they might be a good potential couple for you, you will either have a conference call with them or meet them in person (depending upon the location of the parties). The Baby Beginnings Coordinator will participate in and facilitate the initial conference call or meeting to ensure all parties are comfortable. The Coordinator will cover important aspects of the surrogacy arrangement so there is a clear understanding by all as to what to expect, but the primary purpose of the meeting is to get to know each other. The parties are encouraged to meet more than once before deciding to work together. Of course, we want you to be sure about the couple you will work with. Some Surrogates know in advance that they will want to get to know their couple over a period of time. If this is your desire, we ask that you notify us at the time you register so that we do not try to match you to a couple who want to start immediately.

How To Get Started In Six Easy Steps:

1. Fill out the online Surrogate Inquiry (click here).
2. If it is determined that you preliminarily meeting Oregon Surrogacy Center's program requirements, we will arrange for a mutual telephonic interview between you and the Director of Oregon Surrogacy Center.
3. If it is determined that you qualify for our program and you would like to register, you will be sent a registration packet via e-mail or U.S. Mail, at your option.
4. Upon receipt by Oregon Surrogacy Center of the completed registration documents, we will contact you to arrange for a personal interview (unless you live more than 100 miles from us, in which case it will be a telephonic interview) with you and your spouse/partner, if any.
5. Once you are registered, your profile (excluding identifying and confidential pages) will be sent to couples that most closely match with your stated preferences and requirements. Once a couple indicates they are interested in meeting you, you will be sent their profile for review to decide whether they might be a good potential couple for you.
6. You will meet with the couple either in person or telephonically (depending upon the parties' locations) which will be facilitated by Oregon Surrogacy Center's Director. If the parties decide they would like to work together, you are matched!

To review FAQs (frequently asked questions) for further information, click here.

Joining the Agency

The first step is to see if you’re qualified. We work only with women who fulfill these criteria:

• Are between 21 and 40 years old
• Are a non-smoker, non-drug user who maintains a healthy lifestyle
• Are willing to give up alcohol during a pregnancy
• MUST have successfully carried at least one child of your own to term
• Are in a stable living situation
• If married, have a spouse who’s supportive of your decision to become a Surrogate Mother
• Have a healthy weight/height ratio
• Are not on any government assistance (Welfare)
• Willing to give up caffeine for the duration of the pregnancy
• Like being pregnant and have the desire to give the miracle of life

Although many generous women want to become Surrogates, we are currently only able to work with those who live in states that unambiguously recognize the validity of and uphold the intent of the surrogacy contract. The laws in some states are less clear, so please email if you are unsure about the state you live in. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot currently consider Surrogates who reside in Arizona, New York, Kansas, Indiana, Delaware, North Dakota, Michigan or Washington DC.

Additionally, please think carefully about your ability and willingness to be pregnant and to commit a minimum of a year of your life to helping your Intended Parents have a baby (or babies). Although the surrogacy process is immensely rewarding, it is also an intense, challenging and emotional journey.

Types of Surrogacy

The two general types of Surrogate Mothers are Gestational Surrogates (GS) and Traditional Surrogates (TS). Each has some variations:

1. Gestational Surrogates (GS)
In this process, the Surrogate Mother becomes pregnant through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), using the eggs from the Intended Mother (IM). The Surrogate Mother receives the fertilized egg through an Embryo Transfer (ET), a quick, painless procedure. The Gestational Surrogate therefore has no genetic relationship to the baby. The sperm can be provided either by the Intended Father (IF) or a Sperm Donor (SD). This is currently the most popular form of surrogacy. A variation on this is Gestational Surrogacy with Egg Donation (GS/ED). Sometimes the Surrogate Mother becomes pregnant through IVF using eggs from an Egg Donor (ED) other than the Intended Mother or the Surrogate Mother. An Egg Donor is used when the Intended Mother cannot produce the eggs to get pregnant. The sperm is usually from the Intended Father or a Sperm Donor. Again, the Surrogate Mother has no genetic link to the baby. This form of surrogacy is growing in popularity as replacement for Traditional Surrogacy.

Medication typically used in an IVF Surrogacy Procedure: Lupron is given subcutaneously just under the skin. It can be given in the upper outer thigh, lower stomach, or upper outer arm. The needles used are very tiny, similar to insulin needles. Lupron regulates your cycle so that you do not ovulate. It is administered for 14-21 days. Side effects can include but are not limited to: hot flashes, fatigue, and headaches.

Estrogen is the hormone we produce mainly in our ovaries. This medication works to thicken the lining of the uterus. This hormone can be taken in one of three forms: oral tablets, injection, or adhesive patch. This is taken for approximately 3-8 weeks. Side effects can include but are not limited to: weight gain and headaches.

Progesterone is a hormone we produce in our ovaries that is essential during pregnancy. This medication is used to support the pregnancy. There are four ways progesterone can be administered, an injection of oil into the hip, vaginal suppositories, vaginal gel, or capsules taken orally. This is taken for approximately 2-7 weeks. Side effects can include but are not limited to: breast tenderness and mild uterine cramping. Most IVF Centers offer an Injection Teaching Class.

2. Traditional Surrogate (TS)
In this arrangement, the Surrogate Mother becomes pregnant through artificial insemination (AI) using her own eggs and thus has a genetic link to the baby. The sperm may be supplied by the Intended Father or another donor. Although Traditional Surrogacy is still used, it is not as common as it was even a few years ago.

Applying with Our Agency

As part of the process of deciding whether or not we want to work together, you will complete a questionnaire in which you’ll be asked for detailed information about yourself and your health. The questions will cover a broad range of subjects so that the agency, and eventually potential Intended Parents, can get to know you. This questionnaire should take roughly 30 minutes to complete. You can fill out an initial Surrogate Qualification Application online here.

It's easiest if the photographs are digital format and are sent through the internet. (If you do not have a digital camera, your local photo shop can create them from prints or you can mail the prints directly to me for scanning, after which we’ll immediately return then to you. Please let us know what’s easiest.)

After you return your questionnaire, we will conduct a phone interview with you. This is not meant to be intimidating – it’s just a more direct way to get to know each other. Once we agree to work together, we will e-mail you a consent document, which you will need to print out, sign, and mail to our office. This indicates your willingness to become a Surrogate Mother with our agency. It also gives the Intended Parents permission to review your questionnaire and photographs. (Oregon Surrogacy Center, always insures that your privacy is protected. The Intended Parents will not see the page of the questionnaire that contains confidential identifying information. Your last name and identifying information will not be revealed to any Intended Parents until all agree to work together.)

Being Selected

Matching IPs and SMs with the right people is an extremely personal process. Intended Parents typically look for someone healthy and stable, but they also want someone with whom they believe they can comfortably work with during the close, emotional process of a Surrogacy pregnancy. The agency can’t guarantee when you will be selected. You could be chosen in one week, one month, or one year from the time you complete your application.

Once you are selected, the first step is a background check run by a professional service. (Again, don’t be intimidated. It’s standard practice in the surrogacy world.) We’ll contact you and let you know the IPs’ interest. You’ll get a copy of the IPs questionnaire and their biographies to help you get to know them and to see if they feel like a “match” for you. You will of course be able to ask additional questions after reading their profile.

Introductions

If you like what you’ve learned, we’ll schedule a meeting or phone call with the agency, the Intended Parents, you and your partner (if you have one). If it's a face-to-face meeting it will be conducted in the Portland, Oregon area. If the parties are not able to meet in person, we’ll talk by way of a conference call scheduled at everyone’s convenience. If the meeting is successful and you, your partner and the Intended Parents are interested in working together, you will move onto the medical and psychological evaluation phase.

Psychological Screening

Once you and your IPs have agreed to work together, you will meet with a licensed psychologist highly skilled in assessing your mental and emotional readiness for the surrogacy process. Once more, don’t worry. Most Surrogates find the meeting to be both helpful and informative. In most cases, you will meet for an hour with the therapist to discuss your feelings about surrogacy, your motivations and your support system. The therapist may also have you fill out an MMPI (a personality inventory) which can take up to another hour. All of this is to ensure that you understand the commitment being a surrogate takes and that you are emotionally prepared to proceed. The Intended Parents will pay for the psychological screening.

Medical Screening

Both you and your partner (if you have one) will need to be medically evaluated. Your testing will usually be done at the Intended Parent’s fertility clinic. In addition to screening for STDs and HIV, you’ll have additional blood tests and a gynecological exam. The reproductive specialist or Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) will determine if other tests are necessary. They usually aren’t. Your partner will need to have a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. The medical screening is also paid for by the Intended Parents.

Fee and Contract Information

You will determine the fee for carrying and delivering. Although the gift of your surrogacy is incalculably precious to someone unable to conceive, most Surrogates request - and most IPs expect to compensate - $18,000 for a single birth and $3000 - $4,000 for each additional child you carry. If you're an experienced surrogate, you can expect to receive compensation of $23,000+. You’ll also receive compensation for expenses, lost wages, maternity clothes as well as other benefits. Once you agree upon a fee and the particulars of your surrogacy, your Intended Parents will have their lawyer draw up a contract. The contract will then be forwarded to your lawyer by the IPs lawyer. (Note that the contract is between you and the Intended parents and does not involve the agency.) You will then consult (most often via phone) with your lawyer, who will review the contract with you, suggest additions or alterations, negotiate any other changes and review the revised version before you sign it. Although you can choose your own attorney, our agency will refer you to lawyers who are knowledgeable about reproductive law in the state in which you will give birth. Attorney fees up to $1000 are paid by the Intended Parents.

The Pregnancy

The medical procedure for the Embryo Transfer (ET) to the Gestational Surrogate (GS) is similar to having a Pap smear. In most cases it’s pain-free. First, your menstrual cycle and the menstrual cycle of the Intended Mother (IM) are synchronized using birth control pills and daily injections of Lupron, a drug that suppresses ovulation. If it seems scary, don’t worry! Everyone who has been through the process feels intimidated at first. Often after the first few days they’re amazed at how simple and relatively painless it is. The nurse at the reproductive clinic will talk you through the first injections, and we can always help you, too. You will also be taking Estrogen before the transfer, and the Intended Mother will be taking daily injections of fertility drugs.

During this time, the development of the Intended Mother’s eggs is monitored by daily blood work and ultrasounds. At the same time, the thickness of the lining of your uterus, which is crucial to the success of the Embryo Transfer, will be evaluated using blood tests and ultrasounds. You can expect to visit the Reproductive Endocrinologist a few times before the Embryo Transfer in order to check your uterine lining for its readiness to receive the embryo. That exam is entirely painless. Three to five days after the eggs have been retrieved from the biological Mother (or Egg Donor) and fertilized with the sperm of the biological father (or Sperm Donor), the physician will transfer the embryos to you. As we’ve noted, that procedure is something like a Pap smear, and it’s completed under sterile conditions. Depending on the physician, you may then begin progesterone injections or suppositories around this time. The choice depends on your clinic and your response to the medications.

Many clinics require a period of bed rest after the Embryo Transfer. That can range from 12 to 72 hours. The Intended Parents will expect you treat the clinician’s instructions seriously. If you need childcare to allow you to stay in bed, that will be provided as specified in your contract. Your contract will cover all such eventualities, so you will never have to worry about money to meet your surrogacy obligations. About 10 to 12 days after the embryo transfer, you’ll get a BETA pregnancy test. This will usually be done by drawing blood at the clinic or local lab.

You and your IPs will together determine how much contact you will have during the pregnancy. If you both want a lot of contact, you can arrange for frequent visits or phone calls. If you live far from each other, or if it’s your mutual wish, you may just see them for some doctors’ appointments and correspond through e-mail. If ever there are questions, changes or problems we will be there to help to resolve them. We encourage healthy and respectful relationships between the Intended Parents and Surrogate. We are committed to doing our best to make the experience rewarding for all, and believe that communication is a key factor in a good surrogacy relationship.

Payments

The surrogacy arrangement ensures that the Surrogate Mother will lose no money. The Intended Parents are responsible for all such expenses as medical procedures, doctor’s fees, medications, attorney’s fees, phone calls, etc. You will even have a monthly allowance to pay for such out-of-pocket expenses as vitamins or parking. If the allowance doesn’t cover (in certain months, you may have several prescriptions, for example), just keep your receipts and you’ll be reimbursed.

The Intended Parents will also open an Escrow account for you, into which they will place the funds for the surrogacy before the Embryo Transfer. That way, payments will always be sent on time and you won’t have to remind anyone to send them. Even if something were to happen to your IPs, you would still be compensated, since the funds are already set aside. In that unfortunate event, you won’t have to worry about what will happen to the baby(ies) you are carrying; the IPs will have designated a guardian.

Travel

If your IP’s clinic is not near your home, you may have to travel. If so, the Intended Parents and the agency will make your travel arrangements and the Intended Parents will pay for the costs. If the IP’s clinic is not nearby we can arrange for medical monitoring to be done near the home of the Surrogate Mother. In these cases the Surrogate Mother usually only has to travel for the initial medical work-up and at the time of the Embryo Transfer.

Agency Contact

You probably would like to know how much contact you will have with our agency. The answer is, as much or as little as you want. You will deal directly with Tina Franklin, and/or one of our surrogacy coordinators throughout the arrangement, from the time you are accepted into the program through the birth of the baby. We will always be there to answer any questions or concerns that arise day or night.

Additional Bonus

If you know of a wonderful someone who may want to be a Gestational Surrogate, please refer her to Oregon Surrogacy Center! To show our appreciation, we offer a bonus of $250 when your referral is matched and she signs a contract with her Intended Parents. We realize that you probably don’t expect any compensation for assisting others fulfill their desire to help an infertile couple, but it is our way of thanking you for helping.

We hope to hear from you. Let us emphasize once more that being a Surrogate Mother can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. We would be honored to share it with you.

HOME • HOW WE STARTED • SERVICES • COSTS • INTENDED PARENT INFO
SURROGATE INFORMATION • RESOURCES • FAQS • CONTACT US
Oregon Surrogacy Center • PO Box 141 • Ranier, OR 97048 • Ph 1-503-990-3490 • Fax 206-350-2460 • Email Us