Even though the use of surrogates has become more popular in recent years, there is still some controversy about using a surrogate mother to have a baby, and because the legal process varies from one state to another, it’s recommended that you do your research first and retain an experienced and dedicated lawyer.
Many different kinds of people might investigate the process of using a surrogate. Some of the most common reasons can include the woman undergoing a hysterectomy that removed a uterus, medical problems with the uterus, or conditions that make pregnancy risky or impossible like severe heart disease. Furthermore, other people contemplate surrogacy if they have attempted other techniques like IVF and been unsuccessful.
There are several different ways that you might find a surrogate mother. You can ask a relative or a friend to be a surrogate for you, but this can be very controversial and raises complex legal issues about the rights of the parents. Many people choose to use a surrogacy agency to select a gestational surrogate. Currently, more than 100 agencies around the United States operate as surrogacy agencies. These help you to make arrangements and to find surrogates as well as collecting any fees that are passed between you and the surrogate mother.
This can be helpful for giving you peace of mind about paying medical expenses. You should select a surrogate who is at minimum of 20 years old, who has undergone a psychological screening by a mental health professional about what it means to be a surrogate, has already given birth to at least one healthy baby, and is comfortable signing a contract about your responsibility and roles within the surrogacy relationship. All of these items can give you a great deal of peace of mind and help you to prepare for this exciting journey.