What is the Surrogacy procedure for the Intended Parent?
Here is a step-by-step overview of the process of using a Gestational Carrier to build your family:
STEP 1: CHOOSE THE CENTER FOR EGG OPTIONS ILLINOIS AS YOUR AGENCY
We're confident in the program we have designed at The Center for Egg Options and are basking in our exceptional statistics so once you decide we are the agency for you, you will be asked to send in your Intended Parent Application and Questionnaire.
STEP 2: CHOOSING YOUR SURROGATE
While we're sure you have thought of most everything you are looking for in a surrogate, we will spend some quality time with you- personally going over some desirable traits you may or may not have thought of. You will then have the opportunity to review surrogate profiles with pictures until you find one that feels like your match. Each prospective surrogate profile includes a detailed medical history of her and her family over several generations, pictures (of her and any of her children), physical information, her interests, education, work, and medical history. You will choose your carrier based on the information you receive from these profiles.
STEP 3: SIGNING ON WITH THE CENTER FOR EGG OPTIONS ILLINOIS
Upon choosing your surrogate, you will be required to retain The Center for Egg Options Illinois and at that time, your non-refundable retainer fee of $1,500.00 is due to reserve your surrogate. Included in this fee is the initial psychological screening.
STEP 4: SURROGATE INTERVIEW
Upon selecting your potential surrogate, we will share your Intended Parent Application and Questionnaire with her. If she is interested in working with you, you will have the opportunity to speak over the phone in an anonymous conference call organized through The Center for Egg Options Illinois. We will provide you with some guidelines about issues that are helpful to cover in this phone interview. The Center for Egg Options Illinois will then schedule a personal interview (2 if requested) between you and your potential surrogate because we feel it helps increase the surrogate's commitment to you and the program. Upon mutual agreement, you will take the next step together.
STEP 5: CONTRACT IS SIGNED BY YOU AND SURROGATE
Both you and your Gestational Surrogate will be referred to Attorneys that specialize in Reproductive Technology Law for contract review and drafting. Our Intended Parents, along with your legal counsel will submit an Agreement to the Surrogate's Attorney for review. Once the Agreements are signed, the medical process may begin.
STEP 6: INSURANCE REVIEW
The Center for Egg Options IL will assist your surrogate in finding medical coverage and offer some insight into the terms of the policy based on our previous experience. The surrogate's existing insurance policy will be reviewed for surrogacy exclusions and maternity coverage.
STEP 7: PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
The Center for Egg Options Illinois requires all of our Gestational Surrogates to undergo psychological testing with a Licensed Social Worker or PHD Psychologist, including an MMPI-2, which is the most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests. The Center for Egg Options Illinois will arrange the appointment and will receive a written report of results. The results will be shared with you. All of The Center for Egg Options' surrogates are fully screened BEFORE their profiles are distributed to any intended parents.
STEP 8: MEDICAL TESTING
Your physician consults with your Surrogate. Her medical evaluation will include lab work, pelvic exam, breast exam, a saline ultrasound to evaluate the lining of her uterus and all STD cultures required.
STEP 9: FERTILITY TREATMENT
The fertility treatment may vary between physicians, but generally includes ovulation suppression medication like oral contraceptives as well as Lupron® and estrogen for the uterine lining.
STEP 10: EMBRYO TRANSFER
At the time of the transfer, your Surrogate will be on a medication schedule of estrogen and progesterone. The number of embryos will be discussed and agreed upon by you, your Surrogate, your Physician and the Embryologist.
STEP 11: PREGNANCY
The pregnancy will be monitored closely by your Reproductive Endocrinologist until the Surrogate is released to her Obstetrician for care through delivery.
STEP 12: BIRTH
The Center for Egg Options' Surrogates always welcome their Parents at the appointments with the Obstetrician and especially at the delivery.
STEP 13: BABY GOES HOME!!
Prior to discharge from the hospital, the nurses will teach you how to care for your baby. You will, in most cases, be able to spend time at the hospital with the baby after delivery. We inform the hospital of the surrogacy situation and they make every effort to assist you. Upon discharge to home, the nurse will clip baby bands that have matching information and have you sign that you are taking your baby Home!
