Why should you choose a surrogacy agency over a fertility doctor's in-house program or an independent surrogacy arrangement?

If you're considering surrogacy to build your family, then you probably feel overwhelmed by the options and have a lot of questions.

You have a few options when you are getting started. Some intended parents opt to create their own surrogacy arrangement by seeking out a surrogate mother and personally coordinating all the travel, medical, financial, and legal details. This can be quite daunting, especially since you will be coping with the emotional aspects of the surrogacy process all the while. Others choose their fertility doctor's in-house program, if one is available.

Alternatively, working with a surrogacy agency such as The Surrogacy SOURCE, will often result in the least amount of stress, the greatest amount of emotional and psychological support, access to the most thoroughly-screened surrogate mothers, and even assistance with financial and legal agreements.

First and foremost, you want to find the best surrogate mother for your individual situation. The Surrogacy SOURCE screens surrogate mother candidates for medical and psychological issues and conducts intensive background checks. With your doctor's in-house program or an independent arrangement, you are not guaranteed access to the most eligible candidates. A surrogacy agency often has a more formalized and thorough screening process.

Questions you should ask about screening:

• How are the surrogates chosen?
• Do you personally meet with every surrogate and assess their home surroundings?
• What is the screening process?
• Does it include medical, psychological & criminal screening?
• Is the partner screened?

After your ideal surrogate mother is chosen, you will begin a process that includes appointments and possible travel arrangements that need to be scheduled. The Surrogacy SOURCE will facilitate all administrative details, help you find legal counsel, and assist with financial agreements including escrow services. While a fertility practice might be busy juggling a number of responsibilities, a surrogacy agency makes your case a priority.

Questions you should ask about the process:

• What is your success rate?
• Can you put me in touch with satisfied clients?
• Do you have references?
• Who will pay what bills?
• Is escrow service built in?

The surrogacy process can be potentially stressful and emotionally overwhelming, but the primary goal of The Surrogacy SOURCE and other agencies is to make the arrangement as enjoyable as possible. At The Surrogacy SOURCE, your personal case manager is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Our support groups and friendly faces are ready to offer you encouragement and understanding.

Questions you should ask about support services:

• What kinds of emotional support does the program offer?
• Will you have access to support groups and counseling?
• Who is the main contact person?
• Are you dealing with multiple employees or is there one dedicated case manager to deal with on a regular basis?

The surrogacy process doesn't end immediately after the pregnancy. A fertility doctor only monitors the surrogate through the first trimester, but a surrogacy agency offers emotional support and counseling during the adjustment period, when you welcome your new baby into your home.

More than anything else, an agency's reputation is completely dependent on how well the staff executes its services. The Surrogacy SOURCE has cultivated its reputation one new parent at a time. Contact us today and we will help you begin your journey!