Intended parents’ names appear on birth certificates via pre-birth parentage orders, not the surrogate's. Keep in mind that surrogacy laws vary by state; some require both pre and post-birth orders. Bright Futures Families surrogacy only works with surrogates in legal surrogacy states (surrogacy-friendly states) to reduce risks.

Comprehensive Exam: Includes physical exam and Pap smear to confirm health suitability for pregnancy.

Psychological Evaluation: Licensed professionals assess emotional readiness and needs using standardized tools like the PAI.

Imaging Procedures: Tests like ultrasounds and hysteroscopy evaluate uterine and ovarian health for optimal pregnancy conditions.

Extensive Lab Work: Checks hormone levels, infectious diseases, and conducts drug screening to protect surrogate and intended parents.

Testing Logistics: Screenings typically occur at intended parents' clinic, but local options are available for convenience.

Bright Futures Families offers guidance and answers questions throughout the screening process for surrogates.

The surrogacy journey costs are primarily covered by the intended parents, but gestational carriers (GCs) may need to pay some expenses upfront. Gestational carriers handle minor upfront costs with reimbursement through a third-party escrow company. GCs might pay for incidental expenses like parking during medical visits initially. Bright Futures Families surrogacy agency requires a third-party escrow account where intended parents deposit funds before the journey begins. GCs submit receipts to their agency case manager to trigger reimbursement requests to the escrow company. This system avoids direct money discussions between intended parents and GCs, reducing awkwardness and stress.

Intended parents choose fertility clinics prior to onboarding with the surrogacy agency, so no, gestational carriers do not choose their fertility clinic. Bright Futures Families considers the surrogate’s willingness to travel when presenting a potential match with intended parents. The need to travel is minimal, as surrogates generally visit clinic two to three times, mainly for embryo transfer and follow-ups.

Intended Parent Requirements include medical and psychological assessments to ensure readiness for surrogacy challenges

Agency-Specific Criteria sets boundaries, focusing on intended parents with documented medical needs and no international clients accepted at Bright Futures Families surrogacy agency

Emotional Preparedness is crucial, with mental health consultations helping to manage potential stress and expectations during surrogacy

Multiple Screening Layers ensure safety and ethical standards through medical, psychosocial, and agency-specific checks

Bright Futures Families' Focus on medical need allows for better resource allocation and maintains quality service through targeted criteria

Some services, like hotel check-ins, require security deposit that is easier with credit card. Ride services (such as Uber) place holds on cards to secure payments during travel. Using a debit card can cause longer hold times, complicating travel logistics. Staying local reduces the need for a credit card since fewer holds and deposits apply. The policy aims to ease travel experiences and limit financial burden on the gestational carrier rather than impose strict requirements.

• Comprehensive screening process includes in-depth interviews to understand communication styles and emotional expectations

• The Bright Futures Families team reviews preferences on contact during and after the journey to set clear boundaries

• Screening also covers medical factors like termination options and vaccination status  

• This helps ensure both parties are known beyond just documents, promoting genuine compatibility

Gestational carriers use medication for about 12 weeks for embryo implantation and early pregnancy support. Medications start before embryo transfer to prime the uterine lining and ensure hormone levels. Hormonal medications continue after transfer to maintain pregnancy viability during the early stages. Medication length and regimen may differ based on the specific protocols of each fertility clinic. Surrogates will receive tailored instructions based on their clinic’s standards, affecting scheduling and monitoring.

Ask a Surrogacy Expert! Ashley answers “How many appointments are there during the process from screening until released to an OB?” Five to seven key medical appointments are needed for gestational carriers from screening to OB-GYN release during the surrogacy journey. Find out more in the video.

Medical records must come directly from professionals to ensure reliability and authenticity. Re-requesting records may cause slight delays, but Bright Futures Families prioritizes client confidence and safety. Rarely, older records can be accepted directly from the gestational carrier with full disclosure to maintain transparency.

Does the gestational carrier really need to take time off from work after delivering the baby? Just because the baby is going home with their parents, it doesn’t mean that the surrogate’s body doesn’t need to heal. Taking maternity leave is vital for her health and recovery.

When it comes to sharing the surrogacy journey online, surrogates and intended parents must agree on what pictures can be posted online. Shared surrogacy stories typically avoid identifiable information to protect privacy. Baby announcements by parents: Intended parents decide how and when to announce their child's birth, prioritizing their privacy. Ongoing communication essential: Regularly revisit permissions to align on privacy boundaries and maintain trust throughout the journey.

Inclusive support for diverse families: Bright Futures Families' services cater to both existing and first-time parents, addressing various medical and fertility challenges.

Ask a Surrogacy Expert! Ashley answers “I'm an IP and have great medical insurance. Can't I just add my gestational carrier to my insurance?” Find out why surrogates cannot be added to an intended parent’s insurance plan.

Jenn with this week's Ask a Surrogacy Expert Question: “How long do I have to wait after giving birth to be a gestational carrier?

It depends on how your birth was. Generally, if you had a vaginal birth, it's going to be 12 months before you can have an embryo transfer. If you had a C section, it's going to be 18 months until you can have another embryo transfer after your most recent birthday birth. That said, there's so much that goes into being a gestational carrier that happens before that embryo transfer. Gathering medical records, matching, going through medical screening, you're going through legal, finishing all of those things. Generally, those things actually by themselves take anywhere between four and eight months.

So for those who have it on their heart, know that they're done growing their own families, it's okay to reach out fairly soon after your most recent birth. You just have to know that embryo transfer can't be until 12 to 18 months after, but you can get things started so that you're ready to go!

Gestational carriers face unique feelings post-delivery, which can affect affecting recovery time. There are emotional and hormonal changes after the birth, but surrogates are aware ahead of time that they will not be taking the baby home. Emotional readiness and mental preparation helps surrogates manage expectations and adjust to postpartum experiences.

Job changes during surrogacy affect insurance; maintaining surrogacy-friendly coverage is essential. Lack of proper insurance can lead to unexpected medical costs, impacting intended parents financially. Contracts must outline responsibility for lost wages, medical costs, and insurance during job changes. Surrogates should consider work health policies, ACA policies, and other options to maintain coverage. Continuous insurance prevents financial risks during surrogacy, regardless of job status. Surrogates and intended parents are encouraged to seek guidance for insurance questions.

Surrogacy Relocation Policy

The key takeaway is that moving during surrogacy depends on the timing relative to legal filings.

• Move Allowed Before Pre-Birth Order Filing

  • Surrogates may relocate if the pre-birth order has not yet been filed. 

  • This flexibility recognizes life events that might require a move. 

  • Transparency with the case manager and agency is essential to navigate the process smoothly. 

  • Early communication helps manage legal and logistical challenges tied to relocation.

• Move Restricted After Pre-Birth Order Filing

  • Once the pre-birth order is filed, gestational carriers generally cannot move. 

  • This restriction is due to tighter legal conditions post-filing. 

  • If the move involves a state with stricter surrogacy laws, the agency will attempt to find workable solutions.

Our surrogacy Agency assists diverse families with empathy and expert support

Inclusive Family Assistance: Bright Futures Families supports heterosexual couples, LGBTQ couples, single parents, and those with medical issues. 

Unique Paths: Every family's journey to parenthood is acknowledged and respected. 

Safe Environment: BFF offers a supportive space for intended parents and surrogates to connect. 

Guiding Principle: Focus on building families with heart and intention informs our approach. 

Ask a Surrogacy Expert! Ashley answers “As an intended parent, I'm not giving birth. Why do I need a doula?” A doula supports everyone involved, helping you feel connected, informed and emotionally supported during this amazing journey, even if you are not the one giving birth.