Intended Parents
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Intended Parents, Let’s talk
Review the five most frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, or if we can explain further, use the handy scheduler below to set up a no-charge (yes, it’s free!) thirty-minute phone consultation with a Bright Futures Families staff member. Choose a time that works for you, and you’ll receive an email confirming your phone call appointment.
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Short Answer: We clear gestational carriers every week. But we also have a list of waiting intended parents and we set to work finding a perfect fit for both sides!
Long Answer: It generally takes us 3 to 6 months to screen our gestational carriers as we gather all medical records, have them professionally reviewed, verify all information provided by the gestational carrier in her application, conduct interviews, background checks (including financial background checks), insurance verifications and a psychological review is conducted. By the time all of this is completed our GCs are ready to be matched. We typically have a list of waiting intended parents and we set to work finding a perfect fit for both sides!
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Short Answer: In general, it can take anywhere from 6-24 months to find your perfect match.
Long Answer: This is a great question and will vary widely from parent to parent. Once our gestational carriers are cleared, we set to finding a perfect match based on what she wants and what you as a parent are looking for, which may mean that the first gestational cleared when you are at the top of the list isn’t your best fit! Some of the items we consider (and this is not an all-inclusive list!) to make certain you are a good fit on will be: the number of embryos you plan to transfer (hint, we only support single embryo transfer), your stance on termination of a pregnancy, your stance on vaccines, location of the gestational carrier, contact you want to have during and after the process, willingness to pump breastmilk and so much more! That is a very long way to say that we just can’t know until we get to know you and your needs.
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Short Answer: No agency fee is due until you match; but you do need to do some paperwork.
Long Answer: We do not take a full agency fees until you accept a match with a gestational carrier. You do need to complete some paperwork, though (application, agency agreement, background check forms, and a few more small items). This includes a nominal non-refundable application fee. But until both you and your gestational carrier say yes to matching, and your clinic approves her medical records, you pay no money beyond that application fee.
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Short Answer: A typical surrogacy journey (exclusive of creation of embryos) will cost somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000.
Long Answer: While every journey is unique, a typical surrogacy journey (exclusive of creation of embryos) will cost somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000. That number should include clinic costs, agency fees, gestational carrier’s compensation and allowances, medical bills and attorney fees. It absolutely can be lower but it can also be higher. We give that as our estimate as we want you, as a parent, to be well prepared. If you end up with money left over? Fantastic!!
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Short Answer: You need a plan for an embryo to transfer to your gestational carrier!
Long Answer: Our gestational carriers go through extensive screening in preparation for matching, so once they get to that point, they are ready to hit the ground running! We want you to be ready, too. Frequently embryo creation goes off without a hitch and might not take very long, but often time it’s like life: perfectly imperfect, and takes longer than you might anticipate. Asking allows us to know how to best guide and help you from the start.
What sets us Apart
Surrogacy is a journey of love and trust. At Bright Futures Families, we bring compassion, inclusivity, and real experience to guide and support you every step of the way.
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We believe families are created with love. Because great parents come in all shapes and sizes, we created an agency committed to inclusivity and acceptance.
On the personal front, we’ve dealt with our share of infertility issues. We bring compassion and a parent’s perspective to this very personal, nontraditional, loving way of growing a family. We get it. We’re here to make sure your concerns are dealt with and your financial—and emotional—investment is protected. Additionally, many of our team members have been gestational carriers themselves, so have direct knowledge and experience with how much work being a surrogate involves!
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The intricacies of surrogacy requires legal representation for both intended parents and gestational carriers. One of our founders is the founding partner of Trachman Law Center, LLC, specializing in surrogacy law. Ellen is a great resource for legal questions generally, and can help you find the right fit of a knowledgeable and experienced licensed attorney for your representation. Unlike many agencies that insist intended parents use in-house counsel or their appointed attorney, we provide the guidance you need to find the right professional, but leave the ultimate decision in your hands. We’re happy to recommend attorneys to meet your needs.
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Bright Futures Families is a member of SEEDS (Society for Ethical Egg Donation and Surrogacy), ASRM (American Society of Reproductive Medicine), RESOLVE (a national infertility organization), AllPath Family Building (formerly RESOLVE New England), and the New England Fertility Society. We’re firm believers in ethical surrogacy practices. Certain of our staff are board members or members of Colorado Fertility Advocates, Building Military Families Network, the Reproductive Alliance, the LGBT Family Law Institute, the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Men Having Babies, the Denver Jewish Chamber of Commerce, the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee and Adoption Committee, the Colorado Bar Association Family Section, the Colorado Bar Association Women’s Section, and the National LGBT Bar.
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Transparency and education are part of our every day practice. Whether it be by providing free consultations or our podcast, we’d love to connect with you.
Learn more about our podcast I Want to Put a Baby in You.
