How to Choose a Surrogate Mom for Your Baby

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• Prepare thoroughly for the life-changing process
  ahead. Learn as much as possible about the pros
  and cons of surrogacy, and be sure you fully
  understand your choices.
• Establish clear, open lines of communication with
  your partner and aim to have the same goals and
  values in mind when trying to find a surrogate
  mother.
• List qualities you both hope to find in your
  surrogate mom. It helps to break them into ideal
  and mandatory categories.

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• Your surrogate mother should be thoroughly
  trustworthy, with a deep sense of responsibility
  and commitment to the total process.
• She should be in good health, and have given
  birth previously, ensuring that she knows what to
  expect during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Look for someone with her own support network and
  healthy home environment. She will need to rely
  on loved ones for help as she goes through the
  surrogacy experience.

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• Join an online forum to share resources, hopes,
  and fears. Others may have unique insights, and
  you could form friendships that last a lifetime.
• Be aware of your comfort level when meeting with
  a candidate. Remember, youll be discussing the
  most intimate, momentous life issues, so it is
  important to feel comfortable.
• Think through the relationship you want to
  establish during pregnancy and after. Will she
  become part of your family life and maintain a
  connection to your baby?

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• Your surrogate should fully understand the
  implications of the role she will undertake.
  Inform yourselves first, then review these
  considerations with her. 
• Will you request amniocentesis when she becomes
  pregnant? Review possible outcomes and next
  steps, depending on results.
• There is risk in every pregnancy, especially if
  multiple births result a significant
  possibility with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In
  case of triplets, will you choose to selectively
  reduce, and will she be willing to undergo this
  procedure?
• If results show a Down syndrome diagnosis, or
  more severe condition, will you proceed with the
  pregnancy or terminate? Will your surrogate agree?

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• Work with a reputable agency to guide you and
  your surrogate through complex medical,
  emotional, and legal decisions.
• An established group with a good track record can
  assist with all these functions, and help you
  locate the right surrogate.
• Surrogacy and IVF are illegal in some states. An
  agency like Family Creations requires you to be a
  resident of selected states in order to
  participate. Look for agencies handling surrogacy
  in California, Colorado, Illinois, or Texas,
  among states most open to the practice.

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• You have successfully arrived at the end of a
  pregnancy and the beginning of a new life. Now
  what?
• A relationship has developed during nine-plus
  months. Your surrogate will feel an emotional
  connection to your baby and a deep friendship
  with you.
• Some parents make the surrogate a cherished part
  of the family, while others prefer to gradually
  withdraw, having only occasional contact.

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• A surrogacy agency will guide you all, working
  with a team of professionals who are experts in
  each area.
• Theyll do preliminary screenings of potential
  surrogates, only accepting women ages 21-35 who
  are non-smokers, non-drug using, in excellent
  health, and with an unblemished background.
• Medical staff and psychological counselors work
  closely with you and your surrogate to monitor
  her health and the babys throughout
  implantation, pregnancy, and delivery.
• Legal staff will help you draw up a contract,
  setting out all relevant issues, including
  surrogate payments and benefits. You should
  involve your own attorney for complete protection.

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• What are your chances of success? Although it is
  difficult to collect data widely among states,
  there are many organizations contributing to the
  record. Ask your agency for information on their
  success rates.
• The number of births using surrogacy is reported
  to have grown 89 between 2004 to 2008.1
• In a survey of women age 35, 47.7 of embryos
  transferred in all measured IVF cycles resulted
  in live births, while in women age 41-42, the
  result dropped to 16.3.1

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• Family Creations, LLC is an egg donor and
  surrogate program that has achieved international
  recognition by helping families face fertility
  challenges. Contact them for assistance in
  finding or becoming a surrogate at
  www.familycreations.net.