There is a growing demand for international surrogacy that is driven by many different factors like legal restrictions, medical advancements, and even cultural considerations. For those seeking to start or grow their families through surrogacy, the journey can be rewarding and challenging.
Finding the right surrogate mother, especially internationally, requires careful consideration, thorough research, and adherence to all legal and ethical guidelines.
Finding the Starting Point
Before you can start your search for international surrogate mothers, you need to understand the process. Start by researching the legalities of the process. You should have a good understanding of the laws and regulations governing surrogacy, including any restrictions or requirements for intended parents and surrogates. This helps you narrow down your options and ensures compliance with local legal requirements.
Consulting with experts is the next step when starting your surrogacy journey. Seek guidance from legal experts and professionals who specialize in international surrogacy. They can provide priceless insights into the legal complexities and help you understand the implications of seeking surrogacy in different countries.
A reputable surrogacy agency can help facilitate these international surrogacy arrangements. Find an agency with transparent practices, proven track record of success, and positive reviews from past clients.
Consider Your Location Preferences
You also need to decide on a location where you’d like to find a surrogate mother. Factors to consider here include legal considerations, cultural compatibility, language barriers, and logistical convenience. Some countries, such as Ukraine and Greece, are popular destinations for international surrogacy because of their favorable legal frameworks and well-established surrogacy programs.
Georgia and Colombia are two more options to consider. They have a well-established medical infrastructure and relatively lower costs compared to other countries. They both also have legalized commercial surrogacy and have clear legal frameworks governing the process.
Evaluate Criteria for Surrogate Mothers
Now, determine your criteria for selecting a surrogate mother, including medical history, age, lifestyle factors, and personal preferences. Consider whether you prefer working with a first-time surrogate or someone with prior surrogacy experience. Be prepared to discuss these criteria with surrogacy agencies and potential surrogate candidates you are considering.
Network and Seek Out Recommendations
Reach out to other intended parents who have gone through the international surrogacy process for recommendations and advice. Support groups, social media platforms, and online forums can be valuable resources for connecting with individuals who have firsthand experience with surrogacy agencies and surrogate mothers.
Schedule the Consultations
Once you’ve identified potential surrogate candidates or surrogacy agencies, schedule consultations to discuss your preferences and specific needs. During these consultations, ask questions about the agency’s process, fees, available services, and support provided to intended parents and surrogate mothers. Use this opportunity to assess compatibility and determine whether the agency aligns with your goals and values.
The Challenges
Yes, finding international surrogate mothers can prove to be a challenge for some intended parents. If you decide to go through this process on your own, for example, you can come across some challenges along the way. This is why an international surrogacy agency is a great place to start. It can prove to make the process easier and less stressful for everyone overall. They have the experience needed and know the legal and medical considerations that must be kept in mind.
The surrogacy agency also takes care of all of the aspects involved in the process. They offer a catalog of potential surrogates and understand the intricacies involved. Taking these tasks out of your hands means you can focus on all of the emotional aspects of the process. The agency will handle the logistics.
How Long Does It Take to Find International Surrogate Mothers?
The time it takes you to find international surrogate mothers can vary wildly depending on a number of factors. You need to keep the location, agency involvement, and other circumstances in mind when determining a timeline. On average, it can take a few months to as long as a year or more.
- Screening Process and Matching: This part of the process alone can take several months. You want to make sure it is a compatible match.
- Legal Process: Once you have been matched, the contracts need to be drafted, and all legal requirements need to be met. This can also take several weeks to several months to accomplish.
- Medical and Psychological Evaluations: Both the surrogate and intended parents will need to go through evaluations that can take several weeks to months.
Build Your Surrogacy Plan
Your surrogacy plan outlines the conditions of the surrogate giving birth. There are a few factors to keep in mind when building a surrogacy plan, like who will be allowed in the room, where the birth will take place, if filming is allowed, the use of pain medication, interventions to assist the birth, and who will hold the baby first.
Making decisions like this at the start of the surrogacy journey helps everyone prepare and define expectations.
By following these steps, you can establish a solid starting point for finding international surrogate mothers and starting your surrogacy journey with confidence and clarity. Remember to approach the entire process with commitment, diligence, and patience to ethical practices to ensure a positive and successful outcome for everyone, including the surrogate mother and baby.