Navigating the Surrogacy Process For LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents

Dr. Samuel Wood and our compassionate consultants at Great Beginnings Surrogacy Services have made dreams come true for LGBTQIA+ families for over 20 years. We match LGBTQIA+ intended parents (IPs) with their perfect surrogate and fertility services.

If you’re considering surrogacy to grow a family, it’s important to know all the steps involved so you’re emotionally, socially, and financially prepared. 

Read on to learn how to navigate the surrogacy process as an LGBTQIA+ intended parent.

Surrogacy for LGBTQIA+ IPs

LGBTQIA+ individuals lack one or more of the parts needed to get pregnant: egg, sperm, or uterus. But they can still have children of their own with fertility services like surrogacy, where a woman carries and delivers a baby for them.

LGBTQIA+ IPs may use their own sperm or egg or donor sperm or egg to create the embryo. A traditional surrogate uses their own egg for the pregnancy, making her the biological mother. A gestational surrogate uses the IP’s eggs or donor eggs, having no biological ties to the baby. 

We only work with gestational surrogates at our agency to minimize legal implications surrounding parental rights. 

Finding a surrogacy agency

You may have a friend or family member willing to be your surrogate. However, surrogacy is a complex process with many steps and hurdles. Working with a surrogacy agency can help you navigate through each step and guidance through hurdles.

We are honored to serve as the agency of choice for LGBTQIA+ surrogacy in the United States. With years of experience, we help with every step of the process, from finding the perfect surrogate to offering guidance on contracts and fertility services like egg and sperm donors. 

We recommend all potential LGBTQIIA+ IPs schedule a consultation to discuss the process. We share everything we know and do our best to make surrogacy less complicated.

Legal considerations

Surrogacy is a safe and effective fertility option, but it’s controversial. Not every state in the US allows surrogacy. Learn the surrogacy laws in your state and talk to a lawyer for personal guidance before getting started. 

You also need a lawyer who can help with the contract between you and your surrogate. It’s a legally binding document that serves as a guide for surrogacy. Both you and the surrogate must agree and sign the contract before moving forward with the medical treatment that leads to pregnancy.

Getting emotionally and financially prepared

Surrogacy is an emotional journey with many ups and downs. Having a good support system can help you cope with and overcome some of the hurdles. 

You also need to prepare financially for surrogacy. The IP pays for the surrogate’s medical care and may provide a stipend for her services. Make sure you understand the costs involved so you can organize your finances. 

The surrogacy process

After your initial interview with our consultant, we share some of our surrogate profiles. You then schedule interviews with those who feel like the right fit to find your perfect match. 

Once we find your match, the surrogate meets with your fertility doctor for an exam and workup. This is a good time to find your sperm or egg donor if needed. 

The lawyers work on the legal contract, which must be signed before the surrogate starts in vitro fertilization (IVF). Once the embryo is placed and pregnancy confirmed, your surrogate meets with their OB/GYN for prenatal care.

You attend appointments and communicate as outlined in the contract. After delivery, you take the baby home. 

Surrogacy is a multi-step process filled with emotional highs and lows. A team of experts guiding you through the process can make the journey less bumpy. As the surrogacy agency of choice for LGBTQIA+ intended parents, we have the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your dream.

Call our San Diego, California office today or send a message online.