What Is Independent Surrogacy?

Independent surrogacy is a surrogacy arrangement that does not involve a surrogacy agency. Independent surrogacy is also known as private surrogacy. If you are an intended parent looking to build your family through surrogacy, independent surrogacy may be an option you are considering.  Below are a few important points to consider as you explore your options.

1.  What is involved in an independent surrogacy?

There are multiple steps in the surrogacy process whether you are working independently, or working with a surrogacy agency. When working with a surrogacy agency, many of the steps are handled “behind the scenes” and so it may not be possible to estimate accurately what an independent surrogacy process will fully involve. Here are the usual steps involved in an independent surrogacy journey.  It is important to note that each step listed below involves multiple steps.  These are the “behind the scenes” steps a surrogacy agency does for their clients/intended parents.

• Search for, evaluate, and choose an acceptable surrogate
• Receive medical clearance
• Negotiate terms/work through legal process
• Go through medical treatments (sometimes multiple times)
• Manage the pregnancy
• Prepare for delivery/birth
• Prepare for time at the hospital and after the birth for you and your surrogate
• Follow up post birth for well-being and legal status

2. How long will the surrogacy process take?

The time frame from the beginning stages of the surrogacy process to baby can vary quite a bit.  With an independent surrogacy, 18-24 months is not out of the ordinary.  When working with a surrogacy agency, the surrogacy process will be quicker, averaging 12-18 months, with rare exception.

3. What are the financial costs?

There is a misconception out there that an independent surrogacy is less expensive than working with a surrogacy agency.  It is certainly possible that will be the case, but very likely it will not be less expensive, and it could be more expensive.  This depends greatly on many factors, one of which is the service fees of the surrogacy agency, and the average compensation of their surrogates.  With an independent surrogacy, when intended parents are going it alone without the protection and expertise of a surrogacy agency, you don’t know what you don’t know. Therefore you may overlook something that can cost you later, either financially, medically, legally, or some combination thereof.

There are certainly more factors to consider, but these 3 are the primary factors to consider when deciding whether to work with a surrogacy agency, or attempt an independent surrogacy.  For more information about building your family

through surrogacy, contact Pathways To Parenthood and schedule your free consultation today!  You can reach us at 913-469-5500 or kerry@pathwaystoparenthood.com.