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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
A Beautiful Ending-a little early……………By Markay Mason
September 10, 2020 was the beautiful end to my surrogacy journey. The sweet baby boy I have been caring for decided he could not wait to meet his parents. He came into this world on 9-10-2020, three weeks earlier than expected. He is so perfect in every single way.
I am in awe of the entire surrogacy process for many reasons. The best reason is that I lived and learned that the greatest good is what we do for one another. My surrogacy journey has ended but the joy and blessing of it all will live in my heart forever.
If you have it in your heart to help a family become parents by becoming a surrogate, contact Pathways To Parenthood today and get started. They have helped surrogates and intended parents come together in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas. If you live in the Midwest, they are the surrogacy agency for you! You can reach them at 913-469-5500 or at kerry@pathwaystoparenthood.com.
The Surrogacy Journey Continues……
By: Markay Mason
In my previous blog post, I shared the beginning of my surrogacy process and how I found my surrogacy agency, Pathways To Parenthood. Their expertise ensured that I was matched with the best intended parents ever! It was very important to me that I shared the amazing surrogacy journey with the right match. It was important to Pathways To Parenthood also, and they made sure it was the best match for all parties.
After the matching process, all the remaining steps in the surrogacy process went very smoothly. From the medical evaluation at the fertility clinic, to navigating the legal process, to preparing for embryo transfer, Pathways To Parenthood was there every step of the way.
And then there was the embryo transfer! It was a success-we were pregnant! Because my intended parents had experienced so much loss, they did not want to know the outcome until I was really, really pregnant! Soooo I kept my exciting news secret. I felt like I was going to burst with excitement and joy! But I kept it secret from them until the 6-week ultrasound. I will never forget the look on my intended mom’s face when she saw her little bitty baby on the screen! It was the best surprise ever!
Each passing day, week, and doctor’s appointment, I am feeling more and more joy anticipating the birth of this very special baby boy. My heart is so full, and I am so anxious and excited to give my amazing intended parents the best gift. He is going to be such a light in so many lives-including my own. As we get closer to my due date, I am fully understanding why they call surrogacy a journey. It has taken me to places I could have never imagined. It has been such a humbling beautiful experience. I can’t wait for this little boy to be born. Stay tuned….
Before I go, if you are considering becoming a surrogate, especially if you live in Kansas or Missouri, Pathways To Parenthood is your go to for expertise in surrogacy. They will provide reliable information about all aspects of surrogacy. Plus, they care about their surrogates and it shows! Give Kerry a call at 913-469-5500 or email her at kerry@pathwaystoparenthood.com.
The Life Changing Journey of Surrogacy: By Markay Mason
As a 28 year-old military wife and girl mom of two, my husband and I decided our family was complete. We were 100% sure we were not going to have more kids. But I still had a strong desire to be pregnant again. I had a great idea-SURROGACY!
I had considered becoming a surrogate many times before. But the timing was never right. Now that the timing was right, I had to get my husband on board! We sat down and had “the surrogacy talk”. He was supportive of me and fully on board. I was so excited!!
At the time, we were living overseas in Okinawa, Japan, soon to be heading to Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri. I decided to do some research about surrogacy in Missouri, and surrogacy in Kansas, and found my surrogacy agency, Pathways To Parenthood. After talking with Kerry Christifano at Pathways To Parenthood, I knew her agency was where I belonged. She made me feel welcome, loved, and so at home. I did not know what was going to happen after talking with Kerry, but told myself if it was meant to be, then it would be.
Pathways To Parenthood helped me understand the steps in the surrogacy process, answered all of my questions, as well as my husband’s questions. They made the screening process seamless and stress-free. After the screening process, I was matched with intended parents that could not have been a better fit for me and my family. It all seemed too good to be true! But it wasn’t! The surrogacy journey continued. I will share more of my surrogacy journey very soon.
Before I go, if you are considering becoming a surrogate, especially if you live in Kansas or Missouri, Pathways To Parenthood is your go to for expertise in surrogacy. They will provide reliable information about all aspects of surrogacy. Plus, they care about their surrogates and it shows! Give Kerry a call at 913-469-5500 or email her at kerry@pathwaystoparenthood.com.