How to become a surrogate mother

A surrogate mother is a woman who carries a baby for people who cannot have a child on their own. However, there is no genetic connection between her and the child, since the embryo is created from the germ cells of future parents. When you become a surrogate mother, you are making a life-changing decision - not only for the family you are helping, but also for yourself, so it is natural to wonder whether this path is right for you and what to expect from a surrogate mother. In this material you will find the answers for yourself.

Preparing for surrogacy

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Surrogacy - a long and emotional process that requires patience and strength. SM is not suitable for every woman, so before joining the program, it is important to weigh the pros and cons and be prepared for certain restrictions and difficulties.

• ResponsibilityYou have been responsible for the life of someone else’s baby for almost a year, this is an important and serious step. During pregnancy, you will need to live a healthy lifestyle, eat right, exercise, and you will have less energy and energy to devote time to your family, daily activities and favorite activities.
• < strong id="">Medical and psychological examinations.You will be asked to take certain medications, give injections, regularly visit doctors and follow their orders.
• PregnancySome women enjoy this period, but if you don't enjoy being pregnant, it's worth considering whether you're ready to go through the experience again. 
• Emotional aspect Of course, throughout the entire program you will have a curator and a psychologist next to you who will provide you with support and care. Nevertheless, carrying and giving birth to a baby who is genetically foreign to you can be emotionally difficult. However, this is precisely what makes surrogate mothers so special - few are ready to take on this challenge and give the happiness of parenthood to those who would otherwise never experience it.

It is worth answering yourself honestly such questions:

• Am I at a time and place in my life where becoming a surrogate mother is a balanced and conscious decision, and not a forced decision ?
• Do I understand that my parents are waiting for the child I will bear, and they will take him away from me immediately after birth?
• Do I have people close to me who will support me?
• How will I explain this choice to my children?
• Am I prepared for possible disapproval from society?< /li>

If you have clearly decided that you are ready to become surrogate mother, the next step is to find potential parents who need your help. Some enter into a contract with the couple directly, but it is much better and safer to contact a proven and reliable agency that will monitor compliance with the rights and obligations of all parties. Women who cooperate with ISA Fertility receive medical support in private clinics, legal protection at all stages, psychological counseling, monthly payments for current expenses, and after childbirth - a decent fee. 

Requirements for a surrogate mother

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In order for SM to be successful and safe for the surrogate mother and baby , Russian legislation specifies the requirements for candidates for entry into the program:

• Age from 20 to 35 years;
• How at least one healthy child;
• Pregnancy and childbirth without complications;
• For married women - written consent of the husband
• Physical and mental health. The full list of contraindications is indicated in the Order of the Ministry of Health RF No. 803n. 

Many agencies indicate additional requirements for candidates, for example, absence of bad habits, residence in Russia, CIS citizenship, absence of criminal records and criminal history, presence of minimum secondary education. 

Documents

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Before entering the program, a woman needs provide the organization with which she intends to cooperate with the following list of documents: 

• Passport of the Russian Federation;
• SNILS;
• Compulsory health insurance policy;
• Birth certificate of your own child;
• Marriage or marriage certificate divorce (for unmarried women - a certificate from the registry office confirming the absence of civil status records).

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Stages of the surrogacy program< /h2>

So, you are sure that you want to become a surrogate mother. Here are the stages you have to go through. Please remember that this is a lengthy process that may take 14-20 months. 

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Submitting an online application

< p id="">Your journey begins with filling out an application on the agency website, where you indicate the general information - first name, last name, telephone number and city of residence. Afterwards, the coordinator will contact you and invite you to a meeting, where he will answer any of your questions. At ISA Fertility, candidates are accompanied from the first day by a personal curator to resolve any issues, organize medical research and tests.

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Filling out a detailed questionnaire< /h3>The agency will learn more about you and your motivations, and review your medical records to ensure that your health and pregnancy and childbirth experience will qualify you for the SM program. After this, the manager creates your profile, which will be available only to potential parents.

Medical examination

Since your health is critical to a successful SM, experienced doctors will be closely monitored throughout the entire process. First of all, you will have a primary medical screening.

You will undergo various tests and undergo a number of important examinations for sexually transmitted diseases and other infectious and sexually transmitted diseases that may affect your fertility. It is possible that your husband will also be asked to be tested for STDs. 

Required doctors:

1. Therapist; 
2. Obstetrician-gynecologist;
3. Psychiatrist;
4. Narcologist

Necessary diagnostic procedures:

1. General blood and urine tests;
2. Blood test for sex hormones;
3. Test for blood group, Rh factor and coagulability;
4. Biochemical blood test;
5. Tests for infectious diseases;
6. Vaginal smear for microflora;
7. Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands;
8. Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
9. Study (cytology) of cervical scraping;
10. Electrocardiogram;
11. Fluorography.

If your physical health is fine, you will have a conversation with a psychologist so that both you and the specialists can make sure that you are mentally prepared for surrogacy and understand how it can affect you and your family. The main thing in the SM process is your comfort, calmness and confidence. 

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Searching for parents

After you have provided all the necessary documents and passed the required medical examinations, the agency begins selecting a suitable match. This usually takes from several days to several weeks.

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Signing the contract

When doctors and psychologist approved your candidacy, and the organization’s employees chose potential parents, and they conclude an agreement with you. Lawyers prepare an agreement that spells out all aspects of the SM program, including the amount of final compensation and monthly payments, the responsibilities of the parties, possible risks, the process of transferring rights to a child to another family, a list of necessary medical examinations, and much more. You will be given time to read the agreement and any unclear points will be explained in detail.

Embryo formation 

An embryo is created in a laboratory using the egg and sperm of the potential parents. Sometimes an egg donor (or, less commonly, a sperm donor) is used. At the same time, according to Russian legislation, a surrogate mother does not have the right to simultaneously be an egg donor so that the woman and the born child are not genetically related to each other.   

Doctors monitor development of embryos, genetic diagnostics are carried out and the best of them are selected for transfer.

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Preparation for embryo transfer

When pregnancy occurs naturally, a woman's body produces many hormones that prepare the uterus for conception and help the embryo grow and develop. To increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage, it is necessary to recreate this process in the surrogate mother's body with the help of medications.

Hormonal drugs thicken and strengthen the uterine mucosa and force it to produce the necessary nutrients. These medications are usually taken orally (by mouth) or through self-administered injections. On average, the process lasts two to three weeks. Sometimes the lining of the uterus thickens naturally, in which case you may need much less medication.

During this stage, you will undergo regular ultrasounds, blood tests and follow-up with a doctor so that a specialist understood how your body reacts to medications and adjusted their intake depending on your individual characteristics. 

Embryo transfer

Doctors evaluate how ready the surrogate mother’s body is for embryo transfer, based on the thickness of the endometrial layer of the uterus - it should reach 9-12 millimeters. If everything is in order, a day for the procedure is scheduled. The specialist places the embryo in a long thin tube, and then, under ultrasound guidance, carefully inserts it into the vagina and directly into the uterus.  It is a relatively simple, quick and painless process that usually does not require anesthesia. The number of embryos transferred is specified in the contract. After the procedure, you will rest briefly in the clinic and then go home.

Waiting

10-12 days after the transfer, you will visit the clinic to take a blood test for the hCG hormone, which will confirm pregnancy. Sometimes surrogate mothers fail to get pregnant the first time, then the attempt is repeated. 

Pregnancy

If everything worked out - Congratulations, you are pregnant! You'll have regular ultrasounds, blood tests, gynecologist visits, and medications as needed to keep you and your baby well. ISA Fertility provides surrogate mothers with comprehensive support - round-the-clock communication with a caring personal curator, high-quality food, observation in the best private clinics, beautiful and comfortable clothes - all this contributes to a comfortable and calm passage of the program.

Birth of the child

Day childbirth is the most exciting stage and the result of the enormous work of a whole team of people - doctors, future parents, agency employees, and, first of all, the surrogate mother. The family will finally meet their long-awaited baby, and your mission will be completed. You will sign a consent to transfer parental rights to the family, and after discharge from the maternity hospital you will receive a full fee.

Rights and responsibilities

• You can receive maternity leave (70 days before and 70 days after childbirth) and related benefits. To do this, you need to register with the antenatal clinic and receive a sick leave. The surrogate mother does not have maternity leave, since the baby’s biological parents are included in the birth certificate, and it is they who will take care of the child. 
• Future parents agree to pay all expenses associated with pregnancy and childbirth, and the agency provides the surrogate mother with the best care. In turn, you also have some responsibilities, which are usually also indicated in the contract: 
• Lead a healthy lifestyle - eat a balanced diet, walk a lot, follow a sleep schedule, get enough rest, take vitamins , maintain emotional balance;
• Visit all doctors on time and accurately follow their instructions;
• After birth, hand over the newborn to the legal mother and father;
• Maintain confidentiality during the program and after it.
  Compliance with the terms of the contract is usually monitored by agency coordinators in order to limit the woman from excessive worries and concerns of potential parents. 

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Surrogate mother's fee

During pregnancy, you will receive a monthly allowance of 20-30 thousand rubles. You will be given separate money for food, clothing and travel expenses. The final fee depends on the region - in smaller cities the compensation for a surrogate mother is 800 thousand rubles, in Moscow and St. Petersburg it reaches 1 million. Cesarean section and multiple pregnancies are additionally paid. ISA Fertility offers women a generous reward for their work - 30,000 rubles per month for current expenses and 1 million after completing the program. 
Surrogacy is a selfless decision and an amazing experience. If you want to learn more about how to become a surrogate mother in St. Petersburg, we are here to help you. Write or call and we will be happy to answer all your questions.