How to Choose a Surrogacy Agency?

“Blossom by blossom, the spring begins.” — Algernon Charles Swinburne. 

Spring season is more than just another season of the year. It is something inspiring, something magic, and something refreshing. But, while everything is still in bloom, have you thought about starting a blooming surrogacy journey this spring? This season is powerful yet beautiful and brings new thoughts, hopes, dreams, and feelings. Everything seems possible in spring. And having an awesome surrogacy experience sounds like blooming as budded blossoms around. But before embarking on surrogacy, it is essential there are 3 Why’s: why working with a surrogacy agency and 1 How: how to choose the ideal one.

Any surrogacy journey starts with finding a surrogacy clinic, a surrogacy agency, or an attorney experienced in surrogacy process and arrangements. In this article, we will focus on surrogacy agencies, which are commonly preferred by intended parents and surrogate mothers to assist them closely throughout their surrogacy process. We will explore what is surrogacy agency, dive into surrogacy agency services, learn more about balancing quality and quantity: how boutique surrogacy agencies can deliver exceptional service and how middle–sized and large surrogacy agencies may offer cutting–edge technology, discover why you should work with a surrogacy agency, and blueprint how to find an ideal surrogacy agency.

What Is a Surrogacy Agency? 

A surrogacy agency is often referred to as a one–stop destination for those who are embarking on the surrogacy journey. This type of professional offers most, if not all, of the services needed to navigate the surrogacy experience. Surrogacy agencies work to streamline the process, allowing intended parents and surrogate mothers to focus on what matters most — starting or growing their family and carrying the baby to make someone’s dream (who is unable to get pregnant or carry a healthy pregnancy to term) of having a new addition to come true. Unlike other surrogacy professionals, surrogacy agencies typically have a diverse team of experts who can provide case management, counseling, and support services. It is worth noting that while surrogacy agencies offer similar services, some professionals may choose to avoid the term “agency” because there is currently no licensing process for surrogacy professionals to be recognized as approved “agencies.”

Small vs. Middle–Sized vs. Large Surrogacy Agencies

Small/boutique surrogacy agencies typically have fewer professionals involved, which means that the intended parents and surrogate mothers will likely have more personal attention and a closer relationship with the agency staff. They may have fewer resources and less advanced technology but often provide more customized services.

Middle–sized surrogacy agencies usually have more professionals and more resources than small/boutique agencies. They may also have a larger budget for marketing, which means they can attract more intended parents and surrogates. They usually offer more options, such as different types of surrogacy programs and payment plans.

Large surrogacy agencies have the most resources and may have offices in multiple countries. They have a bigger network and more extensive resources for surrogate mothers and intended parents. They often have bilingual or multilingual patient coordinators to help with language barriers. They can offer a wider range of services and are often more flexible with programs and upgrading options. However, their services may be more expensive compared to small/boutique or middle-sized agencies, and the intended parents and surrogates may have less personal attention from the staff due to the higher volume of clients.

From Matching to Counseling: Surrogacy Agency Services Explained.

Surrogacy agencies play a crucial role in managing the entire surrogacy case for intended parents and surrogates, which involves coordinating with other surrogacy professionals such as clinics and attorneys, and facilitating communication between the intended parents and the surrogate. As surrogacy is a complex process, surrogacy agencies provide their expertise to simplify the process and guide intended parents and surrogates through every step of the journey. Although the specific services offered by surrogacy agencies may vary, some services you can typically expect include:

• Matching services to find a surrogate mother or an intended parent desiring to enter into the surrogacy arrangement. First, the surrogacy agency will work on finding and meeting a suitable surrogate mother in person before introducing her to an intended parent. Usually, surrogacy professionals are looking for several potential surrogate mothers before a perfect match is identified, and vs.: for each potential surrogate mother, surrogacy professionals are looking for several intended parents.
• Background check services: criminal and child abuse background checks to ensure prospective the surrogate mother and prospective intended parent have no prior convictions that might interfere or impact the safety of the surrogacy process.
• Screening services to ensure the surrogate mother and the intended parents are mentally, emotionally and physically and ready for the surrogacy process.
• Legal services to ensure that the surrogacy process follows legislation. A full–service surrogacy agency typically provides a range of legal services, including drafting and reviewing legal contracts for surrogacy arrangements, coordinating with fertility clinics and attorneys, and providing legal representation for intended parents and surrogate mothers throughout the surrogacy process. The agency may also help facilitate the necessary legal steps to establish parental rights, such as pre–birth orders, adoptions, and court orders. However, the specific legal services offered by a full–service surrogacy agency may vary, so it is important to clarify this with the agency directly.
• Case management is also known as program management and coordination services between clinics, surrogacy agency, egg donors, surrogate mothers, and intended parents to ensure every step is completed before moving further. From blueprinting the surrogacy process to scheduling appointments for patients and providing them with comprehensive information about the next steps they need to go through next to creating a birth plan for the intended parents, the surrogate mother to assisting with issuing the baby’s documents — all things will be done by the surrogacy professionals, including resolving the issues and enlighten the solutions.
• Counseling services to provide support through the ups and downs of surrogacy and maintain a positive relationship between the intended parents and the surrogate mother.
• Financial services to help intended parents and surrogate mothers navigate the complex financial aspects of surrogacy programs. These services include managing account transactions, analyzing expenses related to ongoing and finished surrogacy programs, resolving financial issues, and providing clear and unbiased information on budgeting, banking, money transferring, budget controlling, and reporting operations. The agency works at all levels of administration regarding account transactions and management and ensures that all financial matters are handled with the utmost transparency and professionalism.
• And more services depending on the surrogacy agency, the intended parent’s (parents’) needs, circumstances, preferences, and budget.

When selecting a surrogacy agency, it’s essential to have a transparent discussion regarding the services offered to ensure that they align with your needs and preferences. It is worth noting that most agencies solely provide gestational surrogacy services, as traditional surrogacy can pose legal and emotional complications, ensuring a professional journey for all parties involved.

The No–Brainer Decision: Why You Should Work with a Surrogacy Agency.

With so many surrogacy clinics and attorneys available, it may seem unnecessary to involve an agency. However, surrogacy is a complex process that involves legal, medical, and emotional factors. Attempting to navigate this process without professional assistance can be overwhelming and costly, especially for those unfamiliar with the process. Surrogacy agencies exist to coordinate all aspects of the process, allowing intended parents and surrogate mothers to focus on other aspects of their lives. By utilizing the expertise of a surrogacy agency, all necessary steps can be taken care of, and the process can be completed with confidence. It is always a good idea to consult with a surrogacy agency first to fully understand the process and determine what responsibilities you would have to handle without professional case management.

How to Find an Ideal Surrogacy Agency?

Choosing the right surrogacy agency can be a challenge due to the many options available. It is crucial to find an agency that suits your needs, is flexible on financial options, offers a clear explanation of the process, follows a transparent policy on surrogacy costs and compensation, provides the option to upgrade the surrogacy program to Premium, and offers support throughout the journey. To simplify your search, we have put together some guidelines on how to select the best surrogacy agency.

Firstly, consider the agency’s experience by reviewing its online success stories, reviews, social media channels, website, and other resources that provide insight into the agency’s history and reputation. It is also important to ask agency–specific questions about costs, the surrogacy process, types of support provided, and their experience in your state or country.

Additionally, consider the agency’s location and whether a local or non–local agency suits your needs better. Determine whether having an office nearby is essential or if virtual meetings and remote support suffice.

Lastly, choose an agency that suits your specific needs, such as your location, matching preferences, or other factors. Opting for an agency that has experience with a diverse range of clients can provide reassurance and lead to a positive overall experience.

Overall, choosing a surrogacy agency can be a time–consuming and confusing process. However, finding an agency that you feel connected to and can rely on is vital. After all, becoming an intended parent and welcoming the baby born via surrogacy, or a surrogate mother and introducing a newborn to this world is a life–changing decision and an experience unlike any other. Therefore, we hope that these guidelines will set you on the right track to finding the best surrogacy agency for you.

Wrapping Things Up

In conclusion, a surrogacy agency is a one-stop destination for those embarking on a surrogacy journey. The agency offers most, if not all, of the services needed to navigate the surrogacy experience. From case management to counseling and support services, the agency simplifies the complex process of surrogacy and guides intended parents and surrogate mothers through every step of the journey. Whether you choose a small, middle-sized, or large surrogacy agency, it is crucial to choose one that meets your needs and offers the services you require.