Becoming a Parent with Surrogacy
We at Fairfax Surrogacy are glad you have found us. We understand that you have likely experienced difficult trials in growing your family up to this point. While each person on this journey will have a unique experience, we know that most have not had a flawless one, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or all. Therefore, we empathize with you for the challenges you may have experienced on this path thus far.
We also applaud you for seeking new options, new resources, and new possibilities. Our entire staff at Fairfax Surrogacy is ready to offer insight, resources, and guidance along this path to parenthood.
Surrogate Qualifications
While we hold all of our Fairfax Surrogacy clients in high regard, we also hold them to high standards. And that includes our surrogates. Our experience has provided us with a set of requirements for surrogates that produce the best results for all involved, with a priority of protecting the baby and surrogate’s health and safety.
There are two options when it comes to finding a surrogate/gestational carrier. Some choose to do the process independently, finding a willing surrogate on their own. At Fairfax Surrogacy, we support whatever your journey entails but want you to know the benefits of having an agency like us to help with that process. Our agency’s experience working through vital and personal topics related to surrogacy is invaluable. However, the support, legal process, and protection can become a handful on intended parents. That is where we come into play.
Our surrogates are women who have completed their own families but have more to give. They want to help change the lives of others through the gift of assisting them in building their families. In the process, which is also a journey for surrogates, their own lives are also enriched. Our pre-screening process helps safeguard all involved to ensure this is the right match for all.
While it can vary from agency to agency, the following are the biggest requirements needed to become a surrogate:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 42 years old.
- Have a body mass index (BMI) less than or equal to 32.
- Live in a surrogacy-friendly state.
- Be a legal resident of the United States.
- Have had at least one, full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy and birth.
- Provide Medical Documentation of Medical History and Past Pregnancies
- Not on government assistance.
- Have had 5 or fewer previous deliveries.
- Have had 2 or fewer Caesarian sections.
- Have family support.
- Be willing to travel for screening and embryo transfer procedures.
Surrogacy Process & Timeline
The first step in the process is simply meeting with our team. We value this time together as we learn more about you and start the planning process for creating your embryos. At this stage, planning is the keyword. Creating your embryos can be done in parallel with future steps. We are here to connect you and guide you with it.
During this next step in your journey, you will choose and meet with your potential surrogate. The surrogate will then complete her medical screening at your clinic, where she will have a uterine ultrasound. Your doctor will receive a copy of her lab work that we have already completed during the pre-screening process for review for medical clearance.
At this point, things are starting to move along. Your attorney will receive matching information and then draft your “Gestational Agreement.” You and your attorney will discuss your rights and responsibilities and make any changes necessary. After all of the parties have agreed to the terms, legal clearance will be issued.
Now things are getting ready to roll! The clinic will issue you and your surrogate a cycle calendar filled with dates for medication information and monitoring appointments. During this stage, the big day finally arrives, transfer day! This is when your embryo will be transferred to your surrogate at your clinic. If you are local, you have the exciting opportunity to participate in this pivotal day.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, your surrogate will be released to her medical provider. You will both work very closely with your Fairfax Surrogacy Case Manager to ensure all steps are being met. Your case manager will provide communication and support throughout the pregnancy.
This is the day that we’ve ALL been waiting for. The day your dream becomes a reality. This is the day/step that puts your baby in your arms!
Surrogacy Cost
Package 1: Fixed FEE
-
Professional fees: Agency, attorney, counselor, insurance review, and escrow management
-
Surrogate pre-screening, compensation, and expenses
-
Variable expenses to include outside medical costs, travel, and insurance
-
One re-match included
Package 2: Fixed fee
-
Professional fees: Agency, attorney, counselor, insurance review, and escrow management
-
Surrogate pre-screening, compensation, and expenses
-
Variable expenses including outside medical costs, travel, and insurance
-
Unlimited Re-matches
Financing Options
EggFund
Fertility Financing
Future Family
Fertility Financing
The Fairfax Difference
Experience
The Fairfax Surrogacy Agency was created with your needs in mind.
Our years of experience working alongside sister agencies have prepared us to be insightful, supportive, efficient, and compassionate. Utilizing our expertise, we pride ourselves on maintaining quality and transparency in all that we do.
Quality Screening
We stand apart for our quality screening process, assuring that all surrogates will be thoroughly vetted before matching versus many traditional models.
This is an important part of this process to consider on your journey to becoming a parent through surrogacy. Pre-screening surrogates adds an invaluable safeguard for you.
Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive pre-screening process.
Financial Transparency
We also value financial transparency. We know that finances can be a challenging part of the journey on your end, so we are consistently open with surrogates about their exact expectations regarding compensation right from the start.
Our job is to help make this easier on you by handling the purchasing of insurances (if needed), staying on top of any balance statements, and ensuring that surrogates and providers are compensated on time as agreed upon, all pregnancy-related expenses. We do this by offering our unique and streamlined, all-inclusive packages.
FAQs
For many, surrogacy may not be how they had first envisioned growing their family. For some, it may be the only option they have. Wherever you fall in this spectrum, surrogacy is a life-giving option that moves beyond family-building. It’s an experience that represents the opportunity to become part of a partnership that will inevitably change lives forever.
Surrogacy is a process and a partnership built on communication and trust. Naturally, anyone who is considering surrogacy will have lots of questions. We’re here to answer all of those questions to help reduce this often overwhelming process. Here’s a list of some of the questions we often hear from future intended parents.
Fairfax Surrogacy specializes in gestational surrogacy. Gestational surrogates, or gestational carriers, are undoubtedly the most popular option for couples seeking to grow their family through surrogacy. What is unique about gestational surrogacy is that thanks to modern technology, the surrogate can carry a fetus in her own womb and not share any genetics with the baby. This is because the gestational surrogate will either carry the fetus through the use of donor eggs or the intended mother’s eggs.
On the other hand, traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate carrying the fetus and using her own eggs. She is biologically related to the child she gives birth to as a result. While the intention of traditional surrogacy is to place the child with the intended parent(s) after birth, some surrogates may feel a biological connection that is so strong, it causes legal and medical concerns once the baby is born. With that in mind, if you are still interested in traditional surrogacy, we advise that you please proceed with tremendous caution.
To put it simply, surrogacy can be expensive. For instance, in the United States, the surrogacy process may cost between $100,000 and $150,000. However, there are many ways to make surrogacy more affordable. Several financing options are available that you and your partner can compare to determine what will work best for you and your financial situation. What sets us apart from other surrogacy agencies is that we actively try to help reduce any fear and uncertainty surrounding potential costs by offering an all-inclusive flat fee.
Learn more about how to make surrogacy affordable here.
We know this is an exciting time that sometimes warrants meticulous scheduling and planning, but, unfortunately, it’s difficult to pinpoint how long the surrogacy process will be for you. It’s different for every family. There are many factors that must be considered, so there is no fixed timeline for when you can expect each stage of the process to be completed. Usually, however, it’s a good idea to set a date range of 15-18 months from when you first sign up with us to when you have a child.
This period could be shorter or longer, though, depending on your specific situation, and some steps of the process may be completed faster than others. Regardless, we are here for you throughout your entire journey. We strive to make this experience as clear and transparent as possible. Here are the big milestone steps we will help guide you through.
Typically, these are the most important requirements that are needed to become a gestational surrogate:
- Be between 21 and 42 years of age
- Have a body mass index (BMI) that is less than or equal to 30
- Live in a state that allows surrogacy
- Be a legal resident of the United States
- Have given birth at least once
- Must have been full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy, and birth
- Five or fewer deliveries
- Two or fewer Caesarian sections
- Not actively receiving government assistance.
- Be able to provide full medical history, including on past pregnancies
- Have support from family
- Be able to travel for screenings and related health procedures
