Am I Ready for Surrogacy as an Intended Parent: Things to Consider

Surrogacy opens the door to parenthood for many people who might not be able to build their family otherwise. But just as surrogates must meet certain medical and emotional qualifications, intended parents also have many things to consider before embarking on the surrogacy journey. These considerations are not meant to discourage anyone but rather, to help ensure that the journey is safe, ethical, and supportive for everyone involved!

Why Intended Parent Guidelines Matter

Surrogacy is a team effort that involves medical professionals, legal experts, agencies, surrogates, and intended parents. Clear guidelines protect both the surrogate and the intended parents, creating a strong foundation for a smooth journey. They also provide reassurance that intended parents are prepared emotionally, legally, and financially for the responsibilities of parenthood.

Common Considerations for Intended Parents in Surrogacy

Medical Factors

Many intended parents pursue surrogacy due to infertility, medical conditions, or risks that prevent a safe pregnancy. It is often recommended that parents consult with their Fertility Specialist or IVF Doctor to make sure that surrogacy is the appropriate path toward parenthood. At the same time, some intended parents pursue surrogacy simply because it is the family-building path that feels right for them.

Emotional Readiness

Surrogacy requires patience, flexibility, and open dialogue with the surrogate and agency. It is important to ensure that you are fully committed and prepared for the journey, with a strong support system in place. For those navigating this path alone, reliable sources of emotional support and stability are always important.

Financial Stability

Surrogacy is a significant investment. Intended parents must have the financial means to cover agency fees, surrogate compensation, medical expenses, and legal costs. 

To manage these expenses, many intended parents explore various financing options. For example:

• Personal Loans: Obtaining a loan from a bank or credit union to cover surrogacy costs.

• Medical Financing: Utilizing specialized loans for fertility treatments.

• Grants and Discounts: Applying for financial assistance programs and exploring discounts offered by agencies.

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It's essential to plan ahead and consult with financial advisors to determine the best approach for your situation. By exploring these options, you can find a path that supports your dream of building a family through surrogacy.

To promote transparency and accountability, many agencies including Babymoon Surrogacy require that surrogacy funds be managed through secure escrow accounts. This protects intended parents by ensuring that the agency cannot access or use the funds at will. All disbursements must follow the terms outlined in both the Agency Agreement and the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA). Receipts for expenses are submitted to escrow, and the funds are only released to the agency or other parties when all requirements are met.

Using escrow accounts safeguards intended parents from situations where funds are misused. By managing payments through escrow, intended parents have peace of mind that every expense is accounted for and compliant with the agreements in place.

Legal Requirements

Some countries or states require intended parents to meet specific legal criteria although this varies widely depending on location. Intended parents must meet the requirements in the state or country where they intend to pursue surrogacy.

 ​In California, one of the locations where Babymoon Surrogacy operates, intended parents must be mentally capable, and financially prepared for the surrogacy process. Additionally, there is no requirement for intended parents to be married or for them to use their own genetic material so they can use either their own genetic material or that of donors’.

All legal contracts must be compliant with the applicable laws including signed and notarized before any medical procedures or embryo transfers.  

California’s surrogacy laws are surrogate-friendly and LGBTQ+ inclusive, allowing intended parents both inside and outside the U.S. to establish legal parenthood. The state honors international arrangements when the embryo transfer or birth occurs in California or when parties live in-state. 

Personal Considerations

If possible it’s valuable to have family or friends who can provide emotional support during the process to help parents stay relaxed and committed throughout the process. Intended parents should be prepared to step into full-time parenting immediately after birth, or have a nanny or caregiver hired and ready.

How Agencies Help Prepare Intended Parents

At Babymoon Surrogacy, we guide intended parents through each step with compassion and clarity. Our team provides:

• Legal guidance: Ensuring all contracts and parentage orders are compliant with local laws.

• Financial transparency: Clear explanations of costs and secure management of funds.

• Emotional support: Counseling, support, and dedicated Journey Coordinators available throughout your journey.

  
  

The Babymoon team is also here to handle the logistics so intended parents can focus on their growing family. This includes facilitating communication with your surrogate, scheduling and managing medical appointments, coordinating travel, and assisting with delivery and post-birth needs.

Building a Strong Foundation for Parenthood

Ensuring that you are confident and prepared to begin your journey as an intended parent requires having the right tools, resources, and support for a positive surrogacy experience. With the right preparation and guidance, intended parents can step into surrogacy with confidence, ready to welcome their child into a loving home.

At Babymoon Surrogacy, we are here to help you understand and navigate the process, and support your family-building dreams every step of the way.

Contact us for more information!

Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult qualified professionals for guidance tailored to your individual situation.