Is It Safe To Be a Gestational Surrogate?

One of the first questions that a prospective gestational surrogate will ask is whether or not surrogacy is safe. To become a surrogate carrier is a considerable commitment, it will require your time, your energy, and of course, at the end of your pregnancy, you’ll still need to deliver a baby. This is an extremely admirable choice, and it is only fair for someone to understand what the process will entail from start to finish. We wanted to provide details on the top questions we receive from those interested in surrogacy from the standpoint of their safety. 

Is surrogacy safe? Top gestational surrogate safety questions.

Why is working with a surrogacy agency considered to be the safe option? 

Gestational surrogacy refers to a formal arrangement where the surrogate is compensated for her role. Obviously, within such an arrangement, there are a great number of complexities at stake – the surrogate’s health, her legal rights, her preferences for the relationship between herself and the intended parents, whether medical complications could take place, whether she will be unable to work due to the pregnancy, etc. Because there is so much to consider as well as so much that cannot be predicted, working with an agency is considered to be the safe, reliable option. Surrogacy agencies have experienced staff, sometimes former surrogates or intended parents, and connections to attorneys who specialize in third-party reproduction law and can draft agreements that protect the interests of all parties. 

What is the benefit of having a Case Manager during a surrogacy arrangement? 

As a first-time surrogate carrier, you’ll be navigating the world of third-party reproduction. It can be highly beneficial to have someone whose job it is to be on your side from the time you are matched with your intended parents. A Case Manager is your representative within a surrogacy contract – they are there to answer questions, ensure your wishes are being followed, and that the agreements made in the matching process are respected. 

How are my legal rights protected during my time as a surrogate carrier?

After you are matched with your intended parents, you will be connected with your attorney if you are working with an agency. Surrogates will work with their own attorney and the intended parents will have someone to represent their wishes as well. Surrogates are not asked to pay any fees during the surrogacy process, including those of their attorney; the responsibility of payment belongs to the intended parents. This is true of surrogacy arrangements within the scope of working with an agency. Private surrogacy agreements do not necessarily contain the same legal standing whereas agencies have policies in place that require equal legal representation. 

Is there an added pregnancy risk as a surrogate? 

Pregnancy is a medical matter. Surrogate requirements are in place within surrogacy programs to help ensure the health and safety of every woman who becomes a gestational carrier as well as the baby or babies she will carry/deliver. However, there is an inherent risk in place during pregnancy and it is not guaranteed that a complication won’t arise or that you would not be deemed high risk because of a medical reason that develops. Gestational surrogates within agency programs are connected to their area’s leading medical facilities, including obstetricians and hospitals to help ensure that the best possible care is provided. Additionally, during the matching process, there will be discussions about what course of action is taken in the event of specific medical complications. 
If you have additional questions or concerns about becoming a gestational surrogate, we encourage you to connect with our staff directly. We have worked with women and growing families across the country to fulfill successful surrogacy arrangements year after year.