Embarking on a surrogacy journey is both exciting and rewarding, and we’re here to make every step of the way as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Let’s walk through the surrogacy process together!
Finding a Gestational Surrogate
The first step in your surrogacy process is finding a gestational surrogate. Whether through a clinic, an agency, or a known surrogate like a friend or family member, the choice is yours. If you decide to work with My Donor Connection, one of our friendly team members will reach out to learn more about your needs and expectations and answer all your questions.
When ready, we’ll help you create a profile to share with potential surrogates. Once you find a promising match, we’ll send her medical records to your IVF clinic for approval and set up a Zoom meeting so you can get to know each other.
We put a lot of effort into finding the right match the first time, considering factors like health, age, experience, and openness to ongoing communication. We aim to connect you with a surrogate who aligns with your dreams and values.
Medical Screening
As your surrogacy journey continues, the next step is medical screening. Once matched, your surrogate will undergo thorough medical and psychological testing to ensure she’s in good health. This includes:
- Physical and Pap smear
- Infectious disease testing
- Hysteroscopy (a procedure to examine the uterus and cervix)
- Psychological evaluation and personality inventory
- *Occasionally, a mock cycle may be recommended to see how the surrogate responds to the medications.
Legal Arrangements
Legal arrangements are a crucial part of the surrogacy process. Your attorney will draft a detailed agreement covering all aspects of the surrogacy arrangement. The surrogate will have her attorney assist with negotiations. Once the agreement is signed, you’ll fund an escrow account for all related expenses.
As the pregnancy progresses, we’ll revisit the legal parentage process with your attorney, ensuring all legal rights are clearly established. Surrogacy laws vary by state, so consulting with your attorney about specific requirements is essential.
Preparing for Embryo Transfer
With medical and legal clearances in place, the next step in your surrogacy process is preparing for the embryo transfer. The clinic will design a medication calendar for your surrogate to follow before the transfer day. We encourage intended parents to join the surrogate at the clinic for this special moment!
Following the transfer, the surrogate will take a pregnancy test about ten days later. If positive, further tests will confirm rising hormone levels and an ultrasound will be performed roughly a month after the transfer to confirm the pregnancy’s viability. We can start preparing for another embryo transfer if the initial test is negative.
Pregnancy and Delivery
During the first trimester, the fertility clinic will monitor the pregnancy. Afterward, your surrogate’s prenatal care will transfer to her personal obstetrician. Throughout the pregnancy, you can communicate with your surrogate as much as you wish. Join her for medical appointments or stay in touch via text, phone, or Zoom.
As the second trimester progresses, we’ll work on establishing parentage and making arrangements for you to be at the hospital for your baby’s arrival. Our team will be there every step of the way, ensuring your surrogacy process is smooth and joyful.
Embarking on the surrogacy journey with My Donor Connection means having a supportive team by your side from start to finish. With care, dedication, and a little fun, we’ll make your surrogacy journey a wonderful experience!
Want to learn more about Surrogacy? Check out our Blog for helpful information about your surrogacy journey!
Ready to get started? Register today to gain access to our Surrogate Database, where you can expect to begin seeing profiles in as little as 2-3 weeks.
Surrogacy Process: What to expect!
Embarking on a surrogacy journey is both exciting and rewarding, and we’re here to make every step of the way as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Let’s walk through the surrogacy process together!
Finding a Gestational Surrogate
The first step in your surrogacy process is finding a gestational surrogate. Whether through a clinic, an agency, or a known surrogate like a friend or family member, the choice is yours. If you decide to work with My Donor Connection, one of our friendly team members will reach out to learn more about your needs and expectations and answer all your questions.
When ready, we’ll help you create a profile to share with potential surrogates. Once you find a promising match, we’ll send her medical records to your IVF clinic for approval and set up a Zoom meeting so you can get to know each other.
We put a lot of effort into finding the right match the first time, considering factors like health, age, experience, and openness to ongoing communication. We aim to connect you with a surrogate who aligns with your dreams and values.
Medical Screening
As your surrogacy journey continues, the next step is medical screening. Once matched, your surrogate will undergo thorough medical and psychological testing to ensure she’s in good health. This includes:
Legal Arrangements
Legal arrangements are a crucial part of the surrogacy process. Your attorney will draft a detailed agreement covering all aspects of the surrogacy arrangement. The surrogate will have her attorney assist with negotiations. Once the agreement is signed, you’ll fund an escrow account for all related expenses.
As the pregnancy progresses, we’ll revisit the legal parentage process with your attorney, ensuring all legal rights are clearly established. Surrogacy laws vary by state, so consulting with your attorney about specific requirements is essential.
Preparing for Embryo Transfer
With medical and legal clearances in place, the next step in your surrogacy process is preparing for the embryo transfer. The clinic will design a medication calendar for your surrogate to follow before the transfer day. We encourage intended parents to join the surrogate at the clinic for this special moment!
Following the transfer, the surrogate will take a pregnancy test about ten days later. If positive, further tests will confirm rising hormone levels and an ultrasound will be performed roughly a month after the transfer to confirm the pregnancy’s viability. We can start preparing for another embryo transfer if the initial test is negative.
Pregnancy and Delivery
During the first trimester, the fertility clinic will monitor the pregnancy. Afterward, your surrogate’s prenatal care will transfer to her personal obstetrician. Throughout the pregnancy, you can communicate with your surrogate as much as you wish. Join her for medical appointments or stay in touch via text, phone, or Zoom.
As the second trimester progresses, we’ll work on establishing parentage and making arrangements for you to be at the hospital for your baby’s arrival. Our team will be there every step of the way, ensuring your surrogacy process is smooth and joyful.
Embarking on the surrogacy journey with My Donor Connection means having a supportive team by your side from start to finish. With care, dedication, and a little fun, we’ll make your surrogacy journey a wonderful experience!
Want to learn more about Surrogacy? Check out our Blog for helpful information about your surrogacy journey!
Ready to get started? Register today to gain access to our Surrogate Database, where you can expect to begin seeing profiles in as little as 2-3 weeks.
Finding Your Egg Donor
Hello, intended parents! We understand that the process of finding an egg donor can be overwhelming and emotional, but we are here to guide you through every step of the way.
Donor Search
The first step is meeting with a member of our team to get to know you better and learn about your specific needs. We’ll also take the time to explain our agency and the egg donation process and answer any questions you may have. We’ll also discuss your preferences for a donor match, such as age, medical history, genetic history, education, and physical characteristics.
Once you’ve identified a potential match, we’ll contact the donor to confirm that she’s available during your cycle. We want you to feel confident in your decision, so we’re happy to forward any inquiries you may have to the donor.
Cycle Coordination
Once you’ve chosen your donor and signed the necessary agreements, our team will send a match sheet to your IVF clinic to let them know about your match. If you don’t have legal representation, we can provide a referral. We’ll communicate directly with your nurse coordinator to schedule any necessary appointments for the donor screening process. If you have an out-of-town donor, your clinic will require her to travel to their facility for a meeting with your physician prior to providing medical clearance.
Medical
During her medical screening, the donor will undergo physical and hormone testing, as well as an ultrasound to determine her Antral Follicle Count. She will also be tested for infectious diseases and undergo genetic testing. A psychological evaluation and personality inventory will also be conducted.
Legal
Results from the donor screening, especially genetic tests, can take a few weeks to come in. If the donor is approved, we will notify your attorney to begin drafting the Ovum Donation Agreement. The donor will have her own representation to review the agreement with her. After both parties have signed the final version, your attorney will provide a legal clearance letter to your clinic.
Medical Protocol
Once medical and legal clearance has been given, your physician will design a medication protocol leading up to the retrieval. Several appointments will be made prior to retrieval to monitor the donor’s response to the medication. These appointments ensure the donor is responding appropriately to the medication. Typically, between days 10 and 14 of stimulation, the donor will undergo the egg retrieval. The retrieval is a surgical procedure utilizing transvaginal ultrasound aspiration, which is done under sedation or general anesthesia.
We hope that this overview of the egg donation process has been helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re here to support you every step of the way, from finding your egg donor through egg retrieval!
Want to learn more about Egg Donation? Check out our Blog for helpful information!
Ready to get started? Register today to gain access to our Donor Database.
Are there health risks associated with being an egg donor?
First, egg donation involves removing eggs from your ovaries through a medical procedure. While it’s considered safe, there are some health risks involved. Therefore, part of your screening involves meeting with a Reproductive Endocrinologist to discuss these risks. We’ll make sure you’re fully informed!
Egg Retrieval
Next, the egg retrieval process includes taking medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. Then, the eggs are aspirated through an ultrasound-guided needle. You’ll be under sedation or general anesthesia, and the procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes.
After the eggs are retrieved, your ovaries should return to normal within a few days. Most donors report feeling back to normal by the start of their next menstrual cycle, which is usually around a week after the retrieval.
Post Retrieval
You may experience mild cramping or bloating after the procedure, but these symptoms usually disappear quickly. However, while rare, there may be more severe complications such as damage to the ovary, infection, bleeding, or an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.
Future Fertility
Now, let’s talk about a common question: will egg donation affect your future fertility? The answer is no, it won’t. The hormones used in IVF have been used for decades and extensively studied, and there is currently no evidence that taking medication for IVF increases the risk of cancer.
Moreover, some studies have suggested a possible link between IVF treatment and a slightly increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Nevertheless, other studies dispel that connection. The evidence is not conclusive. Many factors can affect a woman’s health risk of cancer, such as age, family history, and lifestyle.
We hope this helps answer some of your questions about egg donation. If you have any more, we’ll be happy to chat.
Want to learn more about Egg Donation? Check out our Blog for helpful information!
If you want to become an egg donor, take our quick 2-minute prescreen questionnaire to see if you qualify!
If you are an Intended Parent who is ready to start searching for your donor? Register today to gain access to our Donor Database.