If you are just starting on your surrogacy journey, one of the most important questions you may ask is, “How long does the surrogacy process take?” Every surrogacy is different, and there is no exact time period. However, you need to have a good idea about what lies ahead.
Over the last 20 years, our surrogacy agency has seen a surrogacy process timeline emerge that we would like to share with you. Generally, the entire process can take between 12 and 24 months for a surrogate, starting from the first inquiry.
The surrogacy journey is a very exciting time for both surrogates and intended parents. And if you are mentally and emotionally prepared, the time will seem to go a lot quicker. Let’s take a look at the process and find out how long the surrogacy process actually takes.
The Surrogacy Process—Step-by-Step
1. Research
Time: Unknown
Preparation is key, so start by doing some research and making sure you meet the qualification criteria. To apply with Family Creations, these are the initial qualifying points:
- Between 21 and 39 years old.
- You have already given birth to a baby.
- Be a non-smoker
- In a stable, non-abusive home.
- Be financially stable.
2. The surrogacy application and registration process
Time: About 2 weeks
Registration and online profile
If you meet the above criteria, the next step in the surrogacy process timeline is to fill out an online application. This registration application process does not take very long, but it does affect the answer to, “How long does the surrogacy process actually take?”
Initial screening and consultation
The application lets us know you are interested in surrogacy, and once we receive it, we can do our initial screening. We would do a consultation with you, which could be via a video interview or meeting you in person. Here we will guide you through every step of the process.
3. Detailed screening
Time: 2 weeks to 2 months
Medical and psychological screening
Detailed screening is a very important part of the process. We need to collect full medical records of any previous pregnancy, which will be shared with the physician to establish if you are a suitable candidate. We would also need your health insurance details to review the type of coverage you have in place.
How long the surrogacy process takes also depends on your psychological evaluation. Your mental and emotional readiness does factor in here.
Background checks
Next would be your background checks. We have to establish that you have no criminal history, and if you have a partner, we would do the same for them, too. The surrogacy process timeline is deeply rooted in establishing trust, so it is important that we know we can trust you implicitly.
Home assessment
Your home needs to be a haven throughout your pregnancy. We would have to establish that you are not in an abusive situation or under duress and that your home provides a happy, healthy environment for your surrogacy journey.
4. Matching and meeting
Time: Possibly 2-3 weeks
How long does the surrogacy process take during the matching process? While there is a demand for suitable surrogates, there is no definite time period here. If you have met all the criteria, and your profile meets the intended parents’ needs and requirements, then the matching period can be fairly short. Matching includes factors like the after-birth expectations, perhaps even shared beliefs, and general expectations from both sides.
A meeting will be set between all parties to ensure that there is a compatible connection. And if all goes well, and everyone is happy with the match, we move on to the next step in the surrogacy process timeline.
5. Legal contracts
Time: 2-6 weeks
The legal aspect also affects how long the surrogacy process takes. It is necessary to complete a legal agreement for all parties to sign. We will refer you to an attorney specializing in reproductive law. Having everything in writing can protect everyone’s interests, set the groundwork for the parental rights and responsibilities, and establish birthing rights.
6. Alignment
Time: 1-2 months
Things get busy now. You will meet with a fertility doctor and start with medications to prepare your uterus for the transfer and align your body and that of the egg donor or intended parent. This may mean daily or weekly visits for monitoring. As soon as both parties are synced, everything can proceed. It’s now easier to establish how long the surrogacy process takes.
7. Embryo transfer
Time: 2 weeks
The actual embryo transfer takes about 10 minutes, but it takes about 2 weeks to confirm that it was successful with a blood test.
8. Pregnancy
Time: 9 months
You’re pregnant! Add 9 months to the surrogacy process timeline. If the embryo transfer was successful, then you will start with regular checkups and sonar scans to monitor the baby’s growth and development. After about ten weeks, you can start seeing your own OB-GYN or an OB-GYN that has been mutually agreed upon.
How long the surrogacy process takes can also be affected by your health. Stay healthy by eating good meals and doing light exercise. And take the right vitamins to help the baby grow strong.
9. Birth
Time: Varies (hours)
You will probably give birth at a hospital near where you stay. This would have been agreed on during the contract stage. You’d also have established whether you will be providing pumped milk, too.
10. Postpartum
Time: varies (weeks or months)
Depending on a variety of factors and state laws, there may be a process for birthing rights. However, this would be covered in the legal contracts stage. After the surrogacy, you will receive postpartum care and support. And you would need to wait between 6 and 12 months if you want to do another surrogacy.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does the surrogacy process take? As you can see, there are numerous factors that can affect the surrogacy process timeline, but at Family Creations, we will guide you through every step of the process to make your surrogacy journey a memorable and rewarding experience. You are truly a generous and compassionate woman to give the gift of parenthood to intended parents!
