Frequently Asked Questions
At Family Creations, not a day goes by without us receiving an email or phone call with questions about the terms and language used by those searching for an egg donor or gestational surrogate. This section offers information about the meaning of “intended parent(s),” “surrogate family,” and our process and policies for working with us to create a family. If the answers you need don’t appear on this page, please contact us! We’re happy to discuss our family planning programs and services.
Q. Why Should I Work With Family Creations?
A: For over two decades, Family Creations has built a trusted reputation in the surrogacy and egg donation field, which physicians and fertility clinics nationwide recognize. As egg donation and gestational surrogacy become more commonplace, it becomes crucial for intended parents to choose an agency with a proven track record and a solid reputation.
High Standards for Surrogates
We have honed an in-depth and rigorous application and interview process for gestational surrogates that remains unmatched in the industry. Unique to our approach is the requirement for a virtual or in-person home visit before approving a surrogate. We firmly believe that getting to know a surrogate’s family provides meaning to intended parents about her lifestyle, helping us ensure she meets our high standards for inclusion in our program.
Partnerships With Experienced Professionals
Our longstanding experience has allowed us to establish relationships with the most reputable medical and legal professionals in the surrogacy field. These strong partnerships ensure that intended parents will receive informed and thorough answers to all your surrogacy questions and any concerns you may have throughout the process. With Family Creations, you work only with the best.
Flexible and Client-Friendly Financial Terms
We pride ourselves on our client-friendly financial arrangements: no payments are required until you find a surrogate you’d like to work with. We offer a one-time agency fee structured into manageable payments tied to key milestones in the surrogacy journey. Moreover, our efficient process means there is no waitlist, allowing us to start the matching process between the intended parents and the surrogate almost immediately.
Choosing Family Creations means partnering with an experienced and caring team dedicated to supporting your journey to parenthood every step of the way. Want to learn more about the experiences of others just like you? Check out our glowing client testimonials.
Q. What is the meaning of “intended parent?”
A: The term “intended parent” refers to the individual or couple who plan to become the legal parent(s) of a child born through the assistance of a gestational surrogate. This term includes a wide range of individuals and couples, from LGBTQ+ partners to committed singles of any gender and those in relationships who are not married. Family Creations recognizes and supports all adults as potential intended parents, regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression, or relationship status.
The “intended parent” meaning carries significant implications in a legal context. It defines those who will assume the legal rights and responsibilities for the child born via surrogacy. Understanding and establishing this legal parentage is crucial and involves detailed legal processes to ensure that the intended parents’ rights are fully recognized and protected from the start.
Family Creations meticulously coordinates the legal aspects of the surrogacy journey by working closely with specialized attorneys. This collaboration ensures that all necessary legal paperwork and contracts, including pre-birth orders and post-birth legal processes, are accurately handled. We aim to affirm the intended parents’ rights and responsibilities without legal ambiguities, providing peace of mind throughout the surrogacy process and beyond.
By choosing Family Creations, intended parents can trust that every detail of the legal process will be managed with professionalism and care, securing their parental rights and paving the way for the new family’s successful future.
Q. What is the Process of Finding a Surrogate?
A: The journey to finding and contracting with a gestational surrogate family has deep meaning for the intended parents. At Family Creations, the process starts with browsing through detailed online profiles of available surrogate candidates. These profiles are designed to help you identify a surrogate whose family, background, and lifestyle align well with your preferences and requirements.
Once you find a surrogate candidate you are interested in, we will send her detailed medical records to your IVF doctor for a thorough review to ensure she meets all necessary medical criteria.
If your IVF doctor approves the surrogate, the next step is to secure her availability for you. A retainer of $1,000 is required, which holds the surrogate exclusively for you for one week. During this time, we will draft an agency agreement for your review to ensure that all terms and commitments between the intended parents and surrogate are clear and agreed upon.
We then coordinate a match meeting between you, the surrogate, and her family (such as her husband or same-sex partner) if applicable. This meeting is crucial—it allows everyone involved to get to know each other, discuss expectations, and confirm a good match. This personal interaction is key to building a comfortable and trusting relationship that supports a successful surrogacy journey.
This initial engagement ensures that all parties are comfortable and ready to proceed with the surrogacy arrangement, setting the stage for a supportive and clear path forward. Family Creations facilitates understanding and common meaning between the intended parents and the surrogate family. These steps are organized with the utmost care and professionalism, ensuring a smooth process for everyone involved.
Q. After Finding a Surrogate, How Long Until the Embryo Transfer?
A: Typically, it takes about three months from finding a surrogate until the embryo transfer can occur. However, this timeframe can vary significantly based on several crucial steps that occur during this period:
- Medical Screening: The surrogate completes a comprehensive medical screening with your doctor to ensure she is physically ready for the IVF process.
- Legal Process: A vital step in the process is securing legal clearance. The surrogate is allowed to begin medications related to the IVF cycle once there is legal clearance, which means that both the intended parents and the surrogate must have entered into a legal agreement with each other. This agreement protects the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.
- IVF Preparations: Following legal clearance, the surrogate begins taking IVF medications and attends regular monitoring appointments to prepare her body for the embryo transfer.
- Scheduling Considerations: The timing of the embryo transfer also depends on the availability and scheduling of your fertility clinic and the specific medical protocols they follow.
- Surrogate’s Cycle: Additionally, the surrogate’s birth control status at the time of matching and her menstrual cycle are important factors in determining the timing of the embryo transfer.
At Family Creations, we are committed to guiding both the intended parents and surrogate through each step. We provide comprehensive support throughout the surrogacy process, ensuring each journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible. We are always ready to discuss questions and provide the necessary answers and support.
Q. How Much Contact Will I Have With My Surrogate During the Pregnancy and After?
A: As an intended parent, the level of contact you have with your surrogate during the pregnancy is entirely up to you and what feels comfortable for both parties. Sometimes, this can result in a very open relationship, full of emotional meaning, between the intended parents and the surrogate family, such as involving one another in activities like family dinners and outings to the park. Others prefer a more private arrangement, limiting contact to visits to the doctor and essential updates.
At Family Creations, we understand that the level of contact you desire is an important aspect of your surrogacy journey. We only introduce you to surrogates who desire the same level of contact as you, ensuring compatibility and mutual understanding from the start.
After the pregnancy, your level of contact with your surrogate is entirely your decision. Some intended parents maintain a close relationship, meaning they invite their surrogate family to birthday celebrations and family gatherings. Others prefer more occasional contact, such as sending yearly pictures. Some parents may feel more comfortable with no contact after the child’s birth. Whatever your preference, Family Creations supports you in navigating post-pregnancy relationships with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved.
Contact the Family Creations Team
If you have more concerns about the process or want to discuss these surrogacy FAQs in greater depth, please contact our team. With offices throughout the United States, we’re always close to home!