| Fertility Alternatives, Inc. Information for Potential Gestational Surrogates |
Thank you for interest in helping infertile couples by
becoming a surrogate mother.
You are a true angel on earth to consider such a gift.
I am Dawn T. Hunt, two-time surrogate, six-time Egg Donor,
and founder/owner of Fertility Alternatives, Inc.
Fertility Alternatives, Inc. is a small, personal agency
developed not only for infertile couples and individuals, but
for women like yourselves who want to help.
You will find my agency more personal and supportive, in
order to meet your needs throughout the process AND
pregnancy. You will feel more protected and knowledgeable
about Surrogacy.
My agency is not extravagant, but a more efficient alternative
to many of the other agencies you will come across in your
search for information about Surrogacy.
I believe that Surrogates who are committed, reliable, and
caring enough, deserve a competitive yet reasonable
compensation for their inconvenience.
My online database gives the Surrogates in my program more
exposure, speeding up the matching process.
I believe that the information below will help you make an
informed decision about becoming a Surrogate.
If you have any questions not covered here, please feel free
to contact me.
The following information will guide you through the steps of
Gestational Surrogacy (no biological relation to you/host
uterus), Traditional Surrogacy (Your eggs and Intended
Father's/donor sperm), so that you will be better informed.
Please be advised that we only work with Gestational
Surrogates living in Southern California, only.
Once you decide that Surrogacy is right for you, please feel
free to email me.
SURROGACY
Ideal Surrogate Candidates are between the ages of 21-37.
They are compassionate MOTHERS who are healthy
physically, and emotionally.
You must live in Southern California only.
***Women who are not mothers, smokers, drug users,
extremely obese, in the middle of a problem divorce, in an
unstable household or family situations, under financial
duress, or have a criminal record are not good candidates for
either surrogacy or egg donation due to physical and
emotional health reasons, and will not be accepted into the
program.***
Do not get any tattoos or body piercings. A minimum of a 6
month waiting period is required before you can start the
Surrogacy process, if you have had a recent body tattoo or
body piercing.
SCREENING PROCESS
Each Surrogate and Egg Donor with go through a preliminary
screening process by phone, to make sure she is an ideal
candidate.
After you pass this first stage you will be given a
questionnaire, to fill out and return. This will be the profile
that prospective couples will see, and will also be used for my
review to weed out any other issues, that may not have been
discussed in the original phone conversation.
Reliability is a very important issue in the Egg Donation and
Surrogacy process. An excellent way to show you are reliable
and serious about being a "Fertility Assistant", is by filling-out
and returning the application/profile in a timely manner.
The processes cannot start until I have your written
application on file.
Please be advised that potential Surrogates must be in a
stable living environment and not be under any financial
duress. Women who are separated can qualify, if the
separation/divorce is civil and there are no custody battles.
Once you are chosen by a prospective couple, you will be
notified immediately. Surrogates are then introduced via
conference call, and in person if the Intended Parents are
easily able to travel.
After all parties have agreed to work with one another, you
will be required to submit to a medical and psychological
evaluation.
As well a criminal record check on the Surrogate and her
husband will be administered by a professional investigator.
(This is optional to couples.)
If you know you or your husband has a criminal record, no
matter how minor (minor traffic violations not included), we
ask that you do not apply, simply because most couples
choose to work with a surrogate couple who has no criminal
record, and I would be unable to match you.
MEDICAL SCREENING
The Surrogate and her husband or sexual partner will be
required to undergo blood testing for infectious diseases. The
Surrogate will also have a pelvic exam, vaginal cultures, and a
Hysteroscopy (a small scope inserted into the vagina, cervix,
and uterus, to view the condition of the uterus.
Your husband/sexual parter must be willing to undergo the
necessary blood tests, in order to qualify for this program.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING
The Surrogate and her husband will also have to undergo a
psychological evaluation, to rule out any psychological issues
that can cause addition stresses to the pregnancy. This
includes a test called the MMPI, which the surrogate will
complete. This tests takes about 2 hours.
The interview will follow, and will take about 45 min. The
interview will discuss, emotions in pregnancy, bonding,
family support systems, etc.
The ideal Surrogate:
1.Has A very supportive husband and family.
2.Will follow through with the entire process, regardless of
the stresses involved.
3. Has a very genuine understanding that the child or children
she carries is not genetically related to her, and as a result has
no true bond to the child other than a care and respect for the
human being growing inside her.
4. Is motivated by the help she can provide someone else is
helping them expand their family.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL
You will see a reproductive endocrinologist regularly to
prepare your body for the Surrogate pregnancy/"Embryo
Transfer". These appointments include vaginal ultrasounds
(to view the uterine lining), blood draws, and instructions on
medication administration.
It will be necessary to administer daily hormone injections for
about 1 month prior to the Embryo Transfer, and up to 3
months after if a pregnancy results.
It is absolutely necessary to follow the doctor's orders exactly.
Each doctor follows his/her own medical protocol.
EMBRYO TRANSFER
Gestational Surrogates (GS) go through a procedure called an
"embryo transfer".
This procedure allows the doctor to take the intended
mother's/donor eggs to be fertilized by the intended
father's/donor sperm in a petri dish. This is called In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF).
After the fertilized eggs become embryos, a certain number
of embryos will be inserted into the uterus of the surrogate.
This procedure causes little or no pain, but does require up to
a few days of bedrest to allow the embryos to implant into
the uterine lining. A Surrogate should take it easy for the next
couple of weeks.
The hope is that at least one will stick and grow into a baby.*
Women who have had a Tubal ligation can still be a
Gestational Surrogate.
BIRTH CONTROL
Women on birth control which contain hormones will have to
follow certain procedures.
1. Birth Control pill: You can start the process immediately.
2. Depo Provera: You will have to commit to no more shots,
and time will be needed in order to clear your system of the
hormones. (6+ months)
3. Norplant: You will be required to have it removed on your
own, and time will be needed to clear your system of the
hormones. (6+ months)
4: IUD: The IUD will need to be removed, in which case the
Intended Parents can usually have their Reproductive
Endocrinologist remove it. Usually no additional time is
needed.
SURROGATE MOTHER COMPENSATION
$20,000+. (based on whether surrogate is experienced, and
ethnic background.)
Fee For Carrying Multiples:
$5,000 for twins. $7,000 for triplets.
Invasive Procedures:
$500 Per Procedure.(i.e. Embryo transfer*, selective
reduction, termination, amniocentesis, CVS, etc.)
*The $500 fee for embryo transfer is meant to cover the cost
of childcare or net lost wages for your days of bedrest.
$1,500 for a c-section for additional recovery time.
$2,500+ for loss of any part of the Surrogate's reproductive
system due to the Surrogate pregnancy.
Non-Accountable, Monthly Expense Allowance:
$200 each month, for any expenses related to the surrogate
pregnancy. (i.e. Over-the-counter medications, creams, local
phone calls, local travel, etc.)
This is to start the month following signing your Surrogate
contract.
(Many agencies will not give you an expense allowance until
you are already pregnant.)
Maternity Clothing Allowance:
$800.
Psychological Support: (not required but recommended)
$100 for each visit to a psychologist or Surrogate support
group meetings.(up to 3 months after birth of the child(ren)
Term Life Insurance Policy:
This policy is in the amount of $300,000+ payable to your
family.
Any other amounts reasonably necessary for you to carry out
your surrogacy arrangement based on your own individual
circumstances.
HEALTH INSURANCE
A Surrogate who already carries health insurance that does
not exclude surrogacy is ideal. However most insurance
companies will not cover a surrogate pregnancy.
As a result, there are only a couple of health insurance
options for Surrogates. After concluding that you do not have
health insurance that covers surrogacy, we will discuss the
other insurance options with you and the Intended Parents.
PREGNANCY
While you are pregnant, you can expect the Intended Parents
to attend some or many of the prenatal appointments,
depending on their location.
You must consider the type of relationship you want with
your Intended Parents. (IPs) Some Surrogates are very
independent and are more private, in which case they prefer
less contact with their IPs. Other Surrogates like to be very
close with their IPs, seeing them frequently.
You will need to consider how you feel about abortion,
selective reduction, or amniocentesis, in the case the Intended
Parents choose either of those options. You will want to be
matched with IPs who have the same opinion about those
issues.
You will also need to keep in mind, that you will need to
agree on any decision they make about the pregnancy. This is
another reason why you will want to be matched with IPs
who are on the same page about the pregnancy as you are.
You are absolutely allowed to make any decision about your
health care as it relates to any risk to your health or life, or in
any event where IPs are unavailable or unable to be
contacted on behalf of the fetus.
INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL
All surrogates and egg donors will be given the right to have
her own attorney. Fertility Alternatives will help provide an
attorney for you.
This attorney will review the contract with you, and offer any
suggested changes on your behalf. He/She will also help you
with necessary paperwork needed to file on behalf of the
Intended Parent's rights to the baby/babies. This will happen
around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
OTHER AGENCIES AND INDEPENDENT
ARRANGEMENTS
Fertility Alternatives, Inc. does not require that you work
with us exclusively. However I do ask that you inform me
right away, if you have been matched elsewhere, so that I
can remove you from the database and discard your file
before a couple expresses interest in you.
Be advised that, in order to give my full attention to you, as a
surrogate in my program, I only match 3-4 Surrogates per
year. Unlike other agencies or programs, I choose to be, fully
involved throughout the process and pregnancy to assist you
and your Intended Parents.
That means you can call me anytime, for help, or just to chat.
However, I believe birth is a private and emotional matter,
which I leave to you, the Surrogate, and your Intended
Parents to enjoy together.
Fertility Alternatives is here to provide an excellent service
for YOU as well as the Intended Parents.
If you think you qualify, please call or email me for a full
application.
DISCLAIMER
Age limits are based upon the number of requests and denials
by Reproductive Endocrinologists and Intended Parents in
search of their ideal "Fertility Assistant". Because Jewish
Surrogates are scarce, Intended Parents are willing to widen
the age gap of these potential "Fertility Assistants" due to the
need for that specific race.
becoming a surrogate mother.
You are a true angel on earth to consider such a gift.
I am Dawn T. Hunt, two-time surrogate, six-time Egg Donor,
and founder/owner of Fertility Alternatives, Inc.
Fertility Alternatives, Inc. is a small, personal agency
developed not only for infertile couples and individuals, but
for women like yourselves who want to help.
You will find my agency more personal and supportive, in
order to meet your needs throughout the process AND
pregnancy. You will feel more protected and knowledgeable
about Surrogacy.
My agency is not extravagant, but a more efficient alternative
to many of the other agencies you will come across in your
search for information about Surrogacy.
I believe that Surrogates who are committed, reliable, and
caring enough, deserve a competitive yet reasonable
compensation for their inconvenience.
My online database gives the Surrogates in my program more
exposure, speeding up the matching process.
I believe that the information below will help you make an
informed decision about becoming a Surrogate.
If you have any questions not covered here, please feel free
to contact me.
The following information will guide you through the steps of
Gestational Surrogacy (no biological relation to you/host
uterus), Traditional Surrogacy (Your eggs and Intended
Father's/donor sperm), so that you will be better informed.
Please be advised that we only work with Gestational
Surrogates living in Southern California, only.
Once you decide that Surrogacy is right for you, please feel
free to email me.
SURROGACY
Ideal Surrogate Candidates are between the ages of 21-37.
They are compassionate MOTHERS who are healthy
physically, and emotionally.
You must live in Southern California only.
***Women who are not mothers, smokers, drug users,
extremely obese, in the middle of a problem divorce, in an
unstable household or family situations, under financial
duress, or have a criminal record are not good candidates for
either surrogacy or egg donation due to physical and
emotional health reasons, and will not be accepted into the
program.***
Do not get any tattoos or body piercings. A minimum of a 6
month waiting period is required before you can start the
Surrogacy process, if you have had a recent body tattoo or
body piercing.
SCREENING PROCESS
Each Surrogate and Egg Donor with go through a preliminary
screening process by phone, to make sure she is an ideal
candidate.
After you pass this first stage you will be given a
questionnaire, to fill out and return. This will be the profile
that prospective couples will see, and will also be used for my
review to weed out any other issues, that may not have been
discussed in the original phone conversation.
Reliability is a very important issue in the Egg Donation and
Surrogacy process. An excellent way to show you are reliable
and serious about being a "Fertility Assistant", is by filling-out
and returning the application/profile in a timely manner.
The processes cannot start until I have your written
application on file.
Please be advised that potential Surrogates must be in a
stable living environment and not be under any financial
duress. Women who are separated can qualify, if the
separation/divorce is civil and there are no custody battles.
Once you are chosen by a prospective couple, you will be
notified immediately. Surrogates are then introduced via
conference call, and in person if the Intended Parents are
easily able to travel.
After all parties have agreed to work with one another, you
will be required to submit to a medical and psychological
evaluation.
As well a criminal record check on the Surrogate and her
husband will be administered by a professional investigator.
(This is optional to couples.)
If you know you or your husband has a criminal record, no
matter how minor (minor traffic violations not included), we
ask that you do not apply, simply because most couples
choose to work with a surrogate couple who has no criminal
record, and I would be unable to match you.
MEDICAL SCREENING
The Surrogate and her husband or sexual partner will be
required to undergo blood testing for infectious diseases. The
Surrogate will also have a pelvic exam, vaginal cultures, and a
Hysteroscopy (a small scope inserted into the vagina, cervix,
and uterus, to view the condition of the uterus.
Your husband/sexual parter must be willing to undergo the
necessary blood tests, in order to qualify for this program.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING
The Surrogate and her husband will also have to undergo a
psychological evaluation, to rule out any psychological issues
that can cause addition stresses to the pregnancy. This
includes a test called the MMPI, which the surrogate will
complete. This tests takes about 2 hours.
The interview will follow, and will take about 45 min. The
interview will discuss, emotions in pregnancy, bonding,
family support systems, etc.
The ideal Surrogate:
1.Has A very supportive husband and family.
2.Will follow through with the entire process, regardless of
the stresses involved.
3. Has a very genuine understanding that the child or children
she carries is not genetically related to her, and as a result has
no true bond to the child other than a care and respect for the
human being growing inside her.
4. Is motivated by the help she can provide someone else is
helping them expand their family.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL
You will see a reproductive endocrinologist regularly to
prepare your body for the Surrogate pregnancy/"Embryo
Transfer". These appointments include vaginal ultrasounds
(to view the uterine lining), blood draws, and instructions on
medication administration.
It will be necessary to administer daily hormone injections for
about 1 month prior to the Embryo Transfer, and up to 3
months after if a pregnancy results.
It is absolutely necessary to follow the doctor's orders exactly.
Each doctor follows his/her own medical protocol.
EMBRYO TRANSFER
Gestational Surrogates (GS) go through a procedure called an
"embryo transfer".
This procedure allows the doctor to take the intended
mother's/donor eggs to be fertilized by the intended
father's/donor sperm in a petri dish. This is called In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF).
After the fertilized eggs become embryos, a certain number
of embryos will be inserted into the uterus of the surrogate.
This procedure causes little or no pain, but does require up to
a few days of bedrest to allow the embryos to implant into
the uterine lining. A Surrogate should take it easy for the next
couple of weeks.
The hope is that at least one will stick and grow into a baby.*
Women who have had a Tubal ligation can still be a
Gestational Surrogate.
BIRTH CONTROL
Women on birth control which contain hormones will have to
follow certain procedures.
1. Birth Control pill: You can start the process immediately.
2. Depo Provera: You will have to commit to no more shots,
and time will be needed in order to clear your system of the
hormones. (6+ months)
3. Norplant: You will be required to have it removed on your
own, and time will be needed to clear your system of the
hormones. (6+ months)
4: IUD: The IUD will need to be removed, in which case the
Intended Parents can usually have their Reproductive
Endocrinologist remove it. Usually no additional time is
needed.
SURROGATE MOTHER COMPENSATION
$20,000+. (based on whether surrogate is experienced, and
ethnic background.)
Fee For Carrying Multiples:
$5,000 for twins. $7,000 for triplets.
Invasive Procedures:
$500 Per Procedure.(i.e. Embryo transfer*, selective
reduction, termination, amniocentesis, CVS, etc.)
*The $500 fee for embryo transfer is meant to cover the cost
of childcare or net lost wages for your days of bedrest.
$1,500 for a c-section for additional recovery time.
$2,500+ for loss of any part of the Surrogate's reproductive
system due to the Surrogate pregnancy.
Non-Accountable, Monthly Expense Allowance:
$200 each month, for any expenses related to the surrogate
pregnancy. (i.e. Over-the-counter medications, creams, local
phone calls, local travel, etc.)
This is to start the month following signing your Surrogate
contract.
(Many agencies will not give you an expense allowance until
you are already pregnant.)
Maternity Clothing Allowance:
$800.
Psychological Support: (not required but recommended)
$100 for each visit to a psychologist or Surrogate support
group meetings.(up to 3 months after birth of the child(ren)
Term Life Insurance Policy:
This policy is in the amount of $300,000+ payable to your
family.
Any other amounts reasonably necessary for you to carry out
your surrogacy arrangement based on your own individual
circumstances.
HEALTH INSURANCE
A Surrogate who already carries health insurance that does
not exclude surrogacy is ideal. However most insurance
companies will not cover a surrogate pregnancy.
As a result, there are only a couple of health insurance
options for Surrogates. After concluding that you do not have
health insurance that covers surrogacy, we will discuss the
other insurance options with you and the Intended Parents.
PREGNANCY
While you are pregnant, you can expect the Intended Parents
to attend some or many of the prenatal appointments,
depending on their location.
You must consider the type of relationship you want with
your Intended Parents. (IPs) Some Surrogates are very
independent and are more private, in which case they prefer
less contact with their IPs. Other Surrogates like to be very
close with their IPs, seeing them frequently.
You will need to consider how you feel about abortion,
selective reduction, or amniocentesis, in the case the Intended
Parents choose either of those options. You will want to be
matched with IPs who have the same opinion about those
issues.
You will also need to keep in mind, that you will need to
agree on any decision they make about the pregnancy. This is
another reason why you will want to be matched with IPs
who are on the same page about the pregnancy as you are.
You are absolutely allowed to make any decision about your
health care as it relates to any risk to your health or life, or in
any event where IPs are unavailable or unable to be
contacted on behalf of the fetus.
INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL
All surrogates and egg donors will be given the right to have
her own attorney. Fertility Alternatives will help provide an
attorney for you.
This attorney will review the contract with you, and offer any
suggested changes on your behalf. He/She will also help you
with necessary paperwork needed to file on behalf of the
Intended Parent's rights to the baby/babies. This will happen
around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
OTHER AGENCIES AND INDEPENDENT
ARRANGEMENTS
Fertility Alternatives, Inc. does not require that you work
with us exclusively. However I do ask that you inform me
right away, if you have been matched elsewhere, so that I
can remove you from the database and discard your file
before a couple expresses interest in you.
Be advised that, in order to give my full attention to you, as a
surrogate in my program, I only match 3-4 Surrogates per
year. Unlike other agencies or programs, I choose to be, fully
involved throughout the process and pregnancy to assist you
and your Intended Parents.
That means you can call me anytime, for help, or just to chat.
However, I believe birth is a private and emotional matter,
which I leave to you, the Surrogate, and your Intended
Parents to enjoy together.
Fertility Alternatives is here to provide an excellent service
for YOU as well as the Intended Parents.
If you think you qualify, please call or email me for a full
application.
DISCLAIMER
Age limits are based upon the number of requests and denials
by Reproductive Endocrinologists and Intended Parents in
search of their ideal "Fertility Assistant". Because Jewish
Surrogates are scarce, Intended Parents are willing to widen
the age gap of these potential "Fertility Assistants" due to the
need for that specific race.
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| We currently have a waiting list of Intended Parents in need of a gestational surrogate in southern CA. (Especially those with health insurance that does not exclude surrogacy ) We greatly appreciate your consideration and help. |