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Surrogacy and Egg Donation Q and A


Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A
  • Q & A: Just Starting Out - Surrogacy

    For those just starting down the surrogacy path. Topics may include finding the right match, pros and cons of independent vs. agency, where to start, etc.

    48. I have decided to become a gestational surrogate and am trying to decide between going independent and going with an agency. Can you give the pro's and con's of each and what might be some questions I would want to ask the agency's I'm looking into. - Lynn in Ohio - Top

    Dear Lynn,

    Thank you for your question and welcome to the surrogacy world!

    There are a few questions you may need to ask such as "What kind of support group do they offer?" "Is it group meetings and or is there personal support, one on one?"

    Make sure you're compensated for all of your needs for the surrogate pregnancy. The good thing about going with an agency is that they can protect you and they are the so called "middle man" when it comes down to the payment receiving and reimbursements for surrogacy related bills, etc.

    Going independent: one hard thing which I have noticed is that MANY women have a problem talking about money issues. You need to be up front with your expenses and compensation. Many do agree on a trust account or a lawyer to handle them so it relieves a lot of pressure of the discussion of money matters.

    Going with an agency they take care of all the medical procedures and testing, etc., Drs., money matters, support (if any) etc. I hope this helps, and good luck! If you have any other questions, please free to ask!

    Sherry - Updated: January 14, 2000

    • Unless stated otherwise, all responses in the SMO Q&A are courtesy of one or more of the following hosts:
    • Sherry - Experienced gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement
    • Linda - New Mommy to twins born via gestational surrogacy and egg donation
    • Jennifer S. - Experienced AI surrogate
    • Lynn - New Mommy to a daughter born via traditional surrogacy
    • Tracie - 5 time egg donor (triplets, 2 sets of twins and 2 singletons) and 3 time surrogate (2-AI, 1-IVF).
    • Lisa - Experienced egg donor and previous gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement (Lisa was our former ED host, prior to July 1999.)
    Disclaimer: Responses from SMO Q&A Hosts do not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of SMO. Neither the Q&A hosts nor SMO guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the responses given here. As such, neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts are responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in these responses.

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