SMO Surrogacy and Egg Donation Q & A

Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A

We receive many letters from our visitors requesting general information and/or advice about surrogacy and egg donation. The new Q & A Section has been designed to answer your questions, as well as to help others who may come across the same issues and concerns in the future. Three individuals, all of whom have personal experience with surrogacy and/or egg donation have graciously volunteered to "host" this area and field your questions. Many of these questions, as well as our hosts' responses will then be posted here for others to browse through and benefit from! It is our hope that this section will gradually grow to become a mini-reference area for individuals with a personal interest in surrogacy and/or egg donation.

Important Note: Please remember that the responses posted here are given by individuals who have personal experience with surrogacy and egg donation. They are not professionals in the field and the input they offer should not be substituted for necessary professional advice, such as that of a lawyer, physician, or psychologist.

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.

Just Starting Out - Egg Donation

For those just starting down the egg donation path. Topics may include finding the right match, pros and cons of anonymous vs. known donor, independent vs. and agency or broker, where to start, etc.

Typical Requirements & Screening - Surrogacy

Topics may include the screening process, qualities to look for in an SM/IP, typical requirements for becoming an SM, etc.

Typical Requirements & Screening - Egg Donation: Topics may include typical requirements for becoming an egg donor, the screening process, qualities to look for in an egg donor/IP via egg donation, etc.
Medical Issues - Gestational Surrogacy: Topics may include the risks involved in surrogacy, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.
Medical Issues - Traditional Surrogacy ( 8 ): Topics may include the risks involved in surrogacy, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.
Medical Issues - Egg Donation ( 17 ): Topics may include the risks involved in egg donation, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.
Legal/Contract Issues - Surrogacy ( 31 ): Topics may include contracts, legal fees, establishing parental rights, etc.
Legal/Contract Issues - Egg Donation ( 2 ): Topics may include contracts, legal fees, etc.
Insurance Issues ( 9 ): Topics may include finding coverage, finding out if current insurance will cover surrogacy, etc.
Financial Issues - Surrogacy ( 23 ): Topics may include compensation, covered expenses, overall costs, etc.
Financial Issues - Egg Donation ( 4 ): Topics may include compensation, covered expenses, overall costs, etc.
Emotional Issues - Surrogacy ( 7 ): Topics may include SM's feelings about parting with the baby after the birth, IM's feelings regarding not being able to carry the baby, etc
Emotional Issues - Egg Donation ( 5 ): Topics may include the IM's feelings about not being the biological mother of her child, the IM's and ED's feelings regarding anonymity, etc.
Relationship Issues ( 3 ): Topics may include contact, trust, respect, communication, etc.
Telling Others ( 8 ): Topics may include explaining surrogacy or egg donation to children, who to share the news with, dealing with those who disapprove, etc.
Surrogacy In General ( 36 ): Miscellaneous surrogacy related questions that do not fit under any of the other categories
Egg Donation In General ( 3 ): Miscellaneous egg donation related questions that do not fit under any of the other categories

Unless stated otherwise, all responses in the SMO Q&A are courtesy of one or more of the following hosts:

Sara - Experienced traditional surrogate

Cayesha - Experienced gestational surrogate

CJ - Mom via egg donation and gestational surrogacy

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.

Search Q&A's | Submit A Question | SMO Home Page