| 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.
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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| Attention Potential Surrogate Applicants 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. |