What Should You Know About Marin County Surrogacy?
Los Angeles Surrogacy is an agency in California that is knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of the surrogacy industry here. We have many clients and surrogates that pursue their surrogacy journey in Marin County, California.
Intended Parents
In the surrogacy field, we refer to prospective clients who want to pursue parenthood via surrogacy as “intended parents.” Intended parents are the reason why we do what we do!
Los Angeles Surrogacy never discriminates against things like gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. We believe parenthood is a blessing that all good, capable people should be able to experience if they want to.
Finding a Surrogate
Perhaps the biggest obstacle for intended parents wanting to pursue parenthood through surrogacy is finding a willing and able surrogate. Even if the individual or couple has a potential surrogate in mind, you still have to ensure they are physically able to undergo the required hormone injection procedure and carry the child. It is a physically-demanding job and not everyone is capable of doing it.
Los Angeles Surrogacy is connected to many pre-qualified prospective surrogates. We conduct extensive background checks that verify things like identity, educational and financial history, criminal background (if any), and driving records.
Initial interviews with each potential surrogate ensure that she does not have any reproductive health complications (past or current), and any relevant health history is detailed out. We will discuss lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits. Surrogates who take recreational drugs or prescription antidepressant medication are not qualified to begin their journey unless they have not taken them for a year or more.
From there, each prospective surrogate must receive both physical and emotional wellness checks conducted by respective medical professionals. These tests ensure that each candidate is physically capable of dealing with hormone changes and other bodily changes, and there is nothing that could be potentially standing in the way of a healthy pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery.
When it becomes time to match intended parents with a potential surrogate, we take the preferences of both parties into consideration. Preferences about scheduling, communication, travel, and anything specific that either party wants are the primary factors used to decide who will be a good match and fit well together as partners.
Appearance and personality aspects of prospective surrogates are not preferences that are taken into consideration. This is because the unborn child will not inherit any genetics from the surrogate. Only the intended parents’ egg and sperm – or those of donors, if used – determine the genetics of the child.
Intended parents always have the final say about whether or not they want to partner with a potential surrogate. If they decide not to pair with Los Angeles Surrogacy’s suggested match, then they will be re-matched at no additional cost.
California Law
Legal
California is one of few US states that establishes a pre-birth parentage order, which declares and confirms that the intended parents are the child’s legal parents. It decrees that no circumstances during or after birth can change this, and ensures that the intended parents are listed on the baby’s birth certificate. Intended parents can then make the medical decisions of the newborn immediately after birth.
California law requires each party (intended parents and surrogate) to have their own separate lawyers, so each side has equal representation in their best interests. These lawyers are typically only needed to draft and witness the signing of the contracts.
As an intended parent, it doesn’t matter if you live in California, are from out of state, or reside in a different country – you will be protected by all of the same laws and regulations.
Inclusivity
California provides a very supportive and inclusive social community of people and is regarded as one of the most progressive places in the country – and even the world. This type of support is reflected in the regulations regarding surrogacy.
Medical
For safety reasons, it is important to work with a clinic that not only has the most advanced technology available, but also has the proper experience to guide the surrogate or donors through the process. Some of the most medically-advanced fertility clinics are found in California. These facilities service surrogates and families often, and know the procedures very well.
Fertility clinics offer IVF (in-vitro fertilization), which is the technology used to transfer the egg and sperm to the surrogate where it will grow. They also offer genetic and health screenings to be sure a surrogate or a donor is healthy, capable, and prepared for their journey ahead.
Cost
The final bill for a typical surrogacy journey for intended parents is between $150,000-$250,000.
Factors that determine the exact amount include the surrogate base compensation, which begins at $30,000 and can increase depending on if she has prior experience as a surrogate. Also additional surrogate compensation if the surrogate carries multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) or requires a C-section, and material reimbursements for pregnancy-related necessities like maternity clothes, prenatal vitamins, pumps, and travel expenses.
Income reimbursement could potentially be needed because sometimes, at the very end of her pregnancy, a surrogate may need to cease working if a doctor recommends bed rest to protect her and the unborn child. If this is the case, she may be reimbursed for her lost income.
For more information on the cost of surrogacy for intended parent couples (also applicable for individuals), please read here.
Why Los Angeles Surrogacy?
With over 15 combined years in the surrogacy industry creating life-long friendships out of parent-surrogate partnerships and growing families worldwide, we are proud to be a leader in the surrogacy field. We have grown with the industry and know it inside and out.
We are your guide through every step of your journey. From answering all of your questions, partnering you with the top legal and medical teams available, and remaining at your side until your postnatal care is complete, we are your trusted team of advisors.
For more information or to begin your journey, please visit our website here. We look forward to meeting you!