Let's talk about surrogacy!

I agree with you, the cost of surrogacy and adoption can vary significantly from country to country. But, surrogacy and adoption both involve many services, professionals and fees, including program and agency fees, legal costs and medical expenses. In addition to these costs, most surrogates are compensated by intended parents for their time, energy and sacrifices they make throughout the pregnancy. While birth mothers can receive reasonable living expenses for costs like rent and groceries, it is illegal for them to financially benefit from adoption with additional compensation. The additional fees for surrogate compensation and the embryo transfer process can make surrogacy significantly more expensive than adoption. In addition, there may be fewer financing options available in surrogacy. For example, there is no federal tax credit for surrogacy like there is for adoption. However, if the intended parents act as the egg and/or sperm donor and incur significant medical expenses, they may be able to deduct IVF expenses, lab fees, doctor appointments and medications from their taxes.

Adoptive parents have little control in the adoption process. And depending on their circumstances and relationship with the expectant mother, they may not be involved in most of the pregnancy. Legally, prospective birth parents have the right to change their mind about the adoption at any point in the process. This can create a sense of uncertainty for adoptive parents. There are few guarantees regarding the birth mother’s commitment to adoption, the birth father’s support of the adoption, the prenatal care the baby is receiving, and more. However, in surrogacy, there is a legal contract in place that clearly outlines each party’s expectations and relationship to the baby. Because this legal agreement is negotiated and signed ahead of the medical surrogacy process, there is never any question that the surrogate is carrying the baby for the intended parents. And that she will keep herself and the baby healthy during the pregnancy.

Differences in legal issues are equally important, aren't they? The legal process also varies for surrogacy and adoption. In adoption, the birth parents must execute written consent, and their rights must be legally terminated after the baby is born. In surrogacy, legal contracts are signed ahead of the embryo transfer process to establish the intended parents as the baby’s legal parents.
Because the surrogate does not have a biological connection or parental rights to the child she carries, she cannot change her mind and decide to parent the child. The same is not true in the adoption process. A prospective birth mother can change her mind and discontinue her adoption plan at any time until she legally executes consent.

The laws around adoption and surrogacy are different in every state. For instance, there are laws that determine whether you can compensate your surrogate. There are also laws that determine who can get a court order before the baby is born. But the majority of the legal work is completed prior to the baby’s birth, which means there are very few surprises in the surrogacy process. The same medical and legal procedures are not required in the adoption process. Instead, the legal adoption process takes place after the baby is born, when the birth parents legally consent to the adoption and the adoptive parents are granted custody by the court. There are many factors to consider when debating surrogacy vs. adoption. However, the most important is your family’s needs and circumstances.

Yes, in Ukraine this process is indeed better regulated. But there are also many clinics that opened recently, and have not yet managed to show good results. Therefore, I would recommend applying for surrogacy only in a clinic Biotexcom. In addition, they have a large base of surrogate mothers and donors. Another advantage is the ability to choose one of three packages at different prices: Economy package, Standard package and VIP package. However, as far as I know, the Economy package is taken apart very quickly and it is not always available. And the VIP package does suggest that the surrogate will be picked up within 1.5-2 months - this is a very short period.

Many fertility clinics also serve as surrogacy clinics. These medical professionals help intended parents diagnose their fertility problems and offer fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization. When intended parents choose to move on from those failed treatments, fertility clinics can usually help them complete a surrogacy process as well.
In many surrogacy journeys, the process of finding a surrogacy clinic is completed before a match is even made. Many intended parents already have an existing relationship with a fertility clinic who will serve as their surrogacy clinic on this new path to parenthood.
However, if you haven’t yet found a surrogacy clinic to work with, you have a great number of experienced professionals to choose from. If you decide to work with a surrogacy agency, they may refer you to certain surrogacy clinics that they commonly work with and have a special relationship with. On the same note, many surrogacy clinics have existing relationships with certain gamete banks, if you’ll need to use a sperm, egg or embryo donation in your surrogacy process. Before you commit to a surrogacy clinic, therefore, make sure that you are comfortable with the amount of choice allowed you in this process.

Of course, legal aspects are extremely important, you are undoubtedly right. I would also like to say a few words about this. It is good that you decided to mention such an important aspect. Even if you don’t reside in a state or country that has surrogacy friendly laws, your surrogacy clinic will. Make sure that you choose a surrogacy clinic that is well established within a state or country that allows surrogacy. Being familiar with the city or state that their main office is located in can help to remove some of the stress and fear of your initial appointments. This is really extremely important in my opinion.

I agree with you, many couples choose a clinic for the cost of services. This is not surprising, because today not everyone can afford huge expenses. That is why a similar situation is emerging. I also agree with you that in addition to legal issues, financial and medical ones are equally important. You’ve probably undergone what feels like hundreds of tests and treatments along your journey so far, but surrogacy requires just a few more. Your chosen surrogacy clinic should offer a stress-free environment to visit while you undergo any additional procedures. Pay close attention to how medical coverage works within the state or country of your chosen surrogacy clinic.

Oh yes, as you correctly noted, this is really very important. From the beginning, this does not seem so serious, but such a trifle may be the reason for the impossibility of contacting a particular clinic. The same goes for the type of surrogacy and considerations about traveling abroad. Because local laws may be unfavorable to specific situations, travel may be required. Ensure that whatever state or country your chosen surrogacy clinic operates is in is governed by laws that fit your situation completely. Certain clinics can offer a wider reaching base of operations that can more easily adapt to the particular needs of your family. Finding a surrogacy clinic that has this flexibility can save you money and a considerable amount of time.

In this case, it is not out of place to mention the issues of choosing a surrogate mother in a particular clinic and screening. Choosing a surrogate mother is easily one of the most exciting parts of a surrogacy program. Make sure that surrogacy clinic offers multiple options and has a thorough candidate screening process. Surrogacy clinic should provide all surrogate candidates with a thorough and relevant health evaluation. This should include both mental and physical screenings. Some countries have strict guidelines on who can qualify to become a surrogate mother. Surrogacy clinic should also be equipped to continue health monitoring throughout the pregnancy. Ask specifically what screening processes clinic conducts with their candidates.