Gayle Garrett has a lot of insights to share. As the founder and Surrogacy Program Director of Surrogate Solutions, she understands the perspectives of both gestational surrogates and intended parents. Here she discusses a few things parents need to know that they might not consider.
Research thoroughly
Read reviews of agencies and clinics online and ask for references. Take your time to make sure you’re working with an agency you can trust where you feel comfortable. Don’t bargain hunt. In the long run, it will make little difference financially, but you can’t put a price on peace of mind.
Understand all costs, including fees, expenses, and insurance. They can vary considerably, depending on whether the gestational surrogate has insurance and what it covers. Out-of-pocket expenses can be hard to predict.
Don’t assume anything
It may seem you and the gestational surrogate are on the same page, but you never really know until you talk about it. Would it be better to have the baby in a birthing center or hospital? Would the gestational surrogate prefer to work with a midwife or an OB/GYN? How much involvement will you and the surrogate have after the baby is born? The only way to know is to talk it out and work closely with your agency to address any questions you may have.
Set up a support network
Of course, it’s important to have the support of your friends and family, but consider local support groups or message boards that focus on fertility or surrogacy. There you can find other couples who have gone through the same struggles as you have, and can relate to them on a level you may not be able to with people who haven’t gone through it, even people who love you and mean well.
Ask questions
There really is nothing you can ask that your agency partner hasn’t heard before, and they are always glad to help. Don’t hesitate to lean on them at any point throughout your surrogacy journey. This is a life-changing event for you and they get it. They’ll get the answers you need and can reassure you if you are nervous or unsure about anything at all.
Gayle is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gayle is not only experienced in bringing surrogates together with couples and individuals hoping to build a family of their own, she is also the mother of two and has served as a surrogate herself.
If you would like to learn more about creating a family through surrogacy, contact the caring and experienced professionals at Surrogate Solutions and Egg Donor Solutions
We help Intended Parents Create Happy Families via Egg Donation & Surrogacy with the help of caring Egg Donors & Surrogates.
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