While many individuals believe that the advantages of working with a surrogacy agency are worthwhile, others prefer to explore surrogacy without the assistance of an agency. But why do they choose this road, and is it worthwhile?
Whether or whether you employ a surrogacy agency is totally up to you, as with all other parts of your surrogacy journey.
However, since surrogacy without an agency is a significant commitment, it is critical that both potential surrogates and intended parents thoroughly grasp the implications of this choice before proceeding.
And the question is; Can you be a surrogate without going through an agency? Bornfertilelady is here to answer this question for you. If you’re thinking about surrogacy without an agency, keep reading to find out what duties and consequences this choice will have on your surrogacy journey.
Alright, we move.
First of all, let’s recap what surrogacy agencies do
A surrogacy agency helps you find a surrogate and make arrangements. It also collects any fees that get passed between you and the surrogate, such as paying for their medical expenses.
Every gestational carrier or surrogate mother is entitled to base compensation for the amazing services she provides to her intended parents.
That’s why surrogacy agencies are there to offer competitive surrogate compensations for surrogate mothers working for them. They will always advocate on your behalf as a surrogate candidate to receive the compensation you deserve.
A surrogacy agency is commonly known as a one-stop shop for those entering the surrogacy process. This is because this kind of professional typically provides all or most of the services that you need as you complete your surrogacy experience.
Surrogacy agencies help coordinate your surrogacy journey to make it as stress-free and easy as possible for you, allowing you to focus on what’s most important, which is building your family or helping to bring a child into the world.
Usually, an intended parent or surrogate agency has many different kinds of trained professionals who can offer not only case management services but counseling and support that you may not find with other surrogacy professionals.
It’s important to know that surrogacy agencies, surrogacy programs, and surrogacy centers usually offer the same services; some professionals just choose to avoid the term “agency” because there are currently no entities to license surrogacy professionals as approved “agencies.
So, if a surrogacy agency offers so many services, what exactly are they? Perhaps the most important thing that surrogacy agencies do to help intended parents and surrogates is to manage their entire surrogacy case for them.
That means coordinating between all the other surrogacy professionals involved in the process, like clinics and surrogacy attorneys — and mediating contact and conversations between the intended parents and the surrogate.
Surrogacy is a complicated process, but surrogacy agencies make it easy by taking their expertise, breaking down the process, and helping intended parents and surrogates every step of the way.
Each surrogacy agency’s services are different, but here are some services you may expect:
- Matching services to find a surrogate or an intended parent
- Screening services to ensure every party is mentally, physically, and emotionally ready for the surrogacy process
- Coordination of information and services between clinics and surrogacy attorneys to make sure every step is completed
- Counseling services to provide support through the ups and downs of surrogacy
- And more
When you’re deciding on a surrogacy agency, it’s important to discuss these services in detail to make sure that your needs are met and you’re comfortable with the level of services provided.
It’s also important to know that most agencies are gestational carrier agencies, not traditional surrogacy agencies.
Because of the complications involved with traditional surrogacies, many surrogacy agencies decide to exclude those from their services and focus only on completing gestational surrogacies to prevent any legal or emotional difficulties and allow for a surrogacy journey to remain professional on both sides for the whole process.
Alright, we move on to find out whether you as a prospective surrogate mother or one already in the system can do all these without these guys – Surrogacy agencies, and whether can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency.
So, before we further proceed, let’s find out why people ask; “Can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency?”
Reading till this point, you can see for yourself how critically important a surrogacy agency is, yet people still aim to be surrogates without affiliating with any surrogacy agency.
Like is this possible? Can you be a surrogate without going through an agency? Read on to find out.
Everyone has the freedom to design their surrogacy path, whether or not it incorporates the support of a surrogacy service.
Surrogacy without an agency is not recommended for most first-time surrogates or intended parents.
There are several intricate aspects of the surrogacy process that, if managed poorly or inefficiently, may have a significant impact on the result of your surrogacy journey, leading to legal or medical difficulties that can delay or even halt your surrogacy process completely.
Surrogacy without an agency may not be the ideal option for you if you are new to the surrogacy procedure.
However, many formerly surrogate women choose to be surrogates without the assistance of an agency for their second or third surrogacy adventure.
They understand the process much better after going through it once with an agency and are more comfortable with the prospect of pursuing another surrogacy without the continual direction of a surrogacy agency.
These women may be able to provide their intended parents with a lower total surrogacy cost if they become surrogate mothers without the assistance of an agency, as long as their independent surrogacy procedure is completed completely.
Some intended parents may opt to pursue surrogacy without the assistance of an agency due to the reduced expense involved or because they have already identified a surrogate without the assistance of an agency.
This is often because a trusted friend or family member chooses to be their surrogate, eliminating the need for an agency’s matching services.
If you’re thinking about surrogacy without an agency, whether as a potential surrogate or intended parent, you should weigh the advantages and drawbacks listed below to determine if this is the best approach for your surrogacy objectives and expectations.
So, Can You be a Surrogate without going through an Agency
This is a question that you will have to answer on your own. All I will be doing is exposing the pros and cons of being a surrogate without a surrogacy agency, then from there, you make your decision. Though at the end of this article, I will give Bornfertilelady’s take on this matter.
The advantages of surrogacy without a surrogacy agency
Perhaps the most important reason individuals select an independent surrogacy is the possible reduced cost of surrogacy without an agency.
When intended parents cooperate with an agency, they must pay agency fees, which may range from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As a result, prospective surrogates and intended parents may opt to pursue surrogacy without the assistance of a surrogacy agency to save money.
While these agency fees might be costly, they do provide surrogates and intended parents with unequaled management services.
A surrogacy without an agency also gives intended parents and potential surrogates greater power and responsibility, which some consider as a benefit and others as a negative.
Those who like to be in charge of every element of this vital journey will find that an independent surrogacy provides them with the control they need, especially if they opted not to employ a surrogacy agency for this reason.
Intended parents and surrogates who like to be in control may find this to be a significant benefit of surrogacy without an agency.
The disadvantages of surrogacy without a surrogacy agency
While some may view the aforementioned factors to be positives of surrogacy without an agency, others may consider them to be significant disadvantages of pursuing an independent surrogacy.
In general, surrogacy without an agency necessitates far more coordination between intended parents and surrogates, which may add stress to an already difficult procedure.
First and foremost, if you select an independent surrogacy, you will be responsible for choosing a surrogate without the assistance of an agency (or finding intended parents without an agency).
This may be a stressful procedure, particularly given the possibility of fraud or misrepresentation.
Many intended parents successfully learn how to locate a surrogate without an agency online, but there is always the possibility that a woman is not physically or psychologically suitable to be a surrogate.
Without the screening provided by a surrogacy firm, prospective parents may spend time and money on a match that fails.
Similarly, if you work without a surrogacy agency, you will be responsible for all of the services that a professional would normally provide like coordination between medical and legal professionals, emotional counseling and support, and every other minor detail required to complete a surrogacy successfully.
You’ll have to locate all of these specialists on your own, and the price of hiring them individually may rapidly build up, and sometimes even at a higher cost than an agency’s flat-rate fees for handling the same services.
Working without a surrogacy agency also inhibits intended parents and surrogates from obtaining the outside assistance they need throughout the process, particularly if they are unfamiliar with how surrogacy works.
An expert surrogacy service will not only walk you through each stage of the procedure but will also handle the little details that might pile up over time, such as the instrumental screening process.
You will be responsible for ensuring not only that your intended parent or surrogate is ready for surrogacy, but also that the surrogacy specialists you pick satisfy essential requirements and can offer you all of the services you need.
That danger is too great for some intended parents and surrogates to take.
So, Can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency?
Finally, only you can determine if surrogacy without an agency is the best option for you. If or not you’ve previously gone through the surrogacy process, it’s a good idea to contact a reputable surrogacy agency to learn more about the services they provide, whether they can fulfill your surrogacy objectives, and whether you believe you can finish the process on your own. Even if you have already located an intended parent or potential surrogate on your own, you may find that you may benefit from the additional services that a surrogacy agency can provide you throughout this life-changing journey.
As with any other part of your surrogacy, it is recommended that you do as much research as possible on this issue to choose which option is best for you and your family.
Watch the video below to find out more on the issue of whether can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency.
Bornfertilelady’s take on “can you be a surrogate without going through an agency?”
Can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency?
Pursuing surrogacy without an agency is generally more challenging, but it can be done. Intended parents must consider their comfort level with the surrogacy process, their relationship with their surrogate, and the services and support they will need throughout the process before deciding whether to work with an agency or complete a private surrogacy.
But Bornfertilelady’s take is to always go with a surrogacy agency if you are new to surrogacy with no one to guide you and with no prior experience with surrogacy.
Surrogacy without an agency may not be the ideal option for you if you are new to the surrogacy procedure.
However, many formerly surrogate women choose to be surrogates without the assistance of an agency for their second or third surrogacy adventure.
They understand the process much better after going through it once with an agency and are more comfortable with the prospect of pursuing another surrogacy without the continual direction of a surrogacy agency.
These women may be able to provide their intended parents with a lower total surrogacy cost if they become surrogate mothers without the assistance of an agency, as long as their independent surrogacy procedure is completed completely.
Some intended parents may opt to pursue surrogacy without the assistance of an agency due to the reduced expense involved or because they have already identified an experienced surrogate without the assistance of an agency.
So, if you are new to the business of surrogacy, with no experience and proper guidance, never choose to go independently, because it might not end well in the long run, not to talk of all the stress you will pass through to process everything on your own.
The hassle and tussle of it all can even be detrimental to your health, and you know what this means as a surrogate mother.
And independent surrogacy is mainly done these days because a trusted friend or family member chooses to be an intended parent(s)’s surrogate, eliminating the need for an agency’s matching services, or the surrogate comes highly recommended because she is experienced and seasoned in all aspects of surrogacy.
And you that is just starting surrogacy, well, you can’t compete against that. I will advise you to affiliate with a good surrogacy agency if you have no in-depth knowledge of surrogacy to guide you.
Then when you have gotten ample working experience, and have learned all the pros, cons, as well tricks, and shortcuts of surrogacy, and you still wanna go independent, then you are qualified to.
Are you wondering why I am urging you to work with a surrogacy agency when there are plenty of surrogacy clinics and attorneys to help complete the surrogacy journey?
To answer this, I have already mentioned before, surrogacy is a complex process, with many moving legal, medical, and emotional aspects.
Intended parents and surrogates who decide to complete a surrogacy without an agency are responsible for coordinating all the information and communication necessary to make that process happen.
It can be complicated enough for someone who’s experienced with the surrogacy process, but for those who have no idea what to expect, it will be overwhelming (not to mention costly).
That’s why surrogacy agencies exist — to do that work for you.
That way, rather than focusing on the paperwork, medical information, legalities, and other aspects, intended parents and surrogates can be confident that their surrogacy process is being completed and every necessary step is being taken care of.
Because of the expertise that surrogacy agencies offer, this is usually a no-brainer decision for those looking to complete the process.
If you’re considering surrogacy, it’s usually a good idea to consult with a surrogacy agency first to know exactly what the process entails — and what responsibilities you’d have to handle yourself without professional case management.
Now, in case you are wondering; “how do I find a surrogacy agency to work with?” Then read below.
Whether you’re looking for a gestational carrier agency, a traditional surrogacy agency, or other kinds of private surrogacy agencies, the internet can be a wealth of resources for you. You can find surrogacy agencies that are local to your state or even work across the entire world, especially in California, which is the state with the highest surrogacy businesses so far.
Always do your research when choosing a surrogacy agency that’s right for you. Determine what your surrogacy goals are ahead of time, and thoroughly interview potential surrogacy agencies to decide whether they can meet their goals. After all, this is the professional you’ll work with for a year or more in creating a family; it should be someone that you’re comfortable with and completely trust.
Here is a list of surrogate agencies to get you started:
The choice of surrogacy professional is always up to you, whether you’re an intended parent or a prospective surrogate. This will be the organization you work with throughout the process, so take the time to make sure that your surrogacy agency makes you happy and confident as you move forward in the process.
To get in touch with a surrogacy agency now, complete this form and receive free information with no obligation.
Note: I never said that surrogacy isn’t possible without a surrogacy agency. Can you be a surrogate without going through an agency? Yes, you can.
But what I am trying to say is that this is very possible and also easy for experienced surrogate mothers who have already been in the business and have worked out all the necessary kinks of being an independent surrogate mother.
But if you are just a prospective surrogate with no prior experience, no one to properly guide you professionally on what to do, and you still tackle surrogacy independently, then you have a very stressful path ahead of you, which I have already explained how stressful this can be in this article.
And in the end, you might regret not affiliating with a surrogacy agency and then getting the much-needed experience you need to tackle surrogacy on your own afterward.
But if you think that as a prospective surrogate mother, you have the knowledge/experience of how you can handle surrogacy independently, then no qualms.
The decision is yours to make. I am just here to expose the pros and cons involved to help in making the right decision that will favor you in the end.
But make sure you have the right answer to this; Can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency?
Watch the video below to see whether can you be a Surrogate without going through an agency?
All right, guys, that is it for now for “Can You be a Surrogate without going through an Agency?”. I hope Bornfertilelady answered any questions you had concerning whether can you be a surrogate without going through an agency.
And always remember that Bornfertilelady is one of the best health sites out there that genuinely care for expecting parents – including intended parents and surrogate mothers (pregnant and delivered), and you can find valuable information on all things about prenatal care and surrogacy on this site.
It is founded by a pregnancy expert and a mother of two, and the platform offers resources on prenatal nutrition, including information on the best things to do during pregnancy and insightful tips on how to have a healthier lifestyle as a mom – even as an intended parent or surrogate mom (pregnant and delivered).