How Long Can It Take to Become a Surrogate in Nevada?
How Long Can It Take to Become a Surrogate in Nevada?
Becoming a surrogate to help a couple or individual have the family they have been longing for is a truly life-changing and selfless choice. As rewarding as it is, the process of becoming a surrogate requires a great deal of time, patience, and commitment. Some parts of the process might take longer than expected. Other parts of the process might not go completely according to plan. Unfortunately, there may even be some false starts before a successful pregnancy can take place. Because there are so many factors that play a role in the surrogacy process, there is no set length of time it takes to become a surrogate. Instead of trying to anticipate an exact time frame when becoming a surrogate, it’s best to be open to different ways the process can play out. At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada, it’s important to us that you understand all the steps that take place in the surrogacy process, so you can be better prepared for how long it can take to become a surrogate.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a surrogate in Nevada, please call or text us at 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-738-4673 (Elko) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).
Steps to Follow During the Surrogacy Process
Step 1: Apply to Become a Surrogate
If you are considering becoming a surrogate after thoroughly researching surrogacy and carefully weighing all the pros and cons, it’s time to reach out to Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada and submit your application. Your initial application will consist of some basic questions, so we can learn a little more about you and why you are pursuing surrogacy. It may take a week or longer for one of our surrogacy specialists to reach out to you and interview you further.
Step 2: Complete the Surrogate Screening Process
Once your application is approved, you will undergo further assessments to determine whether you qualify for surrogacy. This process will take no less than a month, but it will most likely take up to a few months. Screening can be broken down into roughly two categories: health screening and personal screening.
As part of your health screening, you will be asked to submit a thorough personal and family medical history. You will also be required to make an appointment with your doctor to confirm that you are currently physically healthy enough to carry a pregnancy to term. You can expect this medical screening to include a physical exam as well as lab work. Additionally, you will undergo a mental health evaluation to make sure that the surrogacy process will not have any significant negative impacts on your mental well-being.
Your personal screening will entail a criminal background check, an in-home assessment, and a social history evaluation. For your in-home assessment, you will meet with a social worker in your home to discuss the surrogacy process in greater detail. The main objectives of this meeting are to determine if your motivations for pursuing surrogacy are sound and give you a chance to learn as much about the process as possible to make an informed decision. Additionally, the social history information you provide us should accurately reflect what your personality and social life are like to determine if they could possibly conflict at all with the surrogacy process.
Step 3: Begin the Matching Process
After successfully completing the screening process, you will begin reviewing profiles of prospective intended parents, and they will review your surrogate profile. All of your personal information will be kept confidential to protect your privacy. If you select each other, Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada will arrange a meeting between you to give you a chance to get to know each other. The time it takes to find a match will vary from person to person since everyone has unique needs and wants. It might take one surrogate a couple of weeks to find the right intended parents, whereas another surrogate might not find a match for a few months.
Step 4: Signing the Surrogacy Contract
To ensure that you fully understand your rights and responsibilities as a surrogate mother, you will be required to sign a contract along with the intended parents. The intended parent’s attorney will likely draft this contract, but you will have a chance to review it and request adjustments to protect your interests. The more back-and-forth and revisions there are between parties, the more time it will take for a final contract to be drafted and signed. As soon as you and the intended parents sign it, you will be able to begin any necessary medical procedures to prepare for the embryo transfer.
Step 5: Preparing for Surrogacy Medical Procedures
To prepare your body for the embryo transfer, you will need to undergo fertility treatments that will likely consist of hormones and an oral contraceptive to regulate your cycle to get the timing of implantation right. While you are preparing your body for IVF, the intended parents will supply their sperm and egg to produce what will become an embryo. The fertilized egg will then be transferred to your uterus in the hope that it will implant. Going through the IVF process should take approximately one month if the first attempt is successful. Sometimes, implantation does not occur, and the IVF process will have to start over until implantation is successful.
Step 6: Your Surrogate Pregnancy Journey
Once implantation occurs, you will continue your surrogacy journey for the next nine months carrying the baby for the intended parents. This is a major milestone in your journey, especially if it has taken several months to get to this point. You can expect to make frequent visits to your OB/GYN for testing and physical examinations to ensure that the pregnancy remains stable and healthy.
Is Now the Right Time for You to Become a Surrogate in Nevada?
Despite how long it can take to become a surrogate, the final results are worth it. You are giving the gift of life to a couple or individual who couldn’t achieve it on their own. Through your commitment and patience, they will get to become the parents they were meant to be. If embarking on such an endeavor speaks to you, reach out to Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada today to learn more.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. You can also call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-738-4673 (Elko) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).
Meet the Author: Mary DeStefano is an Ohio native currently living in northern Virginia and works in the litigation consulting industry where she has experience in antitrust, product liability, and mass torts matters. She holds a B.A. in Economics (‘15) and an M.A. in Applied Economics (‘16) from the University of Cincinnati.
Mary is passionate about empowering and supporting those involved in the adoption and surrogacy processes. She finds great meaning in wielding the written word to develop impactful narratives and to help people stay informed. In her spare time, Mary can be found beachcombing and going on other adventures with her dog along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. She also has an affinity for antiquing and loves a good 80’s movie marathon.