Surrogacy can be a romantic idea — you using your healthy uterus to help bring a life into the world, giving would-be parents the most incredibly selfless gift ever. Being a surrogate certainly is an amazing journey, but it’s important that you’re truly aware of everything involved in this process before you begin.
Fortunately, Central PA Surrogacy is here to help. If you are interested in becoming a surrogate in Pennsylvania, our team can answer all of your questions about the upcoming process.
One of the biggest questions our professionals get?
What is it really like being a surrogate mother?
What Is It Like to Be a Surrogate?
Being a surrogate is a life-changing, emotional journey. Many women cherish the memories of this process forever, as well as the knowledge that they have truly changed the world for the better by creating a family where there was none before.
That’s not to say surrogacy is always a walk in the park. It’s also a great commitment for a woman and her family — and one only to be agreed upon when she fully understands what is involved in being a surrogate mother.
There are many requirements involved in this process, from start to finish. When you become a surrogate, you must be ready for the time and energy these steps demand.
So, what does a surrogate mother do during her surrogacy journey?
- She undergoes preliminary screening. Surrogacy isn’t right for everyone. Our team takes certain steps to ensure every prospective surrogate is 100 percent mentally and physically ready for this journey. Before you get started, you must undergo criminal background checks, psychological evaluations, medical evaluations and more.
- She decides what she wants out of surrogacy. Surrogates are an equal decider in the surrogacy journey. You must ask yourself personal questions to move forward: What kind of intended parents do I want to carry for? What compensation rates am I comfortable with? What are my thoughts on selective reduction and termination?
- She builds a relationship with intended parents: Surrogacy is a journey a woman and her intended parents take together. You must commit to updating the intended parents on an agreed-upon schedule and letting them be a part of intimate proceedings like doctor’s appointments and childbirth.
- She undergoes a fertility protocol: Yes, every surrogate must take medication. This protocol typically includes oral medications and injections. You must be prepared to give yourself shots during the time leading up to embryo transfer, at which point you may be required to travel to the intended parents’ clinic.
- She experiences the ups and downs of pregnancy and delivery: Every pregnancy is different. When you become a surrogate, you must expect the unexpected. If you experience challenges, you have to remember that you are taking this journey for someone else, and they are relying on you.
What surrogate mothers go through in Pennsylvania can be easy or difficult; every journey is different. But keep in mind that our surrogacy team will support you through every step of the process, reducing the likelihood of risks and giving you the emotional and financial support you need to feel safe during this time.
How Hard Is It to Be a Surrogate Mother? How Does It Feel to Be a Surrogate Mother?
It’s important to recognize that surrogacy is not always easy. There are challenges, physical and emotional, that many women experience along the way. But, with the support of our full-service surrogacy program, those challenges can be a little easier to cope with.
Many women (and intended parents) ask: Do surrogate mothers get attached to the child? This is a common misconception — but a completely unfounded fear.
When you become a surrogate, you go into this process understanding what you are doing. You’re not having a child of your own; you’re simply “babysitting” until the child is ready to go home with their parents. In all likelihood, the last thing you want is another child — but you enjoy pregnancy enough to want to experience it without the commitment of another baby.
So, no — the vast majority of surrogate mothers do not get attached to the child. Psychological evaluations and pre-surrogacy preparations help these women understand and get ready for the conflicting emotions they may feel during and after their pregnancy.
In addition, these steps also help a surrogate prepare for potential emotional challenges regarding:
- Less time and energy for their families during pregnancy
- Complicated relationships with intended parents
- Unexpected medical developments
- See-sawing hormones and emotions
- And more
So, if you’re wondering what it’s like to be a surrogate mother, remember that there will always be challenges and rewards during the process. But, with the right professional by your side, you will be supported and cheered on every step of the way.
Want to learn more about what is it like to be a surrogate mom with our Central PA Surrogacy? Contact us today to get started now.
