Q. Who needs surrogacy?

A. Despite the enormous advances in the field of Assisted Reproduction and the improvement of techniques such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Embryo Transfer and Artificial Insemination (AI) , there are still couples and individuals who are unable to conceive and carry a baby, there are a number of reasons for this inability, ranging from a woman who has no uterus, to a woman for whom a pregnancy may cause life-threatening complications. In the past, the only options available to these individuals were either to adopt, or to remain childless

However, some of these couples still wish to have a baby which is genetically related to them or created by using donor egg/sperm, and the only way this can be accomplished is by another woman carrying and giving birth to their baby. We refer to the woman who is carrying the baby as the Surrogate, and to the couple as the Intended Parents (IP’s)

Q. How does surrogacy work?

A. A Surrogate is a woman who agrees to carry and give birth to a baby for an otherwise infertile couple. The most common form of surrogacy is Gestational Surrogacy, whereby the Surrogate is impregnated by means of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The embryo(s) that would be transferred into the uterus of the Surrogate will have been created by the eggs from the Intended Mother (or donor) and sperm of the Intended Father (or donor). Details of these procedures can be explained more thoroughly by counsellors or doctors in the program.

Q. How do I become matched with Intended Parents?

A. Once the screening process, including a medical and psychological evaluation, has been conducted, we will present you with the profiles of our potential Intended Parents. Your profile, along with others, will also be made available to the Intended Parents on the program. We will base our selection on the preferences you and the Intended Parents have expressed to us. Once you have made your selection, we will arrange and facilitate a meeting between you and the Intended Parents, and if the decision to work together is mutual, we will finalise the process and guide you through the program together with our team of doctors, legal professionals and social workers.

Q. What are the criteria required to become a Surrogate

You must have given birth to at least one child of your own

You must be between 21 and 40 years old

You must have had healthy pregnancies

Your babies must have been delivered at full term (9 months)

Your birth experiences must have been uncomplicated

You must be physically fit and healthy

You may not smoke, consume alcohol or use recreational drugs

You must be emotionally stable

You must have your own/reliable transport

You must have a stable home environment

You must have a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index)

You must pass the medical and psychological screening standards that are part of the program

Q. What are the medical procedures involved with being a Surrogate?

A. You will firstly undergo a psychological evaluation with a psychologist in order to be accepted on to our program. Once you have been matched with your Intended Parents, you will undergo a full Medical examination with one of our doctors, which will include various blood tests and an internal ultrasound scan.

Once all of your results have been assessed and they have met the required standards, the fertility process will begin.

You will be in consultation with one of the fertility doctors who will guide you throughout the process. You will be given medication that will synchronise your menstrual cycle with that of the Intended Mother or egg donor. These eggs will be harvested and fertilised in the laboratory with the sperm of the Intended Father or sperm donor (this process is called In Vitro Fertilization). The resulting embryos will then be transferred by means of a very fine catheter into your uterus. The medication you have taken will cause the lining of your uterus to thicken in order to accept the embryos when they are transferred.

You will be advised to rest for approximately 24 hours. You will have a blood test ten days later to determine whether a pregnancy has been achieved. If so, you will be advised about what further medication/hormone support will be necessary, and for how long.

Once the pregnancy is considered stable (usually after the first trimester/3 months), you will be referred to a gynaecologist/obstetrician for the remainder of the pregnancy and the birth.

Q. Will I have to travel?

A. Depending on your geographical location in relation to the Intended Parents and more importantly, the Fertility Clinic where the procedures are to be performed, there may be some travel involved. We will, however assist you in making the necessary arrangements.

Q. Can I bring my husband/partner/companion and/or children if I have to travel?

A. Yes, however, Intended Parent who pays these travel costs will only cover you and your partner. Your children’s travel will be at your expense.

Q. Once I am pregnant, where will I receive medical care and deliver the baby?

A. You, together with the Intended Parents will be advised on the best options available to you.

Q. How much contact will I have with the Intended Parents?

A. The Surrogate and Intended Parents can have as much contact as they choose to. This is why we will endeavour to match you with a couple who can meet your needs as closely as possible and have similar expectations of the relationship.

Q. Do I have to take medications?

A. Yes, you will need to take medication to synchronise your cycle with that of the Intended Mother. Once the IVF cycle begins, you may be required to take other oral medications and possibly some injectable medications, depending on the protocol prescribed by the doctor. You will be given full instructions about all medications throughout the process by the doctors involved.

Q. What will I have to pay for?

A. All of your expenses related to the Surrogacy will be covered by the Intended Parents, they will cover the costs for all your medical expenses that are not covered by your Medical Aid. They will also cover all the legal fees involved in drawing up the surrogacy contract, as well as any counselling that you may require.

Q. How much contact will I have with Nurture Surrogacy?

A. As much as you want and need. You will be referred to the best medical, legal and psych-social professionals to facilitate each stage of the process, and we will be here for you every step of the way.

Q. What are my responsibilities as a Surrogate?

A. Each surrogacy agreement and contract is different, and will be assessed and treated accordingly. Your most basic responsibilities will be to complete all the application forms truthfully. You will be required to arrive at appointments on time, as scheduled, and you will be expected to take your medications responsibly and in the manner in which they have been prescribed.

Q. What happens once I am matched with a couple?

A. You will have already gone through a psychological evaluation in order to be accepted on the program. Once you are matched with the Intended Parents, and you have agreed to work together, you firstly undergo a medical evaluation and if all goes well with that, you will enter into a Surrogacy Agreement. You will consult with a social worker, who will manage your case and a lawyer will draw up a contract to be signed by both parties. Once all of this has been completed, you will begin with the IVF process.

Q. Can I stay in contact with the baby and the parents if I want to?

A. This will depend on the agreement between you and the Intended Parents. These issues are addressed before any contract is drawn up, and once again we will endeavour to match you with Intended Parents who share your expectations regarding the relationship during and after the pregnancy.

Q. Why work with an agency instead of going independent?

A. A surrogacy can be the most wonderful and fulfilling experience for all parties involved, however, due to the complexity of the relationship and the coordination required between all parties involved, it is an enormous advantage to have an agency who cares equally about everyone involved. We work closely with and refer to all the professionals required throughout the process. This includes the best lawyers, psychologists, social workers and doctors, who are all highly qualified and experienced in this process. Over and above all of this, we are here to support you throughout your journey and take care of all the details that if not handled correctly, can cause problems in the relationship between the Surrogate and Intended Parents.

Q. Does Nurture work with all types of couples?

A. Yes. We do not discriminate or exclude any couples or individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

If you are interested in finding out more information, or would like to apply to join our surrogacy program, please email Kim at kim@nurture.co.za.