For many would-be parents and for women who wish to help families in Washington, D.C., surrogacy seems an easy and exciting decision. For others, it’s a harder choice.

If we can answer any questions or provide you with additional information that can aid you in your decision just let us know. We’re here to help you find the path that’s right for you. 

There are several different types of surrogacy in Washington, D.C. and different paths your journey can take:

• Gestational versus Traditional: Traditional surrogates use their own eggs in the process, gestational surrogates do not. The vast majority of surrogacy professionals today only complete gestational surrogacies due to the increased legal and emotional risks of traditional surrogacy.
• Compensated versus Altruistic: Whether or not the surrogate receives base compensation in addition to reimbursement for the surrogacy-related medical and legal expenses. Not all states permit compensated surrogacy.
• Domestic versus International: The intended parents and surrogate either both reside in the U.S., or the two parties are in different countries. Not all surrogacy professionals will complete international surrogacies.
• Agency versus Independent: Surrogacy agencies screen your match, coordinate the process and provide support services from start to finish. In independent surrogacy, you’d handle all of this on your own.

If you’re not sure which of the options are right for you and your family, we can walk you through the options and offer our years of expertise to help you better understand the different types.

Before the Washington, D.C. surrogacy process can truly begin, intended parents and surrogates need to undergo screening to ensure that everyone is physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and legally ready for this journey.

The evaluations surrogates and intended parents must complete will vary from one professional to the next. However, most will ask that you undergo background checks, in-home visits and interviews. Additionally, surrogates will undergo a series of medical examinations to ensure that they are healthy enough to become a surrogate in Washington, D.C.

You may already have your perfect match in mind, especially if your surrogate or intended parents are your friends or family members. However, for those who don’t already have a match, there are two ways to find one:

• Independent matching: In independent surrogacy (without an agency), you would be responsible for finding, screening and managing your own match. Be wary of scams.
• Surrogacy matching programs: Here, you would work with a surrogacy agency. They would screen potential matches for you, and support you throughout the surrogacy process.

No matter how you choose to find a Washington, D.C. surrogacy match, we’ll help you complete the required legal steps and keep you legally protected throughout the process and beyond.

Now, it’s time for the intended parents and surrogate to establish a formal, legally-binding Washington, D.C., surrogacy contract. The two parties will need to be separately represented by individual Washington, D.C., surrogacy attorneys. This is the only way to ensure fair and equal representation throughout the creation of the contract. If you don’t have a secondary surrogacy lawyer in Washington, D.C., we can refer you to legal representation we know and trust.

The two Washington, D.C., surrogacy lawyers will meet with their respective clients to discuss potential terms to include within the contract. Then, the attorneys will come together to create a contract that accurately reflects and respects everyone’s needs. If everyone approves of the terms within the contract, it will be signed and executed.

With that finalized contract, you can move forward with the Washington, D.C., surrogacy process. Next up is the medical stage.

This is when preparations for the embryo transfer process will begin. All of the details regarding your medical process will have been outlined in your contract, including the agreed-upon fertility clinic where fertility treatments will take place.

If the intended parents don’t have frozen embryos the intended mother or the egg donor will receive medication to help develop eggs before the retrieval process. Then, the egg will be fertilized at the fertility clinic to create an embryo, which will then be transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.

After the pregnancy has been confirmed and a heartbeat is heard, the surrogate will typically start receiving base compensation in addition to prenatal care throughout her pregnancy.

This is the most anticipated moment of the Washington, D.C., surrogacy process for surrogates and intended parents alike. To celebrate and participate in this life-changing experience, the intended parents typically join their surrogate at the hospital and support her throughout labor and delivery. When the baby is born and the surrogate is discharged, everyone can return home.

There will be a few final legal steps to complete at this point. We’ll guide everyone through these final legalities and make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on the important moment at hand.