What to Expect

Modern Conceptions is excited and honored to connect with you as you enter the surrogacy process. Complete our online contact form or contact us by email or phone. We will set up an initial in-person or phone consultation and email you an Intended Parent Questionnaire to complete. During the phone consultation, we will provide a comprehensive overview of our program, answer your questions, and address your specific needs.

Once a decision has been made for us to partner together and after we thoroughly review your questionnaire and assess your specific needs, we immediately start the matching process and begin looking for your ideal gestational surrogate. We take great care and pride in making our matches, knowing that in some cases, this may be a relationship that lasts a lifetime, assuming that’s what both parties want. Because each case is unique, and we are looking for someone whose needs, expectations, and views are similar to yours, the timeframe for locating the ideal surrogate can vary. Sometimes a surrogate will be immediately available and other times it can take some time to find the perfect match. Once a potential match has been determined, we will set up a Skype with you, us, and the surrogate. This is a time for you to get to know each other and ask any questions you might have for one another.

Once both you and the surrogate decide to work together, we will send you an agency contract that outlines our mutual responsibilities. At that time, you will sign and return the agency contract with your initial agency retainer. In the meantime, we inform your fertility clinic of your match and help your surrogate complete a psychological and medical screening based upon your fertility clinic’s guidelines.

Once a match has begun, an escrow account must be established to cover your surrogate and her pregnancy fees. These funds cover the fees agreed upon in your contract such as the surrogate’s compensation, medical co-pays, insurance costs, travel, etc. You may choose to use the lawyer we work with or you may choose to use your own.

Once your surrogate obtains medical clearance through your clinic, the legal phase will begin. Surrogacy is a very intimate journey, but it is also a business relationship in which both parties are protected by a contract. The contract outlines the rules of the surrogacy for both the intended parents and the surrogate and specifies what you will be paying for. Some issues can be difficult to discuss, such as financial arrangements or termination and reduction. Therefore, Modern Conceptions acts as the liaison between you and your surrogate.

Because of the complexity of the surrogacy relationship, Modern Conceptions only works with top lawyers who are highly experienced in surrogacy contracts and reproductive law. We will provide you with a list of legal professionals with whom we have worked with. However, you may provide your own lawyer who has practiced or is practicing in third party reproduction. Your selected attorney will prepare the surrogate contract, validate the contract once pregnancy has been confirmed, and establish parental rights.

Once the contract is signed, your fertility clinic will work with you and your surrogate to determine the best transfer date. Your surrogate will then receive a cycle of medications prior to the embryo transfer. If you are considering using an egg donor, this is the time you will select a donor and work with the fertility clinic on having the donor’s and surrogate’s cycle coincide. Upon completion of the medication cycle, the fertility clinic will transfer the embryo to your surrogate’s uterus. Our staff will assist in coordination between you, your surrogate, and your fertility clinic.

Approximately two weeks following the embryo transfer, your surrogate will have a blood test to determine if you are pregnant. If the pregnancy test results are positive, an additional blood test will be obtained within a week to confirm the pregnancy is progressing.

After the pregnancy is well established, your surrogate will be referred to an obstetrician for prenatal care. Your surrogate will have regular pre-natal check-ups as determined by her health care provider.

You can be as involved as you and your surrogate wish during the pregnancy. However, Modern Conceptions will be available to you for the duration of the pregnancy to offer support and answer any questions that you may have. We also stay in regular contact with your surrogate to make sure she has everything she needs and to ensure she keeps her appointments, is taking her medications, and is living up to her obligations.

Prior to the birth of your baby, your attorney will prepare and file the necessary documents with the courts. Modern Conceptions will verify that the hospital has the birthing plan and the hospital staff is fully apprised on your shared pregnancy. Whenever possible, Modern Conceptions staff will be present for the birth of your baby.

Congratulations! This is the moment that you have been waiting for. Your baby is born and you will want to focus all of your attention on your little one. As soon as the baby is medically ready to be discharged from the hospital, you can take your new baby home! However, our work is not yet done. Modern Conceptions will assist in obtaining and paying medical bills if needed and continually check in on your surrogate to make sure she is healing. We are there to help with all these details and more so you can enjoy your new little one.