Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Intended Parents
What is an Egg Donation and Surrogacy agency?
An Egg Donation and Surrogacy agency is commonly known as a one-stop center for those entering the third party reproduction process. This is because this kind of professional typically provides all or most of the services that you need as you complete your Egg Donation/Surrogacy experience， including coordinating between all the other Surrogacy professionals involved in the process — like clinics and Surrogacy attorneys.
Surrogacy agencies help coordinate your Surrogacy journey to make it as stress-free and easy as possible for you, allowing you to focus on what’s most important — building your family. Usually, an Egg Donation and Surrogacy agency has many different kinds of trained professionals who can offer not only case management services but counseling and support.
Egg Donation/Surrogacy is a complicated process, but agencies make it easy by taking their expertise, breaking down the process and helping Intended Parents and Surrogates every step of the way.
Here are some services you may expect for an agency:
Before you’re deciding on a Surrogacy agency, it’s important to discuss these services in detail to make sure that your needs are met and you're comfortable with the level of services provided.
Surrogacy agencies help coordinate your Surrogacy journey to make it as stress-free and easy as possible for you, allowing you to focus on what’s most important — building your family. Usually, an Egg Donation and Surrogacy agency has many different kinds of trained professionals who can offer not only case management services but counseling and support.
Egg Donation/Surrogacy is a complicated process, but agencies make it easy by taking their expertise, breaking down the process and helping Intended Parents and Surrogates every step of the way.
Here are some services you may expect for an agency:
- Matching services to find a Surrogate or an Intended Parent
- Screening services to ensure every party is mentally, physically and emotionally ready for the Surrogacy process
- Coordination of information and services between clinics,attorneys and other professionals to make sure every step is completed
- Counseling services to provide support through the whole process
- And more.
Before you’re deciding on a Surrogacy agency, it’s important to discuss these services in detail to make sure that your needs are met and you're comfortable with the level of services provided.
Which IVF clinics do you work with?
We work with some of the top-rated fertility clinics and doctors across the U.S. and we have built great relationships them. These relationships allow you to take advantage of special pricing packages we have negotiated. However, the decision of which fertility clinic to use is entirely the decision of the Intended Parents. We will work with any fertility clinic that the Intended Parents choose, as long as they will be able to coordinate with our agency. When you are choosing a clinic, you should consider some of these things: your personality fit with the doctor and other medical staff, your comfort with their process, and the clarity of their financial information.
I do not live in the United States. How many times to I have to travel to the United States during my Surrogacy journey?
If you live abroad, you may be required to come to the United States 2-3 times.
If you are using your own sperm and/or eggs, all medical testing must be conducted in the U.S. to meet U.S. Food & Drug Administration guidelines and clinic requirements. In addition, you will be required to come to the United States for the egg retrieval process and/or to leave your sperm sample.
we recommend that you return to the U.S. at least once during the pregnancy if possible. And of course you will be here for the delivery of your child. Because you will not know the exact day and time when your Surrogate will go into labor, you should prepare to come to the U.S. on short notice during the final month of pregnancy, or at least one week prior to your Surrogate’s due date
If you are using your own sperm and/or eggs, all medical testing must be conducted in the U.S. to meet U.S. Food & Drug Administration guidelines and clinic requirements. In addition, you will be required to come to the United States for the egg retrieval process and/or to leave your sperm sample.
we recommend that you return to the U.S. at least once during the pregnancy if possible. And of course you will be here for the delivery of your child. Because you will not know the exact day and time when your Surrogate will go into labor, you should prepare to come to the U.S. on short notice during the final month of pregnancy, or at least one week prior to your Surrogate’s due date
How do you find Egg Donors and Surrogates?
We receive applicaitons via our website, social media and other outreach efforts. However, many Surrogates and Egg Donors candidates are referred to us by current and former Surrogates and donors who have had great experiences in working with our agency. We are vigilant about monitoring and responding to all contacts we receive to determine their qualifications to become Surrogates or Egg Donors and ensure all the prescreened, qualified candidates in our database are active.
How many embryos should we transfer?
Current guidance is to transfer one embryo for every one child desired. While the pregnancy rate for a single embryo transfer (SET) is 38-50%, the likelihood of multiple births is less than 1%. When two embryos are transferred (DET), the pregnancy rate is only increased to 47-60%, while the likelihood of multiple births jumps to near 30%. It is recommended to only transfer the number of embryos of live births desired and repeat transfer on the next IVF cycle if implantation does not happen.
What are our options for embryos we do not use?
What are our options for embryos we do not use?
You have two options for embryos you’ve had made and do not wish to transfer into a uterus. First, you can donate the embryo either anonymously or directly to another couple. Or, you can have the embryo(s) thawed and discarded, where it will not result in a transfer or birth of a child.
Should we have genetic testing completed?
There are a number of options for genetic testing of both a pre-transferred embryo and a fetus. Most parents choose to have the embryo PGT tested to ensure that the embryo is healthy and a good candidate for transfer to optimize the chances of pregnancy. Fetal testing is common to check for genetic conditions prior to the birth of the child but is completely optional.
I’ve been diagnosed with HIV, can I still have a baby thru Surrogacy?
Yes. At Accel Conceptions, we offer concierge services to help those who have been diagnosed with HIV or other chronic diseases to conceive a child.
Is my journey HIPPA protected?
Yes, absolutely. Many Surrogacy agencies require all parties to release authorization to share information about their journeys to promote the agency. This generally includes images, basic information, and profiles. At Accel Conceptions, we respect your privacy and will only share what you’d like us to.
Surrogacy
What are the requirements to become a Surrogate?
To begin with, qualified Surrogates or Egg Donors must be mentally and physically healthy. Here are some of our requirements for Surrogate applicants:
Qualified candidates also are asked to confirm their commitment to the Surrogacy process, expressing responsibility for their decision to participate and confirming they have met our requirements.
- Be between the ages of 21-42
- Have carried at least one child to term without any major complications
- Have no more than 4 prior deliveries via cesarean section
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 32.
- Do not smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or use illicit drugs
- Be dependable and financially stable
- Have a stable home life, with emotional care and a secure support system
- Be free from any mental health condition that requires the use of medication within the past six months
Qualified candidates also are asked to confirm their commitment to the Surrogacy process, expressing responsibility for their decision to participate and confirming they have met our requirements.
What happens if the Intended Parents change their minds and want to deny parental rights?
The Surrogacy contract will legally be upheld in terms of compensation and medical decisions. Based on what is discussed in the contract in terms of abortion as an option may be pursued, otherwise, the child will need to be placed for legal adoption upon birth. The gestational carrier will have no legal or parental obligation to the child.
I’ve never been pregnant before, can I be a Surrogate?
No. For your safety and to ensure a healthy journey for all parties involved, to become a Surrogate, you must have had at least one full-term pregnancy and delivery.
How long does a Surrogacy journey take?
On average, the complete process takes roughly 15-18 months. That includes the time of application submission to delivery of the baby. Some journeys may take more or less time.
I still want to have more of my own children, should I wait to be a Surrogate?
Having completed your own family prior to becoming a Surrogate is a strong suggestion, but not a hard-fast requirement. While many women continue to build their own families after their journeys, it is a good idea to consider the implications of additional pregnancies and the possibility of not being able to carry another pregnancy after your journey.
Can I remain in contact with the parents and child after delivery?
That will be up to you and the Intended Parents to decide. Many Surrogates and parents keep in contact well after the baby is born, and just as many choose to split ways. Each journey is unique.
Egg Donation
I’ve never had a baby, can I be an Egg Donor?
Yes, your ability to get pregnant and/or carry a baby to term have no effect on your ability to donate eggs.
I’ve had a tubal ligation, can I be an Egg Donor?
Yes! Because donated eggs are retrieved from the follicles, having cut fallopian tubes do not impact your ability to be an Egg Donor.
Is Egg Donation painful?
Egg Donation is not a painful procedure, however, there may be some discomfort for some women. The physical discomfort is similar to a standard PaP Smear.
Can I donate my eggs anonymously?
Yes. However, your profile will contain pertinent health and relevant historical information for the Intended Parent’s information.
Will I have any legal responsibilities to the child?
No. Your responsibility ends at the donation. Some Egg Donors choose to learn about families who use their eggs, but it is not required.
Will donating my eggs make me infertile?
No. A healthy woman will continue to have their reproductive cycle throughout their life, unaffected by Egg Donation. Although there is a chance that you may experience infertility, it is not a result of Egg Donation.
How long do I have to wait between donation cycles?
If you intend to donate multiple times, you’ll need to have two complete menstrual cycles in between donation cycles.