Surrogacy FAQSeptember 7, 2022 by accel conceptions A Surrogate's Journey
Do you have questions before you fill out the application to become a surrogate? We certainly hope you do! And, we are here to help you answer them. All of Accel Conception staff members have been either surrogates or intended parents and, with more than 18 years in the industry, there aren’t a lot of questions we haven’t encountered. In today’s post, we’ll try to focus on some of the more common current frequently asked questions we get. If you don’t see yours here, reach out and let us answer all of your questions!
How has COVID-19 affected surrogacy?
COVID-19 has required some adjustments to be made in regard to the number of people present at appointments and delivery of the baby as well as negotiating travel, but in 2022, most agencies — Accel included — are well versed in the challenges the pandemic caused, and have mitigated most obstacles. Since intended parents and their surrogates may not live local to each other, the COVID-19 restrictions gave us all an opportunity to strengthen communication methods and streamline the virtual process. At this point in the pandemic, most travel restrictions have been listed and we’ve had no problems having both the surrogate’s partner and the intended parents present for the birth of the baby. Most intended parents prefer their surrogates be vaccinated and have the COVID-19 booster.
How has the overturning of Roe v. Wade affected surrogacy?
The overturning of Roe v. Wade, while a slam to the reproduction industry and the rights of women and parents, has not threatened surrogacy as much as one may think. Some of the considerations for surrogacy include selective reduction (from triplets to twins, twins to singleton, etc.) and abortion. However, abortion in surrogacy is incredibly rare, so it has not impacted surrogacy pregnancies much. For intended parents who are concerned, we can match them with surrogates in abortion-friendly states, or we can have surrogates travel to abortion-friendly states on the off-chance that termination is necessary.
Does a surrogate use her own eggs for a surrogacy journey?
Not for gestational surrogacy, which is what we coordinate here at Accel Conceptions. Using her own eggs is a form of surrogacy called altruistic or traditional surrogacy. This is typical of surrogates who carry for family members or close friends. With altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate is genetically related to the baby. At our surrogacy agency, we only engage in gestational surrogacy where the intended parents have used their own DNA to create their embryos, or in the absence of eggs, have procured an egg donor. Pre-made and tested embryos are transferred into our surrogates for incubation only.
Are surrogates matched with intended parents in their local area?
Sometimes, but not necessarily. Intended parents may live anywhere in the world and seek surrogacy in the United States where it is safer for all parties involved. Additionally, within the United States, not all states are surrogate-friendly, so intended parents and their surrogates may be limited by geography and politics.
Is surrogate compensation taxable?
We do not issue any tax forms including W2 or 1099 that describe income and the federal government cannot tax monies paid for pain and suffering. With that being said, we are not tax experts and we highly recommend discussing any concerns with a certified public accountant (CPA).
Does a surrogate breastfeed the baby?
No, not generally. It is not advised for the surrogate to perform attachment measures including skin-to-skin or breastfeeding, but instead, the parents should engage in those activities. Surrogates can pump breast milk to nourish the baby if the intended parents request.
Does the surrogate have to deliver in the hospital?
No. A surrogate’s birth plan is up to the intended parents and the surrogate and may take on any form that a regular birth does. The birth plan, where the surrogate will deliver, and who will be present should all be negotiated in the contract phase of the process and the medical insurance used for the pregnancy should cover whatever delivery method is chosen. For multiple or high-risk pregnancies, the intended parents may choose to have their surrogate deliver at a hospital even when the initial plan was with a doula at home or at a birth center. As with any pregnancy, all parties should have a plan but be flexible, letting the pregnancy dictate how the birth goes.
At Accel Conceptions, Inc., we are here to answer all of your questions — even the uncomfortable ones. Our experienced staff has heard them all and asked many of them ourselves. We celebrate a community of transparency and honesty in a judgment-free space. If you have a question, fear, or concern, you are likely not alone. If you haven’t spotted your question here, feel free to discover more information online or reach out to us directly at info@accelconceptions.com
At Accel Conceptions, Inc., we are here to answer all of your questions — even the uncomfortable ones. Our experienced staff has heard them all and asked many of them ourselves. We celebrate a community of transparency and honesty in a judgment-free space. If you have a question, fear, or concern, you are likely not alone. If you haven’t spotted your question here, feel free to discover more information online or reach out to us directly at info@accelconceptions.com