How To

How to Find a Surrogate Mother

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(4 Ratings)

Searching for a surrogate mother can be a frightening task. Picking the woman who will bear your child is not a decision to take lightly, but with proper guidance, couples seeking surrogate mothers can find someone trustworthy to help make them parents.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computer with Internet access
  • Contract
  • Attorney
  1. Step 1

    Search for an appropriate agency or for an independent surrogate. Visit several agencies and independent surrogates in person before you decide what is right for you.

  2. Step 2

    Choose an agency that screens their surrogates or an independent surrogate who can provide her medical records. Ask for test results for AIDS, hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted diseases and rubella. She also should be able to show you results from her most recent pap smear, electrocardiogram and an X-ray of her lungs.

  3. Step 3

    Meet with potential surrogates. Take the time to meet as many surrogates as you can. Discuss what you expect from her and what she expects from you. You need to feel completely comfortable with your decision for a surrogate.

  4. Step 4

    Pick a surrogate who meets your criteria. Bear in mind that surrogate mothers choose the couples they work with, so narrow your search to a few mothers with whom you would be comfortable.

  5. Step 5

    Sign a contract. Have a contract drawn up by an attorney, and make sure everyone involved reads and signs it. Make sure the contract includes everything you discussed, including fees and medical insurance.

Tips & Warnings
  • Always ask for personal references from potential surrogate mothers.
  • Ask a lot of questions. Have a list of questions for the surrogate prepared before you meet.
  • Be wary of situations that make you uncomfortable. There are a lot of dishonest surrogate agencies and independent surrogate mothers, so thoroughly research everyone you're interested in.
  • Before signing with an agency, review their fees and compare them to other agencies.

Comments  

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on 8/4/2008 Opting for a surrogate to have your baby is a decision, which will change your life. So utmost care should be taken to choose the right one.
What are the primary qualities that you should seek in a surrogate?

Just "finding" a woman is not enough. A lot of other aspects should be given prominence, so that it lessens the chance of any conflict between the intended parents and the surrogate, in the future.

The surrogate should fulfill the basic criteria like the age (21-40), appropriate ratio of height and weight, good health, and preferably a mother of one child. These physical criteria would ensure the health of the new baby.
You can find a useful article here about how to choose the right surrogate.
Source : http://www.surrofinder.com/articles/entry/How-to-choose-the-right-Surrogate-

Cheers

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