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Surrogacy Process for Intended Parents

A surrogacy journey for intended parents in Norway consists of many milestones that lead to the biggest milestone of all: bringing home your baby! Every journey is different and on its own timeline. The length of the process depends on the intended parents' preferences and situation, but an average journey can be 19 to 26 months.

How does the surrogacy process work?

The surrogacy process can seem a bit intimidating at first, however looking at the individual steps that make up your journey is a good way to understand how it all works. Here's a step-by-step guide to the surrogacy process, and a surrogacy timeline to help you see how long it takes to have a baby through surrogacy.

 Consultation & Sign-On

Consultation & Sign-On

  • Consult with agency
  • Sign agreement for services
  • Intro video call
  • Match with egg donor (if needed)
  • Create embryos

1-3 months

This first step in the surrogacy process is one of the biggest ones – making the decision to grow your family through surrogacy and choosing an agency. Once you've signed on with an agency, you will have your intro video call with the Journey Coordination team who will support you throughout your journey. You will also match with an egg donor (if needed) and create your embryos (if needed). The timeline for this stage is approximately 1-3 months.
 Matching with your Surrogate

Matching with your Surrogate

  • Matching process & approval
  • Intro video call with surrogate
  • Start journey to pregnancy

12 months, approx.

The matching stage is one of the most exciting – you will be finding the amazing woman who will help you grow your family! Our Matching Team will find you the perfect surrogate match based on criteria such as: personality fit, legal fit and your views on termination. A match will be presented to both the surrogate and the intended parents. If both parties are interested, they will have an introductory video call. If after that call everyone says "YES!", you will be officially be matched!
 Medical & Legal

Medical & Legal

  • Surrogate medical screening
  • Legal contracts written
  • Medications & monitoring
  • The transfer!
  • Beta tests

1-2 months

During the medical & legal phase, there are many mini milestones of your journey. First, your gestational carrier will go to the IVF clinic for her medical screening. From there, she will receive her protocol and begin her medications and monitoring at her local clinic. You will also be working with your U.S. lawyer experienced in assisted reproductive technology (ART) law to draft your surrogacy contract, while your carrier works with her own lawyer. When the time is right, your surrogate will go to the IVF clinic for the embryo transfer. Many intended parents from Norway travel to the U.S. to attend this milestone in person and spend time with their surrogate. Once she returns home, she will continue to go to the local clinic for her beta tests until there is a (fingers crossed!) confirmation of heartbeat.
 Pregnancy Icon

Pregnancy

  • Ultrasound check-ins
  • Create birth plan
  • Establish parental rights
  • Hospital and delivery prep
  • Your baby's birth!

9 months

The pregnancy stage is usually the longest step in your surrogacy journey. During this milestone, you'll continue to develop a strong bond with your surrogate as she updates you on the pregnancy and your baby. She'll be released to her own OBGYN and will continue with ultrasound check-ins. The 20-week ultrasound is a big milestone that many intended parents attend in person. It's also a good time for intended parents to tour the hospital where their baby/babies will be born. Intended parents will be working with their lawyer and local counsel to establish their parental rights. Parents will also be preparing for their baby's arrival, packing and booking travel. You'll plan and plan and before you know it, your baby will be here!
 Parents holding their child

Parenthood

  • Soak up the "new parent" wonderfulness
  • Obtain baby's passport (if needed)
  • Say goodbye to your surrogate & her family
  • Travel home

Birth & beyond

It has been an emotional journey, and you're finally holding your baby in your arms, and inhaling that amazing new baby smell. When the doctor releases your baby from the hospital, you are free to take your baby home. U.S. parents usually travel home shortly after they are released, either by car or plane. International parents may stay in the U.S. for 2-4 weeks after baby's birth to finalize travel and obtain the baby's passport if needed. You may experience a variety of emotions when it's time to return home: excitement, happiness, anxiety, sadness. Saying goodbye to your surrogate can be hard - but it doesn't have to be 'goodbye' it can be 'see you soon'!
 A detailed look at the surrogacy process and timeline.

A detailed look at the surrogacy process and timeline.

This surrogacy process and timeline overview gives parents an idea of what makes up a surrogacy journey.

See the details of the surrogacy process and what to expect by clicking the button below.

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