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.
Around 10 weeks, your gestational carrier will 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 if they can. During this visit, the OB will perform an anatomy scan of the baby. For those intended parents who do not yet know the sex of their baby, this is the appointment they will find out!
For intended parents who travel to attend this ultrasound, it's a great time for them to tour the hospital where their baby/babies will be born. A simple phone call to the hospital and they can arrange a tour, introduce themselves and get to know the place where their baby(ies) will enter the world!
During this time intended parents will also be working with their lawyer and local counsel to establish their parental rights. Intended parents will also be working on their birth plan: how they imagine delivery day will be, and what they would like out of the experience. Intended parents can work with their surrogates on this document, and their Program Coordination team can help facilitate the process.
This is an important document to have with you (you can even give a copy to the hospital) so that everyone is aware of your wishes during the surrogate birth. There is always a chance for unpredictable factors, however having this printed document gives you a place to make your wishes clear. The document includes information such as:
- How does the surrogate plan to deliver?
- Who will be in the delivery room?
- Preferences on having photos taken during delivery
- Who will the baby be handed to first after birth?
And let's not forget about the fun stuff: decorating a nursery at home! Plus, intended 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!