| International surrogacy is an ever-growing option for | | | | 4. Oversight of Surrogates. Close oversight of |
| many families seeking to build their families through | | | | surrogates such as unannounced home visits and |
| surrogacy but at significantly lower costs than what | | | | agency coordination and direct participation in all |
| can be offered in the United States. While international | | | | medical procedures and routine examinations should |
| surrogacy can certainly offer great cost savings, it is | | | | be a part of a well run program. |
| important that the programs offer a full range of | | | | 5. Professional, credentialed staff. The agency should |
| services from legal to psychological care and | | | | have professional, credentialed staff including legal and |
| counseling, and include careful monitoring of surrogates | | | | psychological care staff who can provide expertise in |
| and the process. | | | | the legal and psychological aspects of the process. |
| The best programs should offer quality services by | | | | 6. U.S. and Foreign Offices. The program should have |
| professional staff and follow standards similar to those | | | | staff and offices in the United States and the foreign |
| followed by top notch domestic surrogacy programs | | | | country so that communication is handled by |
| and promulgated by the American Society for | | | | experienced staff in the U.S. and can smooth out |
| Reproductive Medicine Standards (ASRM). | | | | communication issues which may otherwise occur. |
| The following is a list of issues to look for: | | | | 7. Evaluation and Counseling of Intended Parents. This |
| 1. Standards. The program maintains standards for | | | | may not seem necessary or even preferred but |
| surrogacy qualifications that include age restrictions, | | | | evaluation and counseling by licensed psychologists |
| health standards, successful birth history, and thorough | | | | can provide tremendous insights to Intended Parents, |
| psychological screening and medical screening. The | | | | assist in dealing with issues surrounding surrogacy |
| program should follow standards such as those set | | | | arrangements and help Intended Parents to better |
| forth by the American Society of Reproductive | | | | prepare with the surrogacy process and cope with |
| Medicine. | | | | issues as they arise. It is an invaluable and critical |
| 2. Psychological Screening of Surrogates by | | | | element in any well managed surrogacy program. |
| Professional Staff. This is a critical component of a | | | | This list should serve as a guide in evaluating |
| successful surrogacy arrangement. Professional | | | | international surrogacy programs. This is one of the |
| evaluation of a surrogate's readiness to become a | | | | most important life decisions a person will ever make |
| surrogate is essential. | | | | and cost savings should not cloud the fundamental |
| 3. Ongoing Education, Counseling and Support. The | | | | requirements, standards and professionalism that must |
| best programs will have developed educational | | | | be present in the professional support that you will |
| programs for surrogates on all aspects of the process, | | | | receive during this most precious journey to |
| and provide ongoing counseling and support for | | | | parenthood. |
| surrogates throughout the process. | | | | |