Interviewing Guide



 

When interviewing surrogacy services, please keep in mind that they are all run differently. Try to learn as much as you can about any program or service that interests you and get references, before signing up.


ABOUT THE PROGRAM


When was your service established? Who runs it (doctor, lawyer, social worker, etc)? What professional services (medical, psychological and legal) are provided for patients/clients? How much experience have you had providing surrogacy services? How many babies have been bon so far through (AI) Artificial Insemination Surrogacy? Gestational (IVF) Surrogacy? Egg Donation? Has a surrogate mother ever changed her mind about relinquishment? if so, how was this handled? Have you ever been or are you currently in litigation over handling of a case? What kind of support services (such as support groups) are available for couples and surrogates? How big is your staff and who will we be dealing with most of the time? Is there now a waiting list? Can you provide references? Is a brochure and cost-sheet available?


ABOUT THE PROCESS


How do you find prospective parents and surrogates? What are your requirements for each? What kind of screening is required? Are surrogate mothers screened before or after being presented to couples or vice-versa? What if a prospective surrogate decides not to work with us after the screening has been completed? Are our screening fees refundable? can couples and surrogates meet in this program or do you recommend strict anonymity? Who will be responsible for helping everyone with the details? How about for clinical appointments for inseminations or embryo transfers? Is sperm for inseminations banked and pre-tested before use? Or are the inseminations done with fresh sperm? If so, what precautions are taken to ensure it's healthy and disease free? Who decides what tests and/or treatments (if any) the surrogate should receive before or during pregnancy? Does your program require a negative pregnancy test before any procedures are attempted? How about after a missed period? Is a positive pregnancy test required? What if a pregnancy is achieved within a specified amount of time? Can we get re-matched without additional cost? Can we be present for the birth? Will you be able to help us complete the process for parental rights after the birth of the baby or will we need to hire another lawyer? What if the surrogate mother is asked to appear in court to help complete the legal work. Will she be able to and willing to travel to help us complete the process for parental rights?


ABOUT PRIVACY ISSUES


What outside support or other groups will have access to our personal information about us or our surrogate? What assurances can you give us that all personal information about us and our surrogate will stay strictly confidential? Will we be asked to sign a contract or pay a fee for our surrogate's membership in any group outside your regular agency support group?


ABOUT COSTS


What is your fee policy? Is there a charge for an initial consultation? Will your program or service handle all payments for us directly or will we be required to pay expenses directly? How much will it cost (ballpark figure) for AI Surrogacy? Gestational Surrogacy? Egg Donation? If we should change our minds after signing up with your service, are our funds refundable? Will you be able to give us an itemized statement of expenses as the process goes along? How does your program handle the expenses and/or compensation for the surrogate? What additional expenses might be involved? Is health and/or life insurance available for the surrogate mother?

ABOUT CONTRACTS

Will we be asked to sign a contract?* How about the surrogate mother? Will each party have separator legal counsel? Can we all have a copy of the agreement to review before signing it? How binding is this agreement on the parties involved? Can we add ir change some aspects, if desired? How do the laws of this state or the state where the baby will be born affect any agreement we wish to make?


*Most IVF clinics require a signed contract between the parties, whether or not it would be enforceable.