Private Surrogacy vs. Professional Agency An : Ultimate Guide

Whether you’re an intended parent or a surrogate choosing whether to work with a professional agency or completing a private surrogacy is an important and personal decision. It’s essential to have a fundamental knowledge of both options to make an informed decision. That’s why we’ve put together this guide about private surrogacy or a professional agency. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Private Surrogacy?

Private surrogacy is a surrogacy that is done without the aid of a professional agency, it may also be referred to as independent surrogacy. Private surrogacies require both parties, the surrogate and intended parent(s), to organize and handle every aspect of a successful surrogacy arrangement from payment to communication alone.

A private surrogacy arrangement is typically made when there is an existing relationship between both the intended parents and their surrogate, as one of a surrogacy agency’s core duties is matching surrogates and intended parents.

While there is no need to work with a professional agency within a private surrogacy, there is still a need for professional legal and medical help to complete their surrogacy journey. You may also find yourself having to do the work of an Agency coordinator to handle the clinic al appointments, psychological screenings and coordination that is necessary to the process. You will also want to hire someone to handle the financial payments to your surrogate. As the laws surrounding surrogacy vary across the U.S and internationally, a lawyer is a person who is best suited to help ensure that you don’t experience any legal battles concerning custody issues, during your surrogacy. Working with a top-notch obstetrician is also essential.

What Does a Professional Agency Do?

A professional surrogacy agency is a business that specializes in aiding both surrogates and intended parents in their surrogacy journey. A professional surrogacy agency plays an important role in the surrogacy process. Not only will a professional agency provide support and expertise, but they help to keep every aspect of your surrogacy journey running as smoothly as possible. Here are some of the core services that you can expect from your surrogacy agency.

• Matching Services – Your agency will provide matching services by keeping a registry of surrogates and allowing intended parents to choose a surrogate that suits their needs. They also facilitate meetings between both parties to ensure that they are both in agreement that they are a good fit.

• Screening Services – A great agency will have stringent screening requirements for both surrogates to ensure that they work with surrogates who are best suited to complete a successful surrogacy by screening for health problems, age, education, and more. They will also ensure that surrogates are both mentally and physically prepared for their surrogate pregnancies by mandating physical and mental health evaluations

• Support – Surrogacy agencies provide unmatched support to both surrogates and intended parents. They are there to manage any problems that may crop up, give advice, and answer any and all questions or concerns. Simple Surrogacy is unique in that it provides expert support from those who have been a part of a surrogacy journey in their personal lives, as well.

• Surrogacy Coordination & Management – Surrogacy is a complex journey that requires precise management and handling. A great agency works to coordinate everything from initial meetings to providing attorney recommendations. In short, a professional agency is the Olivia Pope of getting things done.

What to Consider When Choosing Between an Agency or Private Surrogacy

It’s not easy to choose between a professional agency or a private surrogacy, because your choice will largely depend on your own circumstances. That said, it’s imperative that you conduct research before coming to a final decision. You may also consider hiring an Agency to coordinate a match you have made privately to make things easier. Luckily, by reading this, you’re already well on your way! Check out this breakdown of important factors to consider when choosing between an agency or a private surrogacy.

Surrogacy Cost

Finances can be an important deciding factor when it comes to choosing between an agency or private surrogacy. If you are considering working with an agency, be sure to ask about their fee structure early on. This can help you to eliminate agencies that aren’t within your budget sooner rather than later.

Services Offered

Working with a professional surrogacy agency means that you’ll benefit from a variety of services that are offered by your agency. This can range from screening services to egg donation. However, if you are leaning toward a private surrogacy, it’s important to ensure that you are willing to take on the extra work that goes into including coordination, finding legal support, and working out any payments.

The Support Factor

Surrogacy agencies offer a unique perspective when it comes to the surrogacy journey. many agencies offer round-the-clock support meaning that you can feel free to get in contact with your case manager at any time with questions or concerns. This can be invaluable to those who are on their first surrogacy journey or simply to those who need the support.

Private Surrogacy vs. Professional Agency: The Bottom Line

Both a private surrogacy and a professional surrogacy agency have advantages and drawbacks, so it can be difficult to choose between the two for your own surrogacy journey.

So which is the better choice?

That depends, the reality is that most independent or private surrogacies are done by surrogates and intended parents who already know each other and have already agreed to work together. If you are an intended parent or surrogate who is considering taking the surrogate journey with someone that you know, then private surrogacy may be an option.

However, if you are starting from square one, as an intended parent or a surrogate, then an agency can provide you with guidance during every step of your journey. By offering screening services, matching, and unwavering support, a professional agency makes surrogacy a manageable and fulfilling journey for all parties involved.

Final Thoughts

All in all, whether someone pursues a private surrogacy or decides to work with a professional agency is a personal choice. However, it should not be made lightly. It’s important to do some research before making a final decision. Simple Surrogacy is happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding the surrogacy process and help you make your final decision. Get in touch with us today via phone at (866) 461-4550 or simply reaching out via our website by filling out our online form. We can’t wait to hear from you!