A guide to becoming a surrogate in Connecticut

Becoming a surrogate mother in Connecticut is a big decision and can have an impact on the lives of many people. Those who bravely take on this journey will receive the unique experience of helping someone create their family. To help those considering this commitment, here are seven steps to follow when becoming a surrogate mother in Connecticut.

Are you considering surrogacy in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the process of being a surrogate mother generally takes around one year and involves physical, mental and emotional commitment. In addition, you should consider the impact on your time, family and career that you may have to make. Being a surrogate mother in Connecticut can be beneficial for families who have been wanting to have a child for months or even years.

If you are married, your spouse must acknowledge their agreement of your choice to pursue surrogacy for legal and practical reasons, as well as for emotional support during the process.

Becoming a surrogate requires careful consideration, including whether helping to build families is your primary motivator. Financial compensation may be a factor, but it should not be the main driving force behind your decision. If family-building is your main goal, you will likely find surrogacy rewarding.

Step 1: Choose the type of surrogacy and the surrogacy professional

In Connecticut, prospective surrogate mothers have the option to explore two types of surrogacy, as well as receive guidance from experts in the field.

Traditional surrogacy:

Connecticut surrogacy law does not directly address traditional surrogacy, but it is not illegal. It involves the intended mother being the biological mother of the child, so carries legal and emotional risks. Most programs and agencies do not accept traditional surrogacy because of these risks. In this form of surrogacy, a fertility clinic would utilize either donor sperm or the intended father's sperm with the intended mother's egg in an IUI or IVF procedure.

Gestational surrogacy:

In Connecticut, gestational surrogacy - where the surrogate is not biologically related to the child - is legal and more common than other forms of surrogacy. It requires the creation of an embryo through IVF, typically with egg and sperm from donors or intended parents, which is subsequently implanted into the uterus of the surrogate.

In Connecticut, those considering surrogacy are advised to enlist the assistance of a professional. There are two local professionals from whom you can choose. This is essential for ensuring your and the intended parents' protection in addition to providing security for the baby.

Surrogacy agencies or centers:

A surrogacy agency or center can provide a range of services throughout the surrogacy process, and will match you with pre-screened intended parents. They manage all aspects on your behalf.

Surrogacy attorneys:

A surrogacy attorney facilitates the legal aspects of a Connecticut surrogacy journey. Although they typically do not provide matching or search services, they may offer guidance on how one could conduct their own search for intended parents.

Step 2: Completing the screening requirements necessary to become a surrogate mother in Connecticut.

Once you've determined your preferred surrogacy process, make sure to satisfy the surrogate mother requirements. Generally, Connecticut surrogacy professionals have similar yet slightly varying requirements that may involve:

Health

Connecticut applicants for surrogacy are required to meet health and medical conditions, including delivery of one or more children without any complications, a BMI of between 19 and 33 and being free from drugs and smoking. Further information on the health requirements to become a surrogate mother in CT can be found here.

Legal

Prospective gestational surrogates in Connecticut must not be recipients of government financial aid, be permanent residents of the United States and meet other requirements. Further information on the requirements on becoming a surrogate in this state is available here.

In Connecticut, gestational carriers are asked to complete psychological screening as part of the process, ensuring they are emotionally and psychologically prepared. Building a strong support system of people that understand and respect your surrogate goals is also necessary. Further information on creating this support system and how to sign up as a gestational carrier in CT is available here.

Step 3: Select the parents you would like to carry for.

When becoming a surrogate mother in Connecticut, one of the most important steps is finding the right parents to carry for. There are several ways to accomplish this and it is essential that you establish a connection and build trusting relationships with them so that families can become complete.

Collaborating with a familiar individual can be beneficial.

Women in Connecticut who want to learn about becoming a surrogate mother can reach out to surrogacy professionals. It is necessary to follow the legal and medical steps, as well as meeting the screening requirements.

Go through a surrogacy agency to find a match.

A surrogacy agency provides the opportunity to match with hopeful parents who have been pre-vetted and entered into the program.

Prospective parents may seek out each other individually.

For surrogate parents without the assistance of an agency in Connecticut, it is possible to find intended parents through online advertisements, existing relationships, and word-of-mouth.

Step 4: All parties involved in the surrogacy process need to complete a legal contract.

Once you've matched with intended parents, the next step is to create a surrogacy contract. To ensure fairness, both parties should have their own legal representatives while in negotiations. The contracting process covers topics such as surrogacy compensation, legal parental rights of the intended parents, and potential complications of the pregnancy.

Once a final version of the contract has been agreed upon, the next steps in becoming a surrogate in Connecticut can be followed.

Step 5: Complete the embryo transfer process.

If you have met the health requirements and medical screenings required for prospective surrogate mothers, Connecticut professionals have determined that you are in good health to receive the fertility treatments, medications and hormones needed for the embryo transfer.

The embryo transfer procedure will occur at the fertility clinic specified in the surrogacy contract, with travel expenses for this purpose covered by the intended parents. Following the procedure, the surrogate should take some rest at the clinic and practice self-care for several days to increase the chance of successful implantation.

If multiple embryo transfers are necessary to achieve a healthy pregnancy, and the doctor confirms the pregnancy is stable, your regular OBGYN can provide routine prenatal care. Once you reach this stage, you can remain in contact with the intended parents, updating them on the progress of their baby and sharing your experience.

Step 6: Celebrate the new arrival with the intended parents.

After deciding to become a surrogate in Connecticut, both surrogates and the prospective parents are eager to unite when it is time for the baby to be born. Prior to this, a birth plan will be established as part of the surrogacy agreement. The anticipated parents also often visit when their child is about to be born.

Undertaking surrogacy in Connecticut can be a meaningful experience, providing a special gift to an intended family. Are you ready to take the first step towards becoming a surrogate? Apply here.