S.E.E.D.S., Surrogacy, Embryo and Egg Donor Services, Inc., offers a comprehensive program of Gestational Surrogacy and Egg Donation. S.E.E.D.S. assists couples, single individuals, and gay and lesbian couples. Our staff has experience working with infertile couples and individuals all across the United States and Internationally. We have staffs that are fluent in French and Spanish, and we can provide services in both languages.
Having a child with the help of a Gestational Carrier or Egg Donor can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. Unlike some alternative methods of creating a family, the surrogacy process allows a child to be biologically related to one or both parents. Surrogacy gives the Intended Parent/s the opportunity to become involved in the pregnancy itself.
A Gestational Carrier is a woman who voluntarily acts as a “host carrier” for a couple or individual that is unable to achieve or maintain a pregnancy that will result in a successful birth. The Gestational Carrier is not genetically related to the baby, the Intended Parent/s will use their own eggs / sperm or an Egg Donor and sperm donor.
We understand how emotionally, physically and financially demanding it can be to choose to be a participant in the Gestational Carrier program in order to achieve a pregnancy. Advances in reproductive medicine give couples and individuals many choices in creating their own family. During the S.E.E.D.S. initial consultation, available options will be explored and compared so that you can select and understand a program before starting.
Our staff believes it is important for you to be as informed as you can be about the Gestational Carrier Program and we will help you to navigate and coordinate this unique relationship.
S.E.E.D.S. believes it is important for you to be as informed as you can be about the Gestational Carrier you choose to work with.
S.E.E.D.S. is here to guide you, but you will make the final decision when being matched with the Gestational Carrier, The match is a two way process between both parties, IP’s and the Gestational Carrier.
We can provide you with a Social Background Report on the Gestational Carrier done by the S.E.E.D.S. coordinator. The Social Background Report process involves a series of interviews designed to help a Gestational Carrier educate herself about surrogate motherhood and to determine if surrogate motherhood is right for her. This report includes all of her basic information, vital statistics, family background, health and psychological information, fertility testing, present life situation, personality and goals.
S.E.E.D.S. maintains a small select group of Gestational Carrier candidates, who have been recruited and gone through a lengthy acceptance process following the guidelines from ASRM, SART and the FDA regulations.
All of our Gestational Carriers are medically and psychologically screened after their initial application is accepted; we then have a face to face interview and psychological evaluation with the Gestational Carrier candidate at the S.E.E.D.S. office. Following the interview a criminal background check is conducted. Before she is accepted into our program, we schedule a second meeting with the Gestational Carrier candidate and her husband or significant other, including a professional Counselor in order to cover how the program works and to discuss and explore all the different issues which might arise in an IP / Gestational Carrier relationship.
The Gestational Carrier should be between the ages of 21 and 42, with a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery history. Gestational Carriers will be medically screened at the appointed Fertility Clinic following the FDA regulations requiring testing for HIV, Hepatitis, infectious diseases, medical disorders (such as diabetes), illicit drugs and alcohol.
Gestational Surrogacy is an option for all types of individuals seeking the dream to become parents.
We assist a wide variety of Intended Parents, regardless of their sexual orientation; couples, single men and women and same sex couples of either gender.
S.E.E.D.S. is located in Northeast Pennsylvania and we work with Intended Parents throughout United States and the World.
We facilitate the Gestational Carrier Contractual agreements and escrow account between Intended Parent's and the Gestational Carrier.
The legal issues associated with non-traditional families and International Surrogacy is handled by attorneys who are experts in the surrogacy field.
We coordinate and manage ALL appointments on behalf of the local or International Intended Parents and Gestational Carrier.
- Introduction meeting of the Intended Parent/s and Gestational Carrier candidate will take place at the S.E.E.D.S. office or a convenient location for all parties involved. The S.E.E.D.S. Surrogacy Coordinator and the Counselor will facilitate the meeting. Each meeting is individually tailored to the needs and requirements of all parties. This meeting is one of the most important steps in the Gestational Carrier process. You will be familiarized with the meeting protocol and our Surrogacy Coordinator and the Counselor will be available to you before and after the meeting.
- Confirmation of the match by both the Intended Parent/s and the Gestational Carrier is expected within 48 hours of the meeting.
- Gestational Carrier medical approval by the Fertility Center
- The parties, IP’s and Gestational Carrier, are required to be represented by separate legal counsel.
- The legal contracts are drafted. All parties need to be fully informed of their legal obligations as spelled out in the agreement. Once the contract is executed, a trust account is established. All expenses and payments relating to the Surrogate Carrier’s needs are paid out of the trust account.
- The medical procedures to achieve parenthood begin. Couples or individuals can expect to have the Gestational Carrier begin the medical procedures within two months of completing the contracts.
- Gestational Carriers and Intended Parents or Parent can expect to be in the program 12 to 20 months until a baby is born. The sooner you start, the sooner it will happen.
- The matching process may take from 2 to 6 months, or longer, depending on the couple's need.
- A trust account is held by an attorney to pay all the legal, medical, and other expenses that arise from the surrogacy agreement. This eliminates the need for theIntended Parent/s and Gestational Carrier to discuss finances, and allows everyone to enjoy the entire experience. The surrogate mother is never left with any unpaid bills related to her pregnancy and expenses.
- Anticipated expenses for the Gestational Carrier program are approximately $42,000 to $46,000. This includes: application, coordination fee, Gestational Carrier screening and support, medical history, psychologist fee for Gestational Carrier and couple or individual's initial evaluation and counseling, legal fees for Gestational Carrier, life insurance, maternity clothes, and the Gestational Carrier allowance to accomplish pregnancy, embryo transfer and monthly allowance during the pregnancy.
- Health insurance expenses are not included in the estimate. If the Gestational Carrier needs health insurance S.E.E.D.S. will assist to secure it.
- Please note that some of these costs will be higher if a multiple pregnancy results. The anticipated total is approximate and may vary due to each case's specific circumstances.
- Medical expenses and reproductive medicine costs are not included.
- SEEDS has been successfully providing Egg Donors and Gestational Carriers since April 1999.
- SEEDS is a member of SART and follows all the guidelines from ASRM and all FDA regulations.
- SEEDS Gestational Carriers and Egg Donor candidates MUST have an in-person interview at the SEEDS office in Hamlin, Pa.
- SEEDS Gestational Carriers and Egg Donors are psychologically screen before matching them with Intended Parents or Recipients.
- SEEDS has outstanding success rates in the Egg Donor and Gestational Carrier program.
- SEEDS excellent and positive working relationship with various Infertility Clinics in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
- Cost effective program and set Fee payment schedule
What is S.E.E.D.S.’ role?
S.E.E.D.S. is your liaison and coordinator throughout every area of all the complex arrangements associated with the Gestational Carrier process from the time of the first meeting, through the Matching and until 4 months post-birth.
OUR responsibilities can include but are not limited to:
- Providing a very personalized service to each IP and Gestational Carrier
- Finding and matching with a suitable Gestational Carrier
- Coordinating and assisting with all the appointments, Legal procedures, Psychological, Medical, Transportation and Counseling.
- Assisting both parties in obtaining independent legal counsel
- Assisting and coordinating with the collection and disbursement of all funds to the Gestational Carrier, as indicated by the contract
- Assisting in locating suitable Health Insurance and Life Insurance for the Carrier
- Supporting and Counseling both parties, IPs and Gestational Carrier throughout every step required on this journey to create your family.
- Legal counsel Fee for IPs and Gestational Carrier for the contract
- Attorney Fee for holding funds on Escrow Account
- Legal counsel for the birth order
- Gestational Carrier’s Medical Insurance
- The need to have more than one Embryo transfer
How long will I wait to be matched with a Gestational Carrier?
The matching process between a Gestational Carrier and IP’s is a highly personalized process; it is not a quick and easy match. We make every effort to respect both parties’ needs and desires.
S.E.E.D.S. relies on the information supplied by the various participants in suggesting potential matches. In every case, the ultimate decision for a successful match is solely up to the participants involved, the IPs and Gestational Carrier candidate.
S.E.E.D.S. will use its best efforts to match IPs with Gestational Carriers who meet their designated criteria.
How Much does it cost?
The Gestational Carrier program cost includes many variables such as:
Application Fee Non-refundable |
$ 185 |
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S.E.E.D.S Coordination Fee Non-refundable |
$ 9,500 |
Payment Schedule: |
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$ 5.000 to initiate the matching process |
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$ 4.500 upon signing surrogacy contract |
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Gestational Carrier Compensation |
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$ 500 monthly allowance while in procedure to accomplish pregnancy for gas , mileage and traveling expenses |
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$ 1,000 at time of first embryo transfer / $ 800 for any additional transfers |
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$ 2,000 monthly allowance during pregnancy with ONE Baby for 9 months ( total $ 18,000) |
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$ 2,300 If Twins, allowance for 9 months (total $ 20,700) |
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$ 2,500 upon birth of ONE baby |
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$ 5,000 upon birth of Twins |
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Gestational Carrier Additional and Potential Expenses |
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Maternity Clothes allowance at 5th month |
$ 300 |
Maternity Clothes allowance at 7th month |
$ 300 |
Medical insurance premium, monthly |
$ 400 - $ 500 (mo.-approx) |
Life insurance ($200.000) |
$ 400 (approximate) |
Amniocentesis, allowance for time and risk |
$ 800 (if necessary) |
Any Medical Procedures requiring anesthesia |
$ 800 (Hysteroscopy) |
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Additional expenses if surrogate is required to be on bedrest, Allowance for lost wages, childcare, meals, etc. As stated in contract |
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Legal Counsel Fee Contract for Intended Parents |
$ 2,500 --- $ 2,750 |
Legal Counsel Fee Contract for Gestational Carrier |
$ 850 |
Trust Account Management Fee |
$ 1,000 |
Legal Counsel Pre- and Post Birth Order |
$ 1,500 --- $ 1,750 |
Psychological Evaluation |
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Intended Parents |
$ 750 |
Gestational Carrier |
$ 750 |
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All Medical Screening for Gestational Carrier, husband/partner, will be determined by the reproductive center providing the medical care and services.
Please consult with your reproductive center for an estimate of these fees. Fees are paid directly to the reproductive center