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We are looking for mothers between 21 and 40 years of age, with a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery history that would like to help a couple in their journey to create a child.
Parenting a child is one of the special joys of life. However, nearly one out of six couples suffers a painful struggle with infertility and continuous disappointments month after month because of problems beyond the control of the medical profession.
S.E.E.D.S. helps couples and individuals who are not able to achieve parenthood. Having a child with the help of a Gestational Surrogate can be an exciting and fulfilling way to become parents. Unlike some alternative methods of creating a family, in surrogate parenting a child is biologically related to one or both of the Intended Parents. It also gives the couple/individual the opportunity to share the pregnancy and experience its wonder and joy.
Becoming a Gestational Carrier offers a woman the opportunity to share the emotional and joyful journey to achieve parenthood with a couple or individual. A Gestational Carrier’s generosity makes a difference in the lives of a couple or individual. |
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A Gestational Carrier will make a difference that will last beyond the couple or / individual lifetime .
S.E.E.D.S. provides coordination of all aspects of the surrogacy arrangement. Our goal is to provide care, protection, guidance and support to each person involved in this journey. This includes having a counselor assigned to you during and after your participation in the program, and providing personal support to you.
S.E.E.D.S. is your liaison and coordinator throughout the entire Gestational Surrogacy process from the time of the first meeting with the Intended Parents, through the matching, pregnancy and delivery of the baby or babies and 8 weeks after the delivery of the child/children.
S.E.E.D.S. Will provide you the information on prospective Intended Parents. You will then meet the couple/individual I.P. prior to determining if this is the couple or individual you would like to carry a child for. The Gestational Surrogate mother has the opportunity of finding out in person about the couple/individual’s history, their infertility problem, if they have any children, if they would like more than one child, their personality, etc. The couple/individual and Gestational Carrier are in contact with one another throughout the pregnancy, and we encourage some contact continue after the birth, primarily sending pictures of the child.
S.E.E.D.S. offers a very personal, supportive approach to you, the Gestational Carrier. Each staff member has a special role in assuring you the best possible experience. Our Coordinators have extensive knowledge in the areas of counseling and fertility treatment.
S.E.E.D.S. will take care of all your financial arrangements. An attorney administrates a trust account held on your behalf. Your expenses, medical costs, and monthly assistance are paid directly from the trust account. This alleviates the need for you to discuss money directly with the couple/individual you are helping. We are always available to answer your questions regarding your trust account.
All parties must be tested for a number of diseases including HIV. This includes the Gestational Carrier and her partner, the Intended mother and the intended father, Egg Donor and Egg Donor’s partner. Our priority is to minimize any risk to the Gestational Carrier and the unborn child.
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What is a Gestational Surrogate?
A gestational surrogate or Gestational Carrier is a woman who acts as a “host carrier” for a couple or individual, I.P. In many cases, women who want to have a baby are unable to achieve or maintain a pregnancy for many different medical reasons. The child or children the Gestational Surrogate will be carrying is NOT genetically related to the Gestational Surrogate.
What criteria do you look for in accepting a Gestational Surrogate into the program?
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S.E.E.D.S. looks for women who are open, honest, caring, individuals by nature. They must be women who are very special and committed to giving a most precious gift. A Gestational Surrogate must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 40 years of age, fertile, and healthy, with no negative genetic history, and have a child. She must be in excellent health, both physically and mentally. She must also have had a positive pregnancy history. She must be free of any sexually transmitted disease.
What does being a Gestational Surrogate require?
A Gestational Surrogate must be willing to commit herself to helping another family create a child. This involves an extensive acceptance process, counseling, screening, psychological testing, medical tests and medical procedures. Becoming a Gestational Surrogate can be one of the most fulfilling experiences you will have. A counselor will explain, in detail, what is expected of you.
Am I compensated for my time and efforts?
At S.E.E.D.S. our Gestational Surrogates receive a monthly compensation for their personal, living and related expenses; this is approximately $24,000 (for carrying one child) and $ 26.000 (for carrying twins) until the time of the birth. You will also receive medical insurance (if needed) and life insurance. If it is necessary you may receive assistance for travel expenses and childcare. |
Can I be a Gestational Surrogate if I don't live in Pennsylvania?
Yes, we work with families, Gestational Surrogates and Egg Donors who live throughout the United States.
Why are women Gestational Surrogates?
Many women realize how difficult it must be for infertile couples and individuals who try so hard to have a child and are continuously disappointed. When pregnancy has always come easily, you realize how lucky you are. Many women consider being a Gestational Surrogate and conclude, "I could do that..." After looking into it, they find out about how wonderful surrogacy can be.
How do most Gestational Surrogates feel about the baby/babies they carry?
It is inexplicably rewarding to know that you helped form a family. Your feelings towards the baby are of care and love for the baby. Your position is to take care of the baby/babies until they are born, but it is not like having your own child. It is being a part of the physical growth and nurturing process, like a foster parent, nanny or baby-sitter until the baby/babies are ready to be born and go home to their family.
Surrogacy is the most meaningful and fulfilling Gift a woman can give. It is a Journey of love for the Gestational Surrogate and her family, as well as the Intended Parents.
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- 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 Parents or individual and the Gestational Carrier is expected within 48 hours of the meeting.
- The parties, IP’s and Gestational Carrier need to have a contractual agreement. The Intended Parents and Gestational Surrogate 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 Gestational Carrier’s needs are paid out of the trust account.
- The contractual agreement must be ready prior the medical procedures beginning.
- The medical procedures to achieve pregnancy begin. Couples or individuals can expect to have the Gestational Carrier begin the medical procedures within two months of completing the contracts.
- The matching process may take from 2 to 6 months, or longer, depending on the couple's needs. Gestational Carriers and recipient couples or individuals can expect to be in the program 12 to 20 months until a baby is born.
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- A trust account is opened to pay all the legal, medical, and other expenses that arise from the surrogacy agreement. This eliminates the need for the individual or couple and Gestational Carrier to discuss finances, and allows everyone to enjoy the entire experience.
- The Gestational Carrier is never left with any unpaid bills related to her pregnancy and expenses.
- The funds will be placed in escrow to cover all of your anticipated personal expenses,. No matter what financial changes may occur in the couple/individual’s lives, the escrow account will have sufficient funds to cover all costs associated with your pregnancy and the allowance.
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Although financial necessity should not be the primary motivating factor in deciding to help a couple/individual realize their dreams of a child, we strongly believe that a Gestational Surrogate and her family must receive consideration and care for her commitment, dedication, and changes to her daily lifestyle.
Every professional that is working with you receives a fee for helping an infertile couple/individual; therefore a Gestational Surrogate and her family have the right to receive an allowance. |
The financial allowance to the Gestational Surrogate makes a difference for her and her family; this is the way a couple/individual can thank her for making a difference in their lives. You, the Gestational Surrogate, have made possible the most precious gift that a couple or individual can have, to parent a child.
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- From the time of the application all medical expenses related to surrogacy are covered.
- From the time of matching all expenses related to the surrogacy are covered.
- While in procedure to accomplish pregnancy you will receive $400 a month.
- After the embryo transfer is done you will receive $ 1,000.
- After a positive pregnancy test is confirmed, or a heartbeat is heard.
- The Gestational Surrogate will receive an allowance of $18,000. in a monthly allowance of $2,000 each month during the 9 months of pregnancy. (There are $300 monthly additional for twins).
- Immediately after delivery you will receive a $2,500 allowance for single delivery, and $ 5.000 for delivery of Twins.
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- If you carry more than one child, after the birth you will receive an additional $2,500 for each additional child.
- Medical Insurance premium. The cost of a medical insurance policy will be paid for you. All Gestational Surrogates are required to have medical insurance that covers pregnancy and delivery. If you do not have insurance or if your policy excludes a Gestational Surrogate’s pregnancy, we will guide and assist you to apply for a policy that will cover the pregnancy.
- If you have medical insurance policy that you pay, reimbursement is possible.
- Life Insurance premium, for a $200,000 policy for one year.
- Maternity Clothes: $ 600 during the pregnancy.
- Childcare for doctor ordered bed-rest. Only available if the gestational surrogate has children at home who would not regularly be in school or other childcare.
- Travel will be paid if you are required to travel outside of a 2.5 hour driving distance for medical or other program related reasons.
- Lost wages will be paid if the Gestational Surrogate needs to miss more than 2 days of work for medical reasons related to the surrogacy, based on doctor’s orders.
Any financial needs you have due to a complication of pregnancy will be met through a trust account.
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