QuestionI am interested in becoming a surrogate mother, so where should I start to find couples that are looking for a surrogate mother and what are the risks?
AnswerHI Nahalia,
There are three ways you can find a couple to be a surrogate for:
1) find an attorney who specializes in this
2) find an agency that handles surrogacy
3) you can go to www.surromomsonline.com they have classifieds there where couples are looking for surrogates and surrogates are looking for couples. There are other very good websites also (www.surrogacy.com and www.allaboutsurrogacy.com) but I am not as familiar with them.
A lot depends also on where you live, what country and what state (if you are in the U.S.) Some states and countries to not allow surrogacy!
The risks: well with any pregnancy, there are risks. I didn't think I would have any risks or complications but I did wind up with complications.... I got through it though, and am just aching to be a surrogate again. I do not think there has been a case of a surrogate mother dying from childbirth, but again, it is a pregnancy, and unfortunately women do die in this world from childbirth.
You can also have reproductive damage if you have certain complications, but again this is rare. This is why you need to at least have an attorney involved, even if you find your own couple, to make sure that you are protected legally and financially should you have some crazy complications.
It sounds scary but the benefits far outweigh the risks. There is usually a good amount of financial compensation for the surrogate, but the joy of helping create a family is the best part of surrogacy. it truly is wonderful and fabulous despite the risks, and the risks are not that great.
Have you had children of your own? Please feel free to email me at andicohen@comcast.net if you would like.
andi
