Surrogacy is an increasingly popular option for many couples and individuals hoping to create their own families. But the process can be a little overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. If you’re considering surrogacy in Maryland, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about surrogacy in Maryland.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a baby for another individual or couple. In gestational surrogacy, which is the most common form of surrogacy used today, the surrogate is not biologically related to the child she carries and is instead implanted with an embryo created from the intended parents’ egg and sperm. Gestational surrogacy can provide a solution to many fertility challenges.
Intended parents who cannot conceive naturally due to medical issues may benefit greatly from gestational surrogacy. Single individuals and same-sex couples can also build families through this process. The journey towards having a family begins with counseling and education, where intended parents gain an understanding about the process of surrogacy and make decisions about how to create their family. Once ready, intended parents should choose a reputable agency to assist them in finding an appropriate match between them and their prospective surrogate.
Who Can be a Surrogate?
Surrogacy is an incredibly personal and emotional process, and finding the right surrogate for your journey is an important part of the process. In Maryland, women must be 21 years or older to become a surrogate. They must have a history of healthy pregnancies and no medical or mental health issues. Prospective surrogates must also pass a comprehensive psychological evaluation to assess their mental health and suitability to be a surrogate.
It’s important to note that not all surrogates are accepted into a surrogacy program. Some of the factors that may determine eligibility include:
- 1) Minimum and maximum age requirements
- 2) Physical and mental health
- 3) Commitment to the process
- 4) Understanding of the legal implications
- 5) Personal support system
- 6) Healthy body mass index (BMI)
- 7) History of healthy pregnancies and births
It is of the utmost priority that the surrogate’s health and safety are maintained throughout the process. These requirements ensure that surrogates and intended parents have the best possible experience throughout their surrogacy journey.
How Does the Surrogacy Process Work?
The surrogacy process is a complex but rewarding journey. The process starts with comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations to determine if the potential surrogate (also known as a gestational carrier) is both emotionally and physically fit to carry a baby. Once these evaluations are complete, the intended parents and the surrogate will need to draw up legal contracts detailing the expectations of the surrogacy agreement. This may include issues such as the amount of compensation and any medical treatment the surrogate will receive. After the contracts have been finalized, the surrogate will start fertility treatments to prepare her body for pregnancy.
Once the egg and sperm have been combined to create an embryo, it is transferred into the uterus of the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy to term.
Following the birth of the child, the intended parents retain all legal rights to the child. Courts in Maryland make this process easier by allowing pre-birth orders to be issued.
Maryland Surrogacy Laws
In terms of legalities, Maryland is considered to be a surrogacy-friendly state. While there are currently no explicit surrogacy laws in Maryland, the state generally recognizes and supports gestational surrogacy agreements.
Intended parents can be married or unmarried, heterosexual or same-sex couples. There are also no requirements for residency or domicile, so intended parents from outside of the state are able to take advantage of gestational surrogacy laws in Maryland as long as their surrogate delivers in the state.
The state allows for pre-birth orders to be issued during the pregnancy, which means the intended parents can gain full parental rights and responsibilities for the child as soon as it is born.
Furthermore, the law does not require post-birth adoption proceedings if both intended parents are genetically related to the baby. This makes it easier for those looking to have children through surrogacy in Maryland to become legally recognized as parents before the baby even enters the world.
The Benefits of Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an incredible journey that comes with many benefits for both the intended parents and the surrogate. For intended parents, surrogacy offers the ability to experience pregnancy and childbirth when they are unable to carry a child themselves. A major benefit of gestational surrogacy is that the child can be genetically related to the parents. For the surrogate, surrogacy provides the opportunity to help another family while receiving compensation that can help her own family.
Surrogacy also allows for more control over who will be carrying the baby, providing intended parents with an increased level of comfort knowing that their surrogate is medically approved and deemed fit to carry a baby.
In addition, surrogacy provides intended parents with an added layer of protection since the intended parents and surrogate must sign a number of legal documents before the start of the surrogacy process. These legal documents outline the rights and responsibilities of both the intended parents and the surrogate.
Surrogacy is a process that requires hard work and dedication from all parties involved, but the rewards of becoming a parent or helping to build a family as a surrogate make it all worth it in the end.
Resources for Further Information
Fairfax Surrogacy was founded by a group of experienced professionals in third-party reproduction and is an affiliate company of the Genetics & IVF Institute, Fairfax Cryobank, and Fairfax EggBank.
At Fairfax Surrogacy, we are dedicated to helping intended parents build their families through surrogacy. Our team of experienced professionals provides guidance and support to both intended parents and surrogates throughout the surrogacy process.
We understand the importance of finding the right surrogate to carry your child. That’s why we have a rigorous screening process for surrogates to ensure they meet the highest standards of physical and emotional health. We also offer a variety of services, including legal guidance, medical support, and counseling, to ensure a successful surrogacy journey for all parties involved.
Our agency is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for surrogates and intended parents. We are devoted to helping families achieve their dream of having a child, and we believe that surrogacy is a beautiful and rewarding way to build a family.
For more information about surrogacy, visit FairfaxSurrogacy.com or call (301) 202-1357.