How We Choose Surrogates

What sets Rosjurconsulting team apart from all so-called “surrogacy agencies” is legality, professionalism, experience, transparency, integrity and attention to every detail. We understand that from the beginning of the surrogacy process all your hopes for this year will be placed in one single person – a woman who would carry your child.

As a compassionate friend, we respect your right to know as much as possible about your surrogate. As a true partner, we ensure that your surrogate will be in good hands, in perfect emotional and physical health. As a responsible guide, we are ready to vouch for her and guarantee that the whole process is legal, and you will have all parental rights over your child once it is born.

Below is a general outline of how our surrogates are selected and matched. These guidelines were designed to improve the chances of successful matching and pregnancy and make the whole process flawless and secure:

Initial consultation

It all starts when a woman fills out a form on our website or gives us a call. Our coordinators get in touch with her and make sure she understands the process and her responsibilities. They also check whether a potential surrogate corresponds to the standards set by the law and our own requirements:

• 20 to 35 years of age; 
• Have at least one child of her own;
• No complications during pregnancy;
• Good physical and mental health;
• No felony convictions;
• No drug history, no alcohol, smoking.

If everything is good, a potential surrogate would proceed to the next step.

Pre-screening questionnaire

In cooperation with professional psychologists, we made a list of questions to determine the surrogate’s motivation, her willingness to cooperate and overall level of responsibility. Over the years of our work, we determined that the most responsible candidates are those motivated by both willingness to help and financial compensation. We avoid working with women in “difficult” situations and are looking for “getting money quick” options. We also turn down women whose desire to becoming a surrogate is purely altruistic as those may experience some sense of postpartum deprivation after giving birth. Once the questionnaire shows the woman is a good fit, our coordinators arrange a personal interview for her to fill out a set of questionnaires with topics ranging from personal beliefs and hobbies to opinions on various issues incl. multiple pregnancies, C-section and general tolerance level. This information will be used during the matching process. During this meeting, the surrogate is encouraged to ask questions and is given a full overview of future steps.

Background check

Carrying a baby for others can be emotionally and psychologically difficult, therefore our coordinators always try to ensure that a potential surrogate has a positive and supportive environment. We also conduct a criminal background check.

Medical screening

Good physical and mental health is paramount in determining a woman’s ability to become a surrogate. The doctors from IVF clinics we select for the medical part of the program arrange a full medical check-up according to the list of mandatory tests and screenings that every potential surrogate must undergo. This list is not comprehensive and some additional tests may be added if advised by a doctor:

• General physical check-up by a family doctor;
• Gynecological exam;
• General bloodwork panel;
• STD blood tests (HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C, Herpes, Ureaplasmosis, Mycoplasmosis, Toxoplasmosis, Measles);
• Chest X-ray;
• Urine screening;
• Review of obstetrical records;
• Review of records on the candidate’s children health.

In addition to these medical exams, our candidates have a private session with licensed psychologists to determine their good mental health. Only once we have all the results we are ready to move to a final step – signing an agreement and adding the candidate to our database.

Adding to the database

Our lawyers draft a general agreement with a surrogate and review it with her. She should understand that her personal and medical information might be disclosed once she agrees to work with the intended parents of her choice. We also make copies of her ID, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if she’s married) some other documents and get her/her children’s photos to complete the profile and to add it to our database.

It might seem that such a rigorous process is a bit too much for a potential surrogate, but actually it’s for her own good as well. We treat women with dignity and respect, all the costs associated with medical exams, legal documents and travel arrangements are covered by us.

Before, during and after pregnancy all surrogates have free access to our support specialists, lawyers and psychologists.