For intended parents, choosing the right surrogate is one of the biggest decisions they will have to make throughout their surrogacy journey.

During the initial stages of the surrogacy journey, many intended parents feel overwhelmed at the idea of finding a surrogate who matches their needs and is committed to carrying a pregnancy for them.

The first step in connecting with an ideal surrogate is to choose between doing it on your own (independent) or with the help of a surrogacy agency (agency-assisted). This guide was developed to make the Portland surrogacy journey easier for intended parents, regardless of their choice. We list how you can find a surrogate with and without an agency, as well as the pros and cons of each.

For a more detailed guide on the Portland surrogacy process itself, visit our Portland Surrogacy Process page!

Planning Your Surrogacy

Your agency will help you determine your goals for your surrogacy journey, as well as your preferences for the surrogate you will eventually choose. You will have to complete an intended parent profile where you will detail who you are and what your surrogacy goals are. This will be given to potential surrogate candidates.

Your agency will then find possible surrogate candidates based on her experience, your requested communication method and frequency, as well as your desired involvement throughout the surrogacy, and other matching criteria.

Before you can be matched with a surrogate, you will also have to meet your surrogacy agency’s screening requirements. After meeting all requirements, you will then go through what is known as your “wait time”, which is the time between becoming an active intended parent under a surrogacy agency and matching with a surrogate.

While your wait time varies based on several factors, you can optimize your waiting time by following these steps:

• • • Be flexible with your surrogacy plans and budget to have more prospective matches to choose from
    • View surrogate profiles and choose prospective surrogates with an open mind
    • Be honest and thorough with your intended parent profile

Finding A Surrogacy Match In Portland

You will be given prospective surrogate profiles, usually one at a time, but this varies from agency to agency. Your intended parent profile will also be shared with surrogate candidates who may be a match as well.

Once all parties express mutual interest, you will have the chance to get to meet each other and discuss the surrogacy process. When an official match is made, the surrogate and the intended parents can begin the medical screening and drafting the surrogacy contracts.

What are the benefits of working with a surrogacy agency?

There are several advantages available for intended parents who move forward with a surrogacy agency. Agencies are usually experts in the surrogacy process, from planning to matching and more. Take a look at some of the usual reasons why intended parents choose to work with surrogacy agencies:

• • • Surrogacy agencies thoroughly screen prospective surrogates to protect everyone during the surrogacy process
    • Many surrogacy agencies keep advanced databases that can match intended parents with potential surrogates based on each other’s requirements, goals, and other criteria
    • Agencies readily provide support and educate intended parents and surrogates throughout the surrogacy

What are the challenges of working with a surrogacy agency?

For the majority of hopeful parents, working with a surrogacy agency is the easiest and most effective way to match with a surrogate. There are still a few challenges that they might encounter, including:

• • • Using a surrogacy agency’s matching services might be above your set budget.
    • Some surrogacy agencies aren’t as attentive to their intended parents or surrogates, nor are they as comprehensive in their screening and matching process. This is why it’s critical to do careful research before choosing an agency to work with.
      

Locating an Independent Surrogate In Portland

Intended parents who choose to go the independent route will have to find a prospective surrogate on their own. They may be able to use their personal network, social media platforms, surrogate-finder websites, or referrals from a surrogacy attorney.

What are the benefits of finding a surrogate without an agency?

Pursuing an independent surrogacy can be beneficial, depending on your goals and current situation:

• • • The overall cost of the surrogacy may be lower
    • The process may be more hands-on because you have more opportunities to connect with the surrogate without the presence of surrogacy professionals

What are the risks of finding a surrogate without an agency?

Independent surrogacy is a practical option for some hopeful parents, but there are several complications that they need to consider before pursuing surrogacy alone. Here are a few challenges that could affect your independent search for a surrogate:

• • • You may experience significantly longer wait times
    • You may have to pay more in advertising fees because individual networking methods tend to not be as efficient or effective
    • Without a screening requirement for independent surrogates, instances of fraud are more commonplace
    • There may be a lack of emotional support and education throughout the surrogacy process
    • You may have to divulge your private information during your independent search
    • You will have to answer responses to any ads that you place, screen potential candidates on your own, and determine whether or not to move forward with a surrogate

Regardless of your choice to work with a Portland surrogacy agency or pursue it independently, finding your ideal match can be challenging. With the help of an experienced surrogacy agency like All Families Surrogacy, you will have access to the matching services you need, reduce your overall wait time, and ensure that your potential matches are a good fit for your surrogacy goals.

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