At West Coast Surrogacy, we believe in a team approach that encompasses all facets of surrogacy.  It is our commitment to match you with the ideal surrogate. We, along with our network of professional associates, will guide and support you through this unique journey, culminating in an experience of joy and fulfillment as you enter parenthood.

The steps involved for intended parents are as follows:

• Initial Consultation
• The Matching Process
• Psychological Evaluation and Support
• Medical Evaluation
• Legal Process
• The Embryo Transfer Cycle
• Pregnancy
• Birth Preparedness

Initial Consultation
Our initial meeting with you is designed to distinguish your particular needs and create a scenario that best fits your circumstances and desires.  With our experience and knowledge in the field, we will be able to answer any questions you may have and take you step-by-step through the process.  This introductory consultation, usually lasting 1½ hours, takes place either at our offices or in the privacy of your home. The information gleaned from this meeting is essential to the matching process.

The Matching Process
After reviewing your needs and situation, we go to work to find the ideal surrogate for you. Once we have a candidate, we send you information about her to review.  If you feel she is a qualified candidate, we arrange a meeting with you, the surrogate and her spouse, and the director of WCS.  If the parties agree to work together, the process continues; and psychological and medical evaluations are scheduled.

Psychological Evaluation and Support
WCS adheres to the highest standards of psychological screening, following the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.  Your surrogate will be psychologically tested and evaluated. Additionally, one of our licensed mental health professionals conducts a comprehensive interview with the surrogate candidate and her spouse, exploring her background, motivation and suitability. Once pregnant and through the post partum months, your surrogate will attend monthly support group sessions and have unlimited access to our on-line support group both of which are facilitated by our psychotherapist.  Additionally, 1 ½ hours of phone and/or email support are provided to your surrogate per month. Additional counseling is available if needed.

As the intended parents, you will also be required to meet with one of our mental health professionals. Your session provides the opportunity to ask questions specific to your surrogate and her situation as well as confirm that you have explored all the contingencies associated with creating your family in this way. During the pregnancy and post partum months, optional phone and/or email support is available to you as needed. A preliminary meeting with all parties (the intended parents and the surrogate and her spouse) is highly recommended prior to starting the embryo transfer cycle.

Medical Evaluation
WCS will act as the liaison between your surrogate and your IVF physician to coordinate all necessary medical tests and evaluations.  The director of WCS will speak directly with your IVF center’s Third Party Coordinator to discuss the testing requirements for their center.  A representative from WCS will attend screening visits with your surrogate, and report the results of each visit to you, if you are unable to attend.

Legal Process
Attorneys specializing in reproductive law are available to answer any legal questions you may have regarding the process you are undertaking. The attorney you select will draft the gestational surrogate contract as well as establish parental rights prior to the birth of your baby.  The legal contract is reviewed by the surrogate and her attorney, and must be signed by all parties prior to starting the embryo transfer cycle.

The following links are informative resources about the legal process of surrogacy:
www.nationalfertilitylaw.com/surrogacy-agreement-faqs.htm
www.familylawpractice.net

If your surrogate resides in a state other than California, an experienced attorney in her area will be utilized for the contract drafting and parental rights establishment process. For laws regarding surrogacy in other states please refer to the following link: www.surrogacy.com/legals/states.html

You will be required to establish a trust fund account prior to your surrogate starting medications for the embryo transfer cycle.  This account is used to pay for the costs and fees associated with the surrogacy process.  We will provide you with a list of attorneys and/or escrow companies to assist you in the management of this trust account.

The Embryo Transfer Cycle
We work very closely with your IVF physician, nursing staff, and surrogate to ensure that everyone remains well informed during each step of the process. We will attend physician appointments with your surrogate during the screening phase as well as the embryo transfer cycle, and report the results of each visit to you, if you are unable to attend. A representative from WCS will be with you and your surrogate at the embryo transfer and will assist in any way needed to ensure a calm and easy transition for your surrogate during her required period of bed rest. The average period of physician ordered bed rest is 2-3 days immediately following the embryo transfer. WCS requests that all surrogates spend this time resting in a hotel, away from their daily responsibilities.

Pregnancy
WCS’s role in your journey will continue throughout pregnancy.  Provided your surrogate is in our general area, we will attend OB visits with her when you are unable to attend.  Should your surrogate reside outside of the area, a representative of WCS will attend any appointments upon your request.  The director and your case manager will act as a liaison between you and your surrogate. We will do all that we can to remove any aspect from your relationship that may be sensitive or difficult to discuss, thereby allowing you to focus on the well being of your surrogate and your baby.

Birth Preparedness
Your attorney will file the appropriate parental establishment documents with the courts prior to the birth of your baby. WCS will ensure that these documents are received by the birthing hospital in a timely manner, and that all relevant parties at the hospital are aware of your situation.

At WCS, we will also assist you in creating a birth plan for your baby that meets the needs of both you and your surrogate, creating an experience of harmony and fulfillment for everyone involved.  We will provide you with the opportunity to attend childbirth classes with your surrogate, as well as baby care classes in the privacy of your own home with our trained childbirth educator.

WCS’s lactation consultant will make available the necessary information and resources for you, the intended mother, to induce lactation prior to the birth of your baby.  Using this amazing process, we have seen, time and time again, a newborn baby being breast fed by its mother moments after a surrogate has given birth.

We will be there for the birth of your baby, as support for you and your surrogate, and to answer any questions the hospital staff may have regarding surrogate protocol and parental establishment.  We want this time for you to be solely about enjoying and bonding with your new baby or babies!   

Thank you for your interest in our agency. If you would like more information on our Gestational Surrogate program, please call (949) 362-8200 or complete the Contact Us form and a WCS representative will contact you.