Intended Parents

Identified Surrogacy – Working with a Surrogate You Know


Key Points:

Some intended parents and surrogates go into the surrogacy process with a ready-made match that seems “meant to be” — often as close friends or family members.

These scenarios, in which the intended parents and surrogate find each other prior to beginning the process with a surrogacy professional, are called “identified surrogacies.” While it is true that identified surrogacy offers many benefits for intended parents and surrogates, there are also some serious implications to consider before using a friend as a surrogate or being a surrogate for a family member.

Contact a surrogacy professional to learn about the different kinds of surrogates you could choose to work with. Below, learn more about working with an identified surrogate or intended parents, and find important tips for friends and families pursuing surrogacy together.

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Benefits of Identified Surrogacy

Under the right circumstances and with the right professional, identified surrogacy can be a positive experience for everyone involved. Here are some of the benefits for surrogates and intended parents who pursue surrogacy with a friend or family member:

Challenges of Identified Surrogacy

While there can be many benefits to working with a friend or family member in surrogacy, identified surrogacy also has its own share of challenges. Even the most solid intended parent-surrogate relationships can be negatively impacted if the following issues are not addressed:

Why Work With an Agency?

Some intended parents and surrogates who find each other on their own may wonder if they should complete an independent surrogacy without the help of an agency. While a surrogacy agency’s matching services will not be necessary in identified surrogacy, agencies still offer essential surrogacy services to friends and family members who choose to work together. In fact, many of the identified surrogacy challenges listed above can be solved with the help of a surrogacy agency.

Here are a few of the services a surrogacy agency can offer to identified surrogates and intended parents:

Tips for Identified Surrogates and Intended Parents

If you are planning to pursue an identified surrogacy with a friend or family member, it is important to be fully prepared for the exciting yet challenging journey ahead. As you consider your identified surrogacy plan, keep the following suggestions in mind:

In many ways, identified surrogacy is very similar to any other surrogacy arrangement. However, there are clearly some additional considerations for intended parents who are using a friend or family member as a surrogate. With a clear understanding of identified surrogacy and proper preparation and support for both parties, this special form of surrogacy can be a wonderful way of adding to your family.

Next Steps to Surrogacy

Are you interested in learning more about surrogacy or starting the process? Complete our form to request free surrogacy information now.

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