Want to learn more about how surrogacy works in Ohio? You’ve come to the right place!
Although the lack of formal surrogacy laws in Ohio might confuse you, the surrogacy process in Ohio is a safe and exciting one – especially when you work with the proper professionals from start to finish.
Below you can find a detailed description of the Ohio surrogacy process, step by step, as well as other important surrogacy information to better prepare you for your upcoming journey. If you have more questions or want to start your Ohio surrogacy process today, reach out to us online.
What is Surrogacy in Ohio?
To help you better understand what surrogacy in Ohio is, here are the main steps you’ll take through the entire Ohio surrogacy process:
Step 1: Determine if surrogacy in Ohio is right for you. Before you take any other steps in your Ohio surrogacy journey, it’s important that you truly understand what the process entails and you are confident it is the right choice for you. You can always contact an Ohio surrogacy professional to talk about your individual situation.
Step 2: Find a surrogacy professional and create your surrogacy plan. You will need to work with a surrogacy attorney during your Ohio surrogacy process, as well as a fertility clinic. By working with a surrogacy agency in Ohio, they can help you find other trusted surrogacy professionals and coordinate services you will need along the way.
Step 3: Complete pre-surrogacy requirements. You will be asked to complete a pre-screening before you can move forward with your surrogacy plan. This will involve a complete background screening and medical screening to determine that you are ready for the time, energy, and commitment the Ohio surrogacy process requires.
The screening process can seem like a lot at first, but you won’t have to tackle it alone. Your Ohio surrogacy professional will guide you every step of the way.
Step 4: Find a gestational surrogacy carrier or intended parent. Once you meet all necessary requirements, you can start working with your Ohio surrogacy professional to discuss your preferences for your surrogacy partner. Your Ohio surrogacy professional will use those preferences to find a surrogacy match who shares the same goals. You will have the opportunity to meet and get to know each other before your partnership is finalized.
Step 5: Create a surrogacy contract. If you and your Ohio surrogacy match are approved and ready to move forward with your gestational surrogacy process in Ohio, your match will need to be finalized with a legal surrogacy contract. You will both be represented by separate Ohio surrogacy attorneys, who will draft your contract and discuss all necessary legal terms and requirements.
Step 6: Complete the surrogacy medical process. You and your surrogacy match will work with a fertility clinic to prepare for and complete the embryo transfer process. The intended parents will cover all medical and travel costs for the surrogate. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate can receive prenatal care from her obstetrician and deliver at the hospital of her choice.
Step 7: Finalize your Ohio surrogacy. Both intended parents and the gestational surrogacy carrier will participate in the baby’s delivery. Before hospital discharge, the intended parents’ Ohio surrogacy attorney will make sure any necessary steps are taken care of to establish parental rights. The Ohio surrogacy process will be complete once the surrogate receives her final compensation payment upon the birth of the baby.
Ohio Surrogacy Agencies [What Are They and What Do They Do?]
The decision to work with surrogacy agencies in Ohio, and which one to work with, will always be up to you. Many intended parents and prospective surrogates find that working with an experienced surrogacy agency in Ohio can save them the stress of organizing their journey on their own, especially if they are going through the Ohio surrogacy process for the first time.
Many surrogacy agencies in Ohio offer important services, including:
- Support and counseling services
- Matching you with the right surrogacy partner
- Pre-screening and background checks
- References to other surrogacy professionals
- And more
For many surrogates and intended parents, the services provided by surrogacy agencies in Ohio offer many advantages during a complicated process. This allows them to focus on a healthy pregnancy and building relationship with their Ohio surrogacy partner.
If you want to learn more about working with a surrogacy agency in Ohio, any of the following can help you:
How to Become a Surrogate in Ohio
Here’s what you need to know about your Ohio surrogacy journey:
Step 1: Contact a surrogacy professional. By working with a surrogacy agency in Ohio, your surrogacy professional will handle every step of the process. Having their guidance and support allows you to focus on creating a positive relationship with your intended parents and having a healthy pregnancy.
The surrogacy journey can be complex and confusing, especially if this is your first experience as a prospective surrogate. Rather than take on all of the responsibilities of the Ohio surrogacy process by yourself, find an Ohio surrogacy agency to work with.
Step 2: Complete pre-screening and meet surrogacy requirements. During this time, your Ohio surrogacy professional will make sure you are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for the journey ahead. In order to be a surrogate, you must:
- Have a healthy BMI
- Not have had major complications from previous pregnancies
- Be between the ages of 21 and 43
- And more
Step 3: Find intended parents. Once you are approved for the surrogacy process, you and your surrogacy professional will start the process of finding intended parents. You will discuss your surrogacy goals and preferences, and your professional will find potential matches. Once you find someone you like, you can choose to meet them to get to know them before committing to the match.
Step 4: Complete the surrogacy medical process. During this process, you will undergo an individualized medical protocol to prepare your body for the embryo transfer at the intended parents’ fertility clinic. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you will work with your obstetrician for prenatal care until it’s time to give birth and finalize the Ohio surrogacy.
Ohio Surrogate Compensation [How Much Do Surrogates Get Paid?]
In Ohio, surrogacy is treated as a contract in the eyes of the law. So, if a surrogacy contract involves surrogate compensation, it is legal for surrogates to be compensated for their services. This also means there is no restriction or regulation on how much a surrogate can be paid in Ohio.
Intended parents will be the ones to cover the surrogate’s miscellaneous costs, including medical and travel costs.
The amount of base compensation a surrogate can expect to receive in Ohio is anywhere from $45,000 to $75,000 depending on:
- The intended parents’ budget
- Your surrogacy experience
- The policies of the surrogacy agency, if necessary
This compensation is separate from the miscellaneous costs, and can be used by the surrogate however she wants. It is paid in monthly installments over the course of the Ohio surrogacy. The first payment is issued after the pregnancy is confirmed, and the final payment is given after the baby has been born.
Start Your Ohio Surrogacy Journey Today
Because every Ohio surrogacy journey is different, we encourage you to reach out to a surrogacy professional for more personalized information and guidance moving forward. When you are ready to start your surrogacy in Ohio, we will be ready to help.