If you are considering surrogacy and in any type of romantic or sexual relationship, whether it is a new relationship or a long-term relationship or marriage, it is important that your partner is involved and supportive of your surrogate journey. Surrogacy will most definitely effect your partner’s life and have certain requirements for them.
If you are considering surrogacy and in any type of romantic or sexual relationship, whether it is a new relationship or a long-term relationship or marriage, it is important that your partner is involved and supportive of your surrogate journey. Surrogacy will most definitely effect your partner’s life and have certain requirements for them. Surrogacy requires a serious conversation with your significant other.It is a good idea that your partner participate and inform themselves on all the ends and outs of a surrogate journey. Your partner will have certain requirements throughout your surrogate journey and they should be prepared and informed of these requirements before you enter into any agreements.
Your Significant Other
During your surrogacy journey your significant other can expect to play a key role in the process. Here you will find a few examples and some information you can share with them.
Agency interview- During your initial screening your agency will most likely require a quick meet and greet with your partner, this is typically over the phone or through video, such as Zoom. The agency will want to be certain your partner is supportive of your decision to become a surrogate and that they have a basic understanding of the process.
Match meeting with the Intended Parents- Your partner will be required to be involved in the match meeting with potential Intended Parents. The Intended Parents will most likely want to know what your relationship is like and get a feel for who you both are. They will want to know that your partner is well informed about the surrogacy process and that they are supportive and can be there for you.
Medical Screening- Your partner will be required to complete medical screening. This screening will include infectious disease screening, drug screening, and in some cases they may be required to complete psychological screening.
Abstinence- Due to certain medications that are used during the surrogacy process and other factors, there will be periods of time where you will be required to abstain from sex. This can be for several weeks at a time and this will most definitely impact your partner and should be discussed before you agree to any surrogacy match.
Ongoing Support- Just as with any pregnancy you will need your partner’s ongoing support throughout your journey. Your regular routines will change, your partner may need to take on more of the chores and responsibilities as you focus on the surrogacy process and a healthy pregnancy.
No “Casual Partners”- In terms of surrogacy, if you have had intercourse with someone within the past 30 days, they will most likely be required by the fertility clinic and the FDA to complete infectious disease screening and drug screening. For this reason “casual relationships” or “casual sex” can be a disqualifying factor for surrogacy. Most agencies and fertility doctors require that a surrogate either be in a committed relationship, where the partner will be involved in the entire surrogacy process or no romantic/sexual relationship at all throughout the entire duration of the surrogacy journey. Bottom-line, if you are having intercourse, the person you are having intercourse with will be required to complete infectious disease screening and be involved in your surrogate journey.
Background Check- Your partner will be required to complete a criminal background check. While minor infractions such as speeding tickets are usually not a cause for concern any criminal history involving drugs, violence, and even theft can result in you being disqualified as asurrogate.
