Surrogacy testing is an important part of surrogate mothering. Many tests are given in the early stages of matching a surrogate and intended parents, and many more as the surrogate pregnancy continues. Learn about important surrogacy issues surrounding various tests.
Whether you have decided to become a surrogate mother or you have decided to look for a surrogate mother, it is important to understand the qualification and surrogacy testing process that accompanies such a decision. And it is also important to understand that it is not just the surrogate mother who receives these tests. Every party of the surrogacy: both intended parents, the surrogate mother and her husband will go thorough some testing as part of surrogate mothering.
Qualifications
Though all surrogates are deemed “healthy” in order to become a surrogate mother, there is a whole host of qualifications to actually starting a journey.
Most of these surrogacy issues, though not all, have some leeway, depending on circumstances.
The key here is complete honesty, both with the intended parents and their clinic.
The last thing anyone wants is to find out that they did not qualify to become a surrogate mother due to omission of critical information.
Clinic Testing
If you’ve met the basic health and family qualifications for surrogate mothering, the next step is to get the surrogacy testing done that the intended parent’s clinic, the agency, the attorneys, and possibly the state you live in require. Some of this testing is very basic, such as STD testing, while other testing is procedures that are unfamiliar.
- Preliminary Testing
- Saline Ultrasound
- Surrogate Spouse Testing
- Mock Cycle & Transfer
- STDs in Surrogacy
Agency Testing
Most agencies, and many clinics, require mental health evaluations for potential surrogates and/or intended parents.
These tests vary from very informal, to extensive, time consuming, intrusive, and stressful.
They vary by institution and situation.
The key to taking these tests is to relax and be completely honest. An agency may also require background checks and credit checks of the potential surrogate and/or intended parents.
- Psychological Testing & MMPI
- Credit & Background Checks
Pregnancy Testing
You might think that after you have gone through all the testing prior to the surrogate pregnancy transfer that it is all done.
Unfortunately, its not!
Now comes the time when you get to go through the more fun tests; at least as far as the pregnancy tests are concerned.
There is also the possibility that due to genetics, the intended parents may request an amniocentesis or other form of prenatal test.
- The Two-Week Wait & Beta Testing
- Discount Pregnancy Tests
- Amniocentesis
There are more tests that many will experience than are listed here. Remember, each surrogacy journey is different, and as such, each set of surrogacy testing requirements will be different as well.
