The decision to pursue surrogacy or donor eggs is a significant step in your family-building journey. Choosing the right agency to guide you through this complex process is crucial. A surrogacy agency recruits, matches, and oversees the surrogacy process, while an egg donation agency recruits, matches, and manages the egg donation process. A surrogacy and egg donation agency provides both services under one roof. Generally, these agencies do not operate as medical facilities and do not carry out any medical procedures.
It is of utmost importance to thoroughly research and evaluate any agency you decide to work with, regardless of its specialization. This ultimate checklist details what you need to look for in a surrogacy and egg donation agency to ensure that you find the best possible match for your unique needs.
1. Reputation
Before choosing a surrogacy and egg donation agency, consider its reputation. Look to see if the agency has recommendations from industry professionals, is a member of trusted relevant organizations, and research the owner’s credentials and level of expertise.
2. Successful Outcomes
A reputable agency should be able to provide you with the number of matched intended parents with surrogates or egg donors and the number of families they have helped build. Look for online reviews and testimonials from previous surrogacy and egg donation clients.
3. Size
The size of a surrogacy and egg donation agency is another important factor to consider. While smaller agencies might be able to provide a boutique-like service with more personalized attention, their resources may be limited. On the other hand, larger agencies might have more resources, but may lack individualized care. Assess the resources and level of attention an agency provides and make sure you are comfortable with it.
4. Communication Style
An agency’s communication style can make a world of difference during your journey to parenthood. A great agency should be transparent, consistent, available, and prompt. Make sure to check out their hours of operation and ask about their protocol for emergency situations.
5. Process
Having a clear understanding of an agency’s processes can help give you peace of mind during your journey. Learn how their egg donors and surrogates are screened, what their requirements are, and what their matching process looks like. A reputable agency will be very transparent about this.
6. Treatment of Candidates
Before you select an agency, consider how their egg donors and surrogates are treated. Ask how they ensure the well-being of their candidates, how relationships with egg donors and surrogates are fostered, and how they communicate with them. Working with an agency that values their egg donors and surrogates increases the probability of a positive outcome.
7. Financials
Financial transparency should be non-negotiable during your search for a surrogacy or egg donation agency. Look for an agency that is upfront about the expenses you need to prepare for and provides a timeline of when your payments are due. Make sure your contract includes a detailed breakdown of all the costs involved so there are no surprises later.
Using this ultimate checklist as a guide can help you confidently choose an agency that meets your unique needs and preferences. Remember that having the right agency and team by your side is key in your family-building journey.
Listen to our most recent episode of Fertility Café to hear from Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, and learn more about how to do your due diligence when choosing a surrogacy and egg donation agency.
