One of the most important steps during your surrogacy journey is the medical evaluation. The medical evaluation is designed to assess the overall health and suitability of a potential surrogate to carry a pregnancy safely. Understanding what to expect during this evaluation can help surrogates approach this stage with confidence and clarity.
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Clinic Approval of Pregnancy History
Your agency will collect, review and send your pregnancy and delivery records to the fertility clinic your intended parents are using (or, if you’re not matched yet, to a fertility clinic or fertility records review service). The clinic will do a thorough review of your records, including discussing any previous pregnancies, surgeries, chronic illnesses, or medications that might impact your ability to carry a pregnancy.
Physical Examination
Once your medical records have been approved and you’ve been matched with intended parents, it's time to schedule a physical examination. This exam is usually conducted at a specific time during your cycle and done at the fertility clinic. A complete physical exam will be conducted, including weight checks, blood pressure monitoring, and other basic health screenings to rule out any immediate health concerns.
Since the surrogate will not be using her own eggs, her reproductive health is assessed differently than in traditional fertility treatments. Tests might include an ultrasound or hysterscopy to check the health of the uterus.
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To ensure the health and safety of the baby, surrogates undergo extensive screening for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and other communicable diseases. Any intimate partner of the surrogate must also have STD screening performed
Psychological assessments are also integral to the evaluation process. These may be done with the clinic or through your agency (sometimes both). These help determine your emotional and mental readiness and ability to handle the dynamics of a surrogacy arrangement.
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What Happens After the Evaluation?
After completing the medical evaluation, the fertility clinic will review the results to determine suitability. If all criteria are met, the clinic will issue medical clearance and then the surrogate and intended parents will move forward to the legal phase, where contracts are drafted and signed before the medical procedures to initiate the pregnancy begin.
At any time during the medical evaluation process, you should feel free to ask your agency or advocate any questions that may come up. Passing medical clearance is a huge milestone in surrogacy and ensures that you are physically, emotionally and mentally ready for what’s ahead.