Surrogacy offers individuals a unique way to build their families. Through surrogacy, intended parents, have the possibilities of a genetic connection to their child and the opportunity to be involved in their child's prenatal care and birth. There are two types of surrogacy arrangements: Gestational surrogacy Gestational surrogacy is done via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where fertilized embryos are implanted into the surrogate's uterus. In cases where the intended parents can't produce the necessary sperm or eggs, donor egg and sperm or donor embryos may also be used. In order to prepare for the embryo transfer, the surrogate is usually put on a protocol by the fertility clinic that involves months of daily hormone injections to regulate her ovulatory cycle and build her uterine lining. In most states, including; Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, California, and Massachusetts, the intended parents are able to obtain a pre-birth order so that their names go directly on the birth certificate. In other states, such as Virginia, the birth certificate is amended after the child is born. Traditional surrogacy Traditional surrogacy is done via artificial insemination, with the surrogate using her egg and the intended father's sperm. The artificial insemination can either be done at a fertility clinic by having the doctor perform intrauterine inseminations (IUIs) or cervical inseminations (ICIs). Additionally, traditional surrogacy may also be accomplished by doing home inseminations. Usually, traditional surrogates do not have to be on any medication before the time of insemination. The surrogate usually charts her own ovulation with an ovulation prediction kit. In most states, the intended father's name will go directly on the birth certificate. However, the intended father's wife or partner will need to do a second- parent adoption so that they can also be on the birth certificate. With both gestational and traditional surrogacy, it is important to have a binding contract between the parties. The surrogacy contract will outline the parties' rights and responsibilities including; compensation, contact during and after the pregnancy, confidentiality, views on abortion and selective reduction, and the number of embryo transfers or artificial insemination attempts. The National Adoption and Surrogacy Center, LLC, will draft a comprehensive surrogacy agreement that is tailor made for each client. The National Adoption and Surrogacy Center, LLC, is dedicated to helping you throughout your gestational or traditional surrogacy journey. We will help coordinate your surrogacy process and take care of all the pre-birth and post-birth legal work. Additionally, if you are an international client, we will help obtain your child's passport back to his or her home country. The National Adoption and Surrogacy Center, LLC 30 Courthouse Square, Suite 201, Rockville, MD 20850 | (301) 340-7228 www.adoptionandsurrogacycenter.com This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site or any email communication from this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. © Copyright 2006 - 2008 all rights reserved | The National Adoption and Surrogacy Center, LLC