Profile Creation (IP):  Family Makers Personalized Matching Program is based on a proprietary matching method that allows us to boast a 90+% approval rate by both Surrogates and Intended  Parents of the first profile presented to them.  95% of those matches go on to not only match, but to complete medical screening, contracts, and at least one embryo transfer cycle together.**

Medical Record Review (GC): Prenatal records, hospital delivery records, previous IVF cycling records (if applicable) of the Surrogate you match with.

Criminal Background checks (GC + IP):  Includes up to two adults in the Surrogate’s home, as well as the Intended Parent(s).  Checks on additional members over 18 may be requested for whatever the actual investigative costs are in doing so. 

Income verification (GC + IP):  As part of our intake process, we will confirm that Intended Parent(s) are financially prepared to begin a journey.  For the Surrogate you match with, we will calculate lost wages that may be incurred by her and/or live-in partner or spouse.  This process helps clarify your candidate’s overall household income, minimizing the likelihood of matching with someone utilizing government assistance.

Comprehensive screening interviews (GC + IP): conducted with all Parties to ensure that they are knowledgeable and educated on the process and commitment it takes for a successful journey

Records Submission to Fertility Clinic (GC): Having already confirmed that your candidate meets or exceeds your clinic’s requirements for surrogacy,  FMS will submit all records and summary to the RE and/or staff for final review.

Medical Health Insurance Review (GC): Initial review of your candidate’s current insurance policy, completed by an insurance expert specializing in surrogacy journeys.

Virtual home visit (GC):  facilitated by our Agency Owner, notes also provided to Intended Parents.  This visit verifies things such as cleanliness, safety, proper fire/CO2 detectors, layout of home, confirmation of residency in reported home, rental or home ownership details, pets in the home, gun storage/safety if applicable, and more.  Should our visit indicate an obvious issue that warrants further investigation, an in-person visit by a social worker will be recommended. IPs may also request an in-person social worker visit for an additional fee.

Family Makers Comprehensive Match & Fee Schedule (GC): this document includes all the details of the match needed for contracts, minimizing any surprises down the road.  Document will include termination beliefs, agreement on vaccines, general pregnancy safety measures, acknowledgement of risks and responsibilities, number of embryos transferred, number of cycles attempted, OB-GYN and hospital planned, insurance policy costs, short-term and life insurance policy costs, lost wage and childcare estimates in case of bedrest, milestone fees, allowances and more

Facilitation of psychological consultation for Surrogate, live-in Partner/Spouse, and Intended Parent(s), with recommendation to licensed mental health provider specializing in surrogacy as needed.

Mental Health support: for the Surrogate throughout the journey, we have an in-house psychologist who is available to meet with our surrogates if they request mental health support and do not want to find a provider on their own.

Surrogate and Intended Parent Education: What to expect from medical health screening, as well as the legal process.  Prior to Medical Screening Day, FMS will confirm what procedures will be performed so that your candidate can feel educated and prepared for the day.   FMS will also confirm that the clinic in charge of care has conducted all testing in accordance with ASRM guidelines.  Should we identify any recommended testing that has not been ordered, FMS will relay that information to the Intended Parent(s).

Facilitation of medical health screening, ordered by the fertility clinic in charge of care.  This includes assistance with local lab orders, as well as travel to and from the fertility clinic.  Family Makers will also provide recommended local monitoring clinics for screening, if allowed by the clinic in charge of care, as an alternative to travel during the pandemic.

Referral to, and coordination with, licensed attorneys specializing in reproductive and surrogacy law.  These referrals include introductions to each attorney via email, providing an official Match Sheet, Comprehensive Match Terms and Fee Schedule at time of engagement.  FMS will facilitate any points of clarification and provide feedback as requested by the attorneys during the drafting process.  Our staff will also serve as representative to both parties with continual followup to each attorney, assuring contracts are completed as timely as possible so that there is no delay in getting to embryo transfer. 

Escrow oversight:  Family Makers recommends working with an escrow manager who is unaffiliated with any party representing the Intended Parent(s) or Surrogate, bonded and licensed, and experienced with surrogacy journeys.  While Intended Parents have freedom to choose any escrow manager that meets those standards, our preferred escrow manager will provide you with 24/7 real-time access to your account.  There is never a moment where you don’t know the status of each reimbursement, fee paid, or document required.  Every penny is paid based on your contract with your Surrogate.  Family Makers assists both the Surrogate and Intended Parent(s) in processing payments due and any issues that require possible payment not outlined in the contract.  (18 months duration)

Surrogate Support and Education: Review responsibilities of monitoring appointments, medication administration, best practices like setting reminders for taking medication, and preparing for transfer day.  FMS will touch base with your candidate frequently to ensure medications are being taken on time, and that she has all questions and concerns answered as we approach the big day.

Facilitation of Monitoring Appointments: Before and after the embryo transfer cycle.  FMS can identify local monitoring clinics to be utilized by your candidate leading up to the embryo transfer, arrange payment and ensure orders and results are communicated timely between the primary clinic and monitoring clinic. These monitoring appointments begin 4-6 weeks prior to transfer, lasting until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy in most cases.

Intended Parent and Surrogate Education: Preparing to graduate to OB.  A surrogacy pregnancy is still uncommon, and many OBs are supportive but unsure on how to handle the balance between caring for their patient and involving the Intended Parents.  Family Makers will assist in this transition by providing tips and items to go over with the OB – whether you are there in person, virtually, or your interests are voiced in the appointment by your Surrogate.  Family Makers will also confirm that HIPAA releases are completed so that we, and you as Intended Parent(s) have permission to be told information pertaining to the pregnancy and your baby’s health.

Financial Planning:  Once your Surrogate graduates to the OB, health insurance should begin picking up the costs of the pregnancy.  Family Makers will ensure you know what to expect with the usual “global billing” phenomenon that is unique to pregnancy and delivery claims so you can be prepared on what to pay and when.

Initiation of Parental filings with your chosen attorney(s) during the second trimester.  Family Makers will assist in gathering information required for court affidavits, confirm if hearings will be required, and follow-up with all parties to ensure documents are filed in a timely manner.  This process can take 2-12 weeks.

Third Trimester Funding Audit:  Although we hope that all journeys are flawless, and without pregnancy complications, it is reality that they sometimes occur.  Our approach and goal is to ensure Intended Parent(s) are never surprised or unprepared for additional financial responsibilities if required.  Therefore, toward the end of your journey, we perform a comprehensive audit of your escrow account to ensure that we are on track to cover all expected expenses through postpartum recovery.  If any additional funds are needed, you will have plenty of notice and an exact itemization of the amount requested.

Birth Preferences Document & Delivery Prep: Although you are graduating from Family Makers, we still want you to be as prepared as possible for Delivery Day.  We will provide you with a comprehensive birth plan document outlining all the things the hospital needs to know prior to and upon your arrival.  This document will assist you in advocating for things like your own room, Golden hour time with your infant and medical care requests in case you miss the birth due to an unexpected early arrival.  Family Makers will communicate with the planned delivery hospital prior to baby’s arrival, sending not just the executed Parental Order (applicable in most cases) and the Birth Preferences Document.  We will also confirm the number of people allowed in the delivery room under what circumstances, visitation and other issues related to the hospital stay.

Postpartum Healthcare Bills and Claims:  Family Makers understands that you would rather concentrate on your newborn, rather than endless medical bills that keep trickling in. Our staff aggressively pursues all known claims as soon as your Surrogate’s postpartum visit is complete, so that any remaining funds in your escrow account is returned to you promptly.

Rematches: Conditions apply, please ask Family Makers for details