Building your family through surrogacy can be one of the most rewarding journeys you’ll ever experience. But it can also be one of the most emotionally challenging.
The reality is fertility clinic surrogacy isn’t simply about medical appointments and legal contracts. It’s about people — building connections and supporting each other through all of the ups and downs.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it alone.
When intended parents and surrogates have a strong support network behind them, the journey becomes infinitely more manageable. Not to mention the results can speak for themselves.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why Support Networks Are Important for Surrogacy
- Who Every Surrogacy Should Include
- The Importance of Mental Health Support
- Creating a Support Network That Works for You
Why Support Networks Are Important for Surrogacy
Before diving into how to build a support network, it’s important to understand why they’re so important.
Around the world, approximately 1 in 6 people will face infertility issues during their lifetime. That’s millions of people seeking out alternative paths to parenthood.
And more and more of those people are finding hope in surrogacy.
Surrogacy through a fertility clinic is an amazing opportunity — but it can also be a lot to handle. Between choosing your surrogate, scheduling medical appointments, managing contracts and bills, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster… there’s a lot going on.
That’s why it’s so important to have people around you that you trust.
Whether that’s made up of family members, close friends, medical professionals or a qualified gestational surrogacy agency California you trust. A strong support network provides stability throughout the journey and reassures you that you’re not alone.
Remember, a surrogate is going through the experience of carrying a child that does not genetically belong to her. And the intended parents are just as emotionally invested as her. Both parties need extra love, encouragement, and reassurance throughout the journey.
Without a strong support network, trying to accomplish all of this on your own can become too much of an emotional burden.
Who Every Surrogacy Should Include
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a support network. Everyone’s surrogacy journey is unique. But there are a few key people that every journey should include.
They are as follows:
- Medical Professionals
- Surrogacy Attorney/Legal Minds
- Mental Health Professionals
- Family and Friends
- Surrogacy Agency
These five categories should establish the foundation of anyone’s support network. Let’s take a deeper look at each role.
Medical professionals will obviously play a big role. This includes your fertility doctor, nurses, and anyone else at the clinic who helps you along the way from start to finish.
You’ll want experienced surrogacy attorneys or lawyers who specialise in family law to help navigate the legalities of surrogacy. Protecting you and your surrogate’s rights should be the top priority and a knowledgeable attorney can help give you peace of mind.
Next up are mental health professionals. Mental health should never be overlooked on any journey to parenthood — but especially surrogacy.
Surrounding yourself with family and friends who love you will also play a huge role. These are the people who you know will be supportive of your decision and want to see you succeed.
Lastly, you’ll want a robust agency behind you. A trusted agency you feel comfortable with can make all the difference. Your surrogate will be matched through an agency and your agency should act as a liaison between you two throughout the entire process.
If you can find an agency that covers all of these categories, you’ve already won the game.
The Importance of Mental Health Support
Mental health professionals were mentioned twice in the previous section and for good reason. Mental health support is crucial for intended parents and surrogates.
Here are a few statistics that showcase just how important mental health support is:
- According to one study, 65% of gestational surrogates experienced mental health struggles at some point throughout their journey.
- The parents who purchase surrogacy services are also prone to their own mental health struggles. Anxiety, grief from infertility, loss of control, etc.
- Research has shown that surrogates who receive regular mental health support from a licensed professional are less likely to experience difficult emotions after giving birth.
This cannot be stressed enough, having strong mental health will make all of the difference throughout your journey.
Not only will it help you process any emotions you may feel about the surrogacy — but it will also help you set realistic expectations, build a strong communication framework with your surrogate, and help you properly process any grief you may be feeling about infertility.
Post pregnancy, continued mental health support can help ease the transition for the parents as well as helping your surrogate process any emotions she may feel after giving birth.
It’s important that both parties receive proper mental health support before, during, and after the pregnancy.
And the best fertility clinics will offer access to mental health professionals as part of their program. Don’t ever feel like you have to go through this process alone.
Prepare to set yourself up for success now and beyond.
Creating a Support Network That Works For You
So how do you actually go about building your support network? What are some tips you should follow? Here are a few recommendations.
First and foremost, start with the right agency. If your agency provides you with a great support system from the get-go, you’re already ahead of the game. The right agency will have your medical and legal questions covered. Not to mention providing mental health resources.
Next, lean on your close friends and family members. These are the people you know will have your back no matter what. While you may not be able to tell everyone you know about your decision to do surrogacy, focus on the people who you know will be supportive of your journey.
You should also consider speaking to people in online support groups. There are countless online communities of intended parents and surrogates who have been exactly where you are right now. Surrogacy can be an isolating experience if you allow it to be. Finding support groups can help you feel more connected than ever.
A few more tips:
- Be open with your support network and don’t be afraid to reach out when you need assistance.
- Check in with your support network regularly. Whether that be with your surrogate, agency, mental health professional or loved ones.
- Set boundaries! You don’t want people interfering every step of the way. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about what level of involvement you want from your friends and family.
Wrapping It All Up
Surrogacy is beautiful, life-changing, and worthwhile. But it’s not a journey that you should have to go through by yourself.
Your support network will be the people you lean on throughout your journey. From medical professionals and legal minds to your mental health providers and personal relationships.
Surrogacy through a fertility clinic will provide you with support throughout the medical side of your journey. Make sure you do the same on the emotional side.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Build a strong support network and rely on them.
- Have your surrogate and partner BOTH work with a therapist that specialises in reproductive mental health.
- Work with professionals who specialise in fertility and surrogacy.
- Find support groups to help you connect with others going through the same thing.
You’ve got this!
