How do you screen Surrogates?
Talent IVF Asia has a seven-step Surrogate screening process, which looks at both physical and psychological factors.
- A previous, successful full-term (36-weeks) pregnancy of her own, with no complications (meaning she already has a least one child of her own)
- Medical history check (including family history)
- Emotional and psychological suitability
- Healthy lifestyle
- Physically capable of carrying a pregnancy
- Commitment to the Surrogacy process
- Reasons for becoming a Surrogate
As part of this seven-step screening process, we look at other factors as well, including:
- Educational background
- Willingness to relocate (if needed) for term of pregnancy to close proximity to IVF clinic (Talent IVF Asia provides individual accommodation)
- Understanding of agreement requirements and responsibilities
- Socio-economic standing
- Existing support networks
Furthermore, Surrogates undergo lifestyle screening, which includes:
- History of smoking (automatically rejected as a Surrogate Mother)
- History of alcohol abuse (automatically rejected as a Surrogate Mother)
- History of recreational drug use or habitual use of medication (automatically rejected as a Surrogate Mother)
- History of any of the above for immediate family members (automatically rejected as a Surrogate Mother)
- Assessment of lifestyle skills
- Assessment of reasons for wishing to become a Surrogate
What are the characteristics of a typical Surrogate Mother?
At Talent IVF Asia, our Surrogate Mothers share common characteristics, which also form part of our screening process. These include:
- Aged 25-37 years old
- Single or divorced
- Has already had at least one child of her own (with no complications in the pregnancy)
- Is at least middle socio-economic class
- Has a minimum of high-school education
- Is a healthy, non-smoker
- Does NOT work in a dangerous industry or environment, such as in a factory, in construction, with hazardous materials, etc.
- Has been referred by other women who have been Surrogates with Talent IVF Asia
- Has a strong family support network
What motivates someone to become a Surrogate Mother?
- Common financial motivations include:
- Education for existing children
- Fund a small business venture
- New home / renovations
- Common emotional motivations include:
- Sense of helping others
- They have been blessed with a family and want others to have the same
- Hearing positive stories from friends who have previously been / are currently Talent IVF Asia Surrogate Mothers
What medical screening does a Surrogate undergo?
Talent IVF Asia’s initial medical screening process includes:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) and other blood tests
- CBC – Complete Blood Count
- Blood Group ABO
- Blood Group Rh
- Hb Typing – Thalassemia Screening
- HBs Ag – Screening Hepatitis B
- Anti HBs – Immune to Hepatitis B
- Anti HCV – Screening Hepatitis C
- Rubella IgM – Screening Rubella
- Rubella IgG– Immune to Rubella
- Anti HIV
- VDRL – Screening Syphilis
- Gonorrhea Screening
- Ultrasounds and scans for Ovary Health / Follicle Development
- Physical examination
- Psychological assessment
- Family medical history check
- Assessment of medical details of previous pregnancies
What type of care or support does Talent IVF Asia provide for their Surrogates?
Our Surrogate Mothers are like part of our family here at Talent IVF Asia. We provide full medical and psychological support before, during, and after the pregnancy.
- Full Antenatal Care at one of Asia’s most reputed international hospitals
- Priority medical service with a 24-hour, on-call specialist devoted to their care
- A strong, comforting relationship between your Surrogate and her doctor
- Weekly meetings with lifestyle consultants and nurses before, during, and after the pregnancy, to ensure she fully understands what it means to carry another woman’s child
- Accompanied by a Talent IVF Asia staff member to all appointments
- Provision of a free apartment (which can be shared with a close family member, such as a sister or mother) that is close to a park, a swimming pool, an organic food market, and her specialist nurse
- Provision of dietary supplements and healthy food
- Dietary and lifestyle advice by a qualified staff member
- Free general medical care (in additional to all surrogacy-related medical care)
- Accident insurance