Program Information
Introduction
NES Partnerships, LLC.™ is looking for caring, giving and responsible individuals like yourself to share in the greatest gift of all life. A surrogate is a
woman who becomes pregnant using a form of assisted reproductive technology and carries a baby / babies for a family who has been experiencing fertility
difficulties. Becoming a gestational surrogate can be an extended, yet rewarding commitment, and should be taken very seriously. It is our responsibility
to guide, support and care for you throughout your journey.
There are two types of surrogacy: "traditional" and "gestational". Traditional surrogacy is achieved through artificial insemination, using the
surrogate's egg and the intended parent's (or a donor's) sperm. Gestational surrogacy is achieved through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), by transferring
another woman's fertilized egg into the surrogate's uterus. Although traditional surrogacy requires less medications and medical procedures, the surrogate
is genetically related to the child. In order to simplify the process and strengthen the legality of the surrogacy arrangement we only coordinate
gestational surrogacy partnerships.
Our initial requirements to become a gestational surrogate are the following:
- Aged 21 – 40
- At least one child of your own
- Physically and psychologically healthy
- Normal reproductive history
- Reliable support system
- Steady income source
- No nicotine or substance abuse
*If you meet the initial requirements and our interested in learning more about our program, we ask that you continue to read through the
information provided below and fill out a brief questionnaire.top
First Step
As a potential gestational surrogate you will be asked to complete an initial questionnaire located on our website. Once completed, we will contact
you by telephone. If you meet our agency’s initial requirements we will send you a detailed questionnaire through email or by posted mail. We ask
that you include pictures of yourself and family and a copy of your driver’s license. After your questionnaire is reviewed you will be contacted by
NES Partnerships, LLC.™. If you are an ideal candidate for surrogacy we will obtain a copy of your medical records, perform a criminal and financial background
check, meet with you personally, and have you complete a psychological evaluation (if you are married your partner will be included). Other than
postage and a drive to meet the director (we can meet you in your home, if requested), your evaluation is of no cost to you. We will ask you to bring
a copy of your health insurance policy (if applicable) so that we may review your policy.top
The Match (2 – 8 months)
Once you are accepted into our program we will attempt to match you and an intended parent(s) based on written profiles, and
individualized needs and requests. Confidentially is of utmost importance to our agency. Potential matches remain anonymous until both parties agree to
proceed. Intended parents and gestational surrogates will receive each others profiles without identifying information such as last names and addresses.
If both parties agree, a telephone conference will be arranged, followed by an in-person meeting.
Once a match is established your legal counsel, medical appointments and required counseling services will be arranged for you. We require you to
talk with our counselors on a monthly basis. Counseling sessions can be scheduled more frequently per your request.
We also provide access to a Mentor (an experienced surrogate) by telephone or email for additional support. A member of NES Partnerships, LLC.™ will be available
at any or all appointments per your, or the intended parent(s) requests. It is our goal to be available for guidance at anytime during your surrogacy
experience.top
Medical Screening (1 – 3 months)
You will meet with the intended parent's reproductive endocrinologist (RE) for screening and evaluation. Each RE has individual guidelines for their
gestational surrogate screening. Usually the minimum required screening includes a detailed medical / genetic history and physical, blood tests, and a
Sonohysterogram. We will forward your previous medical records and psychological evaluation to the RE office. The blood tests should include the following:
- HIV ½, Syphilis, Hepatitis A/B/C, Blood type and screen, drug screen, complete blood count, Gonorrhea & Chlamydia vaginal cultures, Cytomegalovirus,
Rubella Titer, Varicella Titer
Your partner will also be screened for communicable diseases such as HIV.
Most RE’s require your initial meeting to take place at their office, but will allow for most of your testing and monitoring at an outside facility
(if necessary). Some RE practices require the surrogate to undergo a mock or trial cycle. The mock cycle mimics the transfer cycle and evaluates your
response to the injectable hormones (will be described in detail during initial meeting) you will use during the treatment cycle. During the mock cycle
you will have vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests. The mock cycle will most likely conclude with an Endometrial Biopsy to assess your uterine lining.
During this time, we maintain frequent contact with the RE nurse coordinator in order to keep well informed of your treatment status and any screening
requirements.top
Legal
The laws governing gestational surrogacy are evolving and vary from state to state. Some states have laws specifically allowing surrogacy arrangements,
a few states outright prohibit surrogacy, but the majority of states have mixed or unclear laws. What is clear from a practical, as well as a legal point
of view, is that a written agreement, a contract, between the gestational surrogate and the intended parents is essential. It ensures that everyone
understands and synchronizes expectations and a true "meeting of the minds" is forged. Also, it is important that each party has "informed consent"
after "full disclosure" and discussion with appropriate professionals of all the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. A well planned
contract will minimize surprises, avoid future conflicts or confusion and maintain the focus on a smooth relationship.
NES Partnerships, LLC.™ requires written agreement for all its surrogacy partnerships. The contract between the intended parent and gestational surrogate
will be established prior to the surrogate's medical treatment and is generally initiated during the surrogate's medical screening phase. The contract
period can be very difficult and stressful for all parties involved. As an integral part of our services, we have retained Attorney Anita Flannigan
Steenson to oversee all the legal aspects of your experience with our agency. She will interact and coordinate the exchange of documents and information
with the independent attorneys each of you select. A list of attorneys experienced in this specialized area of the law will be provided to you as a
reference tool, but we will be pleased to work with any attorney of your choice.
Once you have selected your attorney, Attorney Steenson will initiate communication and provide a base contract which each counsel can review and
modify to meet your needs. Your attorney will guide you in this process after critical information is provided. We ask that you be as candid as possible
in establishing your expectations of your surrogacy experience. We will handle preparing the final document with the specific terms agreed upon and then
circulate the contract to your attorneys for signatures. Once signed by all parties, the original fully executed contract will be maintained by our
attorney for monitoring of the terms, and copies will be provided for all parties.
Our attorney's office will set up an Escrow Account and it will be managed by "Attorney Steenson's Client Trust Account". Our attorney will handle
all the financial aspects of your arrangement so that each participant in the transaction will have the piece of mind of knowing their funds are secure.
All the agreed upon fees and expenses will be paid from the escrowed funds by Attorney Steenson in accordance with a disbursal schedule as defined by
your contract. You will be provided monthly financial statements. Generally, the carrier's fee and living expenses will be dispersed to her on a monthly
basis once pregnancy is confirmed. Please refer to the financial information provided on this website for estimated expenses.
During the second trimester of pregnancy, usually any time after the 20th week of pregnancy, the attorney for the intended parents will begin the final
legal phase of the partnership. The attorney will arrange for the intended parent's name(s) to be placed on the birth certificate at the time of birth in
accordance with the laws and process required by the government of the appropriate state. We locate gestational surrogates only in "Gestational Surrogate Friendly States"
in an effort to simplify this phase of the process for you and to avoid potential problems with this final legal aspect of your surrogacy partnership.top
Initiation & Completion of Treatment
& Embryo Transfer (1 – 3 months)
Your treatment protocol will most likely require a series of self-administered injectable hormones, as well as oral and vaginal medications.
Monitoring your response to the medications may include 2 - 3 vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests. You may be on medications for two to four weeks
prior to the Embryo Transfer at the RE office. Your treatment cycle is synchronized with the intended parent or egg donor's cycle. You will both
take medications at the same time. The intended parent or donor will be stimulated with injectable hormones to produce eggs, while your uterus is
prepared with hormones to accept an Embryo.The injections will continue after the Embryo Transfer until your pregnancy test date. If you are
pregnant you will continue the injectable hormones until approximately 9 weeks of pregnancy.
The RE will decide upon the most appropriate medication treatments for all parties involved. Once the treatment cycle commences, their office
will direct all medical treatment and procedures. We will provide an overview of the types of medications you will be using and the types of procedures
you can anticipate.top
Outcome
Our expectation is that pregnancy will result from the medical treatment and procedures. The RE will continue to monitor the pregnancy until
approximately 10 weeks and then refer you to an obstetrician (OB). The number and frequency of future ultrasounds will be determined by the OB
physician. Additional testing or procedures such as an Amniocentesis will have been previously decided upon in your contractual agreement.
If pregnancy does not result, your legal agreement will have stipulated whether you will proceed with a second attempt. The RE will also have
recommendations based on the previous medical treatment to ensure future success.
NES Partnerships, LLC.™ will continue to coordinate all aspects of your surrogacy commitment. We realize the information we provide on this website is
just a small window into your journey. It is our hope that you are able to gain a better insight into the process. We ask that you call or email
with any additional questions you may have based on this introduction to surrogacy.top
