Differences between Independent Surrogacy and Agency-Assisted Surrogacy
Differences between Independent Surrogacy and Agency-Assisted Surrogacy
If you are new to the surrogacy world, and are interested in becoming either a surrogate or intended parent, you may see many terms you’ve never heard of before. This can be confusing and overwhelming at first, but learning as much as you can about these terms will only benefit you as you go through your surrogacy journey. Plus, if you feel lost, you can always ask one of our surrogacy specialists at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada to help.
We want you to have the most positive and empowering surrogacy experience possible. This includes helping you become familiar with the various terms and options you’ll come across in the surrogacy process. In previous weeks, we’ve explored the differences between gestational and traditional surrogacy and compensated and altruistic surrogacy. There are two more important terms for you to learn, along with the differences between the two.
That said, here are the differences between independent surrogacy and agency-assisted surrogacy.
Independent Surrogacy
The definition of independent surrogacy is right on the name. Put simply, independent surrogacy is an agreement where the intended parents and surrogate mother choose not to work with a surrogacy agency. This means that both the intended parents and surrogate will have the services an agency like Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada would provide, such as: lawyers, medical expenses, surrogacy planning, etc.
Independent surrogacy is most common with intended parents and surrogates who already know each other. They could be family members or close friends. Another reason may be that the intended parents were able to find a surrogate without the assistance of a surrogacy specialist. While the surrogacy process can be completed independently, each party would miss out on the extra help and guidance a surrogacy agency could provide.
Agency-Assisted Surrogacy
On the flip side, there’s agency-assisted surrogacy, which is just as it sounds. This type of surrogacy is when intended parents choose to go through a surrogacy agency. Surrogacy agencies, like Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada, help the intended parents and surrogate plan their surrogacy journey and ensure that everything goes smoothly. This includes, but is not limited to: legal needs, counseling, matching intended parents with surrogates and the overall coordination of the surrogacy process.
Unlike independent surrogacy, agency-assisted surrogacy ensures that the rights of both the intended parents and surrogate are respected. That the legal contract drawn up is agreed upon by each party. Additionally, our surrogacy agency in Nevada recommends that each party get their own surrogacy attorney for added security. These may seem like small details, yet they can make a huge difference on your surrogacy journey.
How to Choose the Right Surrogacy Path?
Each surrogacy journey is unique. When it comes to determining the differences between independent surrogacy and agency-assisted surrogacy — and which path is better for you overall — that’s a personal decision. As discussed above, each has their own pros and cons, so it’s important to research and learn all you can to help you make the best decision for you, whether you are an intended parent or a surrogate.
There may be many terms when it comes to surrogacy, but educating yourself on their meanings will help make your surrogacy journey simpler and more successful.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. Please visit us online for adoption information or to email us. You can also call us to speak to someone now.
Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free), 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas), 775-825-4673 (Reno)
Meet the Author: Paola Marquez is the author and writer of her personal blog. Ever since she was little, she has always been interested in creative writing. Paola has over 3 years of experience in professional writing focusing more on personal writing and a lifetime of experience as a bookworm.
Paola is currently a student at the University of Texas at El Paso, her major is Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Creative Writing. She currently lives in El Paso, Texas along with her family and her adorable Pug named Bruno.
Growing up in a border city and being bilingual has given her the opportunity to understand different points of views. She believes that it is important as a journalist to have the ability to be in someone else’s shoes in order to deeply understand different situations, emotions and ideas different from hers.
When Paola is not writing she is reading over and over again her favorite books such as “The Chosen” by Chaims Potok and “Henry and June” by Anaïs Nin. While she has a passion for cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, it does not compare to her dedication and love that she has for her writing.