Frequently
Asked Questions
1. How do I/we know the Gestational Carrier will not keep the baby?
The Gestational Carrier (GC) knows that the baby she is gestating is not her child. Our practices are the same as established best practices in the United States and other professional venues. She is psychologically screened by professionals on this aspect reinforcing that the baby is not hers. This aspect is reinforced throughout her entire journey. The women chosen do not want any more children than the ones they already have.
​
2. How can you offer such a lower price for the package?
We are located in Guatemala where wages, costs of professional services (lawyers, psychologists, and physicians), office rent, and insurance are much less. Unlike the USA, our costs to recruit and screen a GC are a fraction of that in the USA. Fees charged by the fertility clinics are lower than in the USA.
3. How long does the entire process take?
We advise expecting about one year. The entire process can take place in 11 months. We are able to move faster than many agencies because we have available surrogates and egg donors at all times. However, we advise people to consider it a one-year journey. Timing of the GC menstrual cycle and egg donor, PGT-A testing, and more than one embryo transfer can all add time.
4. How do you find Gestational Carriers (surrogates)?
We have a recruitment program that is largely based upon referrals from past surrogates. The experiences of past surrogates are so positive their friends and relatives want to become surrogates.
5. What is the profile of your Gestational Carrier candidates?
Like all ethical agencies, they first have to be mothers, having a full-term uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. They are in the age range of the lower twenties to about 36 and very healthy. For legal reasons, we can only use legally single mothers. These women want to be GCs and the opportunity represents a life-changing event for them. They also have to have great family support for her and her children during the journey.
6. What is your screening process for Gestational Carriers?
It is the same as that done by professional agencies in the United States and other countries. Screening is approached from several aspects: psychological, social, medical, and background. Our licensed psychologists use a clinical exam and a battery test. Our lawyers conduct a full criminal and legal background check. Our physicians conduct physical exams and full blood tests patterned off the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM, www.asrm.org) recommendations. In addition, we review past birth records and medical records. For social aspects our GCs come to us from a referral, so we know their environment, family, and friends. Our psychologists also help conduct a social screen.
7. How do I know the Gestational Carrier is safe and not in a bad environment or doing risky behavior?
Since the GCs come from more rural areas of Guatemala, they typically move to the city and live with a paid screened host family. Our staff and host families support the GCs as they go through their journey. This ensures safe surroundings, compliance with medical protocols, and a happy, supportive environment, which translates into a very pleased, confident GC. We also use our staff to transport the GC to all of her appointments.
8. Will I need to come to Guatemala?
Ideally yes at least two times. We want you to come and donate sperm and eggs for embryo creation at the journey onset. The second trip will be to meet your new family member, process the legal paperwork, and return home with your new family. Provisions can be made to accept shipped gametes or embryos at our clinics.
​
9. What if I cannot speak Spanish?
Virtually all of our team members speak English and Spanish. While in Guatemala, we will accompany you to your medical and legal appointments and translate for you if needed.
10. Will the legal documents be in English?
The documents from your embassy, if from an English-speaking country, will be. The legal agreement with you and the GC (termed Gestational Surrogacy Agreement: GSA) will be in Spanish, the birth certificate and civil registration of the baby will be in Spanish as well. An English copy of the GSA will be provided. Translated copies of all key documents will be provided as part of our package at no additional cost.
11. Can I communicate with my gestational carrier?
Of course, you can. Like all well-managed surrogacy journeys, this will typically involve going through your case manager.
12. How do I pay for the services?
You will pay as per the terms of the service agreement and we, in turn, pay our partners, your GC, local egg donor, and professionals in Guatemala. Most surrogacy programs have a series of four payments based on milestones. You do not pay for anything that you have not used.
13. Why have I not heard of surrogacy in Guatemala?
Our team has been operating the boutique program since 2014 and patients came via word of mouth. In 2020 we started to advertise our program. We have never been, nor will we be a large high-volume program.
14. How does surrogacy legally work?
It is just like a baby born out of wedlock and the mother does not want parental rights. This is a common occurrence and Guatemala Civil Codes contain these provisions. All laws are followed by our experienced attorneys. Like many countries and most states, Guatemala does not have a legal provision for a pre-birth order (PBO) like many states. The Intended Father is on the birth certificate and has custody of the baby at birth. The GC relinquishes her rights at birth, which is a simple legal process.
15. Whose name is on the birth certificate?
The name of the biological father (you, Intended Father) and the birth mother (the GC).
16. Will the birth mother’s name on the certificate cause a problem?
No, she will give up her parental rights, per provisions codified in Guatemala civil law. Later your partner can acquire joint custody (step adoption) in your home country if you desire. We help you with the needed papers.
17. When can I take my baby back to my home country?
If from the USA, within ten business days of the birth. Other countries can take up to three to four weeks. It depends on how fast your embassy can issue the passport or travel documents.
