Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Surrogacy Monitoring
Q: What is Surrogate Monitoring?
A: Surrogate monitoring is a proven and structured system of contact between an FCS Mental Health Professional, who is an expert in assisted reproduction, and your surrogate. It is designed to guide and support your surrogate throughout the third party reproductive process.
Q: Why does my surrogate need psychological monitoring services?
A: Surrogacy is like a marathon, in that it will test her physical and emotional endurance. Your surrogate’s experience may still incite many emotions even when the process goes perfectly. Thus, during the surrogacy, FCS provides someone who has active listening of the surrogate. The FCS Mental Health Professional will be there for the purpose of receiving the surrogate’s communication so that she feels happy, supported, and understood. In that sense, monitoring is a security blanket for Intended Parents as well, so that you may experience ease and peace of mind on your journey to parenthood.
Q: Why psychologically screen a surrogate?
A: Surrogates undergo extensive psychological assessment to rule out any underlying mental illness or issue that would preclude them from becoming surrogates. The screening evaluates her motivation, stability, support system, underlying beliefs about surrogacy, fertility, etc. Her partner is also screened for mental illness and whether or not he or she completely supports the surrogacy process. It must also be verified that both the surrogate and her partner know that they are consenting to the surrogacy freely.
Q: How does the psychological screening help with the overall surrogacy process?
A: The screening evaluates what type of experience that the surrogate is hoping to have, which will assist in matching her expectations with those of the client’s. For example, the screening will determine the kind of contact that the surrogate hopes to have with the clients, both during and after the surrogacy process, to ensure that all parties involved are on the same page.
Q: Why psychologically screen an egg donor?
A: Unlike the surrogate, the egg donor’s actual role is brief in duration, but no less important. The psychological assessment of the egg donor focuses on her psychological state, which will rule out mental illness or issues that would preclude her from being a donor. It will also address her definition and perception of ovum donation to ensure that she has a clear understanding of what it means to her to be an egg donor.
Q: What does the psychological screening consist of?
A: Surrogates and egg donors are given a series of objective psychological tests, as well as an extensive clinical interview by an FCS Mental Health Professional, who is an expert in the field of assisted reproduction.
Q: I’m exploring becoming a parent through assisted reproduction. How can FCS help me?
A: FCS can be helpful in three ways:
1. As experts in the field of fertility and assisted reproduction, FCS can help you get clarity about what you want and what journey is right for you.
2. As a resource connected with a vast network of allied professionals, FCS can refer you to Reproductive Endocrinologists, Attorneys, Surrogacy Agencies and Egg Donor Agencies.
3. FCS can guide you in talking to your children, co-workers, family, etc., about your family creation.