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FAQ's
1. How do you screen your surrogates?
All FPA surrogates undergo an extensive multi-level screening based on both objective and subjective standards to meet our proprietary criteria developed over many years of experience. This includes a phone screening, application process, clinical interview, an MMPI-2* psychological assessment, civil/criminal background check on both the surrogate and her husband, if married, and (unlike almost all other agencies) a home visit by our home visit counselor. Surrogates are evaluated on factors such as emotional stability, life stability, available support systems and proper motivation.
2. How do you match couples and surrogates?
Based on your application, consultation session, and interview, your advisor will match you with a surrogate who has the same philosophies/values and compatible personality. Once matched you will meet with the surrogate in a mediated meeting at the Family Pathways’ office. At that time, all issues of the arrangement are discussed with the facilitator to make sure that everyone is in agreement and that it is a good match. To assure that no one feels pressured at the moment, the facilitator asks everyone to go home, think about it over the weekend, and call back on Monday to decide whether to proceed with the arrangement. We then complete the background checks for the surrogate and her husband, if married, and provide a home visit and a report on the visit. Then the contract process begins.
3. Why should we work with FPA?
Experienced Professionals. Although FPA was recently established, it is the sister company to SSA, which has been in practice since 1992. The director of FPA draws on the experience of SSA and it’s employees. As with SSA, the health and safety of your future child is too important to trust to amateurs. You need professionals who will assist and guide you every step of the way.
Convenience. We know that infertility is extremely stressful and time consuming. At FPA, we offer a unified program to simplify your life. No running around or being referred out to counselors or attorneys with multiple appointments and repeating your situation, also there are no problems with inter-office coordination. With the exception of medical, everything from counseling to legal can be handled in our offices and we take care of all the details of your arrangement.
Extensive Screening. All surrogates in the FPA program undergo an extensive multi-level screening based on both objective and subjective standards. Our proprietary screening process has been developed over more than a decade and gives us unique insight into surrogacy.
Protected Relationship. In an independent arrangement, you must raise all the issues directly with your surrogate. This can lead to tense times, hurt feelings, and a damaged relationship. In an FPA arrangement, you have the advantage of having a trained consultant who can discretely raise and resolve issues without damaging your relationship. Your consultant also acts as a neutral "sounding board" for both you and your surrogate to help avoid misunderstandings and lead to a more enjoyable arrangement for everyone.
Personalized Matching. Your counselor will attempt to match you with a surrogate based on personality and beliefs, to give you the most enjoyable experience possible in expanding your family.
Case Management. The commitment and involvement of many agencies ends once they have matched you with a surrogate. FPA offers case management throughout your arrangement. We offer support group meetings for your surrogate. We contact the hospital in the last trimester of your pregnancy and discuss the details of your arrangement with the social worker of the hospital, so that when it is time for your baby(ies) to be born, all you have to worry about is making sure you have the right car seat(s).
Building Families Together™. Our motto is "Building Families Together" because we stay involved with you and your surrogate throughout the entire process. Due to rigorous screening process, provided through the experienced counselors of SSA, you can rest assured that both you and your surrogate will enter into an agreement with a full understanding of the arrangement and the process.
4. What is the advantage of working with FPA rather than an independent arrangement?
Finding and screening a qualified surrogate on your own is time consuming. FPA handles all the details of your arrangement, including advertising, screening, background checks by an independent licensed private investigator and fact verification. In an independent arrangement, if your surrogate decides to work with another couple or changes her mind, you may be out thousands of dollars for fees paid to psychologists and attorneys. And you can repeat this process any number of times. With FPA, you have the comfort of knowing that if your surrogate changes her mind we will rematch you at no additional cost. It is also worth noting that many surrogates offering independent arrangements are doing so because they do not meet the criteria set by reputable agencies. And those that would otherwise qualify with an agency often ask for a significant premium over the industry standard compensation package. When you add up all the costs that you will incur in an independent arrangement and the time that you will spend, we believe you will conclude that FPA is the better choice. However, if you choose to work in an independent arrangement, FPA also offers legal and counseling services for independent arrangements.
5. How long does it take to be matched?
The length of time is difficult to predict because it will vary widely depending on the circumstances. Some couples are matched as quickly as 2-3 weeks. We have some surrogates waiting to be matched, but this does not mean that they are going to be the appropriate match for you. The matching process should not be rushed and we tell couples to be prepared for up to six to eight months before a match is completed. Many agencies will tell you that they can match you immediately. That is because they are small agencies, and you are likely their only client and the surrogate is their only surrogate. It may also be that their criteria for acceptance are much lower than ours. An appropriate match is one of the most important aspects of a happy arrangement. Isn't the right match worth the wait?
6. What are our chances of success?
Since we have never had a surrogate change her mind and fight to keep the baby, FPA has a 100% success rate. We cannot quote pregnancy success rates because we do not provide medical treatment. The relevant success rates for you will depend on many factors. For example, the age of the eggs and the particular infertility issue are always important. An arrangement using donor eggs generally has a higher chance of success because the average donor is relatively young and has no history of infertility. However, statistics will vary from case to case and doctor to doctor. This is a question best discussed with your IVF physician.
7. Which doctor has the best statistics for success?
This is a difficult question to answer. Statistics will vary with each doctor according to his/her practice. Some doctors will work with all couples while others choose not to work with patients over a certain age or with certain medical conditions. This alone can skew statistics. It is best to work with a doctor with whom you feel comfortable and who is experienced with your particular infertility issues and third party reproduction. For surrogate arrangements, FPA will work with your referring doctor if he/she is willing to participate in a third party arrangement. If you are coming without a doctor referral, FPA can provide references to IVF specialists who will work with any non traditional arrangements.
8. What is unique about FPA?
FPA is the first agency in the south and southwest established specifically to work with gay, lesbian, and single parent arrangements. Because in many states two men, or two women may not go on a birth certificate, parenting agreements must be established in advance to protect all parties. This takes the careful planning of the attorney, and may require the involvement of multiple attorneys. The agency attorney will provide your contract, and will lead you through and coordinate with any additional attorney’s that may need to be involved.
9. What is our first ste
Your first step is to request an information packet. Once you have reviewed then information, your next step is to schedule a consult. To schedule a consult, please email elise@familypathsagency.com
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