FAQ about the COVID-19 Pandemic & Surrogacy

Becoming a Surrogate During the Coronavirus Epidemic: FAQs

Are you interested in learning more about how coronavirus is impacting surrogacy?  Check out our frequently asked questions about becoming a surrogate in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is Southwest Surrogacy still accepting applications to become a surrogate?

Yes!  We are open for business and accepting applications from prospective surrogates.  Much of our intake and screening process is already set up to translate easily into the virtual world that we are currently living in.  For example, you start the process with our web-based intake form can be filled out from your phone, tablet, or computer.   Our intake coordinator, Crystal, is ready to “virtually” meet you and talk more the surrogacy journey.

Is now a good time to become a surrogate, during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This is a question that only you can answer for yourself.  We understand that becoming a surrogate is a tremendous commitment.  We know this is true even if you have always dreamed of becoming a surrogate one day.  To put things into perspective, the average surrogacy journey takes about 18 months from intake to delivery.  There is so much that needs to be done before you get to the embryo transfer procedure!  So now can be the perfect time to begin a process that will last well into next year.  Of course, some prospective surrogates will want to wait to get started, and that’s great, too.  This is a personal decision of yours and we will support you whatever decision you make.  Even in non-COVID19 times we have had plenty of people go through our intake process and ask to wait until a certain time that was right for them. If you want to talk more about whether the timing is right for you and your family, please fill out our intake form and Crystal will get in touch to chat. 

Will I be able to match with intended parents during the Coronavirus outbreak?

Yes.  We have adapted our program to do virtual match meetings.  We use Zoom or other virtual platforms which allows you, the intended parents, and a member of our team to see each other while you also get to know each other.  Our video platforms are easy to use and you can access them through your cell phone, tablet, or computer. 

Does Southwest Surrogacy have intended parents who are ready to move forward during these uncertain times?

Yes.  Intended parents through Southwest Surrogacy have waited many years to become parents.  They are fully committed to the process despite the fact that this outbreak is yet another bump in their road to parenthood.

I’ve read in the news about intended parents being unable to pick up their child born through surrogacy due to travel restrictions.  How will Southwest Surrogacy protect me from that kind of situation?

Southwest Surrogacy works primarily with intended parents from the United States, so they won’t run into problems related to international travel, such as difficulty getting passports or international flights.  The one thing to note is that intended parents may need to arrive a several weeks before the birth to comply with any quarantine requirements of your state.  We always talk through guardianship with Intended Parents, and did so before COVID19, so that all bases are covered.  We can talk about this in more detail when you apply and throughout the process.

Is Southwest Surrogacy going forward with embryo transfers?

This is entirely a clinic-by-clinic decision.  We work with clinics in several different states, all of which are operating under emergency orders that vary from state to state.  We know that the emergency orders issued by each Governor will be tailored to meet each particular state’s needs as the COVID-19 outbreak begins to subside.  A clinic in Colorado is going to be facing different challenges than a clinic in Connecticut.  We look to our fertility clinic partners to make these treatment decisions based on local factors that vary across the states where Southwest Surrogacy and our sister agencies operate. 

My husband and I were both laid off from our jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so my family is temporarily relying on Medicaid for insurance until our workplaces can open up again.  Can I apply to become a surrogate?

Yes.  While ordinarily we are unable to work with surrogates who are on Medicaid, we understand that Medicaid has become a temporary solution for many families due to the unprecedented nature of the Coronavirus crisis. That gives us some flexibility in this area for surrogates who expect to resume their employment once things settle down.

In these times of uncertainty, can I still expect to be compensated for becoming a surrogate?

Yes.  Our intended parents are required to place your compensation into escrow before the embryo transfer occurs, so you don’t have to worry about the money being there when it’s due to be paid out to you.  Surrogacy continues to be a good way to help your own family while you also help another family.

When will Southwest Surrogacy be fully operational again?

We have continued to be fully operational through the outbreak!  Our monthly surrogacy support meetups have gone virtual.  And our Southwest staff are all working entirely remotely to continue to assist surrogates and intended parents through the Coronavirus crisis and beyond.  We’ve adapted to our new normal and are ready to help you with your surrogacy journey. 

Surrogacy During the Coronavirus Epidemic: FAQs for Intended Parents

Are you an intended parent planning a surrogacy journey?  Check out our frequently asked questions about becoming an intended parent in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is Southwest Surrogacy offering intended parent consults during the Coronavirus crisis?

Absolutely.  Our Director, Jennifer White, continues to provide consults during this difficult time.  We have typically provided free phone consults but we are happy also to meet with you on videoconference using  Zoom, FaceTime, or another platform.  If you are ready to schedule a free consult, please check out our handy scheduler to pick a time that’s convenient for you. 

Will COVID-19 impact the embryo transfer timing?

Probably.  As the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) gets ready to put out its recommendations moving forward with fertility treatment in the time of Coronavirus, we can expect that the recommendations will be based on a social distancing model.  What does this mean for intended parents?  Plan for less in-person face-to-face time with your doctors and nurses, and more videoconference time instead.   And expect restrictions on the number of people allowed in the fertility clinic.  Realistically, it might not be possible for both intended parents to attend the embryo transfer.   Be sure to discuss this with your doctor ahead of time and, if you cannot be there, ask if you can attend via videoconference.  Additionally, with clinic closures for several months there is a backlog of patients waiting for transfer so you may experience a few additional delays, even as clinics open up to full operations.

Will the COVID-19 outbreak impact our ability to be present for the birth of our child?

Truthfully, it might.  We don’t yet know what kind of visitor limitations will be placed on labor and delivery departments as the outbreak continues.   If you are not able to be present for the birth, we will work with you to provide the best possible birth experience under difficult circumstances.  And, as parents through infertility ourselves, we truly do understand how disappointing this may be for you as intended parents.   Director, Jennifer White, struggled with infertility and is available if you need to just chat or vent.

My fertility clinic is not performing any gestational surrogacy services right now due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Can I put a surrogate on hold until my clinic is able to perform the medical screening?

We are addressing each situation on a case-by-case basis.  If the surrogate is willing to wait, we can certainly facilitate a match even if your IVF clinic is not able to get her in for an appointment right away.

As an intended parent, should I wait to start the process until the pandemic is over?

This is an entirely personal decision. We’re happy to discuss this with you, and we encourage you to also talk to your doctor to understand the medical factors involved.   Proceeding now will, on some level, involve uncertainty.  Because Coronavirus is so new, no clinic has the type of history that allows doctors to tell you what the expected impact could be for a pregnancy.   Whether you choose to move forward now or to put a pause on your surrogacy journey, we are here to provide you the broad-based support we do for all of our intended parents.  If you are not ready now, we will support you through the wait.  On a positive potential side, so much of the early part of matching and preparing for embryo transfer is filled with waiting and many items that can be completed mostly virtually (such as legal), which means much of that can be accomplished while you are holding and you’ll be ready to go once clinics reopen for business as usual.

Will Southwest Surrogacy continue its operations through the COVID 19 outbreak?

Absolutely.  As one of a network of sister agencies, Southwest Surrogacy benefits from the pooling of resources within our team to ensure we can remain a strong presence throughout the Southwest area during the duration of this pandemic.  We continue to actively recruit and support surrogates, although we have had to adapt to a slightly more virtual processes, involving less in-person face time.  Our Directors have a combined 20+ years of experience with surrogacy—we are not going to let this bump in the road throw us off track.