FAQ

What is in vitro fertilization?

 

This process involves the creation of an embryo by combining egg and sperm outside of a human body, then transferring it either into the uterus of the intended mother or the surrogate mother.

 

What is egg donation?

 

In egg donation, eggs are removed from the donor and fertilized by sperm from the sperm donor or intended father. The fertilized eggs/embryos  are transferred into the uterus of the intended mother or the surrogate mother.

 

Who is a gestational surrogate mother?

 

A surrogate mother is a woman who carries and gives birth to a child or children so that someone else can become a parent. The embryo(s) may be created via egg or sperm donation or using the sperm or egg of the child’s intended father and/or mother. 

A gestational surrogate mother is implanted with an embryo/embryos created by IVF. The resulting child is genetically unrelated to the surrogate mother.

 

Gestational surrogacy may be of different types:

 

1) Gestational surrogacy with embryo from both intended parents. A surrogate mother is implanted with an embryo created by IVF, using intended father’s sperm and intended mother’s eggs.

2) Gestational surrogacy and egg donation. A surrogate mother is implanted with an embryo created by IVF, using intended father’s sperm and an egg donor where the donor is not the surrogate mother. The resulting child is genetically related to intended father and genetically unrelated to the surrogate.

 

Why should the intended parents work with a gestational surrogate mother through an agency?

 

Surrogacy is a complicated and costly undertaking and a very emotional experience. Working with an agency always reduces the risk of complications. An agency has the experience that you naturally don’t. The agency has managed and seen a variety of issues and can help you navigate them. The agency controls each step of the program, follows your surrogate mother during all visits to the clinics, makes sure that all necessary medication is available for the surrogate mother, arranges appointments with doctors and helps the surrogate mother 24 hours/7 days. The job of a good surrogacy agency is to eliminate as much stress as possible for both the Intended Parents and the Gestational Surrogate mother. Aurora-Georgia understands all aspects of the surrogacy process and can help Intended Parents to navigate this process successfully.

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There are many issues to consider, for example:
 

• Selecting the surrogate (and egg donor, if needed);

• Checking her background and the background of her family;

• Evaluating her psychological health;

• Ensuring that her home is an appropriate place for a healthy pregnancy;

• Choosing an IVF clinic and Maternity hospital;

• Medical evaluation of the surrogate;

• Be in touch with the surrogate mother 24 hours/7 days;

• Provide her with all necessary medication;

• Follow the surrogate mother during all visits to the clinics;

• Handling the financial aspects of the surrogacy.

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How does our agency find qualified surrogate mothers and /or egg donors?

 

 

Many potential surrogate mothers and egg donors are referred to us by current or former surrogates or donors who have had positive experiences in working with our agency. We also receive contacts via our website, agents and other outreach efforts.

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What qualities does our agency look for in surrogate mother and/or egg donor?

 

Qualified surrogate mothers or egg donors must be mentally and physically healthy. A surrogate mother must have already have given birth to at least one child of her own with no major complications during pregnancy and delivery.

 

 

How many visits will I have to make to Georgia?

 

You will be required to come to Georgia 2 times (for the creation of the embryos at the IVF Clinic and the eventual delivery of the child). The first visit is to meet your doctor in charge, donate biological material for the program and arrange legal documents. The second visit is for the birth of your child. You will not know the exact day and time when your surrogate mother will go into labor, you should prepare to come to Georgia at least one week prior to your surrogate mother`s due delivery date.

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What happens to my remaining frozen embryos?

 

Frozen embryos are stored at your IVF clinic and you have to pay for the storage in case you are willing to keep your frozen embryos. If you choose to move your embryos, your IVF center will assist you in that process. 

Of course, you may use the cryopreserved embryos in a future surrogacy program if you choose.

 

 

If our surrogate mother becomes pregnant with twins, shall we be required to compensate her additionally?

 

All intended parents are required to compensate their surrogate mother with a separate amount for each additional fetus she carries. In a multiple pregnancy, added strain will be placed on your surrogate mother`s body, more medical appointments will be required, and her pregnancy will be more uncomfortable. 

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I am a citizen of a country other than Georgia. How do I obtain a Georgian Birth Certificate and a passport or a travel document for my baby so I can return home?

 

The Georgian Birth Certificate can be obtained as soon as the baby is born. It takes about 5 - 14 working days. In the Birth Certificate there are intended parents’ names written as a mother and a father of the child and there is no surrogacy program mentioned at all.

As soon as we get the enquiry from the parents, we highly recommend them to contact their embassies and surrogacy law attorney in their home country and get as much information as possible about the baby`s passport or travel document. The Intended parents should have the detailed information about the paperwork the embassy requires registering the child. The Intended parents should be ensured they are properly informed of the requirements in their own country once they return home. The Intended parents have 9 months of the pregnancy which is a sufficient period of time in order to start collecting necessary documents before the baby birth.

However, our agency is familiar with some embassy protocols, and we have a list of the required documents, unless they are changed or updated by the embassy. The passport of the baby is issued by the Embassy. Exception is Spain and the Intended parents have to obtain a Georgian passport for their baby and legalize the baby in Spain and get the Spanish passport.

 

Why Georgia?

 

Georgia is one of the few countries permitting international commercial surrogacy. Georgian legislation makes it more advantageous for foreign intended parents to undertake a surrogacy program here rather than in their home country. According to the Georgian legislation, gestational surrogate mothers cannot keep the baby after delivery. And the most attractive point is that the cost of surrogacy and egg donation is 60-70% less in Georgia than the cost of same programs in the United States or European countries.

Georgia is included in the list of the five most successful world countries operating in IVF technologies.

 

How long should I expect to be in Georgia after the delivery?

 

As a general rule, we advise international intended parents to plan on returning home after 4 weeks, to allow ample time for any DNA testing (if it is required by the embassy of the parent`s country), getting the baby Birth Certificate and the application for travel document and/or passport. Besides, it is not recommended to take the newborn baby on board the plane at least one month as it may negatively influence his/her health.

Georgia is included in the list of the five most successful world countries operating in IVF technologies

 

Does Aurora-Georgia work with all types of Intended Parents: single, heterosexual or LGBT?

 

Aurora-Georgia helps only Heterosexual Couples. According to the legislation of Georgia only heterosexual couples can legally participate in the surrogacy and/or donation program.

 

If an Egg Donor is needed, do I have to use Aurora-Georgia to find her?

 

Yes. We can find a suitable egg-donor for you.