You’ve been through pregnancy before, so you know what those first-trimester blood draws feel like and how magical hearing your baby’s heartbeat is. But now that you’re considering surrogacy, you might be wondering how the medical process in New Mexico changes.
In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect as a surrogate in New Mexico. You’ll learn what stays the same, what changes and how your team works to keep both you and the baby healthy throughout the journey.
Want more information? Get in touch with a professional today.
What Medical Care Do Surrogates Get in New Mexico?
Obviously, your care will include everything you’ve experience before — regular prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, blood work, and monitoring. But how is surrogate medical care different from your own pregnancy?
As a surrogate, you’ll go through the embryo transfer process and coordination between your fertility clinic and OB-GYN. You’ll also be sharing appointment updates and results with the intended parents throughout the journey.
The key difference is the shared nature of the journey. You’ll be keeping intended parents informed about medical appointments and any developments, which means your medical team will often provide more detailed explanations and documentation than you might have received during your own pregnancies. Think of it as having intended parents as partners in the process rather than going through it alone.
Before You’re Pregnant
The medical surrogacy process begins well before embryo transfer with comprehensive screening. You’ll start with a complete physical exam, including blood work to check hormone levels, infectious disease screening and a detailed review of your pregnancy and delivery history. You’ll also undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure you have realistic expectations and a strong support system.
The fertility clinic may perform a mock cycle, where you’ll take the same medications you’ll use for the actual embryo transfer to see how your body responds. This includes estrogen to thicken your uterine lining and progesterone to prepare for implantation. These medications are typically delivered via injection or vaginal suppositories.
Once your body is ready, the fertility clinic will schedule the embryo transfer. This outpatient procedure is relatively quick, usually taking 30 minutes or less. During the procedure, your doctor will use a thin catheter to place the embryo directly into your uterus through your cervix. After the procedure, you’ll need to wait two weeks to see if the embryo implants successfully.
During Pregnancy
Once you’re pregnant, surrogacy medical care in New Mexico closely mirrors the prenatal care you received during your own pregnancies. You’ll still see your OB-GYN for regular check-ups, but you’ll also maintain contact with your fertility clinic through the first trimester.
Your prenatal appointments will follow the standard schedule: monthly visits through 28 weeks, biweekly visits through 36 weeks then weekly until delivery. The main difference is that you’ll be sharing results and updates with the intended parents.
Most surrogates continue their normal activities during pregnancy, just as they did when carrying their own children. Your medical team will provide the same guidance about exercise, nutrition and lifestyle that you received before as part of surrogate pregnancy medical care.
Delivery and Hospital Care
Hospital delivery as a surrogate involves the same medical procedures you’re used to but with different logistics around who’s present. Your New Mexico surrogate medical support team will create a detailed birth plan that addresses everyone’s expectations: whether the intended parents will be in the room, who cuts the cord and how you want to handle immediate postpartum time.
The actual delivery process remains medically identical to your previous experiences. Your doctor will monitor you and the baby, manage any complications that arise and ensure your safety throughout labor and delivery.
After delivery, hospitals typically facilitate immediate bonding time between the intended parents and their baby while ensuring you receive appropriate postpartum care. The moment intended parents meet their baby is often deeply meaningful for surrogates who helped make that family possible.
Postpartum Care
Your postpartum medical care will follow the same protocols you experienced after your own deliveries: managing pain and supporting recovery. Your medical team will monitor you for excessive bleeding, infection, blood pressure changes or signs of postpartum depression. You’ll have a follow-up appointment at six weeks postpartum to ensure complete recovery.
Many surrogates report feeling a sense of fulfillment after the surrogacy medical process in New Mexico. However, it’s completely normal to experience a range of emotions during recovery. Some surrogates feel relief that the journey is complete, while others might feel a temporary sense of loss or emptiness. Your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to take time to process this meaningful experience.
Your Surrogate Medical Team in New Mexico
Your care involves coordination between several medical professionals who specialize in different aspects of surrogacy. Understanding who’s involved can help you feel more confident about the support you’ll receive throughout the process.
- Fertility specialists handle your pre-pregnancy screening, medication protocols, embryo transfer and early pregnancy monitoring. They’re experts in reproductive medicine and will guide you through the unique aspects of the surrogacy medical process.
- OB-GYNs take over your care once you’re pregnant, providing routine prenatal care just like you received during your own pregnancies. They’ll monitor your pregnancy up until delivery.
- Nurses and agency professionals serve as your main points of contact, ensuring smooth communication between all parties and helping schedule appointments. They’re often the ones who’ll answer your day-to-day questions and keep everyone informed.
Surrogate Medical Insurance in New Mexico: How Costs Work
You won’t be paying for any medical costs related to the surrogate pregnancy. Intended parents cover all medical expenses. Your existing insurance may be used with intended parents reimbursing deductibles and co-pays. But most times, intended parents purchase a separate policy specifically for the surrogate pregnancy.
Your agency will work with insurance specialists to determine the best approach for your situation. This might involve reviewing your current policy’s surrogacy coverage, understanding coordination of benefits or helping intended parents purchase supplemental coverage.
Ready to Learn More About the Full Process?
If you’re feeling confident about the surrogacy medical process in New Mexico and want to learn more about how to get started, we’re here to guide you.Connect with a surrogacy professional today to get answers to your specific questions about becoming a surrogate in New Mexico.