Wondering how long it takes to become a surrogate in Oregon? The complete journey from your first inquiry to holding that precious baby typically takes 15-20 months. While that might sound lengthy, understanding the surrogacy process timeline helps you see that each phase serves an important purpose in ensuring your success and safety.
The Oregon surrogacy process is designed to be thorough, not rushed. This timeline includes everything from initial screening and matching to pregnancy and delivery. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a strong foundation for your incredible journey ahead.
Contact us today to speak with a specialist who can walk you through each phase and help you understand what to expect at every milestone.
The Real Timeline: What to Expect
Let’s break down the surrogacy timeline in Oregon into realistic phases. Most surrogates find that understanding the complete timeline helps them plan their lives and set appropriate expectations for this life-changing journey.
Total Timeline: 15-20 Months
- Pre-pregnancy phases: 6-11 months
- Pregnancy: 9 months
- Delivery and recovery: 1-2 months
The timeline can vary based on several factors, including how quickly you complete screenings, how long matching takes, and whether you experience any delays in the medical process. However, most surrogates find that having a clear roadmap helps them stay motivated and excited about each upcoming milestone.
Phase 1: Your First Steps Forward (1-2 Months)
Your journey begins with research and decision-making. This phase involves choosing an agency, completing initial applications, and taking your first steps toward becoming a surrogate.
Initial Research and Agency Selection
You’ll spend time researching agencies, reading about the process, and determining if surrogacy is right for you. Many women find it helpful to explore what it’s like to be a surrogate before making their final decision.
Once you’ve chosen an agency, you’ll complete detailed applications covering your medical history, lifestyle, and motivations. This paperwork might seem extensive, but it’s designed to ensure you’re well-prepared for the journey ahead. Most agencies offer consultations where you can ask questions, learn about their specific process, and get a feel for their support style. This is your opportunity to ensure you’re comfortable with your chosen agency.
Phase 2: Proving You’re Ready (2-4 Months)
The screening phase is comprehensive, and for good reason. Oregon surrogate process requirements ensure that you’re physically and emotionally ready for this commitment.
Medical Evaluations
You’ll undergo extensive medical testing to ensure you’re physically ready for pregnancy. This comprehensive screening includes:
- Blood Work: Hormone levels, infectious disease screening, and general health markers
- Physical Exams: Reproductive health assessment and overall wellness check
- Medical History Review: Detailed discussion of your pregnancy experiences
- Fertility Clinic Coordination: Your agency handles all appointment scheduling
Psychological Evaluation
Mental health professionals specializing in reproductive psychology will assess your emotional readiness. This isn’t about judgment, it’s about ensuring you have the tools and support needed for success. Agencies conduct thorough background checks and contact your references. This protects both you and intended parents by ensuring everyone is prepared for the journey ahead. Once all screenings are complete and reviewed, you’ll receive formal approval to begin matching. This milestone marks a significant step forward in your journey.
Phase 3: Meeting Your Perfect Match (1-3 Months)
The matching phase is often the most exciting part of the process. You’ll review intended parent profiles and potentially meet with multiple couples before finding your perfect match.
Your agency will present profiles of intended parents who match your preferences regarding communication, relationship style, and expectations. Take time to review these carefully, as this is the foundation of your future relationship. Once you’ve identified potential matches, you’ll have opportunities to meet with them, either in person or via video call. These meetings help determine compatibility and comfort levels for everyone involved.
When you find intended parents you truly connect with, you’ll confirm your match and move forward together. Many surrogates describe this as the moment when the journey becomes real and exciting. Learning about how to find intended parents can help you understand what to expect during this important phase.
Phase 4: Making It Official (1-2 Months)
After matching, you’ll handle the legal and medical preparations necessary before beginning the medical process.
Contract Negotiations
You’ll work with independent attorneys to negotiate and finalize your surrogacy contract. Oregon law requires that surrogates have their own legal representation, which protects your interests throughout the process. Once contracts are finalized, you’ll review all terms with your attorney and sign the agreement. This legal protection is one of the benefits of Oregon’s surrogate-friendly legal environment.
Medical Protocol Planning
Your fertility clinic will develop a personalized medical protocol for your cycle. This detailed plan covers:
- Medication Schedules: When to start and stop each medication
- Monitoring Appointments: Blood work and ultrasound timing
- Transfer Preparation: Optimal timing for embryo transfer
- Communication Protocols: How your medical team coordinates with intended parents
Phase 5: The Medical Process (2-3 Months)
The medical phase begins with medications and culminates in embryo transfer and pregnancy confirmation. This carefully orchestrated process is designed to optimize your body’s readiness for pregnancy while ensuring the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
Medication Protocol
You’ll begin taking medications to prepare your body for embryo transfer, typically starting with birth control pills to regulate your cycle. Next comes estrogen supplements to thicken your uterine lining, followed by progesterone to maintain the optimal environment for embryo implantation. Your medical team will monitor your response through regular blood work and ultrasounds, adjusting protocols as needed to ensure your body is perfectly prepared.
Embryo Transfer
The actual transfer is a simple procedure that typically takes just a few minutes, similar to a routine gynecological exam. Using ultrasound guidance, your doctor will carefully place the embryo(s) into your uterus through a thin catheter. Many surrogates find this moment incredibly meaningful and exciting, often describing it as the moment when the journey truly begins. You’ll rest briefly afterward, and then can return to normal activities within a day or two.
Pregnancy Confirmation
About two weeks after transfer, you’ll have blood tests to confirm pregnancy by measuring HCG levels. If positive, you’ll continue monitoring appointments to ensure the pregnancy is progressing normally. This is often an emotional and joyful milestone for everyone involved, marking the successful beginning of the pregnancy journey. Understanding the surrogacy medical process can help you prepare for this important phase and know exactly what to expect at each step.
Phase 6: Your Amazing Journey (9-10 Months)
The pregnancy phase is what many surrogates describe as the most rewarding part of their journey.
Pregnancy Journey
You’ll attend regular prenatal appointments and maintain communication with your intended parents according to your agreed-upon schedule. Many surrogates develop lasting friendships during this time.
Delivery
Oregon hospitals are familiar with surrogacy arrangements and have established procedures for surrogate deliveries. Your intended parents will typically be present for the birth.
Postpartum and Recovery
After delivery, you’ll have time to recover while your agency handles final payments and paperwork. This transition period typically includes:
- Standard postpartum care and healing
- Remaining payments and expense reimbursements
- Completion of all required paperwork
- Time to reflect on your incredible journey
Ongoing Relationships
Many surrogates maintain lifelong relationships with their intended parents and the children they helped bring into the world. These connections often become one of the most treasured aspects of the journey.
What Could Affect Your Timeline in Oregon?
Several factors can influence your surrogacy process timeline, though most delays are minor and manageable.
The most common factor affecting your timeline is the matching process. Some surrogates find matches quickly, while others take longer to find the right intended parents. This is completely normal and important for ensuring compatibility that will make your journey successful and enjoyable.
Medical factors can occasionally impact your timeline as well. Sometimes medical protocols need adjustments or additional testing is required, but your medical team will work to minimize any delays while ensuring your safety. Additionally, coordinating schedules between surrogates, intended parents, and medical teams can sometimes cause minor delays, though flexibility helps keep things moving smoothly.
Fortunately, Oregon’s supportive legal environment typically prevents the legal delays that might occur in other states. The state’s established surrogacy procedures help streamline the process, giving you a significant advantage compared to surrogates in less friendly jurisdictions.
Are You Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Now that you understand how long the surrogacy process takes in Oregon, you can make informed decisions about timing and planning. Remember, while 15-20 months might seem lengthy, each phase serves an important purpose in ensuring your success and satisfaction.
Whether you’re ready to start immediately or want to plan for the future, our team can help you understand exactly what to expect and how to prepare for each phase of your surrogacy journey.
Contact us today to speak with a specialist about your timeline questions. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation and help you understand how to make the most of each phase of this incredible journey.