Frequently asked questions

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a popular assisted reproductive technique used by infertile couples or male same-sex couples. It involves a surrogate mother or pregnant woman who carries the baby to term on behalf of the intended parents. In Colombia, surrogacy is available for both heterosexual and homosexual couples, but there are certain conditions that need to be met, such as being married and meeting the ideal criteria for becoming parents.

Surrogacy is considered when the intended mother is unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to various reasons, and a surrogate mother becomes the means for family formation. However, it is important to note that surrogacy can only be pursued when the couple has a medical report that details the medical conditions that prevent them from gestating in their own bodies.

What tests does the surrogate undergo during pregnancy?

The tests that the surrogate mother undergoes depend on the country chosen. In Colombia there are medical and legal tests to verify the health of both.

The surrogate mother after giving a positive pregnancy test must have a monthly control with the obstetrician and periodic blood tests.

Who will be the surrogate mother?

The surrogate mother will be a woman who, in the power of all her abilities, voluntarily goes to a surrogacy center, to present your interest in becoming a surrogate mother. It should be noted that all candidates must go through different medical and mental tests that allow them to ensure optimal health.

They must also be mothers, with a healthy pregnancy in previous years to verify that they know and achieve the experience previously in a totally pleasant and satisfactory way. Depending on the country, patients together with the doctor in charge can choose the surrogate without the need for physical contact. While other centers keep the choice of the surrogate mother prohibited. In Colombia it is possible to choose the pregnant woman.

Who can become a surrogate mother?

Undoubtedly, one of the most commonly asked questions about surrogate pregnancy revolves around the role of a surrogate mother or gestational carrier, which demands immense commitment and selflessness from the woman who volunteers for this role. 

It is crucial to understand the significant impact their participation has. Surrogate mothers typically undergo various tests and fall within an average age range of 22-38 years, although this age range may vary by country. 

In addition, surrogate mothers are required to demonstrate emotional and physical stability to fully dedicate themselves to the pregnancy, including adhering to a healthy diet that avoids harmful foods for the well-being of the unborn child.

What happens if the surrogate does not want to leave the child?

Surrogate pregnancy is only possible if the surrogate mother establishes and signs a legal agreement, which allows her to offer all the rights of the minor to the intended parents, once the child is born. 

The United States developed a legal system that would allow them to avoid such awkward situations. Currently, the law in different countries is defined to avoid a setback at the end of the pregnancy.

For this reason, it is prohibited in most countries for the surrogate mother to donate her eggs to develop the embryos.

Does the surrogate work during the pregnancy?

In Colombia, the contract establishes a monetary amount to cover all the needs during the pregnancy. However, as long as the doctor in charge approves it and the work is low risk, the pregnant woman can work freely.

Many times in the last weeks of pregnancy, the pregnant woman is asked to rest to avoid any complications or nervous disorders due to a work situation. Allowing you to rest and visit the obstetrician more frequently.

Does the surrogate have the right to terminate the pregnancy?

The only reasons where the pregnancy can be interrupted is in the event that the doctor authorizes it because the life of the pregnant woman or the child is at risk in the future. Although it is unlikely to happen due to the exhaustive analyzes that are carried out before starting the surrogacy.

It is important to know that the human body is a complicated organism and sometimes pregnancy can develop in an unexpected way, although the cases annually are insignificant compared to the success rates of surrogate mothers.

What happens if the surrogate mother regrets it?

It is normal that, at the beginning of the pregnancy, the surrogate mother feels affection for the baby. This affection can last the 9 months of pregnancy and is a positive point, because it will seek to take the best possible care of the little one in a healthy and mental way. However, the pregnant woman is sure that pregnancy is an opportunity for a couple to start a family.

Thanks to this idea, the surrogate mother understands the importance of her role as a surrogate. In addition, months before finding herself pregnant, she undergoes different tests to confirm her health and the reasons why she decides to be a surrogate mother. Many times the fear of the pregnant woman is that the parents do not want the baby or change their minds one day.

What citizenship does the child get?

Once the child is born, you must go to the consulate of the country to perform a paternity test and offer the passport. However, as soon as they return to the country of origin, they must carry out the legal procedures so that the baby possesses the nationality and paternity of the intended parents.

How is the health of the pregnant woman guaranteed during pregnancy?

The well-being of the surrogate mother is of utmost importance during the entire process of surrogate pregnancy. Regular medical tests are conducted to monitor the health of both the surrogate mother and the baby. It is also crucial for the surrogate mother to promptly notify any discomfort or pain she may experience at any stage of the pregnancy to ensure timely medical attention.

How can I get more information about surrogacy?

You can get a first appointment totally free, to learn more about our services and answer any questions you may have about your particular case. In addition, we also have a blog where we publish relevant information on the subject.

In which countries are Celagem clinics located?

We currently have a presence in 3 countries around the world. Colombia (it has two authorized offices, Bogotá and Medellín), Mexico and Argentina open to any intended parent regardless of their place of origin.

How does the surrogate live while pregnant?

The surrogate lives and works in her own home. In Colombia, the surrogate mother is transferred to a hospital if her health is fragile or she presents complications that require constant monitoring by doctors.

How do you know that the surrogate mother and the fetus are doing well during the pregnancy?

Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate mother undergoes medical check-ups between weeks and blood tests to ensure the life of each one. In addition, the fetus is monitored by the obstetrician to consolidate its optimal health, being a complete check-up that is carried out until the baby is born without complications.

How long will it take when the decision to have children through surrogacy is made?

After making the decision to become Intended Parents, it may take 1-2 months of medical and legal testing to begin surrogacy.

If I need to choose an egg donor, how do I proceed?

In general, assisted reproduction clinics in Colombia have the support of donation banks affiliated with them. In this way the couple does not have to worry about the search personal of the donation. They should only be placed in agreement with the attending physician to choose based on the similarities of the couple. In this way, the baby feels included in the family group.

What is required of me, in the process?

If the couple comes from abroad, it is necessary that they make at least two trips to Colombia. The first is to make the formal and medical appointment of the couple, the medical material of both will be analyzed to ensure whether or not a donor is needed. Then, the genetic material that will be used in the development of embryos is collected.

After confirming the state of health and legal procedures, the second trip is made for the birth of the child and the culmination of the contract, which is signed on the first visit to the chosen country. Patients can be attentive throughout the gestation process through notifications and coordinated calls by the surrogacy clinic.

It is important to us that patients feel involved throughout the entire course of surrogacy. In addition, the patient waits for the arrival of the child in their lives and the formation of the family.

What are the benefits of choosing Colombian surrogacy?

surrogate pregnancy in Colombia has different benefits, which are attractive to thousands of couples annually, among them are:

• Highly competitive prices with other countries.
• Heterosexual couples, homosexual couples and single people can opt for surrogacy, without discrimination.
• The surrogacy company takes care of the medical and legal process at all times. In addition, they have the experience to manage and ensure high success rates in the process.

Do I meet the pregnant woman during the trip?

It depends on the chosen country, in Colombia surrogacy centers are defined as mediators between patients and the surrogate mother. In this way there is no contact between the two and privacy is maintained.

Which countries allow surrogacy for foreigners?

Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, the United States and Ukraine are some of the countries that allow surrogacy. In the United States, it is possible for gay and straight couples, while in Ukraine it is only accessible to straight couples.

What information is available about the egg donor?

Egg donation is anonymous worldwide. However, patients can learn the medical history, photographs, and personal records of the donor’s characteristics.

Can someone from my family be my surrogate instead of an unknown woman abroad?

In Colombia, there are surrogacy clinics that allow the surrogate mother to be brought if the couple wishes. Let’s keep in mind that Colombia does not have clear legislation on surrogate pregnancy.

So it depends mostly on the surrogacy companies and the internal laws of the centers in the country. However, globally it will depend on established laws. For example, in Ukraine this proposal is prohibited.

How are the legal processes?

In Colombia, legal processes are divided into 3 phases of major importance.

• First phase: the entire process is explained to the patients and after confirming their participation, they proceed to sign the contract where all the policies of the agreement and the responsibilities of both parties are found. The surrogate mother also signs a document stating her voluntary participation.
• Second phase: after completing the pregnancy, the legal process must be carried out to return to the country of origin. At this point a paternity test is performed and the baby’s passport is issued.
• Third phase: Once in the country of origin, the couple or person must go through a process similar to adoption so that the baby possesses all the rights and nationality of the country.

What happens if one or both intended parents die while the baby is in the womb?

Despite being a rather unusual situation. In the event that the intended parents die before the baby arrives home, the agency will be required to draft a will in advance outlining the wishes of the foster family for the baby.

How to return home with your child?

The legal process in Colombia allows access to a passport through the consulate of the destination country. In this way the baby can travel without inconvenience.

However, once at the destination, the couple must contact a lawyer to finish acquiring full custody of the child and to have it recognized in the country.

These are some concerns that patients and interested couples have when they approach the first consultations of their application at Celagem. If you are interested in learning about our programs and information, do not hesitate to request an appointment .

Why choose us?

Our main motivation is the happiness of our patients, we understand the reality of each one of them and we appropriate their dreams to help them fulfill them, each patient is important to us, that is why we provide complete and personalized attention, clarifying any doubts and By solving all their questions, in this way we generate trust in them as they become new members of the Celagem family.

At Celagem we always seek to put our patients first, providing a quality service under the care of our qualified group of reproductive health specialists, in the areas of gynecology, psychology, genetics, embryology, andrology and nursing, always in favor of well-being. reproductive health of the patient.