Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re a surrogate or intended parent, our FAQ Section aims to provide clarity and guidance throughout the surrogacy process
General
What services does Afrigha provide?
Afrigha-Surrogacy offers a comprehensive range of services to support intended parents throughout the surrogacy journey. This includes assisting with matching intended parents with suitable gestational surrogates, providing legal guidance to navigate complex regulations and contracts, coordinating all medical procedures with reputable fertility clinics and professionals, managing budgeting and payment schedules, facilitating communication between intended parents and surrogates with regular updates, and providing post-birth support to ensure a smooth transition to parenthood.
How many contracts are there in the procedure itself?
In order to ensure transparency and clarity throughout the surrogacy process, Afrigha-Surrogacy implements a policy where all parties involved—intended parents, gestational surrogates, and the agency itself—sign the same contract. This approach is designed to create a fair and balanced agreement that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and expectations of each party involved in the surrogacy arrangement. There is a mutual understanding of the terms and conditions governing the surrogacy journey, which helps to minimize misunderstandings, disputes, and potential conflicts.
How long until the baby can travel home after birth?
The duration for the baby to travel home typically ranges from 3 to 10 weeks, contingent upon the nationality of the parents and specific requirements and processing times of the embassy for issuing passports. This timeframe may vary based on factors such as administrative procedures, document verification, and any additional legal formalities necessary for international travel with the newborn.
Who can engage in Surrogacy in Ghana?
Afrigha-Surrogacy welcomes a wide spectrum of intended parents, including single men, single women and unmarried or married couples with no age restrictions. By offering inclusive services, the agency aims to support individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds and situations in their journey towards parenthood through surrogacy.
Who can become a surrogate?
A gestational surrogate for Afrigha-Surrogacy is a healthy woman aged between 21 and 37, who has previously given birth to healthy children. She must be medically fit, morally stable, and emotionally committed to helping childless families. A clean criminal record and spousal consent, if married, are required. She agrees to carry the child as a gestational surrogate only, with no genetic relationship to the baby.
Is the child related to the surrogate?
In gestational surrogacy, the child is not genetically related to the gestational surrogate. An embryo, created using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material, is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus, where she carries the pregnancy. Therefore, the child is biologically related to the intended parents or donors, not the surrogate.
Intended Parents
Can we stay in touch with our surrogate during pregnancy?
This depends on the relationship between the Intended Parents and their surrogate and all of their expectations regarding contact. Some Intended Parents prefer less contact with their surrogate and some prefer to be more involved. It is important that these expectations are discussed with us prior to matching with a surrogate to ensure a successful arrangement.
Will our surrogate agree to any medical procedures that may be necessary to deliver a healthy baby?
Within our contractual agreement, the surrogate is legally obligated to undergo all requisite medical procedures essential for ensuring the birth of a healthy baby. It is imperative to highlight that this contract holds enforceable status, providing assurance and accountability for all parties involved.
What legal steps establish parental rights after birth?
After the baby is born, intended parents typically need to take legal steps to establish their parental rights. This often involves legal procedures such as obtaining a court order or completing the necessary paperwork to establish parentage. Afrigha maintains a dedicated team of legal experts who handle all legal procedures to establish parental rights post-birth.
Do we need to travel to Ghana to start the process?
If you opt to send frozen embryos, you and the surrogate can digitally sign the contract together with a notary.
How do we guarantee the surrogate relinquishes custody of the baby after birth?
Under Ghanaian law, prenatal and postnatal rights for the child firmly belong to the Intended Parents. Our priority is to provide a warm and supportive environment while adhering to these legal guidelines.The surrogate receives final payment only after the birth certificate is issued to you.
Who ensures the well-being of the baby during pregnancy?
An experienced live-in midwife oversees the well-being of both surrogate mothers and the precious babies they carry. Our team also includes a skilled cook and dedicated cleaner who attend to the daily needs of our residents. From preparing nourishing meals tailored to their dietary requirements to maintaining a pristine and comforting environment, everyone receives exceptional care and attention during their time with us.
Surrogates
How does Afrigha select the gestational surrogate?
Our surrogates are carefully selected volunteers who undergo a rigorous screening process prior to acceptance into our program. Each candidate undergoes thorough interviews and assessments to determine suitability. Upon meeting initial criteria, they proceed to a comprehensive series of medical tests conducted by qualified professionals to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications for surrogacy.
What medical screenings and evaluations will I need to undergo before becoming a surrogate?
During the initial stage of the surrogacy process, you’ll undergo thorough health assessments aimed at ensuring the best possible outcome for both you and the intended parents. This includes diabetes screening, haematology tests to evaluate blood health, infectious diseases tests to safeguard against potential health risks, microbial routine examinations for overall health assessment, and HIV testing.
Where does the surrogate live during the pregnancy?
In our surrogacy program, all surrogates are accommodated in our purpose-built surrogacy residence situated in Accra. Staffed by a dedicated team comprising a chef, cleaner, manager, and in-house nurse, our surrogacy home ensures that the physical, emotional, and medical needs of our surrogates are met with the highest standards of care and professionalism.
What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surrogacy process, both for me and the child?
Every pregnancy is a unique journey, often filled with its share of uncertainties. While the possibility of a Cesarean Section (CS) exists, at Afrigha, we prioritize the health and well-being of both the baby and the mother above all else. We firmly believe that a CS should be considered only as a last resort, when it is medically necessary to ensure the safety of either the baby or the mother. Our dedicated medical team carefully evaluates each situation, prescribing a CS only when it is absolutely essential.
We Are Ready To Talk
Reach out to us today with your questions and let us guide you through every step of this life-changing process. Your journey with us could be the beginning of a wonderful new chapter for everyone involved. Contact us now to start the conversation.
