Being a Surrogate for a Sibling [How to]

If you have a brother, brother-in-law, sister or sister-in-law struggling with infertility, you might be wondering, “Can I be a surrogate for a sibling?” The good news is that if you meet the health requirements, you absolutely can. But there are important considerations before committing to being a surrogate for your sibling. Reach out to a surrogacy professional now to get more information. 

There are many reasons why you might be considering being a surrogate for your sibling.   

• Your sibling and their partner struggle with infertility or health issues   
•  
• Your sibling is single but wants to parent a child 

• Your sibling is a member of the LGBTQ community dreaming of parenting  

Whatever the case, being a surrogate for a sibling is possible, and it’s a courageous decision you’re making to create a better life for everyone involved.  

As you work your way through this complete guide, you’ll find out how to be a surrogate for a sister, brother or sibling by marriage, as well as the important considerations when making such a big decision. Because carrying a child for a sibling is so monumental, it can dramatically change your relationship forever.  

The important thing is ensuring the changes are positive, which is why you’ll also find out the benefits of working with a specialized and experienced surrogacy agency.  

Did you know you can get in touch with a surrogacy specialist right now? All you have to do is complete this online form, and you’ll quickly get connected to a professional ready to answer questions you have about being a surrogate for your sibling and how the process works.  

How much do you know about surrogacy?   

Let’s first discuss types of surrogacies and what it means for you and your sibling.  

Identified Surrogacy: Traditional or Gestational?  

Surrogacy has seen many changes dating back to the late 1970s. However, more recently, there’s been another significant shift, and that’s agencies and reputable professionals moving away from traditional surrogacy.  

What is Traditional Surrogacy?  

If you have limited knowledge of surrogacy, you might be thinking about a woman becoming a surrogate by artificial insemination. In this case, the surrogate would then become the biological mother of the child.  

Regardless of whether the intended parent is a family member, friend or someone outside a surrogate’s circle, traditional surrogacy creates complex parental rights issues. No case was more impactful on this topic than “Baby M,” which took place from 1984-1986.  

Bill and Betsy Stern hired Mary Beth Whitehead to be a surrogate. Because their arrangement was through traditional surrogacy, Whitehead decided she wanted to keep the child when the baby was born. As the biological mother, a custody battle ensued.  

A judge ruled that while White would maintain her parental rights, the Sterns were granted custody, as both parties had agreed to a compensated arrangement.  

So, as you can see, traditional surrogacy can create complex problems. Apply that to being a surrogate for a sibling, and you potentially have a situation in which your relationship is deeply affected.   

You can read more about the case of “Baby M” and how it impacted surrogacy moving forward here. You can also get connected to a surrogacy specialist by filling out this online form. They will answer any questions about becoming a surrogate for a sister or another sibling and the surrogacy process.  

How did surrogacy change after the case of “Baby M?”  

Gestational Surrogacy  

Lawmakers and lawyers begin creating legal contracts where intended parents and prospective surrogates would sign an agreement to help avoid legal battles. The shift toward gestational surrogacy eliminated the genetic connection between surrogates and the child.  

By taking an egg and sperm to create an embryo, the surrogate goes through a medical procedure where the embryo is transferred to you to carry the pregnancy to term.   

As the surrogate, you are still carrying the baby for the intended parent—in your case, a sibling—but you have no genetic link to the child.  

As you consider being a surrogate for your sister or another sibling, you must think about how gestational surrogacy and removing yourself as the biological mother can positively impact your experience and your long-term relationship.  

Because of the added medical complexity of gestational surrogacy, working with a surrogacy agency and professional to help guide you through the process, arrange appointments and work directly with the fertility clinic is essential.  

Want more information on gestational surrogacy and answers to “How to be a surrogate for my sister or another sibling?” complete this form and get connected to a surrogacy professional. The information you need is just a click away!  

Until then, let’s turn to surrogacy and your relationship with your sibling.  

Can I Be a Surrogate for My Sister or Another Sibling and How Will it Affect the Relationship?  

As we’ve previously covered, yes, you can be a surrogate for your sister, brother or sibling-in-law.  

But what are the implications of your relationship?  

Surrogacy is a lengthy process. It involves detailed screening for the surrogate, a financial commitment from the intended parents, as well as serious physical and emotional effort from everyone involved.  

Now, you might be thinking, “I don’t want money from my sibling.”  

The sentiment of not accepting compensation from a sibling because you want to do something extraordinary for them is nothing short of heroic. However, your sibling may feel as though they are forever indebted to you because of your deeper family connection.  

The emotional complexities during the pregnancy for both sides are enough; adding a financial strain to it is a risk you may not be willing to take.  

Most reputable surrogacy professionals strongly encourage you to agree to some level of financial compensation beyond reimbursement for pregnancy and surrogacy-related expenses.  

Keep in mind, being a surrogate for your sister or sister-in-law might be because she cannot safely carry a baby to term. Because you can, there’s a risk of jealously which could arise.   

What about your boundaries? The physical and emotional adjustments you’ll face during pregnancy can be challenging, as they are for any woman carrying a child. How would you handle your sibling wanting to be constantly involved day-to-day?  

Surrogacy requires a big commitment, and with the added layer of being a surrogate for a sister, being a surrogate for a brother or any other sibling, you’ll want the help of an experienced surrogacy professional.  

They can help manage your journey and assist in making sure your relationship isn’t adversely affected during the process.  

Your heroic decision to give the gift of parenthood to a sibling through surrogacy is life-changing for both of you. Maintaining your relationship and even taking it to a deeper level during this journey is important.  

Completing this online form to get in touch with an experienced surrogacy specialist will help you and your sibling start this journey together and manage it safely to ensure your experience is a positive one.  

Additionally, you may find it helpful to hear from former surrogates that can give you a better feel for what the experience of becoming a surrogate for a family member entails.  

How to be a Surrogate for My Sister, Brother or Another Sibling   

If you’ve decided you and your sibling are ready to start your surrogacy journey, there are four critical steps you’ll take.  

Step 1: Decide Surrogacy is Right for You  

Did you know by making the decision to move forward as a surrogate for a sister or another sibling, you’ve already completed the first step?  

As long as you feel like this is the right decision for you, you can confidently move forward in your surrogacy journey.  

Step 2: Contact a Surrogacy Agency and Professional  

Now that you know being a surrogate for your sister, surrogate for a brother or another sibling is right for you, it’s time to reach out to a surrogacy agency.  

They can help explain what surrogacy entails and begin taking you through the screening process. As a surrogate, there are requirements you must meet to determine whether or not you’re a qualified candidate.  

These requirements include answering “yes” to questions like:  

• Have you had a successful pregnancy in the past?  
• Are you currently raising a child in your home?  
• Are you at least 21 years of age?  
• Do you have a BMI of less than 32?  
• Have you been on any anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication within the past 12 months?  
• And more  

The screening process is lengthy, but your surrogacy specialist will be there for you every step of the way. Remember, you can always reach out to a surrogacy specialist for more information on the steps of the surrogacy process.  

 Step 3: Create a Legal Contract  

Once you’ve met all requirements and have been determined to be a qualified surrogate, you and your sibling will work with your surrogacy professional and a provided attorney to create your legal contract.  

 This contact will include making everyone aware of the medical risks, emotional considerations and financial commitment to ensure both parties agree before moving forward.   

Also, your legal contract will outline the agreed-upon financial compensation and reimbursement for being a surrogate for a sibling.  

Keep in mind; your legal contract creates a framework for how you and your sibling will go through this experience together and recognize both parties’ needs and expectations.  

 Want more information on the legal contract in surrogacy? Take this link to fill out an online form that gets you connected to a professional ready to explain in detail what goes into a surrogacy contract.  

Step 4: Begin in vitro fertilization (IVF)  

You’re now ready to take the next step in being a surrogate for a sister or another sibling, which is working with a fertility clinic to transfer a ready embryo.  

 Once the embryo gets transferred and a viable pregnancy is determined via heartbeat, you will continue with prenatal care and creating hospital plans.  

 During the third trimester, your sibling may obtain a pre-birth order to establish parental rights. This is a common occurrence, and a step intended parents often take for preparation on their end.  

At this point in your journey of being a surrogate for a sibling, your professional will be there to ensure medical appointments are made and your journey is managed with the care you deserve.  

Once the baby is born, you will get to enjoy the life-changing moment of handing the baby to your sibling and seeing their dream of parenting a child become a reality. The 1–2-year journey you’ve taken together was worth every minute when you witness this special moment.  

Do you want more information on the steps of the surrogacy process? A surrogacy agency is ready to hear from you. All you have to do is complete this online form to get connected today!  

What if Being a Surrogate for a Sibling isn’t Right for Me?  

Perhaps you’ve decided that being a surrogate for your sister or a surrogate for your brother isn’t right for you. In that case, consider becoming a surrogate for another intended parent outside your family.  

Since you’ve already received information on how to get connected to an experienced surrogacy agency, you’re one step closer to finding an intended parent.  

Did you know that you can get matched with an intended family today when working with the right agency?  

Because you’ve already decided you want to be a surrogate for someone unable to physically or biologically have a child, finding another intended family to give this special gift to is possible.  

You also benefit from the addition of a lifelong bond with the intended family you match with. You begin building a relationship from the time you meet and have the opportunity to see it blossom well after the birth of their baby.  

How Does Working with a Surrogacy Agency Help?  

There are many advantages and benefits to working with an experienced surrogacy agency. Because of the lengthy process of surrogacy and the complex steps, you need a professional who can guide you through each of those important steps to ensure you have a safe experience.  

Here are just some of the many benefits to working with a surrogacy agency:   

•  Your agency manages every aspect of your surrogacy journey   
• You can have peace of mind knowing you’re working with experienced professionals   
• You get education and support every step of the way   
• You get to create a personalized surrogacy plan   
• You get connected with trusted attorneys and medical professionals   
• Your agency and professional will coordinate with the fertility clinic to help get all appointments and medications   
• Working with a surrogacy agency is completely free for gestational carriers 
• And more  

Your heroic decision to give the gift of parenthood to a sibling or another intended family is brave, courageous and can change their lives forever.  

Your surrogacy journey is just a click away. Once you’ve provided your contact information, you will get connected to a surrogacy agency that can help prepare you for the life-changing experience that awaits you.