Preparing for Birth Checklist, Surrogacy Edition
Planning for the arrival of your sweet new bundle of joy is an exciting and possibly overwhelming time. As new parents you want to do right by your new baby and make sure you are set up for success. Here is a list of items you may want to think when preparing for delivery as well as bringing baby home.
Pre-Birth Order (PBO)
- Started with lawyers after 12 weeks gestation
- Lawyers file PBO with Court
- Certified/Original court signed documents sent to Parent(s) and Gestational Carrier
- Parent(s) and GC have PBO with them at the birth to provide to the hospital
Birth Plan – Preparing for the birth
Make sure your agency or if you’re working privately with a gestational carrier connect with the hospital you plan to deliver at. You will want to provide a letter introducing your situation to the hospital and include all parties’ information, including lawyers, as well as parents’ insurance information for the baby and a copy of the PBO. All parties should be included in this communication or given the contact information for the person at the hospital.
Typical delivery occurrences to communicate with each other about - ***Dependent on hospital occupancy level and protocols
Parent(s) allowed in delivery room (if GC agrees)
Parent(s) cut the cord and when (delayed cord clamping?)
Baby handed first to a parent
Do you want skin to skin? Contemplate bringing a robe or other appropriate clothing.
All decisions for the Baby are made by the parent(s), not the gestational carrier - This includes Eye Ointment, Vaccines, etc.
Please talk to the hospital about their protocol for the baby after birth
Separate room typically provided for parents and baby after the birth, but is space availability dependent
Here are other preferences to consider as intended parents in the room for the delivery. These items should be discussed with your gestation carrier before hand to ensure she agrees with the type of environment you would like to create. After all she is the one going through labor to bring your baby into the world.
Pain medications preferences; including epidural or other relief options
Atmosphere
Lights
Noise
Support person
Videos and photos
Labor Preferences
Walk freely
Birthing stool, birthing ball
Warm shower/bath
Other requests by either party
Plan for feeding the baby
Formula
Breast Milk
GC Pumping
If your gestational carrier will have to ship breast milk to you, here are a few things to think about: breast pump, pump parts (if extra are needed), bottles, milk bags, sterilizer, cooler bag for transportation, pumping bra and shipping cost for frozen milk.
Milk Bank
Inducing lactation
I hope this list assist you with planning for your surrogacy birth and is able to give you confidence to bring your baby home.