Oregon Surrogate Clinic Screening: What to Expect
November 28, 2024 by Frank Golden
If you’re considering becoming a Surrogate in Oregon, you’ve probably heard about clinic screening. And if you’re feeling a little nervous about it, you’re definitely not alone!
Many women wonder what Oregon surrogate clinic screening actually involves. What tests will they run? What are they looking for? What if something comes up?
Here’s the good news: clinic screening exists to protect you. It’s not a pass-or-fail test designed to judge you. It’s a thorough process that ensures your body is ready for a healthy pregnancy and that you’ll be supported every step of the way.
At Golden Surrogacy, we believe knowledge is power. The more you understand about what’s ahead, the more confident you’ll feel walking into that clinic. So let’s break it all down together!
Table of Contents
- What Is Clinic Screening in Oregon Surrogacy?
- Medical History Review and Health Evaluation
- Diagnostic Testing and Exams
- Psychological Screening at the Clinic Level
- Why Clinics Take Screening Seriously
- Common Reasons Clinics May Request Additional Review
- How Long Clinic Screening Takes in Oregon
- How Golden Surrogacy Supports Surrogates Through Clinic Screening
- Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Surrogate Clinic Screening
- Moving Forward After Clinic Approval
What Is Clinic Screening in Oregon Surrogacy?
Clinic screening is the medical evaluation that happens at a fertility clinic before you can move forward with embryo transfer. Think of it as the clinic’s way of making sure everything is in place for a safe and successful pregnancy!
This is different from agency screening. When you first apply to become a Surrogate, Golden Surrogacy reviews your application and conducts an initial pre-screening. This covers your basic surrogate requirements like age, pregnancy history, and lifestyle factors.
Clinic screening goes deeper. The fertility clinic partnered with your Intended Parents conducts their own independent medical evaluation. They want to confirm that your body is ready to carry a pregnancy and that there are no hidden concerns.
Why does the clinic need to approve you separately? Because they take medical responsibility for the embryo transfer procedure. They follow strict guidelines from organizations like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to ensure ethical and safe practices.
No embryo transfer happens without clinic approval. This protects you, the Intended Parents, and the future baby!
Medical History Review and Health Evaluation
The first part of clinic screening involves a detailed review of your medical history. The clinic wants to understand your body and your pregnancy experiences.
What they’ll review:
- Your previous pregnancies and deliveries
- Any complications you experienced (or didn’t experience!)
- Your general medical history
- Current medications or health conditions
- Family medical history
This is why your pregnancy and delivery records matter so much. The clinic looks for evidence of healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies. They want to see that your body has successfully carried and delivered a baby before.
Don’t worry if you had a minor issue during a past pregnancy. Clinics understand that no pregnancy is perfect! They’re looking at the overall picture. A single complication doesn’t automatically disqualify you.
The goal here is protection. Clinics want to make sure you’re not at elevated risk for pregnancy complications. This keeps you safe and gives everyone the best chance at a smooth journey.
If you’ve already reviewed the Oregon surrogate requirements, you’ll have a good sense of what clinics typically look for in your history!
Diagnostic Testing and Exams
After reviewing your records, the clinic will schedule diagnostic testing. This is the hands-on medical evaluation portion of screening.
Common tests include:
- Blood work and lab testing. This checks for infectious diseases, hormone levels, blood type, and overall health markers. Your partner or any adult in your household may also need basic testing.
- Ultrasound imaging. The clinic will perform an ultrasound to examine your uterus and ovaries. They’re checking that everything looks healthy and ready for pregnancy.
- Uterine evaluation. Sometimes called a saline sonogram or hysteroscopy, this test gives the clinic a closer look at your uterine cavity. They want to confirm there are no structural issues that could affect implantation.
These tests are standard for all Surrogates, not just in Oregon but nationwide. They follow guidelines established by ASRM and are designed to catch any potential concerns early.
Will these tests hurt? Most women describe them as mildly uncomfortable at most. The ultrasound and blood draw are quick and routine. The uterine evaluation may cause brief cramping, but it’s over fast!
The clinic team performs these procedures regularly. They’ll walk you through each step and answer any questions you have. You’re never left in the dark!
Psychological Screening at the Clinic Level
Clinic screening isn’t just about your physical health. It also includes a psychological evaluation to ensure you’re emotionally prepared for the surrogacy journey.
This typically involves two parts:
- A video or in-person session with a licensed psychologist. You’ll discuss your motivations for becoming a Surrogate, your support system, and how you handle stress. The psychologist may also ask about your understanding of the surrogacy process.
- A written questionnaire or personality assessment. This standardized test helps the psychologist get a fuller picture of your emotional readiness.
Some women feel nervous about psychological screening. That’s completely understandable! But here’s the truth: this isn’t about judging you or catching you doing something wrong.
The evaluation is designed to protect you. Surrogacy is an emotional journey with unique challenges. The psychologist wants to confirm that you have realistic expectations, healthy coping skills, and a solid support network.
They’re also checking that you understand the process. Do you know what it means to carry a baby for someone else? Have you thought about how you’ll feel at delivery? These are important questions!
Think of the psychologist as an ally, not an evaluator. They want you to succeed just as much as you do!
Why Clinics Take Screening Seriously
You might wonder why clinic screening is so thorough. The answer comes down to responsibility and ethics.
Fertility clinics take on significant medical responsibility when they perform an embryo transfer. They’re accountable for following best practices and ensuring patient safety. That includes the Surrogate!
Clinics follow national guidelines from ASRM and other medical organizations. These guidelines exist because surrogacy involves real medical procedures and real risks. Screening helps minimize those risks for everyone involved.
Reputable clinics won’t cut corners. They screen every Surrogate carefully, regardless of which agency she works with. This is actually a good sign! It means the clinic prioritizes ethics and safety over speed.
Understanding Oregon surrogacy laws can also help you see how legal protections work alongside medical screening to keep Surrogates safe throughout the process.
Common Reasons Clinics May Request Additional Review
Sometimes a clinic will ask for additional information or testing before making a final decision. This can feel scary, but it’s not necessarily bad news!
Common reasons for additional review:
- Medical record clarification. The clinic may need more details about a past pregnancy or medical event. Sometimes records are incomplete or hard to read.
- Timing issues. Certain tests need to happen at specific points in your menstrual cycle. If timing didn’t work out, you may need to reschedule.
- Borderline results. A test result might fall in a gray area. The clinic may want to repeat the test or gather more information before deciding.
- Specialist consultation. In some cases, the clinic may want input from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist to review your history.
Here’s the important thing: a request for more information is not a rejection. Clinics are being thorough because they care about your safety!
If additional review is needed, Golden Surrogacy will help coordinate everything. You won’t have to navigate it alone.
How Long Clinic Screening Takes in Oregon
One of the most common questions we hear is: how long does clinic screening take?
The honest answer? It varies!
On average, clinic screening takes about two to four weeks from start to finish. But several factors can affect your timeline:
- Clinic scheduling. Fertility clinics are busy! Appointment availability can vary depending on the clinic’s patient load.
- Your availability. You’ll need to attend appointments in person, which means coordinating with your own schedule and responsibilities.
- Menstrual cycle timing. Some tests must happen at specific cycle days. If timing doesn’t align, you may need to wait for the next cycle.
- Record gathering. If your previous pregnancy records take time to obtain, that can slow things down.
Patience is key during this phase! As outlined in our Oregon surrogacy timeline guide, screening is just one step in a longer process. Rushing through it wouldn’t serve anyone well.
The goal is to do it right, not just do it fast. And every day of waiting brings you closer to the exciting parts of your journey!
How Golden Surrogacy Supports Surrogates Through Clinic Screening
At Golden Surrogacy, we don’t just send you off to the clinic and hope for the best. Our founder, Frank Golden, leads a team that treats every Surrogate like family!
Here’s how we support you:
- Education before appointments. We explain exactly what to expect so you walk into the clinic feeling prepared and confident.
- Record coordination. We help gather your medical records and ensure the clinic has everything they need. No stressful paperwork for you!
- Scheduling assistance. We work with the clinic to find appointment times that work for your life.
- Direct communication. Your dedicated Care Team stays in contact with the clinic throughout screening. If questions come up, we handle them.
- Emotional support. Feeling nervous? Have questions? Your Agency Director is available by phone, text, or email. You’re never alone in this!
We also advocate for you. If something doesn’t feel right or you have concerns, we’re in your corner. Our job is to make sure you feel supported, informed, and respected at every stage.
You can learn more about our approach on our Why Golden page!
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Surrogate Clinic Screening
Do all Surrogates have to pass clinic screening?
Yes! Every gestational Surrogate must be approved by the fertility clinic before embryo transfer can happen. This is a universal standard in surrogacy.
What happens if a clinic asks for more testing?
Additional testing is common and not a cause for alarm. The clinic may need more information to make a confident decision. Golden Surrogacy will help you coordinate any follow-up steps.
Can clinic screening delay the timeline?
It can, depending on scheduling, test results, and record availability. We encourage Surrogates to be patient and trust the process. These steps exist to protect you!
Can a Surrogate decide not to proceed?
Absolutely. You can withdraw from the process at any time before legal contracts are signed. Your autonomy matters, and no one should feel pressured to continue.
Will my partner need to be screened too?
Yes, your partner will typically need basic infectious disease testing. This is standard protocol for fertility clinics.
What if I don’t pass clinic screening?
If a clinic determines you’re not a good candidate, it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. Medical factors are sometimes outside your control. Your eligibility may change over time, and you can always reapply in the future.
Moving Forward After Clinic Approval
Once you receive clinic approval, you’ve cleared a major milestone! This means the fertility clinic has confirmed that you’re medically and psychologically ready for the journey ahead.
What comes next? The legal process begins! As explained in our Oregon surrogacy laws guide, you’ll work with an independent attorney to review and sign your surrogacy agreement. Legal steps only begin after you’ve received medical clearance.
After legal contracts are finalized, you’ll move into the medical preparation phase. This includes cycle synchronization and preparation for embryo transfer. And then, the exciting moment arrives: transfer day!
Throughout all of this, Golden Surrogacy stays by your side. From the second trimester onward, we begin coordinating birthrights and hospital logistics so everything is ready for delivery day.
You’ve done the hard work of getting here. Now it’s time to move forward with confidence!
Take the Next Step When You’re Ready
Understanding clinic screening is a big part of feeling prepared for surrogacy. We hope this guide has answered your questions and eased any worries you had!
If you’re curious about surrogate compensation in Oregon or want to learn more about what the journey looks like, we’re here to help. Explore our resources, ask questions, and take your time.
When you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Become a Surrogate page to learn more about starting your application!
