MAKING THE MATCH: TOP 5 TIPS TO GET MATCHED
If you’ve never been through a surrogacy journey you probably never heard of “matching”. This is where a surrogate and an intended parent learn about each other and decide they would like to match. You’re both on this journey for several months and you want to make sure you’re with someone who you feel a connection with.
After over 21 years in Surrogacy we’ve seen our fair share of Surrogate and Intended Profiles. Before you begin your journey, you’ll be asked to make a profile. These profiles will be presented to the surrogate or the IP’s and used to match you. They will read it and decide as to whether or not they’d like to move forward. The way you fill out your profile will determine the next step.
We’ve seen profiles that have melted our hearts and we’ve seen profiles that were rushed and filled out without much thought. You might be an amazing person or couple but if you don’t take the time to fill out your profile correctly it might not come across that way. We already know you’re amazing we just want to give you the best opportunity to shine.
Below are five tips for surrogates and intended parents that will help you get matched.
1) BE HONEST
The most important part of your profile is honesty. Fill out the questions with an honest heart. Everyone wants to be liked but we need to match you with a surrogate or IP and if you said you were vegan and then they found out you weren’t vegan it wouldn’t look very good. Remember that trust is a huge factor throughout the process. So if you don’t read the Bible daily but you feel inclined to say that you do because you want to be matched your best bet is not to say it.
2) TELL YOUR STORY
The best profiles are the profiles that are carefully thought out. If you’re an IP your story about your own journey to get to where you are can be very powerful to read. This is the opportunity to tell your surrogate and your agency who you are. As an agency we’ve read so many profiles but in the end all stories are different and when matching with a surrogate or IP it’s important that they know who you are and why you’re here. We’ve read profiles where we’ve been left in tears and we’ve read profile that have warmed our hearts. In the end just be honest and tell your story.
3) STAY HEALTHY
If you want to become an IP and a Surrogate a healthy mind and body
will be necessary. After all our goal is to create a Family and because the process takes time and science you’ll have to maintain a certain level of health throughout this journey. We have certain surrogate mother requirements that surrogates will be expected to adhere to. You’ll be discussing your BMI with Rebecca, our Surrogate Program Director, and if it’s approaching the threshold look into lowering it. Prepare yourself for the rigors of pregnancy. This is a joint adventure and your IP’s are trusting you with their precious gift. If you’re an IP a healthy body and mindset will help you through the process of IVF and surrogacy. Your profiles will include your health and it will be looked over with a fine-tooth comb by your agency, surrogate, doctors and IP’s. Begin preparation for your journey now.
4) TAKE GREAT PHOTOS
In some ways a surrogate match is like an interview. You’re submitting a resume to your agency which will be reviewed by our staff and our IP’s and Surrogates. You will describe yourself, we’ll hear about your story, we’ll learn about your health and we’ll see what you look like. DO NOT submit photos with DOG filters, bunny whiskers or any other type of filter. You might be an amazing fun person, or couple and feel that filters reflect your silly side but keep it professional. If you want to show a fun silly side submit photos of you in a nice location about to zip line. But trust us, stay away from filters. 🙂 Instead, think about having someone take a nice photo outside in the light. Include photos of yourself and of your family. Make sure we can see your face and make sure to smile. Taking time to submit nice photos will go a long way and might get you matched quickly.
5) BE PATIENT
The process of matching you takes time. Be patient and know that your agency is working behind the scenes to get you matched with a surrogate or an IP. We go over profiles with you via email, we discuss via phone and we reach out to Doctors and discuss amongst ourselves what surrogate or IP would match best. It is a process to match because it’s an important decision in both your lives and one that has to be comfortable to everyone involved. Trust the process and stay patient it’ll be worth it!
You want to be matched and following these simple steps will help you inch closer to matching. If you’re unsure of how to fill out the profile just give your Director or Surrogate Program Director at SAI a call and they’ll be happy to give you direction. Surrogacy matching is a fun process and it just takes a little time – you’ll do great!