I’ve been pretty active on social media and online with my surrogacy journeys since about 2013. I began documenting my individual journey’s and thoughts since I became interested in the possibility of becoming a surrogate, and the questions have poured in from people ever since. One of the top questions I get is “How do you choose a surrogacy agency… where did you start?”
Choosing a California Surrogacy Agency to go with.
To be honest it started with a Google search. I knew that I wanted representation with doing surrogacy since that was all new to me and I had no idea what to expect. My search started with a keyword and one of the first results I saw were Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. (SAI). I’m a researcher and I always feel more confident in my decisions when I have researched and done my due diligence, so off I went.
I checked and referenced how many years they had been in business against other comparable agencies in the area and around California. I also looked to see how many stock images were used on each agency’s website. If you can’t provide actual images of the surrogates you support, it raises a little red flag in my head. “How many actual people are you working with if you can’t even show real images?” I also checked to see who was “Better Business Bureau” rated. Surrogate Alternatives Inc. hit all of the top marks for me in all the research I did.
Applying to become a surrogate with Surrogate Alternatives, Inc.
After my due diligence, I finally decided to apply with the agency and see how I felt as I went along with them. I was prepared to pull out of the application process if anything felt off. As it turned out, talking with the women at SAI solidified my decision to work with them! I was floored to find out that all of their employees had in fact been surrogates or egg donors themselves so they were not only educated in their field, they had personal experience and could provide the support I knew I would need.
What I like most about my surrogacy agency.
People ask me, what do you like most about your Agency? It’s the friendships that have come out of it. The women at SAI know my children, my husband, my family story and therefore they’re invested in me as a person, not just as a surrogate. I felt valued not only because I could provide a womb to a family in need, but because they enjoyed me and the relationship I built with them. We would go on retreats together, nights filled with laughter, tears, and hugs. These nights are what got me through tough times. I found myself turning to these women in my daily life because we had all gone through these crazy, unique and beautiful experiences together and there was something unspoken and connecting in that.
Hard work and dedication to building families.
There has never been a time in my multiple surrogacy journeys with SAI that I didn’t feel heard. My wishes were always respected, my body and my gifts were always honored. Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. went above and beyond with every little thing. I was touched on many occasions by their small gestures, that affected my heart in a big way.
Because of my positive experience I have sent many women into the arms of SAI because I trust them, wholeheartedly, therefore, I will continue to praise the hard work and dedication of this agency even into my retirement.
*If you’re interested in starting your journey, learn more about becoming a surrogate mother with SAI today! You can also check out our surrogacy agency reviews. If you have more questions about how to choose a surrogacy agency, give our team a call and we’ll be happy to help!
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Corinne Oestreich is a retired Surrogate mother who has brought 3 babies into this world through surrogacy. She is Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. blog writer as well as a journalist with powwows.com and can also be found in Huffington Post. She currently serves as Executive Director of the non-profit BUFFALO Project.
