Intended Parent Preparation Checklist in Illinois

If you’re about to begin your journey through surrogacy, getting organised upfront makes a world of difference. With surrogacy in Illinois, intended parents benefit from a clear legal framework and well-supported processes. But even in a strong state like Illinois, success comes from preparation — both practical and emotional. Working with a trusted Illinois surrogacy agency such as Surrogacy4All means you’ll have allies. However, you’ll still want your own checklist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Whether you are just starting to consider parenthood through surrogacy or already in the matching phase, this preparation checklist will guide you step by step. From legal documents to medical appointments to mindset and support networks, each area matters. Use this as your roadmap to confidently move ahead with your surrogacy journey.

Step 1: Research and Choose Your Partner Agency

Before anything else, select the best surrogacy agency for your needs. You’re looking for an agency with experience in Illinois surrogacy, strong reviews, and transparent cost information. A reputable surrogacy agency in Illinois will assist you in matching, medical coordination, and legal oversight. Surrogacy4All is one example of a full-service agency that supports intended parents through every major phase of the process.

Once you sign with an agency, you’ll generally complete an intake process, document your goals, sign agency contracts, and set your budget and timeline. Getting this settled early helps you schedule subsequent steps smoothly.

Step 2: Legal and Contractual Preparation

When you engage in surrogacy in Illinois, one major advantage is the ability to secure a pre-birth parentage order under the state’s gestational surrogacy statute. Your legal protection begins here. Key legal tasks include:

• Retaining independent attorneys for both you (the intended parents) and the surrogate.
• Drafting and signing the surrogacy agreement (or gestational carrier agreement) that addresses compensation, responsibilities, medical oversight, insurance, contingency planning, and birth logistics.
• Ensuring all required certified statements (physician, surrogate, intended parents) are filed with the hospital’s medical records before the birth.
• Verifying that your surrogacy agency and legal team understand surrogacy laws in United States generally, as well as Illinois-specific provisions.

These steps define your rights and the framework for the entire journey.

Step 3: Financial Planning and Insurance Review

Before medical or matching steps begin, you’ll want to review your budget and insurance coverage. Items to check include:

• The full surrogacy cost: agency fees, legal fees, surrogate compensation, medical/IVF costs, travel, and insurance premiums.
• Whether your health or infertility insurance covers any portion of the surrogacy process or surrogate pregnancy, ask: Does insurance cover surrogacy?
• Setting up escrow or payment structures to protect all parties. Surrogacy4All emphasises transparency around payments and financial accountability.
• Contingency budgeting: medical complications, delayed embryo transfer, multiple births risk, etc. Be sure your agency outlines what happens if 24 week fetus viability or other viability concerns arise.

When you’re clear financially, your process is less likely to hit unexpected roadblocks.

Step 4: Medical Visits, IVF & Screening

Once legal and financial basics are in place, it’s time for the medical phase. Suppose you’re working with a gestational surrogacy arrangement. In that case, your clinic will coordinate the IVF process — egg retrieval, embryo creation, and embryo transfer. One study of surrogacy preparation outlines the steps for intended parents using a gestational carrier. Important checklist items:

• Intended parents and donors (if applicable) complete required fertility and general medical testing.
• The surrogate undergoes medical screening, background checks, and psychological evaluation.
• Decide on embryo transfer plan: how many embryos, whether single embryo transfer might be preferred for reduced risk of multiples (which brings a higher risk to both surrogate and baby).
• Confirm fetal viability by week protocol and ensure the surrogate’s prenatal care plan is aligned with your expectations and medical provider standards.

By staying on top of the medical timeline and expectations, you set the stage for a smoother pregnancy and delivery.

Step 5: Matching & Relationship Building

One of the most personally meaningful parts of your path is matching with your surrogate. A good Illinois surrogacy agency will facilitate this thoughtfully, helping you evaluate profiles, discuss values, desired communication level, and expectations.

Consider:

• What relationship style do you and your surrogate prefer (regular updates, ultrasound visits, in-person meetings)?
• The surrogate’s previous pregnancy history and lifestyle.
• Your shared birth plan and communication preferences during pregnancy.
• Building trust and respectful relationships early so that both parties feel supported.

Surrogacy4All underscores the importance of forging strong relationships early so the journey remains positive emotionally as well as legally.

Step 6: Hospital Delivery Planning & Post-Birth Steps

As you approach delivery, there are additional checklist items to complete:

• Confirm the hospital knows this is a surrogacy case and has received all certified statements required in Illinois for a surrogacy birth.
• Ensure your legal team prepares the pre-birth parentage order, so your names appear on the birth certificate immediately.
• Confirm plans for cord blood, skin-to-skin contact, and any special requests in your birth plan.
• After birth, review your post-birth legal steps (certificate, court order) and request follow-up with your agency for parental support.

Step 7: Emotional Preparation & Support

Surrogacy is as emotional as procedural. As intended parents, you’ll want to prepare mentally and emotionally:

• Understand the emotional journey of both you and the surrogate. As noted in many checklists, forming a respectful bond with your surrogate avoids feeling transactional.
• Set up counseling or support groups ahead of time.
• Communicate with your surrogate openly about expectations, boundaries, and the relationship post-birth.
• Acknowledge that even with perfect planning, unexpected events may arise — being adaptable helps reduce stress.

Agencies such as Surrogacy4All provide counselling and support services to help you stay centred.

Conclusion

Preparation is the cornerstone of a successful surrogacy journey in Illinois. By systematically working through research and agency selection, legal documents, financial planning, medical screenings, surrogate matching, delivery planning, and emotional support, you place yourself in the strongest possible position to welcome your child. With a reputable partner like Surrogacy4All and the robust legal protections of Illinois surrogacy, you’re well on your way to building your family.

Ready to check off your preparation items and begin your surrogacy journey? Connect with Surrogacy4All today at (212) 661-7673 for a free consultation — let us help you build your roadmap and move forward with confidence.

FAQs

Q. What is the main difference between the surrogacy process and adoption?

Ans : The surrogacy process allows you to plan from embryo transfer through to birth and legal parentage — unlike adoption, which typically happens after birth.

Q. How do I know if I qualify as an intended parent in Illinois?

Ans : You’ll work with an agency and legal team to review your background, health, finances, and readiness to proceed with surrogacy in Illinois.

Q. Does insurance cover surrogacy expenses for intended parents?

Ans : Coverage is often limited; you’ll want a clear budget for surrogate compensation, IVF costs, and agency services.

Q. Can I choose how many embryos to transfer to avoid twins or multiple births?

Ans : Yes — in your embryo transfer plan, you’ll discuss options like single embryo transfer and review fetal viability week by week.

Q. How soon should I begin emotional counselling or support before matching?

Ans : Ideally, at the start of your journey. It helps when you’re preparing to become an intended parent to understand the relationship with your surrogate and align expectations.