Matching like-minded intended parents and gestational surrogates is the most significant step to ensuring a successful surrogacy journey. A match meeting is the opportunity for a potential surrogate and her partner to meet — in person or virtually — with hopeful intended parents who share the same values and ideals.
He was so nice and caring, I knew he would be a great Dad right then and there. PLS does a great job of matching surrogates with IPs. Trust them! — PLS Surrogate “C”
Well before a match meeting takes place, a great deal of effort goes into finding your prospective match. Our process considers personalities, legalities, reproductive choices, and other specifics requested by both parties, as well as the required medical and psychological screening. PLS has a reputation for finding the right match the first time, which saves valuable time and money.
The surrogate matching process
Surrogate screening. Before matching can begin, we review and pre-screen the many surrogate applications we receive each week — criminal background checks on both sides, psychological evaluations, medical records, matching criteria, and overall qualifications. A dedicated specialist also conducts a video interview with the applicant and her primary support person. A surrogate is approved to begin matching only after she successfully completes these steps, which eliminates future disappointments after parties are emotionally invested.
Matching requirements
- Surrogacy laws differ vastly within the U.S. and internationally — what additional insurance might be necessary?
- Does everyone have an aligned vision for a successful journey?
- Is a surrogate open to working with LGBTQ intended parents, international parents, sperm washing for HIV+ parents, or carrying twins?
- How much communication is favored, and what relationship is anticipated during the journey and after the baby arrives?
There are no right or wrong answers. PLS is here to guide you and offer insight on which components are deal-breakers and where there is room for flexibility. PLS Director Nancy Block personally applies her 25+ years of experience to generate matches where all parties share expectations, hopes, and desires.
A PLS match meeting
The three parties meet via video conference to get to know one another, discuss their potential journey, and ask questions openly. This is your opportunity to share a genuine picture of who you are. A member of the PLS team is always present to support the discussion. We will never ask you to compromise on your wishes, and you always maintain the right to make the final decision. Only if BOTH the surrogate and the intended parents are interested in moving forward are they officially matched.
AMAZING! Our video meeting took about an hour, we were in 3 different time zones, but with technology we gave each other virtual hugs and blew kisses to each other. We even introduced our dogs! — PLS Daddies meeting their Surrogate “K”