Intended Parent Consultation

While not always required, many intended parents find it beneficial to gain clarity and confidence before beginning the process. Some agencies or professionals may recommend it as part of best practices.

Pre-surrogacy counseling at PECNA is specialized and goes beyond a typical counseling session. It focuses on the unique emotional, psychological, and logistical aspects of third-party reproduction. Unlike general counseling, which addresses broader emotional concerns, pre-surrogacy counseling prepares intended parents for the complexities of working with a gestational carrier. This includes exploring expectations around the surrogacy process, navigating the emotional impact of not carrying the child, managing relationships with the gestational carrier, and preparing for legal and ethical challenges. The session is designed to ensure intended parents are fully informed, emotionally prepared, and ready to engage in a collaborative and supportive relationship with their gestational carrier, while maintaining healthy boundaries throughout the journey.

Yes, all consultations are conducted via our secure telehealth platform, allowing intended parents to participate from anywhere.

PECNA's sessions are guided by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine's (ASRM) principles, which emphasize empathy, understanding, and emotional support. ASRM guidelines focus on ensuring the psychological well-being of all parties involved in third-party reproduction, including intended parents, gestational carriers, and donors. The guidelines recommend comprehensive evaluations that assess emotional preparedness, the ability to manage complex relationships, and the importance of informed consent. They also emphasize the need for ongoing psychological support throughout the reproductive journey to address emotional, ethical, and legal challenges that may arise.

Yes, the Intended Parents Session is an excellent opportunity to explore whether using a gestational carrier or egg donor is the right path for you. This session serves as a preliminary discussion where PECNA’s licensed psychologists will guide you through the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of third-party reproduction. You’ll have the chance to talk about your motivations, expectations, and any concerns you may have regarding working with a gestational carrier or egg donor.

The session is designed to prepare you for the next steps by helping you understand the unique dynamics involved in these arrangements, such as managing relationships with the carrier or donor, setting boundaries, and navigating the legal, medical, and emotional complexities of the process. It also offers you a space to discuss how these decisions may impact your family and future child.

By the end of the session, you’ll gain a clearer sense of your emotional readiness, as well as insights into potential challenges and how to approach them, ensuring that you move forward with confidence and preparedness.

While the Intended Parent session provides a comprehensive initial consultation, we encourage an ongoing relationship, ensuring continued support throughout your journey.

Yes, it is highly recommended that both partners attend the intended parents session. This is essential for fostering a unified understanding and approach toward the surrogacy or egg donation process. By attending together, both partners can openly express their thoughts, concerns, and expectations, ensuring that they are aligned on important decisions. The session also provides an opportunity for both partners to ask questions, address emotional concerns, and ensure they are equally prepared for the journey ahead. Attending together also helps the psychologist assess the dynamics between the couple, offering personalized advice to strengthen emotional readiness and enhance communication throughout the process.

PECNA strongly encourages ongoing communication and is fully prepared to address any concerns or questions that may arise after your initial consultation. We understand that the journey to surrogacy or egg donation can raise new questions as circumstances evolve, and we are committed to providing you with continuous support and detailed answers throughout your entire journey.

Ways to Contact for Further Questions:

• Direct Call: You can reach out to your assigned psychologist or our client support team directly via the contact number provided at the end of your consultation.
• Email: Send your questions via our website. We aim to respond to all email inquiries within 24 hours.
• Scheduled Follow-Up Appointments: If your questions require a more detailed discussion, you can schedule a follow-up appointment. This can be done either through our online booking system available on your client portal or by contacting our office directly.
• Online Client Portal: Access our online client portal at any time to send messages directly to your healthcare team, view appointment notes, and manage your appointments.

We are here to assist and guide you through every step of your journey, ensuring that you feel confident and well-informed.

The session typically lasts around 60-90 minutes, depending on the depth of discussions and specific concerns of the intended parents.

Yes, PECNA offers secure virtual consultations for intended parents. We provide services to parents across the globe who are pursuing surrogacy or egg donation in any of the 50 United States.