What Happens After
Baby is Born
(IP Edition).

The birth of your baby is the most wonderful event!  You should plan to be at the labor, delivery and birth of your baby. In your surrogate delivers early, you may not make the birth and it may take some time for you to arrive. If this is the case, please do your best to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible! An agency representative will travel to the hospital to take care of your baby until you are able to arrive.

When you are planning for taking Baby home, here are some things for you to think about:

Legal and Paperwork

• Parentage paperwork will be completed by your attorney and provided to the hospital.
• You will be required to fill out the baby’s birth certificate form and the social security number form at the hospital. The birth certificate clerk will know how to do this paperwork, and you can also always ask your attorney for help if something is unclear.
• You will be able to pick up the baby’s birth certificate within 2 weeks typically, and sometimes as soon as within a few days.  If you prefer to have the birth certificate mailed to you, that may take several weeks.
• Once you receive the baby’s birth certificate, you will be able to apply for a passport.

Hospital Release

• You and the baby will stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours after the birth. 
• You will need to have a carseat to be allowed to leave the hospital with your baby
• Once Baby has been released from the hospital, you can take him or her home or to your hotel, AirBnB or other accommodation. 
• If you are international intended parents, you will need to meet with the hospital financial or billing department to make payment for Baby’s care.  Be prepared to pay the bill before you leave the hospital, and make sure to ask for the ‘Cash Pay’ rate/discount.

Traveling with Baby

• As long as parentage has been established, you are able to travel anywhere within the United States with the baby.  
• If parentage has not been established, you may need special paperwork to be allowed to travel out of the state or internationally.
• To travel internationally, you will need Baby’s birth certificate and passport, or other specialty travel documents.

Post-Delivery 

• All remaining compensation payments and expenses will be compensated to your surrogate per your contract. 
• You will need to plan to see a pediatrician for check-ups on Baby 3-5 days after the birth at the pediatrician’s office.  You may choose your own pediatrician or you may choose to continue to see the pediatrician that treated your baby in the hospital. Be prepared to make payment to the pediatrician at the time of service.

Post-Delivery Feelings and Relationship with your Surrogate

• The amount of communication you have after delivery depends on the relationship you have with your surrogate.  Generally speaking, you and your surrogate will spend time together in the hospital and once everyone is discharged.  It’s lovely to see each other every few days until you are ready to return home.  This is especially true if your surrogate is pumping breastmilk for your baby.
• Don’t be worried that your surrogate will be sad or regret the surrogacy!  Surrogates often say that the most special thing about their entire surrogacy was watching the IPs meet their baby for the first time and watching them get to know each other in the coming days.  
• It’s normal for your surrogate to be experiencing lots of emotions.  This is partially because her body is going through huge hormonal changes.  It’s also because she has grown to love you and your baby and is thrilled that Baby is here with you and also a little sad that your family will be leaving soon.  
• It means a lot to your surrogate to receive pictures and updates about how you and Baby are doing.  
• It’s wonderful if you allow the surrogate’s family to meet your baby!  They spent months getting to know your little one, and loving them, and it’s nice for them to see Baby on the outside and see you with your child.  
• You will also be experiencing many emotions!  Make sure you get sleep when you can, eat well, and stay hydrated.  Take lots of pictures.  Be gentle with yourself-it can take a little while to get to know your baby and get in a good rhythm.  

The birth of your baby is a deeply emotional and memorable experience, not just for you but for your surrogate as well. By staying organized, communicating openly, and cherishing each moment, you’ll create a beautiful start to your parenting journey.