Q&A

Questions & Answers

What are the advantages of undertaking surrogacy In Ukraine?

  1. 1
    A relatively short waiting time (if any) for matching you up with a surrogate.
  2. 2
    Affordable costs
  3. 3
    Quality IVF labs and clinics with high success rates

Who can engage in surrogacy In Ukraine?

Heterosexual married couples based on medical indications including:

  1. 1
    Absence of a uterus
  2. 2
    Deformation of the cavity or neck of the uterus due to congenital developmental defects or surgical treatments, and benign tumors that would result in an unsuccessful pregnancy;
  3. 3
    Structural-morphological or anatomic changes of endometrium, which has led to loss of receptivity.
  4. 4
    Serious somatic diseases – where carrying of a pregnancy threatens the health or life of the recipient, but does not influence the health of the future child;
  5. 5
    Repeated, unsuccessful IVF attempts (four or more) with repeated obtainment of high-quality embryos, the transfer of which did not lead to a pregnancy.

As intended parents, are we obligated to travel abroad to begin the process or can it begin in our absence?

If you send Lotus power of attorney, notarized and Apostilled, we can sign all contracts on your behalf. You can send semen/embryos to start the program and can come to Ukraine only for the birth of your baby.

Can we be in contact with our surrogate during the pregnancy?

This depends on the relationship between you and your surrogate and all of your expectations regarding contact. Some Intended Parents prefer less contact with their surrogate and some prefer to be more involved. It is important that these expectations are discussed with Lotus prior to matching with a surrogate to ensure a successful arrangement.

Do the surrogates in Ukraine speak English?

Most surrogates do not speak English; some speak Basic English. Lotus will assist you with calls and translation services with your surrogate.

Where does the surrogate live during the pregnancy?

Your surrogate will live at home and will continue to live there if she is located close to the birthing hospital. If your surrogate is from a regional area, she will move closer to the birthing hospital shortly before the third trimester (or earlier if medically indicated). The Intended Parents will rent an apartment for her, where she will live with her family, for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Who makes sure that the surrogate takes good care of your baby during pregnancy?

Lotus staff will supervise and support your surrogate during the pregnancy to ensure that she follows the orders of her attending physician.

Who makes sure that the surrogate attends her follow-up appointments?

Lotus will send you a report after each visits of your surrogate at the clinic, for a medical appointment. We will also maintain daily contact with your surrogate to insure her comfort and health.

Who can become a surrogate?

  1. 1
    A healthy woman, ages 18-35
  2. 2
    Who has had a healthy child or children of her own;
  3. 3
    Has an absence of medical contraindications;
  4. 4
    Possesses moral and psychological stability, responsibility and a great desire to assist a childless family;
  5. 5
    Has an absence of any criminal background;
  6. 6
    Has written consent to carry from her husband if she is married;
  7. 7
    Has agreed to carry as a gestational surrogate only and not be genetically related to the child.

Who takes care of the baby’s arrival back to our home country after delivery?

Lotus lawyers specializing in family and immigration law will take care of obtaining the documentation required to bring the child back home. Documentation includes the Birth Certificate with parents’ name with an official stamp (Apostille) and all other documents, required by Australian embassy.

Lotus provides full Assistance with all contracts and going home paperwork.

Passports for the new born takes approximately 4-6 weeks.

Initial paperwork submission and appointments can be made on-line.

Passport delivery can be either to home address in Australia or in Kyiv.

Lotus provides full Assistance with going home paperwork.

Passports for the new born Australians takes approximately 4-6 weeks, from the time of birth.

Lotus will help you providing all Standard citizenship by descent documents and will help you with:

  • Application form through Immi account
  • Child’s full birth certificate listing parents’ names. Ukraine birth certificate with Apostille, translation, notarization and second apostille.
  • Fully completed Form 1195 with endorsed passport photos.
  • Original notarized Surrogacy contract (with SM)
  • Embryology report and any other medical information from the fertility clinic
  • Statement from gestational carrier.
  • English translation of Identity document for gestational carrier that includes a signature.
  • Translated Post-natal hospital birth report for the gestational carrier.
  • Witness for Application form (PC8) with Page 83F completed by a Guarantor;
  • Completed B4 form
  • Completed B5 form – Consent of a surrogate mother
  • Any other needed documents for your passport interview
  • Lotus can also pick your passport from the Australian embassy in Poland.

We are well aware of the Australian going home process (and how long it takes).

We liaise with SMs, also after birth, to help you get the necessary paperwork signed for your embassy ASAP so no delays in getting home.


How do we ensure that the surrogate hands over the baby after birth?

The surrogate has no parental rights over your child, at any stage throughout the process! In Ukraine, the law is unequivocal, stating that the prenatal and postnatal rights for the baby are held by the Intended Parents only.

Monetary compensation is the main reason that surrogates choose to carry children for others. Your surrogate receives final payment only after the baby is registered at your embassy and a travel document is issued in your baby’s name.

How long does it take from the birth until the baby can travel home with us?

We will make sure you will have your baby birth certificate within 2 working days after birth but the process with the Australian embassy will take any time from 4-6 weeks on average.

What is the payment schedule for our surrogate?

The surrogate receives compensation for carrying your child after birth and after signing documentation to register the child with the Embassy. During the pregnancy, Intended Parents pay their surrogate a monthly allowance.

How fast can we get updates regarding events that take place abroad?

Lotus will endeavor to update Intended Parents as soon as information comes to hand. There may be slight delays if information needs to be translated.

How often will we receive updates regarding our program and surrogate?

It depends on the gestation of your surrogate and appointment/scan times. Lotus maintains daily contact with the clinic and we will update you with any developments as soon as is possible.

Will our surrogate agree to any medical procedures that may be necessary to deliver a healthy baby?

Yes. This forms part of the surrogates consents in her contract.

How many contracts are there in the procedure itself?

The surrogacy process is both legal and medical. It is important to remember that it involves parental rights, that must be defined in contracts.

You must insist on the following contracts, as part of the process:

  1. 1
    A notarized contract between you and your surrogate
  2. 2
    A contract between you and the fertility center
  3. 3
    A contract between you and the agency

Do we get copies of the contracts before signing them?

Of course. Before signing a service agreement with Lotus, you will receive copies of all contracts outlined above.

What is the Exit Process out of Ukraine after the birth?

Australian passport for the new born takes approximately 4-6 weeks.

At the airport, officials will check that the newborn has:

  1. 1
    Valid passport;
  2. 2
    No prohibitions on leaving the country;
  3. 3
    No violation of terms of stay in Ukraine.

If the baby meets these requirements, he/she can leave Ukraine. No exit visa is needed.

What services does Lotus provide?

  1. 1
    Matching you up with a surrogate
  2. 2
    Matching you up with an egg donor
  3. 3
    Organizing your surrogate program
  4. 4
    Organization of the birth of your baby
  5. 5
    Translation of information and documentation to English
  6. 6
    Supervision and support for your surrogate
  7. 7
    Legal services
  8. 8
    Coordination of all logistics with our clinic, including appointments for and contact with your surrogate on daily basses.
  9. 9
    Assistance with all paperwork after birth for the Birth Certificate and exit process
  10. 10
    Assistance to find accommodation in Kiev
Do you have more questions?
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