Counselling
Specific guidelines for the required counselling are included in the Surrogacy information booklet.

Initial Assessment
The commissioning (genetic) couple, the gestational carrier (surrogate) and her partner (if applicable), plus any dependent children over the age of four, of either couple, must attend counselling assessment sessions with an independent counsellor, who will write a report to be submitted to the hospital ethics committee. This counsellor must be a registered Psychologist, and psychological testing must be done.

The ethics committee requires assessment and a report addressing specific items. These items are listed in the Surrogacy Information Booklet

At the time of consultation with the clinician in Canberra, an appointment will also have been made to attend the initial counselling assessment sessions with the Canberra Fertility Centre. Children do not need to attend these sessions if the independent counsellor has seen them. A written report will be submitted to the ethics committee.

Ongoing Counselling Requirements
The requirements for ongoing contact with the surrogate and her partner include assessments of the surrogate’s preparation for the ongoing pregnancy and birth. Hence, follow up interviews are encouraged at 28 and 36 weeks of the pregnancy; a debriefing session with all parties soon after delivery and a follow up of all parties about a month post-partum.

These appointments may be with the independent counsellor in her home state, or with the clinic counsellor if she resides in the ACT.

Post Surrogacy Counselling Requirements
We encourage counselling appointments post surrogacy at about 6-8 weeks post delivery:

With the gestational carrier (surrogate), by herself

With the gestational carrier’s partner, by himself

With both the male and female together

With the commissioning couple.

Of course, at any time during the process of surrogacy, any or all of the parties are welcome to seek counselling.

Medical issues
There is a need for a clear plan beforehand with doctors interstate as to precisely how much they can do or are prepared to do either with stimulation, tracking or the management of a subsequent pregnancy. This will alleviate the anxiety that surrogates may experience in wondering who does what, when and where.

The management of IVF pregnancies from Canberra, including regular blood tests, progesterone support, repeat ultrasounds and so forth, must be made known to surrogates from the outset. It is common for the surrogate to experience isolation and “management by remote control”. Outlining the necessity of managing pregnancies and how to combat a feeling of isolation should be attended to by the clinician and by the Canberra Fertility Centre staff at initial interviews.