ASRM guidelines for reproductive medicine, FDA regulations for tissue donation, state laws for surrogacy and donation, HIPAA compliance for privacy, LGBTQ+ family law expertise, international treaty compliance.
Overview
This guide answers “What regulations do you follow?” and provides context, common variables, and practical next steps.
Guidelines and regulations (what to expect)
Assisted reproduction and third-party reproduction typically involve a mix of professional guidelines and regulatory requirements (for example, around screening, infectious disease testing, privacy, and consent).
If you’re unsure which standards apply to your case, ask your care team and clinic to point to the relevant sources and the steps they take to comply.
Typical workflow (high level)
- Start with a consultation: clarify goals and constraints.
- Confirm requirements: legal, medical, and logistical.
- Plan the next steps: timelines, documentation, and decision points.
What can vary (and why)
- Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation).
- State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows).
- Matching preferences and availability (fit matters).
- Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change).
- Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability.
Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later)
- What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation?
- What documents or records should I prepare before we start?
- Which decisions should I make now vs later?
- Which guidelines and regulations apply to this part of the journey?
- What does informed consent look like for each party?
- How is privacy handled (HIPAA / sensitive information)?
Next steps
Important note
This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team.
See the sources section below for reference links when available.
What to prepare (so the next step is faster)
- A list of your goals, constraints, and timeline preferences.
- Any relevant medical records (or questions about which records matter).
- A budget range and what you want included in an estimate.
- A shortlist of questions you want answered before committing.
- A plan for how you’ll track appointments and documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on assumptions instead of getting the “who pays/does what” in writing.
- Comparing costs or success rates without confirming the exact definition being used.
- Skipping a professional review when the decision has legal, medical, or tax consequences.
- Waiting too long to clarify timelines, documentation needs, and scheduling constraints.
- Assuming guidelines are optional instead of confirming screening, consent, and compliance steps.
When to get professional help
If your situation involves cross-state or international elements, complex medical history, insurance uncertainty, or legal/tax questions, get qualified professional guidance early. It’s almost always cheaper (and less stressful) to prevent surprises than to fix them mid-journey.