The Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement is a legally binding contract designed to outline the terms and conditions between intended parents and a surrogate mother in the state of Missouri. This agreement is crucial to ensure that all parties involved understand their rights, responsibilities, and expectations throughout the surrogacy process. In a Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement, the intended parents are the individuals or couples who cannot conceive or carry a child themselves. They seek the help of a surrogate mother who agrees to carry and deliver a child on their behalf. The agreement establishes the surrogate's obligation to undergo medical procedures such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy and successfully carry the child to term. One type of Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement is the Traditional Surrogacy Agreement. In this arrangement, the surrogate mother uses her own eggs to conceive the child, making her the biological mother. The intended father or a donor's sperm is used for fertilization. This type of agreement requires additional legal considerations due to the surrogate's biological connection to the child. Another type of Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement is the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement. In this model, the surrogate mother does not contribute her own eggs. Instead, the intended mother's eggs or a donor's eggs are fertilized with the intended father's or donor's sperm through IVF. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the surrogate's uterus. This type of surrogacy agreement is more common and does not present the same legal complexities as traditional surrogacy. The Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement also establishes the financial aspects of the surrogacy journey, including compensation for the surrogate's medical expenses, legal fees, and any other agreed-upon compensation. The agreement may outline the procedures for reimbursements, monthly allowances, or other financial arrangements necessary to support the surrogate during the pregnancy. Furthermore, the agreement addresses important issues such as the surrogate mother's obligations towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, her rights to prenatal care and medical decision-making, and the handover process of the child after birth. It also covers the intended parents' responsibilities, including financial support, the right to make medical decisions for the child, and the parental rights they will obtain after the child's birth. Overall, the Missouri Surrogate Parenting Agreement is a comprehensive document that ensures all parties involved are protected and on the same page throughout the surrogacy journey. It is essential to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in reproductive law to draft and execute this agreement, taking into consideration the specific circumstances and preferences of the intended parents and surrogate mother.