Gestational Carrier Home Visit

At Cherokee Rose Counseling, we provide professional home visits as part of the gestational carrier screening process. This important step, conducted by a licensed mental health professional, ensures that the surrogate and her family are well-prepared—emotionally, practically, and environmentally—for a healthy and positive surrogacy journey.

Purpose of the Home Visit

A gestational carrier home visit is more than just an evaluation—it’s an opportunity to build understanding, answer questions, and support the surrogate and her household as they take this meaningful step together. During the visit, a mental health professional will:

Evaluate the home environment
The visit includes a walk-through of the home to confirm it is a safe and secure space for pregnancy. This may include checking for potential hazards, ensuring smoke detectors are functional, and verifying that firearms or other safety risks are properly stored.

Gauge family support
Each adult household member is invited to participate in an interview to ensure they are supportive of the surrogate’s decision. A strong network of emotional and practical support is key to a successful experience.

Observe family dynamics
Because most surrogacy programs require a carrier to have previously parented at least one child, this visit also offers a chance to observe family interactions and confirm that the home environment is nurturing and stable.

Confirm shared values and motivations
Through open conversation, the social worker will explore the surrogate’s and her family’s motivations for pursuing surrogacy, as well as their values and expectations. This helps ensure alignment with the intended parents and the overall surrogacy process.

Provide education and guidance
Home visits are designed to be comfortable and conversational. The social worker will answer questions, clarify expectations, and provide education to help the surrogate and her family feel confident and informed.

Complete background checks
The home visit is often completed alongside criminal and child abuse background checks for all adult residents, offering additional assurance for everyone involved.

Why It Matters

For intended parents, this visit provides peace of mind that their gestational carrier is well-suited to meet the emotional and physical demands of the process. For the carrier and her family, it ensures they are supported, prepared, and fully equipped to embark on this remarkable journey.