I think every agency needs to tell their new surrogates what exactly is happening to their profile once a woman is accepted as a viable candidate for waiting Intended Parents with that agency. I think that it would be an important educational tool because some surrogates are not loyal to one agency. They are often times listed with 3 or 4 agencies without anyone but that surrogate knowing about these other commitments. And it is a commitment.
What is happening behind the scenes is that the potential surrogate's profile is being shown to waiting IPs. The IPs are assuming that this candidate is exclusive to a single agency and they start to consider working with the person/profile that the case manager sent them. The IPs look forward to the prospect of speaking with someone that may be "the one" and getting to know more about her and her family. In the meantime this same surrogate has her profile at other agencies for other IPs to consider as well. With the waiting list at many agencies so long, IPs who have been waiting months to see even a glimmer of the hope of a match get excited at the prospect of finally moving forward on this very long journey. For some surrogates, however, a match comes quickly. Their application can be accepted in one week and they are "matched" in the next.
I think that if surrogates knew how damaging it is to have a application at several agencies at once, with their profiles being shown to several IPs who are searching for someone to help them, they would stop and think before being dishonest about their actions. If a surrogate wants to be listed with several agencies then it would only be fair that she tells everyone that she is keeping her options open until she finds the right match for her. (This would have to be before the psychological evaluation and the medical screening as those are both costly) Needless to say that there is nothing wrong with trying to find a great match however, when you are listed with several agencies at once, all are working on a match and really are spending time, money and resources on making sure you, as their surrogate are represented in the best way possible.
