How This All Works
Surrogacy is a process with a lot of moving parts, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to understand it all at once! Our role is to break it down, guide you through each stage, and make sure nothing gets missed or rushed along the way. Here’s what the journey typically looks like:
STEP 1: GETTING STARTED
Every journey begins with a conversation where we walk through what surrogacy actually involves, answer your questions, and help you understand whether this is the right path for you before anything moves forward. For intended parents, this includes timelines, costs, and options. For surrogates, this includes medical requirements, expectations, and what the experience really looks like!
Start with clarity, not commitment!
STEP 2: SCREENING & PREPARATION
Before matching, both sides go through a structured screening process. For surrogates, this includes medical records, health history, and background requirements. For intended parents, this includes confirming your plan, clinic alignment, and financial readiness. This step protects everyone involved and sets the foundation for a smoother journey later.
Make sure everything is set up the right way!
STEP 3: MATCHING
Find the right fit, not just a quick match!
Matching isn’t just about availability. It’s about alignment! If matching needs to happen, we guide both intended parents and surrogates through profiles, expectations, and conversations to make sure everyone is on the same page before moving forward. When both sides feel confident, the match is confirmed!
STEP 4: MEDICAL SCREENING
Move forward with your match!
The surrogate completes medical screening with the fertility clinic, and the intended parents’ embryos are prepared for transfer. This step includes medical records review, a consultation between the surrogate and the fertility clinic doctor, an in-person visit to the fertility clinic, and bloodwork labs for her and her partner, if she has one!
STEP 7: PREGNANCY SUPPORT
Consistent support throughout!
During pregnancy, we stay involved to support communication, track milestones, and help navigate anything that comes up along the way. This includes coordination around appointments, travel if needed, and making sure both intended parents and the surrogate feel supported and informed!
STEP 6: EMBRYO TRANSFER
Where the journey gets good!
The embryo transfer takes place, followed by early monitoring to confirm pregnancy with a blood pregnancy test and a heartbeat confirmation ultrasound. Once pregnancy is established, ongoing care transitions from the fertility clinic to the surrogate’s OB provider.
STEP 9: POST-DELIVERY SUPPORT
Support doesn’t stop at delivery!
After birth, there are still important steps to wrap up! This includes final escrow payments, medical billing, and ongoing support for both the surrogate and intended parents as they transition into the next phase!
How long does this take?
Every journey is different, but most follow a general timeline:
Matching: Varies based on availability and preferences (realistically, 6-9 months depending on your criteria and your clinic’s criteria)
Medical Screening: Typically 4-6 weeks
Legal: Typically 5-6 weeks
Transfer: About 4 months from matching
Pregnancy: 9 to 10 months
We’ll give you a more personalized timeline based on your situation, but realistically, journeys can take up to 18 months to complete!
STEP 5: LEGAL AGREEMENTS
Everything goes in writing!
Separate legal representation is established for both intended parents and the surrogate! Contracts are drafted, reviewed, and finalized to clearly outline expectations, responsibilities, and protections. Nothing moves forward medically until legal clearance is complete!
STEP 8: PARENTAGE & DELIVERY
Preparing for the little one!
As the due date approaches, plans are finalized for delivery and hospital coordination. Legal parentage is established based on your state’s process, ensuring intended parents have the proper rights and documentation at birth!