How to Become a Surrogate Mother

What is a Surrogate?

A surrogate is a woman who agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves. This arrangement is often pursued by those facing medical conditions or infertility challenges who wish to have a child genetically related to one or both parents. There are two primary types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate providing her own egg, which is fertilized with the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm. Gestational surrogacy, on the other hand, uses an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) from the intended parents or sperm or egg donations, meaning the surrogate or gestational carrier has no genetic link to the child.

The role of a surrogate is both physically and emotionally demanding, requiring a deep commitment and willingness to help others fulfill their parental dreams. Surrogacy arrangements are often guided by legal agreements to outline the responsibilities, rights, and expectations of all parties involved, ensuring clarity and protection throughout the process. It’s a path that provides hope and joy to countless families while highlighting the incredible generosity and selflessness of surrogates who dedicate themselves to such an important purpose.

Why Surrogacy is Important

Surrogacy plays a vital role in providing an opportunity for individuals and couples to experience the joys of parenthood when natural conception is not an option. For those facing infertility and health complications, surrogacy offers a pathway to build a family that might otherwise be unattainable. It allows intended parents to have a biological connection to their child, creating a deep and meaningful bond from the very beginning. Beyond the personal impact, surrogacy demonstrates the importance of compassion and shared humanity, showcasing how people can come together to overcome obstacles and fulfill dreams. By bridging the gap between challenges and possibilities, surrogacy brings hope, happiness, and the promise of a brighter future for countless families across the world.

How to Become a Surrogate with Made in the USA Surrogacy?

Becoming a surrogate with Made in the USA Surrogacy is a rewarding journey that allows you to help families achieve their dream of parenthood. The process is designed to ensure that both surrogates and intended parents have an enriching and positive experience. To start, surrogate candidates must meet specific surrogate requirements, which typically include being a United States citizen, being in good physical and mental health, having had at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery, and being a non-smoker living in a stable and supportive environment. These criteria help ensure that surrogates are prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of carrying a child.

Fill Out the Application

The first step in becoming a surrogate is to complete our “become a surrogate” form with Made in the USA Surrogacy. Once your application is reviewed and approved by your surrogate coordinator, the next phase involves our screening process, which involves a background check, medical evaluations, and psychological assessments, to confirm your readiness for the surrogacy process. You will also work closely with the agency to ensure all legal agreements and obligations are fully understood and in place, providing protection and clarity for everyone involved.

Once matched with the intended parents, you will collaborate with a team of professionals, including medical providers, counselors, coordinators, and mental health professionals who will guide you through each stage of the surrogate pregnancy. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of their surrogates is a top priority, offering support and resources every step of the way. By choosing to partner with this agency, you can make a life-changing difference for families while embarking on a deeply fulfilling experience.

Here are some reasons why you want to become a surrogate with our agency:

• We provide local matches
• We provide 1 on 1 service and answer questions the same way
• We have the best surrogate compensation package
• We know the surrogacy process and can help you navigate it
• We provide Intended Parents who care about your needs as you sign a gestational agreement
• We make the process easy
• The opportunity is available for mothers who work (you do not have to quit your job for surrogacy)
• We do not require COVID Vaccines for surrogates

Steps to Become a Surrogate

1. Apply with our agency: This will take place as an online form submission, and quickly we will interview you for further surrogate qualifications to see if you are a match.
2. Meet with potential intended parents: We will provide matches based on your intended parent preferences and you will meet them with your spouse or significant other to determine if it’s a good fit!
3. Medical: You must pass all medical qualifications, this will include drug tests with the IVF clinic, in person with your local IVF clinic and
4. Sign: You’ll sign a gestational surrogate agreement with them that spells out all details. After this, you will go to embryo transfer!

Why You Should Apply to Become a Surrogate

Becoming a surrogate mother in California or any state is a selfless act of kindness. Most likely you found our page because you want to work with one of the best surrogacy agencies in Northern California!

The main reason you are searching for how to become a surrogate is to help a family who is in need and wants to complete their family. These families have most likely struggled with infertility for many years at a time, sometimes over 10 years when they come to our agency.

With so many surrogacy agencies, why choose our agency? It seems every surrogate agency has a different compensation plan, and a different track to become a surrogate. Some require you to be a certain height and weight, while others require you to be Covid Vaccinated. Some surrogate agencies require you to reside in California or you won’t get paid the most. Not our agency.

Surrogacy is also an empowering experience for surrogates themselves. It is a chance to use your unique ability to help others and to take pride in contributing to something truly special. Many surrogates report feeling an immense sense of purpose and fulfillment throughout the process. Additionally, we ensure surrogates are well-compensated. This financial benefit can help surrogates achieve personal goals, whether it’s providing for their own families, pursuing education, or saving for a brighter future.

By applying to become a surrogate, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact, form supportive connections, and experience personal growth. Through the guidance of a dedicated surrogacy agency, you can trust the process to be safe, enriching, and incredibly rewarding.

Surrogate Mothers Find Local Parents

One of the defining factors of whether you will want to become a surrogate is whether or not you have intended parents who are located near you. Maybe you value a close relationship, maybe you value the fact that intended parents could physically attend your doctor’s appointments.

We value California residents being matched with California surrogates. This means that if you are a surrogate mother located in California, your intended family will most likely be using a fertility clinic in California.

By focusing on matching surrogates with intended parents in the same or nearby regions, we foster stronger relationships and ensure smoother communication throughout the process. Local matches enable face-to-face interactions, offering both parties the opportunity to build trust and develop a personal bond during the surrogacy journey.

We leverage our extensive network and personalized approach to connect surrogates with intended parents who align with their preferences, lifestyles, and expectations. Additionally, working with local intended parents simplifies logistics, such as medical appointments and legal processes, making it easier to coordinate support throughout the pregnancy.

This will mean that your appointments are just a few hours drive away, or even 15 minutes!

We match surrogate mothers no matter what state they reside in, but typically hope to find everyone a local match. This means if you are applying to be a surrogate on the East Coast, we hope to match you with local intended parents who live on the East Coast.

Surrogacy Timeline

After you apply to be a surrogate, how much time does it take? Here are 8 easy steps to reference:

• Step 1: Application with the agency- 1 hour
• Step 2: Gathering Documents- 2 weeks
• Step 3: Matching with an Intended Family- instantly, or up to 3 months
• Step 4: Medical Records Pre-Approval and Medical Screening- 3-6 weeks depending on the IVF clinic
• Step 5: Legal Contracts- 3-6 weeks
• Step 6: Cycling Medication for Transfer: 1 month prior to transfer (12 weeks continued if pregnant)
• Step 7: Pregnancy Test, Ultrasound and Post Monitoring- up to 6 weeks
• Step 8: Delivery- 40 weeks of an amazing surrogacy journey!

Overall, our surrogacy journeys can last from 1 year to 2 years depending on the hurdles and triumphs your surrogacy journey brings!

What Does Surrogate Compensation Look Like?

Surrogacy compensation is an important aspect of the surrogacy process, providing financial support and recognition for the surrogate’s dedication, time, and effort in carrying a child. Compensation typically varies based on factors such as the surrogate’s location, experience, and the specifics of the surrogacy agreement. On average, surrogates can expect to receive a base compensation ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on individual circumstances and agency guidelines.

Possible Additional Payments and Benefits

Beyond the base compensation, surrogates are often eligible for additional payments to cover expenses directly related to the surrogacy process. These may include allowances for maternity clothing, travel, medical procedures, lost wages, and other incidentals. Additionally, intended parents typically cover all medical costs associated with the pregnancy, ensuring that the surrogate is fully supported throughout the experience. Compensation details are outlined clearly in the legal agreements finalized before the surrogacy process begins, guaranteeing transparency and fairness for all parties.

While financial compensation is an essential consideration, many surrogates emphasize that the true reward lies in helping families achieve their dream of parenthood. The emotional fulfillment and lifelong connections formed during the surrogacy process are often cited as some of the most meaningful and gratifying aspects of the experience.

Frequently Asked How to Become a Surrogate Questions

Does a surrogate mother share DNA with the baby?

No, a gestational surrogate does not share DNA with the baby. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This means the surrogate carries the pregnancy but has no genetic link to the child. However, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s egg is used, so she would share DNA with the baby in that case.

Does insurance cover surrogacy?

Insurance coverage for surrogacy varies widely depending on the health insurance policy and the state in which you live. Some insurance plans may cover certain aspects of maternity care for the surrogate, but many do not include surrogacy-specific expenses. Intended parents often need to purchase a separate insurance policy or surrogacy-specific coverage for the surrogate to ensure all medical costs are covered. It’s essential to carefully review insurance policies and consult with experts to fully understand coverage options and potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Is the baby yours if you have a surrogate?

If you use a gestational surrogate, the baby is genetically yours if the embryo is created using your egg and sperm or one of yours combined with a donor’s. The surrogate has no biological connection to the child in gestational surrogacy, as she only carries the pregnancy. The intended parents would be genetically connected to the child if the intended parent’s egg and sperm were used. However, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate provides her own egg, meaning she would share a genetic link with the baby. It’s important to clarify the type of surrogacy arrangement to determine biological parentage.

Can I be a surrogate if I have c-sections?

Yes, you can be a surrogate if you have previously had a c-section, as long as you have recovered fully and your medical history shows no complications from those surgeries. Many surrogates have successfully carried pregnancies after c-sections. During the screening process, medical professionals will review your obstetric history to ensure it is safe for you to proceed with surrogacy. It’s important to discuss any concerns openly with your agency and healthcare provider before beginning the process.