Common Surrogacy Questions

Please see our common surrogate questions below. If your question is not addressed below, please contact us and we will contact you as soon as possible in order to answer your question.

Frequently Asked Surrogacy Questions

1. Are there different types of surrogacy arrangements?

Yes, traditional and gestational. Traditional is when the surrogate has a genetic tie to the child she carries. A gestational surrogate does not have a genetic tie to the child she carries. This is the most popular type of surrogacy arrangement. The parents undergo IVF procedures to create embryos or use donated eggs/sperm to create an embryo, which is then implanted into the surrogate. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we primarily work with gestational surrogacy arrangements, however, in the rare circumstance we will work with a family who would like to work with a family member or friend would be a traditional surrogate.

2. If I am overweight or my BMI is too high can I still become a surrogate?

No, unfortunately, a BMI rating greater than 30 will result in a denial to become a surrogate with us. However, you are encouraged to make an effort to lose the weight to get into the proper range, and at that time we are more than willing to reconsider your application. A BMI over 30 could negatively impact the health of the surrogate and the pregnancy. It can create an increased risk for hypertension, gestational diabetes, and many more medical conditions and is therefore not an acceptable BMI rating. Please see our BMI chart for more information.

3. What are some factors that will cause me to not be accepted as a surrogate with your agency?

Becoming a surrogate is a rewarding but sometimes difficult screening process. We require that all surrogates be part of an emotionally healthy home, be raising one of their own children, and have had at least one pregnancy that was successful without complications. Your previous pregnancy must have been carried to full term. We require that all surrogates not have any criminal background of any kind. We require that all surrogates do not smoke in any form, be that medical marijuana, vaping, cigarettes or cigars, or have any prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke. For more information on other qualifications, please visit our page that states all of our requirements to become a surrogate with us.

4. What if the parents I am matched with are from a different state or country?

Future parents come from all over the United States and abroad. Given that different states and countries have different laws, we will be required to match surrogates and parents that fit the appropriate legal parameters. Depending on which Fertility Clinic the parents have chosen to work with, we will arrange for you to travel to that clinic to complete the necessary medical evaluation and embryo transfer. Once you have graduated from the fertility clinic’s care, you will use an OBGYN and delivering hospital that is local to you.

5. I’m a little worried about taking medications, how much will I need to take and why is it necessary?

Many surrogates may be worried about taking fertility medications. There is no need to worry because the fertility clinic will be in full control of the prescribing of medications, and each successful surrogate baby relies on a healthy dose of pregnancy hormones to carry the baby fully to term. It’s a necessity before the embryo transfer that the surrogate be taking medications within a certain time frame and amount, prescribed by the managing fertility clinic in order to prepare her body for the pregnancy. Made in the USA Surrogacy will be here to help you through the process with any questions and will even help you with your medication schedule if you have need!

6. If I have had a tubal ligation can I still become a surrogate?

Yes, this will not be a problem as gestational surrogates do no use their own eggs.

7. How is health insurance handled?

Provided that you have consented to the use of your health insurance, our insurance specialist will review your policy for surrogacy coverage and exclusions. In the event your policy covers the surrogacy, the intended parents will be responsible for your portion of the premiums, co-pays and deductibles. If your health insurance does not cover surrogacy we will need to look at other alternatives for health insurance coverage.

8. If I’m still breastfeeding can I become a surrogate?

Yes, you may still become a surrogate while you are breastfeeding. However, by the time you begin taking the fertility medication you need to be done breastfeeding as these medications will go through the breastmilk to your child.

9. Why should I choose to work with your agency?

Made in the USA Surrogacy has first-hand experience as surrogate parents and understand the ups and downs a surrogacy can bring. As your agency, we strive to eliminate as much of the stress-load and allow you and your family to enjoy the process! We will full-screen you and your intended parents. As your agency, we will assist you in your appointments, medication refills, arranging travel when necessary, and ensure compensation is paid timely.

10. I’m worried about having an emotionally hard time when giving up the baby?

How will I know this will be different than when I was pregnant with my own children? It is very rare for a gestational surrogate to struggle with giving up the baby as the child is not genetically related to the surrogate. From our experience, many surrogates state the emotional attachment to the child is widely different than that of a child that is genetically related. Many surrogates would also state that they feel an immense amount of satisfaction and joy when they are able to provide a child for a family that was unable to have one on their own.

11. Am I compensated as a surrogate?

Yes, as a gestational surrogate you are compensated. The base compensation begins at $40,000 and will include a benefits package that substantially increases the overall compensation received. For more information please see our page on surrogate compensation.

12. How soon could I be matched with a parent?

The surrogate screening process may take about 3 months. We must fully-screen you prior to presenting a profile to parents. Additionally, we take careful consideration when it comes to everyone’s wishes and hopes for their ideal family, as we hope to have a successful match. Once we have an ideal match, we will present the individual profiles.

13. Am I required to sign an agreement with your agency?

At Made in the USA Surrogacy we ask that you sign an agency agreement that states you will remain exclusive with our agency while we are working to find you your ideal match. Please feel free to contact us for more information.