What is gestational surrogacy?

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Gestational surrogacy is a process where one person, who did not provide the egg used in the conception, carries a fetus through pregnancy and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple. The person who carries the fetus is called a "surrogate" or "gestational carrier." The person or couple who is seeking to parent the baby or babies is called the "intended parent(s).". 

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Who can be a surrogate?

A surrogate is used when an intended parent wants to have a child but can't carry a pregnancy on their own safety. Surrogates should have had healthy pregnancies in the past and a desire to help intended parents who are unable to have children. A surrogate may carry a fetus for someone they don't know, or for a friend or relative.

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What are the qualifications?

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According to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines and the New York State law, a surrogate should be a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 45 who has had a successful term pregnancy and has a supportive family environment to help her cope with the added stress of pregnancy. The surrogate should have no more than five previous vaginal deliveries or two previous cesarean deliveries. Prior to becoming pregnant, the surrogate should talk about the risks of pregnancy with her healthcare provider (s). Individual states may have other screening requirements, as do surrogacy agencies and IVF clinics. Please click here to see the detailed qualifications at Love & Beyond. 

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What type of medical screening tests does a surrogate need to have?
 

According to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines and the New York State law, the GC should have a complete history and physical examination performed prior to starting the surrogacy process. The New York State laws have identified several conditions that may exclude the person from becoming a surrogate. Please click here to see the detailed qualifications and screening process at Love & Beyond. 

 

 

Does the surrogate have to undergo psychological evaluation?
 

Yes. According to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines and the New York State law, a surrogate and her partner (if applicable) should have a psychological evaluation prior to starting the surrogacy process. The New York State laws have identified several conditions that may exclude the person from becoming a surrogate. Please click here to see the detailed qualifications and screening process at Love & Beyond. 

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Are there risks with being a surrogate?
 

Yes, anyone considering surrogacy must be aware of the potential risks associated with being a surrogate. There are health risks to the surrogate as with any pregnancy. Most pregnant people have mild or moderate symptoms like nausea and vomiting, minor swelling, and fatigue. In rare cases, pregnant people experience more serious medical complications, including death, even if they were healthy before becoming pregnant. These risks will be discussed as part of the surrogacy process, and surrogates must be screened for possible health risks. Getting routine health care during and after pregnancy is an important part of the surrogacy process. This may help identify any health problems before they become severe. For more information on the health risks associated with pregnancy, talk with your health care provider or visit Pregnant or Just Had a Baby? Know When to Call for Help - Fast!.

 

Being a surrogate can be time-consuming and emotional. If the surrogate is married, that person generally must also be involved and willingly cooperate in the surrogacy arrangement. Although not genetically related, the surrogate may become attached to the baby they are carrying. While most surrogates experience joy and pride because of the vital role they play in assisting the intended parent(s) to have a child, some surrogates may find the process emotionally challenging. 

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How much do surrogates make?
 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all surrogates.  Surrogate compensation varies depending on your insurance, state of residence, whether you've been a surrogate before, and the terms outlined in your Surrogacy Agreement. Besides base compensation, if you reside in New York, the newly passed law will provide you the best protection in the nation and benefits up to 12 months after your delivery. To check out the surrogate benefits, please click here. 

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How do I apply to become a surrogate?
 

If you are interested in applying to our program to become a surrogate, you can fill out an initial online form here. The application takes about 10 minutes to complete. You will be contacted by our onboarding coordinator to complete the application process and to acquire other necessary information once we receive and approve your online application. 

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Why should I choose to work with an agency versus going independent?

Navitaging the surrogacy process by yourself could be risky and overwhelming. Working with an agency could alleviate someof the burdens of as we provide full support and guidance throughout the entire process. Our dual-screening procedures ensure the qualifications and reliability of the intended parents. We also ensure that all your rights are communicated to you and are protected. 
 

What are your requirements for surrogates?
 

Please click here to see the detailed qualifications. 

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How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take?
 

Several factors can affect how long it takes to be matched with intended parents and the length of the surrogacy process. Our matching process aims match you with the best possible intended parents based on your preferences and situations. In general, you can expect the entire surrogacy process — from matching with your intended parent(s) through delivery, including the entire pregnancy process — to take about 14 to 18 months, depending on whether the first embryo transfer results in a surrogate pregnancy.

Once we receive your short application form and contact you to start the process, the length of your surrogacy journey could depend on factors such as how quickly you are able to return documents to us, how quickly we are able to receive your medical records, complete reference calls, schedule an in-home interview, and more steps in our pre-screening process. Your assistance and coperation can help us expedite this process. 
 

Do I need to have insurance that will cover surrogacy?
 

No. If you do have medical insurance coverage, we will conduct an insurance review to see your benefits regarding surrogacy, pregnancy and deliversty. With coverage, you may be entitled to a higher base fee. But if you don't have insurance, it's not a problem. We coordinate to help you find a plan that will cover the costs of all the medical and psychological services incurred in the process up to 12 months after your delivery if you reside in New York and your intended parents will pay any associated costs. The intended parent or parents shall also pay for or reimburse the person acting as surrogate for all co-payments, deductibles and any other out-of-pocket medical costs associated with pregnancy, childbirth, or postnatal care

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My significant other doesn't seem on board with my being a surrogate. Can I still move forward?
 

We are sorry but we require that all surrogates and egg donors in our program have the full support of their spouses or partners. If you are not married, you must have a support person in place with whom you will share the journey. Your primary support person will also have a screening with our social work team.

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How are my surrogacy reimbursements dispersed?
 

Surrogate reimbursements are divided up into equal monthly installments following the confirmation of heartbeat (around the 6-8 week mark) and paid on the first of every month. If you are carrying multiple children, a multiples fee is paid to you over the last five months. After 34 weeks, the pregnancy is considered viable (32 weeks for multiples). If you deliver before 40 weeks, you are given a lump sum for the remaining balance. The remainder of the miscellaneous fees are distributed at various times throughout the pregnancy and will be discussed in your screening.

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How much life insurance does the Intended Parent(s) pay for?
 

As the surrogate, you have the right to be provided a life insurance policy that takes effect prior to taking any medication or commencement of treatment to further embryo transfer, provides a minimum benefit of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000), or the maximum amount the person acting as surrogate qualifying for it less than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, and has a term that extends throughout the duration of the expected pregnancy and for twelve months after the birth of the child, a stillbirth, a miscarriage resulting in termination of pregnancy, or termination of the pregnancy, with a beneficiary or beneficiaries of their choosing, to be paid for by the intended parent or parents.
 

Do I have to pay for anything related to being a surrogate mother?
 

The family you match with will pay the fees outlined for you in your application process and agreed upon in the contract. This is not meant to be an out-of-pocket expense to you.

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Do I have to travel?
 

Yes. You should plan to be available to travel for the transfer, which is typically a four- to seven-day trip, permitting that you and the intended parent (s) do not reside in the same city or region. You can be medically screened and monitored closer to home but you will need to travel to the IVF clinic for the transfer. At times, the overseeing IVF clinic will require you to travel for an initial screening. Once your care is transferred to the OB of your choice, you will only need to travel locally to your local provider and to the hospital of your choice for your delivery. 

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Who picks my OB or midwife?
 

You select your OB or midwife for your prenatal care. We ask that if a midwife is chosen, that he/she be overseen by an OB. In the instance that you are carrying multiples or you are deemed high risk,  you may be asked to see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor.

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How long do you have to abstain from sexual intercourse when being a surrogate?
 

In the surrogacy medical process, surrogates are usually expected to abstain from sexual intercourse for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after a transfer. You will need to follow the detailed guidelines of the IVF clinic you will be working with. 

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Who chooses the attorney to review contracts with me?
 

If both parties decide to move forward, we will refer you to seek independent legal counsel. As per the state law, you have the right to choose your own legal representation. We will only provide a list of qualified legal counsels that you may choose from at the your request but are prohibited from designating a legal counsel for you even at your request.

After choosing the legal counsel, you should have an in-depth discussion with your attorney regarding the service agreement terms and the Bill of Rights before signing the surrogacy agreement. The attorney fee is afforded by the intended parent/parents. Surrogacy agreement terms will be exchanged between the two legal teams until an agreement has been reached. The surrogacy agreement should also be reviewed by the legal representation from Love & Beyond to ensure that all terms meet the legal requirements under the New York State law.
 

Can a Surrogate Breastfeed the baby or babies?

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No, but a surrogate can pump breastmilk for intended parents, a local hospital, or Preemies Milk Bank! Per The American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines, it is advised that a surrogate not breastfeed the baby due to attachment considerations, however, you can definitely pump breastmilk post-delivery for a surrogacy journey! This is all discussed in detail in your surrogacy contract, but it is also a flexible arrangement. Sometimes intended parents are so appreciative of receiving breastmilk to bottle feed their baby/babies, while others prefer to stick to baby formula. Sometimes surrogates and intended parents arrange to ship breastmilk for several weeks or several months (at no cost to you). International intended parents typically switch to formula once they are back home, but it is possible to ship abroad! If intended parents are interested in receiving breastmilk, there is a $250 per week stipend as a thank you for all the time and dedication it takes to pump regularly. Read about one of our surrogate pumping stories here.

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