Surrogate FAQs

Delivering Hope stands out by prioritizing the relationships we have and form with our surrogates and intended parents. We have in-person support groups all over the country and monthly virtual support groups where we laugh, learn, and spend time together. In addition to our groups, we also have a Facebook group with consistent communication and support offered by our DH team and fellow surrogates, as well as a fitness group where we all go for accountability and to cheer each other on! 

Intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement can be individuals or couples of any gender, marital status, or sexual orientation who desire to have a child. This includes heterosexual couples facing infertility, same-sex couples, single men or women, and those who may have medical conditions preventing pregnancy. Each surrogacy agency may have specific criteria, but generally, intended parents must demonstrate their ability to provide a stable and loving home environment for the child.

The surrogacy process typically involves several key steps:

1. Initial Consultation: Intended parents meet with a surrogacy agency to discuss their goals and understand the process.
2. Matching: The agency helps match intended parents with a suitable surrogate based on mutual preferences and values.
3. Legal Agreements: Both parties work with legal professionals to draft and finalize surrogacy contracts, ensuring all legal aspects are covered.
4. Medical Procedures: The surrogate undergoes medical screenings and fertility treatments, including embryo transfer if it’s gestational surrogacy.
5. Pregnancy and Birth: The surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, with regular medical check-ups and support from the agency.
6. Post-Birth: Legal steps are taken to establish the intended parents’ rights, and the baby is handed over to the intended parents.

Surrogacy can be a significant financial commitment, with costs ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 or more. This estimate includes agency fees, legal fees, medical expenses, surrogate compensation, insurance, and other related costs. The total cost can vary based on factors such as the location, specific services required, and whether the intended parents need to use donor eggs or sperm.

Potential surrogates must undergo a thorough medical screening to ensure they are physically capable of carrying a pregnancy to term. This screening typically includes a complete medical history review, a physical exam, blood tests, and a uterine evaluation. Surrogates must also meet specific criteria, such as having had at least one uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, being in good overall health, and not having any history of pregnancy-related complications.

The matching process typically involves both parties working with a surrogacy agency that facilitates the introduction. Intended parents and potential surrogates fill out detailed profiles outlining their preferences, values, and expectations. The agency then uses this information to find compatible matches. Once a possible match is found, both parties have the opportunity to meet, often virtually or in person, to ensure they feel comfortable and aligned before proceeding with a surrogacy agreement.

Once you have completed the application, you will begin navigating through our intake process. This can vary because we coordinate with your previous OB and hospitals to get the records. Once you finish intake, you’ll be ready to match, which varies depending on your preferences and ideal intended parents. Once matched, you’ll begin the process of med screening, contracts, and medications. From matched to transfer, it is typically 4-6 months.

None! There may be times when you will pick up a prescription, buy your lunch, etc, where you would pay, and then send us your receipt for reimbursement. When done ethically and responsibly, surrogacy should never cost the surrogate a penny. 

Having a support system is a crucial component of a healthy surrogacy journey. In addition to mental and physical support, your spouse should expect a background check, an intake interview, STD screenings, a joint psychological assessment with you, etc. Your spouse must also sign all legal documents with the attorneys. 

Every fertility clinic has a different medication protocol. Surrogates should expect to start oral birth control after matching with IPs. You may also need to be re-vaccinated for things like chicken pox, hep b, etc., and you may also be required to take supplements, like vitamin D or others. Once contracts have been finalized, you’ll start the medication cycle. These are typically some combination of estrogen and progesterone (oral, suppositories, patches, or injections). Occasionally, another injectable medication, Lupron, may also be used. Surrogates will begin medications about 3 weeks before transfer and will continue them through about 12 weeks pregnant. 

Sometimes, the surrogate matches with the intended parents whose clinic is local to them; however, when this is not the case, the surrogate will need to travel to the clinic. Travel is to be expected at least twice: once for med screening when you are matched (a 24-hour trip) and then again for transfer(s) (2-3 days). This can vary based on clinic requirements.

Most women who decide to become surrogates are done growing their own families and have a deep desire to help others who family building didn’t come easy for. Most surrogates are naturally caring people who have had uncomplicated pregnancies themselves and want to give back in a big way. 

We don’t believe in taking your money and locking you into a waiting list. Therefore, intended parents are only obligated to Delivering Hope with contracts or fees once they are officially matched. Our goal for Intended Parents is for them to have a baby, whether that is by working with us or another agency that can match them sooner. 

DH will never require anyone to work with any specific vendor. Instead, we offer recommendations and ultimately give intended parents complete control over who they are comfortable working with. We will offer complete guidance and facilitation of each journey aspect while intended parents retain complete control in making decisions.

Delivering Hope is happy to work with surrogates with no-term views as long as they understand and are willing to wait until we can find IPs that share those same views.

During the screening process, we obtain a copy of the GC’s health insurance policy to verify it. If it is “surrogate-friendly,” she can use it for her surrogacy journey. The surrogate will continue paying the premium while the IPs pay the deductible and medical expenses. If it’s not surrogate-friendly, DH works with surrogate insurance brokers to obtain policies at the expense of the IPs. 

No, Surrogates are not allowed to be on any form of assistance. If you are currently on an assistance program, you will need to be off of it before qualifying for surrogacy. We want you to be financially stable so you can handle unforeseen circumstances where expenses happen before reimbursement can be filed.

No, as a surrogate, you are not responsible for additional expenses. However, at times, you will need to pay for immediate expenses and then wait for proper reimbursement.

Our matching process is as thorough as possible, and we take into consideration all parties’ preferences and expectations for the surrogacy journey. This can include but not be limited to:

1. Communication Expectations
2. Relationship Expectations
3. Termination Stance
4. Location preferences

And other preferences from lifestyle to travel expectations from both parties.