Gestational Surrogate FAQ's

A gestational surrogate is inspired to help someone else create a family. Gestational carriers have had successful uncomplicated pregnancies of their own and see the opportunity to share the gift of parenthood as something within their capabilities to do. They become pregnant with the embryos that belong to the intended parents.

The embryos could contain the egg and sperm of the parents or some combination of donor egg/sperm. The pregnancy is achieved by the medical technology of IVF and the gestational carrier undergoes an embryo transfer and then carries the pregnancy to term for the parents.

Surrogate candidates undergo an in-depth series of interviews, data collection of medical records, criminal background check and program participation screening, to become educated and understand that gestational surrogacy is right for them and their family to undergo. After being screened by the agency, gestational carriers are introduced to potential intended parents or" matched" after reviewing a profile from the intended parents, the match meeting will be facilitated by the agency to solidify the party's decision making agree and the agreements become the basis of the gestational carrier legal agreement.

Surrogates then have comprehensive medical evaluations for overall health and an evaluation of their uterine cavity with the fertility doctor that has assisted the intended parents in creating embryos. Upon receiving medical clearance, the intended parents' attorney drafts a gestational carrier agreement, and the surrogate is represented by her own attorney who specializes in assisted reproduction law. When contracts are in place and all money needed to cover the expenses and fees of the gestational carrier have been placed in the client expense fund. Then the medication, pills, patches and injections) to achieve a pregnancy can start.

It takes approx. 30-45 days of medication before the gestational carrier's body is ready for the optimal timing to receive the parents' embryos. A pregnancy test 14 days after transfer will determine if the pregnancy was achieved and is progressing successfully (if not pregnant you will repeat the cycling process again with the IVF doctors office.)

The gestational carrier remains under the care of the IVF physician for several weeks into the pregnancy while she continues medication to support the development of the pregnancy. Near the end of the first trimester, she will transition to her own OB covered by insurance for the remainder of the pregnancy and give birth with the intended parents in attendance and celebrate their successful journey.

Any pregnancy can carry a physical risk. Be sure to talk with your doctor about becoming pregnant again. Most surrogates are complete with having any more children. If you were to lose the ability to become pregnant again would that be a difficulty for you and your partner/husband. Consider if the timing is right to be a surrogate now. Other challenges can be you may not get pregnant on the first try and will have to undergo the medical cycling again until you are pregnant. Most surrogates are used to conceiving without trying, Surrogacy is a complex emotional and logistical process and there may be issues that arise between the parties. That is what a good agency with industry experience is for. To help navigate the challenging parts of surrogacy. We have helped thousands of people through the surrogacy process and are here to help every step of the way.

The matching process is guided by the desires of the parents and surrogates, style and expectations of contact thru the process, location in relationship to each other or the fertility clinic, desires to participate in the surrogacy journey together, all the legal and medical decision making must also be mutually agreed upon in the matching process. The agency will introduce you to intended parents that we feel will be a good fit together for a happy surrogacy journey.

Preparing for embryo transfer and pregnancy as a gestational carrier involves carrying an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donor genetic material, which means the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate. The medical cycle is directed by the IVF physician and usually includes fertility medications, including injections, blood draws, and transvaginal ultrasounds. Most monitoring during the IVF cycle is often done close to home through a local lab or fertility clinic, while embryo transfer takes place at the IVF clinic selected for the case. This phase commonly spans several weeks and may extend to about 10 to 12 weeks in total, though the exact medications, monitoring, and timing depend on the IVF protocol and your individual medical circumstances. Your body is being medically prepared and monitored for transfer and early pregnancy throughout this part of the process.

Important note:

Choice Surrogacy is not a medical provider, and this information is shared for general educational purposes only. As part of the process, you will work with an IVF physician and medical team during screening and treatment. They will provide the full medical overview for your case, including the protocol, risks, medication instructions, and injection guidance specific to you.

An experienced reproductive law attorney will draft a contract on behalf of the intended parents. You will be provided with a referral of gestational surrogacy attorney that will be representing you in the contract drafting process. They will provide detailed consultation for you and your partner or husband, so you fully understand the legal  details and agreements and expectations for all parties.

How Much Do Gestational Carriers Get Paid at Choice Surrogacy?

Choice offers honest, straightforward compensation, with most surrogates receiving more than $70,000 across the 12 to 18 months surrogacy typically involves.

Your $500 monthly surrogate expense allowance begins earlier than at any other agency, starting once you are matched and your medical records are approved by the IVF nurse team. It continues monthly through three months after birth, with no receipts, records, or proof of expenses required.

Once pregnancy is confirmed by the IVF doctor, surrogate compensation is paid in 10 monthly payments of $5,500 during pregnancy. If bedrest or medical restriction takes you off work, lost wages are covered through your Choice program.

Visit our Surrogate Compensation page for full payment details and videos from Trish Taylor explaining how compensation works at Choice Surrogacy.

Client Expense Account Funds( Surrogate Compensation Packages)  are administered through a Client Expense Account Fund (CEAF) and overseen by CPA accounting and professional bookkeeping services. Choice Surrogacy operates as a licensed, bonded, and insured agency, providing financial accountability for the administration of intended parents’ program funds throughout the surrogacy process.

Choice Surrogacy is the only surrogacy agency in which the owner holds state and government accreditation through the Departments of Insurance in both California and Texas (CDI/TDI), maintaining an active Surplus Lines Insurance License. All funds designated for disbursements of the Gestational Carrier’s fees and expenses and all costs associated with the Choice Surrogacy Guarantee Programs on behalf of the Intended Parent’s are maintained in a separate protected account at Bank of America, known as the Client Expense Account Fund (CEAF). Choice Surrogacy, Inc. agency maintains comprehensive insurance coverage, Combined liability coverage exceeding 12.5M : as outlined below (copies attached).

Lloyd's of London ,Landmark Insurance – Professional Liability (E&O): Covers claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in professional services.
Philadelphia Insurance – Dishonesty Bond: Protects against financial loss caused by employee theft or dishonest acts.
Lloyd's of London, Hiscox Insurance – Crime Coverage: Covers losses from theft, fraud, forgery, or embezzlement, whether by employees or third parties.
Lloyd’s of London, Cyber Liability Insurance: Protects against data breaches, cyberattacks, and other digital threats to sensitive client information.

The rights of a gestational carrier are fully outlined in the gestational carrier agreement. You are the pregnant person, and your medical care is focused with your health and wellbeing in mind. Even though you are carrying the parent's baby, and they have legal rights to the child based upon current legal parentage actions. What happens during the pregnancy regarding decision making for number of embryos to transfer, prenatal screening, amniocentesis and pregnancy termination in the event of a birth defect or abnormality are all discussed and agreed upon at the time of your match meeting that is facilitated by the agency. Surrogacy journeys are successful with people working together with clear expectations and mutually agreement on difficult scenarios that may occur in any surrogacy journey long before you start medications to become pregnant.

Gestational carriers are healthy mothers with successful pregnancy histories. Typical prenatal practices apply to your surrogate pregnancy as well. No smoking, vaping, alcohol, drug use. All prescription medication should be discussed with your doctors at each step of the process. During the IVF process there may be some restrictions and the doctor and nurse coordinator will review all of these at the time of your medical screening. Surrogacy is not the right time to get new piercings or tattoos.

We need you to wait for at least a year after your last piercing/tattoo before you start the surrogacy process. If you are single you must have any new potential sexual partner medically screened at any time during the surrogacy process. In the final phase of your pregnancy, it will be important that you stay in your home state, and no travel so you are near the hospital of choice so no mishap's with being in a different legal environment with an accidental unplanned birth.

Every surrogacy journey is different, and so is every relationship between a surrogate and intended parents. Some matches are cordial and professional, with communication mostly through texts, emails, and updates at key moments. Others are more involved, with intended parents sharing in appointments and milestones along the way.

You have a voice in shaping the communication style that works best for you. Expectations are discussed during matching so the relationship feels comfortable from the start and can evolve naturally over time. Each journey also includes a group chat where practical details, updates, important information, and fun moments can be shared so everyone stays in the loop.

Intended parents come to surrogacy from very different life experiences. Some have faced loss and heartbreak and may not fully believe it is real until they see and hold their baby. Others have always known surrogacy would be their path and are excited to share each step of the journey.

Through it all, Choice is there to take care of you and remain the steady connection, helping communication stay supportive, respectful, and natural while everyone stays focused on the shared goal.

Choice Surrogacy has extensive experience in third-party reproduction insurance. We review your current health insurance to determine if it is surrogate appropriate. If a different plan is needed, we secure a compliant health policy that is suitable for your maternity and delivery care at no cost to you. Insurance, copays, and deductibles for the pregnancy, delivery, and any related care are covered entirely by the intended parents through their parent client fund at Choice Surrogacy.

Termination, selective reduction, and other serious medical decisions are not made casually or left undefined in surrogacy. These issues are discussed with Choice during screening, addressed during matching, and fully documented in the gestational surrogacy legal agreement before any medical procedures begin. That way, the surrogate is not left worrying about unexpected decisions or uncertainty if severe medical complications or significant birth defects are diagnosed during pregnancy.

Pregnancy complications can happen, even with women who have had healthy past pregnancies. If complications occur during your surrogacy journey, Choice Surrogacy ensures you are supported and financially protected. All pregnancy-related medical care is fully covered by the intended parents through the approved insurance plan, so you are never responsible for medical bills connected to the surrogacy pregnancy. If complications limit your ability to work or require additional help at home, your Choice Surrogacy benefit package includes specific allowances designed to support you.

Choice has helped thousands of cases in over 30 years of being involved with surrogacy. We will work to get you the best care needed and coordinate with specialist who can support you and the parents through any complication that might arise.

The intended parents that you will be matched with have already invested time and money in creating embryos with their chosen IVF doctor you will be getting pregnant by their reproductive specialist but the doctor who will care for your pregnancy is your choice to make. We ask that you choose a doctor that is covered on the insurance plan that Choice will evaluate during your screening process. If you do not have suitable insurance to cover a surrogate pregnancy Choice will assist you in the process of securing the best policy for your necessary coverage.

Is your family supportive of you doing surrogacy and being pregnant? Do you have the time away for a few appointments for the screening transfer, and birth? Is everything in your life at a good stable place. No big moves of home or state location, during your surrogacy etc. No job changes. Be sure that you are comfortable with the injections and medication involved with getting pregnant.

Are you able to return calls and emails during your workday as most of the surrogacy agency interaction and fertility clinic coordination will be during the work day? Communication is key. We ask that you respond if we or the ivf clinic reaches out on the same day. Just ask all of your questions and we will be there to support you even after hours or in an emergency.

Choosing the right surrogacy agency is crucial for a successful and smooth gestational surrogacy journey. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a surrogacy agency that is right for you:

Reputation and Experience: Look for surrogacy agencies with a solid reputation and a track record of successful matches and journeys. Research reviews and testimonials from previous gestational surrogates and intended parents to gauge the agency's credibility. Ask to talk to a prior surrogate. They are always willing to share their experience.

Support and Guidance: Ensure that the agency provides comprehensive support and guidance throughout the entire surrogacy process. This includes emotional support, legal guidance, and medical assistance and coordination during the conception process, pregnancy and delivery.

Communication: Choose an agency that values open and transparent communication. You should feel comfortable discussing your concerns and asking questions at any stage of the surrogacy journey. This is a whole new process you shouldn't be expected to know any of what you are encountering.

Matching Process: Inquire about how the agency matches gestational surrogates with intended parents. Make sure the agency considers your preferences, values, and expectations when making a match.

Legal Expertise: Verify that the surrogacy agency works with experienced legal professionals who can ensure that all contracts and agreements are fair and legally binding for the state you live in and will give birth.

Financial Transparency: Understand the agency's compensation structure and ensure that there are no hidden costs. A reputable agency should provide clear information about compensation, expenses, and financial obligations. There should be no expense to you going through a surrogacy pregnancy to help intended parents to create their child.

Location: Consider the location of the surrogacy agency and whether it aligns with your preferences. Some gestational surrogates prefer working with agencies that are local or within a reasonable distance. Most agencies work virtually so the location doesn't matter. Choice likes to attend your major appts, screenings, transfers and births.

Personalized Care: opt for an agency that offers personalized care and tailors the surrogacy journey to meet your individual needs and preferences. Are you a number or do you feel that you are served as the most important person in that moment.

By considering these factors when choosing a surrogacy agency, you can find one that aligns with your values, expectations, and needs for a successful gestational surrogacy journey.