Frequently Asked Questions for GCs

This depends on a number of factors, including how quickly you get your medical records and other paperwork to us, as well as your individual preferences for intended parents. The time it takes to obtain medical records and the clearance from your OB recommending you to move ahead as a gestational carrier varies. We try to complete the background check and schedule your interview and psychological assessment as soon as possible, depending on schedules. However, once we have all the information and you are officially approved, we will begin the process immediately to match you with the intended parents we believe will be the best for you.  In most cases, GC candidates who have completed all of the steps of the application process are matched within a couple of months.

No. All our surrogacies are gestational surrogacies. This means that the baby is conceived by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and the resulting embryo is transferred into your uterus. None of your genetic material is used in the process.  

Only if you agree. Most surrogacies are done with single embryo transfers (SET). This means that unless the embryo splits to create identical twins (not a common occurrence), you will only carry one baby. Occasionally, intended parents will ask that two embryos be transferred. You can choose whether or not you would agree to this, but it has become more and more uncommon.

No. There will be no costs to you, and all surrogacy-related expenses that you pay out-of-pocket will be reimbursed. The intended parents will pay all expenses related to the IVF, pregnancy and birth that are not covered by your insurance, travel costs and legal expenses. In addition, you will receive payments to compensate you for the risks you are taking. If you need assistance with determining your compensation, our staff will be happy to help.

This depends. Normally it can range anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on a variety of factors such as the results of your medical clearance appointment, your overall health, if you need to remove or stop using birth control, the distance from the IVF clinic, and how flexible you can be with your schedule. As long as medical clearances are efficient and clinic appointments can be made easily, it should fall on the shorter end of the range.

Typically you will attend the initial medical clearance appointment at the intended parents’ chosen IVF clinic, which is also where you will go to have the embryo(s) transferred. The IVF clinic may require another appointment or two, but the staff will be up front about what is expected from the beginning. Monitoring appointments, including the 20-week ultrasound (which all intended parents love to attend!) can be done with your OB, provided the IVF clinic agrees with that arrangement (and almost all of them do).

Constant and open communication between gestational carriers (GCs) and intended parents (IPs) is integral to a successful surrogacy journey. It fosters trust, ensures everyone is aligned on medical updates, emotional well-being, and key decisions, and helps prevent misunderstandings. Clear, respectful dialogue builds a strong partnership and creates a supportive environment for both the carrier and the intended parents as they navigate this deeply personal experience together.

Most GCs and IPs prefer to text and email frequently to keep each other on the same page, as well as employing tools like a shared Google or Outlook calendar to keep track of appointments, milestones, etc.  If there are appointments that the IPs would like to attend but are unable to, it is absolutely encouraged to set up a video chat for these instances, and most clinics will agree to allow this.

It’s important for a gestational carrier to have health insurance that specifically covers a surrogate pregnancy to ensure access to necessary prenatal care, labor, and delivery services without unexpected financial burdens to the IPs. If the carrier’s current insurance plan excludes surrogacy, the intended parents will need to purchase an ACA (Affordable Care Act) plan for her that does provide appropriate coverage. This protects both the carrier and the intended parents from significant out-of-pocket costs and helps ensure a smooth, well-supported pregnancy.  The market for ACA plans is open in Nov-Dec of each year, so this may affect the timing of an embryo transfer to coincide with the start date of the additional insurance plan.

The Surrogacy Center was established in 2002 by experienced assisted reproduction attorneys who sought a place for their clients (both gestational carriers and intended parents) to receive guidance and assistance in a supportive environment. We have been in operation for over 20 years, and we continue to help gestational carriers provide the means for intended parents to build their families. Our staff is professional and caring, and we pride ourselves in being a small agency who will cater to the individual needs of each of our clients. One of our staff is a former gestational carrier who is happy to share her positive experience with our clients, and another staff member served as a nurse for a local fertility clinic for many years. We also have support services in place, such as a private on-line surrogate group. We use our expertise and compassion to help make the surrogacy journey a successful and positive one for gestational carriers and intended parents alike. We would welcome the opportunity to include you in our program.