Surrogates

Surrogates

Aloha surrogates! We are thrilled that you want to join our team! Surrogacy is an extremely rewarding and life changing experience.

Before you fill out an application, make sure that you meet the basic qualifications to be a surrogate. The requirements are in place to make sure that you remain healthy and the future baby has a healthy start to his or her life.

  • Be height-weight proportionate
  • Be a non smoker and willing to refrain from alcohol throughout the pregnancy
  • Currently free of sexually transmitted infections
  • Have already had at least one uncomplicated pregnancy, labor and delivery
  • Be mentally healthy and in a stable living situation
  • Be between the ages of 20-41
  • Have good communication skills and be reliable, responsible and mature
  • Be willing to take injectable medication

SURROGATE TESTING

Every clinic has slightly different testing requirements. But, below is a list of the testing that many clinics require.

  • Current pap smear and annual physical
  • Infectious Disease Testing- to ensure that all parties are clear of transmittable disease such as AIDS, herpes, hepatitis, etc. If you are married or have a partner, your husband/partner will also have to have infectious disease testing.
  • Hysteroscopy-visualization of the uterine cavity thru a thin scope inserted through the cervix or dye introduced into the uterus and fallopian tubes to determine the shape and size of the uterus and whether or not the fallopian tubes are clear.
  • Psychological Testing and evaluation- You will be evaluated by a therapist familiar with surrogacy issues. The evaluation will include a minimum of an one hour one-on-one session with the therapist exploring the surrogate’s motivations, attitudes and commitment to the surrogacy process. Many fertility clinics allow this evaluation to be done over the phone.

The Surrogation Process

Step 1.
Application

The first step is filling out the surrogacy application. We are happy to answer any questions that you have as you work through the application.

Step 2.
Interview

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Step 3.
Matching

Based on your application and interview, we will match with prospective parent(s)!

Step 4.
Screening

The medical screening includes blood work and an ultrasound as well as infectious disease testing for you. If you are married or have a partner, they will also need infectious disease testing.

Step 5.
Legal

ou will be referred to an attorney to represent you in the contract phase of the surrogacy process. Your intended parents will also be referred to an attorney. Typically, the intended parents’ attorney drafts the agreement. You will have the opportunity to make changes to the agreement. When both you and the Intended Parents feel comfortable with the agreement, we will move ahead to signing the agreement. After the agreement is signed, the attorneys will send legal clearance or a letter to the clinic stating that the contract has been signed.

Step 6.
Medication and Embryo Transfer

You will be given a cycle calendar by the nurse coordinator at the fertility clinic. The calendar will tell you when you need to go for appointments and when to take medication. The nurse will also review how to take injectable medication with you and how much to take.

Step 7.
Pregnancy

So exciting! Your intended parents will want to experience this special time with you. Some intended parents might get to attend a doctor’s appointment with you and others, who live far away, might only be able to hear about the appointments over the phone and skype. Each surrogacy match is unique.

Step 8.
Delivery

Woohoo! Time to celebrate!

Step 9.
Passport Process

When working with international intended parents, they will wait in the US for their baby’s birth certificate.

Compensation

We recognize that every person is different and has various needs and requirements. For example, we work with some surrogates who need lost wages and others who are stay at home moms. Therefore, the below list is just a guideline based on what most surrogates request and the industry standard.

$35,000- First time surrogate fee (more experienced surrogates receive higher fees)- paid in installments beginning after confirmation of fetal heartbeat.
$5,000- For each additional child carried
$350- Embryo transfer fee
$850- Maternity clothing allowance fee for single baby or $1000 for twins
$500- Invasive Procedure fee (if requested)
$250- Monthly allowance to cover childcare, mileage, vitamins, phone and fax
$2,500- C-section fee if required


Health Insurance co-pays for pregnancy and delivery- $0— $5,000
Surrogate Friendly Health Insurance Policy (if applicable)
Life Insurance Policy for 1 year – $400- $600
Travel to fertility clinic for screening and transfer(airfare for surrogate and companion, hotel, ubers, per diem allowance)— $300- $5,000
Lost Wages when attending medical appointments (if applicable)
Disability policy(if applicable)
Legal fees(depending on state)- 10,000- 14,000
Escrow Agency fee- $1,500
Passport fees (for international intended parents) – $500

Risks

Becoming a surrogate is a life altering experience that can be incredibly rewarding. However, it is important to consider the decision to become a surrogate seriously before you sign up to do it.

Just like a regular pregnancy, a surrogate pregnancy comes with medical risks such as nausea, weight gain, heartburn, back pain and swelling. We recommend that you discuss with your obgyn the standard risks associated with pregnancy and delivery.

Before moving forward with the process, you will have a chance to discuss the risks associated with IVF with the fertility doctor. But, some of the risks include bruising at the injection site, headaches and mood swings.

Additionally, there can be emotional risks involved since you will not be going home with the baby. You will have a chance to discuss the emotional risks involved with a mental health professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

It typically takes between a few weeks to a few months for a match to occur. We spend a lot of time trying to make compatible matches.

Yes, you can still be a Gestational Surrogate if you have had a tubal ligation.

Yes, we believe everyone has a right to be a parent.

We only work with gestational surrogates (intended mom’s egg or donor egg). So, you will not be using your own eggs.

Usually, the decision on the number of embryos to be transferred is made by the IVF physician in consultation with both the surrogate and intended parents.

Depending on where you live and the fertility clinic that you work with, travel might be needed. However, if you do not want to travel, please let us know during the application phase and we can match you with someone local. Matching time might take a little longer though.

Yes, we work with many surrogates who do not have insurance or do not have surrogate friendly insurance. We will need to have intended parents purchase a policy for the duration of the surrogate pregnancy.

Usually, IVF clinics set an age limit of 40 because the risks associated with pregnancy for her and the baby become higher. But, in some cases, IVF clinics will approve woman over 40.

We can use your current policy as long as there are no surrogacy exclusions. The insurance premiums, co-pays and deductibles will all be covered by the intended parents.

We work with many single moms! We want all our surrogates to have support whether they are single, married or partnered. Their marital status does not matter.

After you fill out your application and submit your medical records, the IVF physician will review. If approved, we can move ahead.

No, all fees and costs are covered by the intended parents.

The intended parents that you are matched with will pay any traveling expenses related to your surrogacy.

You can go to your own OB after you are released from the fertility clinic. Typically, this is after confirmation of fetal heartbeat. You will need to make sure that your OB accepts the health insurance plan that covers the surrogate pregnancy(if different from your previous insurance).

Your surrogacy funds will be held by a third party escrow agency. This way, you can receive funds by direct deposit or check, whichever you prefer, in a timely and safe manner.

Application to be a Surrogate

Sign Up