General Information

What is the difference between a gestational surrogate, a gestational carrier and a traditional surrogate?      

“Gestational surrogate” and a “gestational carrier” both describe a woman who is carrying a pregnancy that she has no genetic relationship to (it is not her egg).  A traditional surrogate is typically inseminated and has a genetic relationship to the baby she is carrying.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting does not locate and match traditional surrogates.

Does a surrogate have a genetic relationship to the baby?

Most “surrogates” are gestational surrogates and they have no genetic relationship to the baby they are carrying.

Do I need to be local to Surrogacy Journey Consulting? 

Not at all!  We work with surrogates from all over the country and we will help you find a local infertility clinic for monitoring during your embryo transfer cycle and early pregnancy.

How long will it take to match with intended parents? 

Every matching process is unique.  On average, it will take about a month after your eligibility is confirmed to match with intended parents.  However, it could take a shorter or longer amount of time.  If you have specific criteria that may make it take longer to match you, we will let you know during your screening process.

How long will it be between matching and proceeding with an embryo transfer cycle? 

It will generally take about 3-4 months to complete the final medical and psychological screenings as well as the legal contracts that need to be in place before you are ready for embryo transfer.

How often will I talk to the intended parents during the pregnancy? 

As often as you and your intended parents want to talk to each other!  Every surrogacy relationship is unique.  One of the reasons we inquire in our initial questionnaires about your expectations and the intended parents’ expectations with regard to communication during pregnancy is so that we can make every effort to match you with intended parents who share your goals and expectations.  If an issue arises, Surrogacy Journey Consulting is here throughout the process to facilitate any discussions with the intended parents and to help resolve any concerns.  **Due to COVID, many surrogates and intended parents find their visits are more limited than they had hoped, but you can still have a strong relationship with your intended parents!

What kind of contact can I expect to have with the intended parents during the pregnancy? 

Whatever works for you!  It is a top priority for Surrogacy Journey Consulting that you and your intended parents have a great relationship.  Through our matching process, we make every effort to match you with intended parents that want a similar type and frequency of contact during the pregnancy as you do.  If an issue arises, we are here throughout the pregnancy to facilitate any discussions with the intended parents and to help resolve concerns.

Will the intended parents be present during the birth? 

Usually, yes.  But it depends on you and your intended parents’ plans and expectations for the birth.  If you have particularly strong feelings about the intended parents either being present or not being present at the birth, please let us know.  **Due to COVID, many hospitals are limiting the number of people in the delivery room.  We make every effort to have exceptions made for intended parents, but is not always possible and hospital policies are frequently changing.

What kind of contact can I expect to have with the intended parents and the baby after delivery?

This is different for every surrogacy relationship.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting wants everyone to have a fulfilling and comfortable experience.  We inquire in the initial questionnaires for surrogates and intended parents about anticipated post-birth contact and try to match you with intended parents that share your expectations and foresee a similar post-birth relationship as you do. 

How involved is Surrogacy Journey Consulting once the match is completed and the cycle starts? 

Surrogacy Journey Consulting is here with you every step of the way!  We are happy to facilitate conversations, set up monitoring sites, coordinate travel and accommodations when you travel for transfer or anything else that will help the process run more smoothly.  We never want you to feel overwhelmed or like you don’t know the next steps –Surrogacy Journey Consulting will be your resource and advocate the whole time.

What kind of support does Surrogacy Journey Consulting offer to their surrogates?

Surrogacy Journey Consulting is here to support you in every way from the first contact through delivery and completion of the surrogacy relationship.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting respects the incredible commitment you make to help build families.  Our goal is make the surrogacy process seamless, enjoyable and gratifying. 

Does Surrogacy Journey Consulting issue 1099s to their surrogates? 

Surrogacy Journey Consulting does NOT issue 1099s to their surrogates.  We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a tax professional with regard to tax treatment of payments received under the surrogacy contract.

How do I apply to be a surrogate with Surrogacy Journey Consulting?

Get in touch with us here [contact us link] and we will contact you within 24 hours about the next steps.

Can I be a surrogate if I am single?

Absolutely!  Surrogacy Journey Consulting does not consider your relationship status in determining whether you can be a surrogate.

Can I travel while I am pregnant as a surrogate?

It depends.  During the process of negotiating your contract with the intended parents, you will discuss travel.  Travel is likely to be limited towards the end of your pregnancy and in the event your obstetrician recommends that you not travel. 

Would the surrogate pregnancy be covered under my insurance?

It depends.  Some insurances will cover a surrogate pregnancy.  In that case, the intended parents will pay all out of pocket expenses you incur during the pregnancy and delivery.  If your insurance does not cover a surrogate pregnancy, the intended parents will purchase insurance for the pregnancy.  We will review your insurance policy to determine whether your policy can be used or a separate policy would need to be purchased.

Will the baby be covered under my insurance?

No, the intended parents will place the baby on their insurance at birth or will purchase coverage for the baby if they are not able to have the baby covered under their insurance immediately at birth.

Does my partner need to undergo medical and psychological screenings?  Why?

Yes, your partner will need to undergo infectious disease, criminal background and psychological screening along with you.  Infectious disease screening is required because your partner could transmit any infectious diseases they may carry to you.  Psychological screening is required because your partner’s support of you being a surrogate and understanding of the commitment involved in the surrogacy process is very important. 

Why should I work with an agency rather than complete a fully independent journey?

Surrogacy arrangements are complex and have lots of moving parts.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting will provide guidance and support through the screening and matching process as well as through the embryo transfer cycle and pregnancy.   We are here to help you with any questions or issues that may arise at any point in the process.  We will also work with an escrow agent to manage payments and reimbursements to you from the intended parents.  Even if you have matching independently, Surrogacy Journey Consulting can help ensure that all the details involved are addressed and nothing is missed or overlooked.

Can I work with Surrogacy Journey Consulting if I already found intended parents? 

Absolutely! Even if you have matching independently, Surrogacy Journey Consulting can help ensure that all the details involved are addressed and nothing is missed or overlooked.

Surrogate Requirements

Are there age restrictions for being a surrogate?

Yes, Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s surrogates generally need to be between 21 and 42 years old.  We occasionally make exceptions in certain circumstances.

Does a surrogate need to have a prior full-term delivery?  Why?

Yes, Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s surrogates need to have had at least one prior full-term pregnancy and delivery.  We consider a “full term” pregnancy to be delivery at 37+ weeks.  This requirement allows us to evaluate whether you have been able to carry a pregnancy to full term without any complications for yourself or the baby.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting will review your medical records from your pregnancy(s) and delivery(s) to determine whether it appears that you could undergo another pregnancy and delivery safely.  If you have had a prior multiple pregnancy, please contact us to talk about what is considered “full term.”

Is there a BMI or weight requirement for a surrogate?

Yes, Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s surrogates must have a BMI between 18 and 32.  Being at a healthy weight for your height is important for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.  You can check your BMI by using this calculator: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm.  Your BMI will be confirmed during your pre-screening medical visits.

What is a “high risk” pregnancy or delivery that would prevent me from being a surrogate?

Whether a prior pregnancy or delivery is “high-risk” and whether that might prevent you from being a surrogate really depends on exactly what complications you and/or the baby experienced.  Please contact us to discuss your circumstances in more detail.  It is likely that we will need to review your medical records.  If you do not already have those records, the first step would be to contact your doctor’s office and request them.

Can I be a surrogate if I used to be a smoker?

Maybe.  Please contact us about to discuss your circumstances in more detail.

Can I be a surrogate if I have a child with a genetic condition?

Probably.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s surrogates have no genetic relationship to the baby they carry and, therefore, do not contribute any genes to the baby.  Please contact us to discuss your circumstances in more detail.

Can I be a surrogate if I have had tubal ligation?

Maybe.  We will need to review your medical records to determine what type of tubal ligation procedure you had done.  Please contact us to review your exact circumstances.  If you do not know what type of procedure you had done, the first step would be to request your records from the doctor that performed the procedure.

Can I be a surrogate if I am still breast feeding?

Not yet, but you are welcome to start the process of reviewing your eligibility to be a surrogate and could proceed with matching with intended parents after your child is fully weaned.

Our Matching Process

How does Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s matching process work? 

Surrogacy Journey Consulting’s matching process gathers information from the questionnaires submitted by you and the intended parents, as well as our experience talking to you throughout the process.  All of that information is then used to propose a mutual match.  Our goal is to find a great “fit” - where you and the intended parents have similar goals and expectations for your surrogacy experience.

Does the surrogate get to pick the intended parents?

We like to think of the surrogate and the intended parents as picking each other!  All surrogates and intended parents working with Surrogacy Journey Consulting have profiles.  We review those profiles in detail and suggest matches based on our experience talking to you and to the intended parents.  Our goal is to collaborate with you and the intended parents in finding a great match.  Intended parents only review one surrogate profile at a time and surrogates only review one intended parents’ profile at a time.  If both parties like the profiles and want to proceed to the next step, Surrogacy Journey Consulting will coordinate and facilitate a phone call for everyone to “meet” each other.  No surrogate would ever be forced to proceed with intended parents unless she was completely comfortable with them.

Legal Considerations

While we have included some commonly asked questions here, Surrogacy Journey Consulting does not provide legal services or legal advice.  Surrogacy relationships are memorialized in a contract.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting strongly encourages all surrogates to address any and all legal questions with their lawyer during the process of negotiating their surrogacy contract.

Who will prepare the contract between the surrogate and the intended parents?

The intended parents will select a lawyer to prepare the first draft of the contract.

Will I have my own lawyer?

Yes, the intended parents will pay for your lawyer to review and negotiate the surrogacy contract.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting will help you find a lawyer in the state where you live to review and negotiate the contract.

How much are surrogates paid?

In general, first time surrogates are paid between $30,000 and $35,000.  The exact amount is influenced by various factors and your surrogacy contract will detail your payment amount and schedule.

When does a surrogate get paid?

Your payment schedule will be detailed in your surrogacy contract.  In general, there are fixed payments associated with the prep cycle and the embryo transfer cycle.  Payments for the pregnancy usually begin with confirmation of pregnancy and then occur monthly, ending at delivery.  However, this is just a generalization and you should discuss the payment schedule with your attorney while you are negotiating your surrogacy contract.

What is the difference between payments and reimbursements?

Payments are contracted amounts paid on a specific schedule to compensate you for carrying a surrogate pregnancy.  Reimbursements repay your expenses incurred as a result of carrying a surrogate pregnancy, such as doctor co-pays.  The guidelines for how and when to submit your reimbursements will be outlined in your surrogacy contract.

Why use an escrow account? 

After you are matched, Surrogacy Journey Consulting will contract with an escrow agent to disburse your compensation and reimbursements according to the terms of the surrogacy contract.  The escrow agent will also make sure the escrow account remains properly funded by the intended parents.  An escrow account is the best way to ensure that everyone’s interests are protected and a third party oversees disbursements in accordance with the contract.

How long does the escrow account stay open? 

The escrow account will be held open for a period of approximately six months after the birth of the baby. This allows time for submission of all bills associated with the baby’s birth and any post-partum compensation provided for in the surrogacy contract, i.e. time off from work for recovery. The escrow account may be held open for a longer or shorter time depending on your individual circumstances and the terms of your contract.

Embryo Transfer Process

Will I undergo an IVF cycle?

You will only undergo the part of the cycle where your uterus is prepared for embryo transfer.  You will not undergo stimulation of your ovaries or egg retrieval.

What medications will I have to take?

Your exact medications will be determined by the doctor.  You will likely take medications to control the timing of your menstrual cycle and to help your uterine lining thicken and prepare for embryo implantation.  Following embryo transfer, you will take progesterone to help support the pregnancy.  Your medication protocol will be fully explained to you before you begin any medications.  Medications are usually a combination of pills and shots.

How will I get my medications?

Most likely, medications will be ordered from a specialty pharmacy and delivered to you. Some of your medications may be called into a local pharmacy. 

Will I have to give myself shots?

Probably.  Some medications need to be administered via injection.  You can administer medications yourself or have a partner or friend help you with injections.

What if I have questions about my monitoring or medications?

A nurse from the clinic will tell you which medications to take when, when to go into your local monitoring facility and when you can anticipate needing to travel for embryo transfer.

Will I have to travel for treatment?

Maybe.  After you are matched with intended parents, you will go to their clinic to meet with the doctor.  You may also complete the evaluation of your uterus and/or your psychological screening at that time.  The intended parents will pay your travel expenses.  You may need to be seen by a doctor for a mock cycle (to make sure that your uterus responds well to the medications that will be used during the actual cycle) and definitely during your actual transfer cycle.  You will need to be seen every couple of days for bloodwork and ultrasound.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting will help you locate a clinic near you for these visits.  You will travel to the intended parents’ clinic for embryo transfer but can then return to your clinic for post-transfer and early pregnancy monitoring until you are released to your obstetrician. 

Do I have to monitor at the same clinic where I am doing the embryo transfer?

No.  Surrogacy Journey Consulting will help you find a local clinic that can provide monitoring before and after transfer.

Can I pick my obstetrician or midwife for delivery?

During the process of negotiating your contract with the intended parents, you will discuss who will provide your obstetrical care and where you will deliver.