Step-by-step explanations of the surrogacy journey, from the first consultation and screening through matching, legal and medical clearance, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.
Your spouse or partner may not have a legal veto over your body, but a responsible surrogacy program usually expects the household to understand and support the journey. A partner may be asked to join screening, complete a background check…
Being a surrogate for a friend or relative still requires full medical screening, psychological support, independent legal advice, insurance review, clear financial terms, and room to say no. Love and trust do not replace safeguards. They make clear boundaries even…
Some surrogate journeys require little out-of-town travel; others require several trips for screening, embryo transfer, specialist care, or delivery. The amount depends mainly on the fertility clinic, your location, whether monitoring can be local, the intended parents’ professionals, and medical…
Before becoming a surrogate, think about how appointments, travel, pregnancy, delivery, recovery, and the relationship with the intended parents will affect your own children. Children do not need every adult detail, but they do need simple truth, predictable care, and…
Short answer: A first surrogate consultation is a fact-finding conversation. You can ask about requirements, compensation, screening, matching, time, travel, and family support. You should leave with clear next steps. You do not need to apply or make a decision…
Short answer: In a thoughtful surrogacy program, matching should be mutual. A prospective surrogate can review information, meet intended parents, ask questions, and decide whether the match feels right. Intended parents also make a choice. Neither side should be pushed…
Yes, it may be possible to become a surrogate without an agency. This is often called independent surrogacy. But “independent” should not mean skipping medical screening, psychological evaluation, separate attorneys, insurance review, escrow, or clinic rules. The intended parents and…
Agencies and fertility clinics request surrogate medical records because a questionnaire cannot show exactly what happened during pregnancy, delivery, surgery, or recovery. Records help the medical team identify diagnoses, treatment, complications, birth details, and whether more information is needed. A…
Surrogate screening is a series of checks that helps the program, clinic, professionals, and you decide whether a journey is medically, emotionally, legally, and practically appropriate. It is not one test and it is not only about “passing.” The process…
A surrogate journey commonly takes about 12 to 24 months from first application through postpartum recovery. The pregnancy itself is only one stage. Records, screening, matching, legal work, insurance, clinic timing, embryo transfer, and unexpected delays can add months. Use…