Complete Surrogacy Process Guide
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Who Qualifies to Become a Surrogate?
Surrogacy may be right for you if you meet the following basic requirements:
You enjoy helping others in a meaningful way
You are between 20.5 and 39.5 years old
You have given birth to at least one child of your own
Your BMI is under 32
You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in one of these states:
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY
What Happens If You Qualify?
If you meet the basic requirements, you’re ready to begin your surrogacy journey — and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
Here’s what comes next:
You’ll receive a call or email from our team to go over the next steps and answer any initial questions you have.
We’ll schedule your screening — including medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations — all at no cost to you.
Once approved, you’ll be matched with intended parents and begin preparing for the embryo transfer.
Throughout the process, you’ll be cared for by our dedicated surrogate support team — from your first call to the moment you help bring new life into the world.
“Just completed my first journey with Physician’s Surrogacy and this has been the most amazing experience for myself and my husband. Physician’s Surrogacy made this process so smooth and enjoyable. I was always being checked on and felt like I could ask any questions or voice any concerns. Ileska and Ivory were my case managers and they were absolutely amazing, and extremely supportive.”
— Physician’s Surrogacy Surrogate Mother
See If You Qualify — It Only Takes 2 Minutes
What If You Don’t Qualify?
Even if surrogacy isn’t the right f it for you right now, you can still make a life-changing impact.
Through the Physician’s Surrogacy Referral Program, you can help another woman begin her journey — and receive a reward when she completes hers.
Be an Advocate
Support our mission to change lives and create families. Every referral helps someone take the first step.
Earn Up to $1,000 Per Referral
Get rewarded for every successful referral — our way of saying thank you for making an impact.
Need more information?
General Information About Surrogacy | Physician Surrogacy
Yes. We believe single mothers are just as capable of being Surrogates as a married woman. If you are single, it is very important that you have some type of support system in place. You should assure it prior to committing to any Surrogate program.
Whether you have insurance or not, the Intended Parents will purchase Surrogate-specific insurance for you. The plan lasts for the duration of your pregnancy. Our accounting department will be handling all medical bills.
If you are uncertain about the laws in your state regarding surrogacy, please fill out an application. Then, you will see for yourself whether you would qualify based on the state you live in. You will get a response instantly after submitting your application.
- Surrogacy is a medical process, which is why we believe that you should have full medical support during your pregnancy. While other agencies are managed by previous Surrogates or past Intended Parents, we are an OB managed agency. Former Surrogates and past Intended Parents may understand the emotional aspects of surrogacy. However, they often lack the clinical background and business skills to manage the complexities of a pregnancy process.
- We pay the highest compensation for first-time Surrogates in the industry. Many other agencies advertise high compensation amounts. However, you will find out after going through their application process that the advertised amount is not what you will be getting in hand. We are very transparent about the compensation structure. We make sure that you understand from the beginning what your financial situation will be during this journey with us. Transparency is crucial when it comes to money, and our approach gives you financial clarity from the start.
Your name and your husband/spouse’s name will NOT be on the birth certificate. The Intended Parents will be the ones who will have full parental rights to the baby. Thus, it will be their names that appear on the birth certificate.
Your name and your husband/spouse’s name will NOT be on the birth certificate. The Intended Parents will be the ones who will have full parental rights to the baby. Thus, it will be their names that appear on the birth certificate.
Process of Surrogate’s Pregnancy | Physician Surrogacy
In most cases, long-distance travel will only be required for medical screening and embryo transfer, during the initial stages of the fertility treatment. Once you are near the end of your first trimester, you will be released to your local OB doctor who will continue your medical care throughout the rest of your pregnancy. The location you will be required to travel to will be determined by the clinic location your intended parents have selected to store their embryos.
The intended parents that you are matched with will pay any traveling expenses related to your surrogacy.
Our Surrogate mothers need to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of the life that is growing inside of them. During this process, we ask you to stay in regular communication with us and inform us of any appointments or pregnancy-related questions.
- Initially, we will arrange for a preliminary blood work screening at a facility near your home.
- Once you have successfully passed the initial blood work screening, the next step will be a comprehensive medical screening which will include a pelvic exam, ultrasound, additional blood work, and cultures for sexually transmitted diseases and toxic substances. If applicable, you will be given lab orders for your partner to also have blood work screening for STDs and toxic substances.
- Once medically, psychologically and legally cleared, an IVF cycle calendar will then be created with important dates and prescription medications. Our physician’s office will go over in detail the names of the medications, instructions on use, and side effects. It is important to note that once injections begin, the surrogate must abstain from sexual intercourse. During the cycle, but prior to the actual embryo transfer, you will be required to go to the doctor’s office for vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork at least one to two times per week. It is vital that you attend these appointments and take the medications as instructed by your physician.
- The embryo transfer happens approximately four weeks after the start of injectable medications. The transfer itself is about a ten-minute procedure. The embryos are placed in fluid in a syringe with a small catheter tube. The catheter is put through the cervix and into the uterus where the embryo is transferred. You will be required to be on bed rest for 24-72 hours depending on the physician’s protocol. While on bed rest, it is important to remain calm and still to give the embryos the best possible chance for taking. Follow up appointments for blood work between the transfer and the pregnancy test will occur to monitor hormone levels.
- A pregnancy blood test will be done twelve to fourteen days after the transfer depending on how the calendar falls. There will be two blood tests and a heartbeat ultrasound to verify a positive pregnancy. Once you are pregnant you will continue your medications to ensure that the pregnancy will continue to grow. Once the pregnancy is stable (around 10-12 weeks) you will be instructed to stop the medications and begin to see your personal OB doctor for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Our agency makes sure that the power of attorneys is in place, well before the birth of the baby. This power of attorney gives a Newborn Care Nanny the legal guardianship rights and care for the baby until the Intended Parents are able to pick up the child. With the power of attorneys in place, Physician’s Surrogacy ensures that the Surrogates will never have to care for the baby after giving birth under any circumstances.
During the initial screening process, we will require a background check of anyone over the age of 18 that lives in your household. If you are married, both you and your spouse will need to sign the acceptance agreement. Also, we will be including it in your legal contract. During the medical screening process, your partner/spouse will have to provide a blood and urine sample. Your partner will play a significant role as part of your support team during your surrogacy journey.
The amount of contact varies case by case. Contact is determined by the Surrogate Mother and the Intended Parent(s)’s preferences identified during the matching process. Some cultures are a little more closed off than others; however, the relationship and communication develops as the journey progresses.
Medical Care During My Pregnancy | Physician Surrogacy
Yes, provided that your OB accepts the health insurance utilized for the pregnancy. Together, you and the Intended Parents will decide upon the physician that cares for you during pregnancy. Many Surrogates use the physician that delivered their own children.
Yes! You can still fulfill the qualifications for gestational surrogacy. The process does not use fallopian tubes. Instead, the embryo(s) are placed directly into the Surrogate’s uterus during the embryo transfer phase.
After the first trimester, your physician will release you to your local OB doctor. Your local OB will oversee your medical care for the remainder of your pregnancy. If you need a new OB doctor, then we can provide you with recommendations. You will be able to deliver at a hospital that is local to you.
Surrogacy has the same risks as a regular pregnancy. There are no additional risks with a Surrogate pregnancy. Given that, please consult with your OB to talk about normal pregnancy risks.
Our BMI requirement is 32 but if you are close to it, we are happy to assist with weight loss support. The Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has established guidelines on Surrogate BMI (below 34) to reduce the risk of complications or Gestational Diabetes. Most IVF centers also have their own BMI requirements, which typically range from 28 – 34.
Gestational Surrogates need to prepare their bodies for the embryo transfer. You will require injections in order to help your uterus accept the embryo. The medical team will help you throughout your injectable period by providing a calendar with a clear timetable and dosages. Generally, you will have to take the injections through the first trimester.
Type of Compensation Structure | Physician Surrogacy
No, the Surrogate Mother does not bear any cost of this process. The Intended Parents will pay for and handle all the medical expenses, Surrogate Mother benefits, legal fees, and travel expenses.
Employed Surrogates may be entitled to lost wages through the state. We realize this may be a factor. So, we have decided to include a stipend for lost wages at the outset. We believe whether you need it or not, the money should be there. Also, we leave it up to you how to best allocate those funds. Should you need to file with the EDD, we leave that to your discretion. Although your compensation package includes lost wages, this does not preclude you from filing directly with EDD for lost wage benefits.
All funds related to your surrogacy will be held in a trust account that is managed by or an experienced escrow company, so that all monies due for your Surrogate fees and reimbursement of related expenses are paid in a timely manner. All financial matters will be handled by the surrogacy agency, removing this component from your relationship with the Intended Parents.
- What are the advantages of this type of compensation structure?
This compensation structure fosters a groundbreaking concept in which all parties mutually benefit.
- For Surrogates:
Our Surrogates receive more payment with a fixed compensation package than with a line item package.
Surrogates are paid more upfront during the beginning of their journey. In most cases, our Surrogates can earn $4-5k+ even before confirmation of pregnancy (COP).
Less tedious paperwork: we eliminate the need for submitting miscellaneous expenses such as childcare, mileage, pay stubs and instead entrust you with the reimbursement of your expenses.
- For Intended Parents:
Straightforward compensation – they know upfront what they will have to pay and can plan accordingly. Takes into consideration the additional expenses incurred such as travel and monitoring expenses in different regions.
To be considered employed, you must have a gross annual income of $15,000. Employment is verified by pay stubs and/or a tax return.
- Once you complete your online application, a Surrogate coordinator will contact you to discuss the surrogacy journey in more detail. He/She will provide you with a more detailed explanation of our compensation package. You will find the general compensation information on this page.
- Our compensation structure ensures our Surrogates receive an absolute, fixed amount as their payment. We want prospective Surrogates to learn all facets of the journey. They should also know that their unique situation will translate to a clear, financial end result.
For local Surrogates, travel and other expenses are much less for the Intended Parents. It is because of the proximity of the local Surrogates to our Southern California location. Additionally, as does the cost of living, average surrogacy compensation also varies greatly from state to state.