No, they are not. The embryo(s) that are transferred to our gestational carriers are created in IVF using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors.

Most surrogates are required to travel. Travel usually includes one time for the medical screening by the fertility clinic, and a second time for the embryo transfer.  Some clinics will allow outside monitoring, in which case, the surrogate will only need to travel once for the embryo transfer. Of course, there are instances where the surrogate  lives near the fertility clinic, and no travel is required.  However, many surrogacy arrangements require out of state travel.

No, the intended parents are responsible for paying for or reimbursing you for all approved surrogacy related expenses.  

Yes. You are always in control of who you match with. We have families of all kinds who are looking for gestational carriers, including married heterosexual and homosexual couples, single parents, domestic and foreign couples, parents who are having their first child and those looking to grow or complete their family.

Surrogates get to meet the baby before the baby is discharged from the hospital. Many surrogates also continue to be in contact with the parents and receive updates regarding the child long after its birth. 

Ultimately, it is up to you, the parents, the contacts you sign, as well as the relationship you establish with them during your surrogacy journey. 

Generally, it takes approximately 12-15 months from the time that you apply with our agency to the time you deliver. Of course, this is highly variable and depends upon many factors including how on top of the intake process you are, negotiations regarding the surrogacy agreement, the fertility clinic schedule and more.

Surrogates typically make between $45,000-$70,000 after accounting for their main pregnancy distribution as well as bonuses for things like previous surrogacies, embryo transfers, and more. 

There isn’t necessarily one thing that makes a good surrogate, but good surrogates are usually:

• Mature 
• Reliable and responsive 
• Have a strong birthing record (previous births with no complications)
• Have a supportive family
• Have a profound desire to help others

Surrogates help all family types.  Domestic and international. Heterosexual and homosexual. Married and Single. Those looking to have their first child and those looking to expand their family. And just about every other difference imaginable with one thing uniting them all, the profound desire for a baby in their life.

When you start your journey as a surrogate, you are entering a strange new world with a lot at stake so it’s important for you to choose your surrogacy agency carefully.  

Dozens of top fertility clinics refer intended parents to Surrogate Steps for a number of reasons. 

• We have top quality surrogates: our surrogates are screened using the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s surrogacy standards by trained medical professionals before they are ever sent to clinics for approval. 
• Compassionate and highly experienced surrogate and parent coordinators: each and every one of our staff members is a repeat surrogate meaning they’ve successfully completed multiple surrogacy journeys. That means you’ll have a compassionate, empathetic, and highly experienced guide you can lean on at every step of the way.
• Attorney Directed: Surrogate steps is directed by one of the leading legal experts in reproductive and surrogacy law, Yifat Shaltiel. As an attorney directed agency, our ethical standards are set high so you know you’ll always be treated fairly and honestly.
• Fair and Competitive Compensation: You paid a competitive base salary of $40,000 with bonuses for major steps along the way including medical and legal clearance, medication start, completion of embryo transfer, maternity clothing bonus, health/gym club membership fees, nutrition courses, lost wages, lost wages for partner, life insurance, and so much more.
• We are a Licensed Surrogacy Agency: surrogacy agencies are highly unregulated and are not required to be licensed, and lack checks and balances to ensure that surrogates are fully informed and that their rights are fully protected. Surrogate Steps is a fully licensed agency. 

All of this means our surrogates are HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY that they chose to work with Surrogate Steps. In fact, over 80% of our surrogates come back to pursue additional surrogacies.

Absolutely, we believe everyone, including singles, deserves a chance to be a parent and often makes some of the best parents around!

Absolutely.  Generally, we present you with surrogates one at a time. If you don’t like them, we will show you another profile. If you like them, we will schedule a time for a match meeting for you to meet your surrogate. Both you and the surrogate will have an independent, but final say as to whether you would like to work together.

No, there is no one definition of what a parent looks like. We allow people of all different backgrounds and demographics to become parents through surrogacy.

The process to ensure you get to keep your baby starts with our team coordinating and matching you with a surrogate in a state where the necessary legal work to finalize your parental rights can be accomplished. 

You will also need to have wills in place prior to the embryo transfer that ensures a guardian is in place to care for your children in the event of your death. 

Once you are matched, we will draft the gestational carrier agreement for you, which will then be negotiated between you and your independent attorney and the surrogate and their independent attorney. 

Once the surrogate commences the second trimester of pregnancy, you will work with your attorney to commence and ensure your paternity rights. This will ensure that you are recognized as legal parents of your child and that you are able to make all medical and legal decisions on behalf of your child commencing at birth. 

Yes, everything will be worked out with the hospital and other required entities prior to the birth of your child so that you will be able to take your baby home directly from the hospital.

Absolutely, you will be in direct contact with your surrogate throughout the journey and encouraged to establish a strong connection with your surrogate. Establishing a bond with your surrogate is one of the most important and special aspects of you becoming a parent through surrogacy. Many intended parents are in daily contact with their surrogates, whereas others find the time to connect about once a week.

Generally, it takes approximately 15-18 months from the time that you apply with our agency to the time you hold your baby in your arms.