Gestational Surrogates
Make a Dream Come True
As a surrogate, you’re helping those struggling to grow their family have the child of their dreams.
A Beautiful Experience
There’s nothing quite like being a surrogate and giving the gift of life. Most say being a surrogate was the best and most significant experience of their life.
Generous Compensation
While it’s not often the #1 reason people become surrogates, you are compensated generously, usually between $45,000 and $70,000.
Fast Facts
- Traditional Surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own eggs and is thus genetically related to the child.
We do NOT do this.
- Gestational Surrogacy
In gestational surrogacy, an embryo is created using IVF technology from someone else’s egg which is later transferred into the surrogate’s uterus and carried through pregnancy.
We do this.
- Terms for Involved Parties
Surrogate, gestational surrogates, carrier, and gestational carrier all mean the same thing; we use them interchangeably. The people you carry the pregnancy for are usually referred to as Intended Parents (IPs) or sometimes just parents.
- Not Genetically Related
As Gestational Surrogates, our surrogates do NOT use their own DNA (eggs) for the babies they carry and are thus NOT genetically related to the baby they carry and deliver.
- $$$$$$
Our surrogates are paid throughout the entirety of the process. Payments start after medical clearance and continue at regular intervals until delivery. Most surrogates take home $45,000-$70,000.
- The Choice is Yours
Surrogates have the final say as to whom they are matched with, meaning you’ll never be carrying a pregnancy for someone you’re uncomfortable with.
- Farewell
Surrogates must hand the baby over to the intended parents. Surrogates feel a great deal of pride in acting as a surrogate and are especially happy when they see the parents hold their child for the first time, which would not be possible without the generous help of the surrogate, who made it all possible by giving the gift of life. Surrogates do get to meet the baby and say goodbye. Many of our surrogates develop a great relationship with the parents and continue to get updates regarding the baby long after their surrogacy journey is completed.
What our Team Says About Being a Surrogate
Being a surrogate has meant so much to me. It makes me so proud that I can help someone in such a big way.
Being a surrogate is by far one of the proudest things I’ve ever done in my life, next to having my own children; seeing the parents hold their babies for the first time absolutely melted my heart. I do not feel there is any larger gift to give to anyone.
I am a helper. So in my heart, it was just as much a gift to me having my IPs chose me to carry their precious babies as it was for them. They made my dreams come true too!
Surrogate Requirements
Surrogacy is a truly beautiful experience, but there is a lot at stake, so there are strict requirements to act as a gestational carrier with surrogate steps. Here are the requirements to become a surrogate:
- Age
You must be between the ages of 23 and 41. Maturity is key.
- No Drug or Alcohol Abuse
You must have no history of alcohol or illicit drug abuse.
- No Tobacco and Marijuana Use
You must be free of tobacco, marijuana, vaping, or any smoking for a minimum of 6 months.
- Proven Birth Record
You must have a minimum of one child who was born without pregnancy or delivery complications. Experienced surrogates get an extra 5K in compensation per previous successful surrogacy.
- Good Health
You must be in good health. You’ll need to obtain medical clearance for pregnancy from your OBGYN and pass a reproductive health exam by a fertility doctor. Don’t worry, we’ll help coordinate all of this.
- Strong Support Network
Surrogates must have support of their family. If married or in a long term relationship, the surrogate must have their partner’s support.
- Willingness to Travel
Surrogates must be willing to travel and be away from home for multiple days at a time without their children. On average, surrogates are away from home for 3-6 days.
- Government Assistance
Surrogates may not receive section 8 housing.
- Surrogate Friendly State
Gestational Carriers may not live in Nebraska, Louisiana, or Michigan.
- Valid State ID or Drivers License
All gestational carriers must have a current driver’s license or government ID.
- No Criminal Record
You cannot have any criminal history record.
Meet Some of Our Real Surrogates
I appreciate all the Surrogate Steps team has done to help me through this journey. I have never once felt alone or out of place.
I have been working with surrogate steps for the past few years now. They are all so wonderful and have helped me every step of the way.
Surrogate Steps made it such an easy process from start to finish. They made sure everything was set up from traveling, hotels, embryo transfer, legal, and escrow accounts to delivery. Most of all they treated me like family even after my journey was over, it was like being part of a forever sisterhood.
Surrogate Steps made it such an easy process from start to finish. They made sure everything was set up from traveling, hotels, embryo transfer, legal, and escrow accounts to delivery. Most of all they treated me like family even after my journey was over, it was like being part of a forever sisterhood.
Surrogate Compensation
In addition to the above compensation, all required long-distance (greater than 50 miles) travel expenses will be purchased ahead or reimbursed for the carrier and their companion (ie. hotel, plane/train tickets, gas/car mileage). The carrier will also have a life insurance policy with a minimum benefit of $750,000.00 for a beneficiary designated by the Gestational Carrier and will also have all surrogacy-related healthcare expenses covered, including health insurance premiums and deductibles.
Who Do Surrogates Help?
Surrogates can help just about anyone who needs help bringing a child into this world. In the world of surrogacy, all people gestational surrogates help are called Intended Parents (IPs). IPs come from various backgrounds but often fall into one or more of the below demographics:
- Infertility
1 in 8 couples suffer from infertility and may not be able to get pregnant or carry a child to term.
- Pregnancy Loss
5 out of every 1000 women suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss and may not be able to carry a child to term.
- LGBTQIA+
All couples without female reproductive organs often need the help of surrogacy to have a child.
- Hysterectomy
Those with a hysterectomy need a surrogate to have a biological child.
- Single Dads
Using a surrogate is the only way a single father to be can have a biological child.
- Other Medical Conditions
There are a number of medical conditions which make carrying a pregnancy impossible or too dangerous to consider.
- Unique Living Situations
Some may require a surrogate to carry a child due to unique living situations.
Meet Some Real Parents We’ve Helped
Thank you for my two amazing miracles and for helping me achieve my dream to be a dad! Your dedicated team made all the difference, and I will forever be grateful to you!
Yifat listened to our concerns, and her and her team worked diligently to find us a match. Although it took some time, our ultimate match was perfect for our family and we are forever grateful for our carrier and the support Yifat and the team provided at all points along our journey. We highly recommend the Surrogate Steps family.
Working with Surrogate Steps was straightforward, easy, and professional. They facilitated key elements of the process, and perhaps most importantly, connected us to an amazing GC with whom we remain good friends.
Yifat listened to our concerns, and her and her team worked diligently to find us a match. Although it took some time, our ultimate match was perfect for our family and we are forever grateful for our carrier and the support Yifat and the team provided at all points along our journey. We highly recommend the Surrogate Steps family.
The Process of Being a Surrogate
Surrogacy is a life-changing experience for all involved. We works with you at every step, navigating the process, answering your questions, providing resources and referrals, and ensuring your comfort. These are the surrogate steps.
- step 1Surrogate Applications
- Step 2Surrogacy Education & Consent Requests
- Step 3Intended Parent Profile Review & Matching
- Step 4Final Eligibility Screening
- Step 5Gestational Carrier Agreement
- Step 6Embryo Transfer
- Step 7Pregnancy Confirmation
- Step 8Pregnancy
- Step 9Delivery
Tips from our Team
Stand up for yourself and ensure your independent lawyer writes into the contracts what you want, it might not get approved, but it will be discussed, and a compromise will be made. Also, it’s important for the surrogate to know they’re not responsible for fees associated with surrogacy.
NEVER do it just for the money; you will never get rich off this. Please make sure that your own family is complete. You never know if it will be your last pregnancy due to a complication. Have a good support system.
Research all you can so you know what to expect going into this. Also, have your specific journey in mind. What does it look like, and what do you want from it? Who do you want to help, what things are important to you in the journey, and when is it over?
The Surrogate Steps Promise
- Guaranteed Compensation
Parents will fully fund an escrow account so you can be confident that you’ll get paid.
- Birthing Choice
You’ll give birth with the doctor and hospital of your choice and have say whether or not the parents are allowed in the room with you.
- No Out of Pocket Costs
Parents cover all necessary surrogacy related expenses with extras to improve your quality of life.
- Ethical Guidance
Rest easy knowing we are a licensed surrogacy agency guided by a practicing reproductive and surrogacy law attorney in an otherwise unregulated industry.
- Personalized and Knowledgeable Support
We work very closely with each and every one of our surrogates. You will be paired with one of our journey coordinators to guide you every step of the way throughout your journey. Our coordinators have all been surrogates themselves multiple times, and are very passionate and knowledgeable about surrogacy and are very excited to work with you.
