Surrogate Mothers
Become a Surrogate
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Make a Dream Come True
As a surrogate, you’re helping those struggling to grow their family have the child of their dreams.
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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.
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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 about Becoming a Surrogate
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Traditional Surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own eggs and is thus genetically related to the child.
We do NOT do this.
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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.
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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.
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Not Genetically Related
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.
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$$$$$$
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.
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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.
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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
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Being a surrogate has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It has given me the chance to be a part of something immensely special with two families and the amazing feeling of seeing their faces the moment they met their babies is something I cannot even put into words.
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!
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Being a surrogate has meant so much to me. It makes me so proud that I can help someone in such a big way.
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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.
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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:
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Age
You must be between the ages of 23 and 41. Maturity is key.
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No Drug or Alcohol Abuse
You must have no history of alcohol or illicit drug abuse.
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No Tobacco and Marijuana Use
You must be free of tobacco, marijuana, vaping, or any smoking for a minimum of 6 months.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Government Assistance
Surrogates may not receive section 8 housing.
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Surrogate Friendly State
Gestational Carriers may not live in Nebraska, Louisiana, or Michigan.
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Valid State ID or Drivers License
All gestational carriers must have a current driver’s license or government ID.
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No Criminal Record
You cannot have any criminal history record.
Meet Some of Our Real Surrogates
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My surrogacy journey was amazing and I am so grateful to have helped such a wonderful family. Thank you!
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.
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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.
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 $250,000.00 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:
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Infertility
1 in 8 couples suffer from infertility and may not be able to get pregnant or carry a child to term.
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Pregnancy Loss
5 out of every 1000 women suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss and may not be able to carry a child to term.
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LGBTQIA+
All couples without female reproductive organs often need the help of surrogacy to have a child.
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Hysterectomy
Those with a hysterectomy need a surrogate to have a biological child.
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Single Dads
Using a surrogate is the only way a single father to be can have a biological child.
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Other Medical Conditions
There are a number of medical conditions which make carrying a pregnancy impossible or too dangers to consider.
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Unique Living Situations
Some may require a surrogate to carry a child due to unique living situations.
Meet Some Real Parents We’ve Helped
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The Surrogate Steps team is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They’ve been right there beside me through every step of this journey.
I want to personally thank Surrogate Steps for everything they have done for me. Everyone there were my angels throughout this process!
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.
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I want to personally thank Surrogate Steps for everything they have done for me. Everyone there were my angels throughout this process!
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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!
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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.
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step 1Surrogate Applications
Your first official step in becoming a gestational surrogate is completing the primary surrogate application. Upon your submission, we will review your eligibility and invite you to complete a more detailed application.
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Step 2Surrogacy Education & Consent Requests
After reviewing your detailed application and determining you meet all the basic requirements of becoming a surrogate mother, we will discuss the details of our process and provide you with information and resources to prepare you for what lies ahead—emotionally, medically, and legally.
We will also send you documents for review and signature, including our Agency Consent, Compensation Package, and Medical Records Release. You will also be required to obtain and submit a medical clearance for pregnancy from your OBGYN. We must receive these documents back in order to continue with the process.
After reviewing all of your medical records and confirming that you are fit for pregnancy, we will begin the next phase of the surrogacy journey.
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Step 3Intended Parent Profile Review & Matching
The matching process begins with our matching team determining potential matching options based on various factors. Some of the factors we look at include the state in which you and your intended parents reside, whether you have insurance, along with various matching preferences defined by both you and the intended parents.
Once a potential match is found, redacted profiles (profiles with no identifying information) of the intended parents and surrogates will be exchanged. Should both parties express an interest in working together, we organize a video call for parties to meet.
After the match meeting and both parties give the final approval stating they would like to work together, the final evaluation and eligibility screening takes place.
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Step 4Final Eligibility Screening
After the match, you will go through a final three-pronged eligibility screening which includes medical screening by the fertility clinic, a background check, and a home study by a social worker. This often requires you to travel out of state for a day or two in order to be evaluated by the fertility clinic.
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Step 5Gestational Carrier Agreement
Once the match is successful, we will help you find an independent attorney experienced in reproductive law to represent you as you and the intended parents enter into a contract called the Gestational Carrier Agreement, sometimes also referred to as Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.
The contract details each party’s rights, obligations, intentions, and expectations in connection with their arrangement.
The contract addresses topics including the location of delivery, future contact between the parties, parental rights, custody rights, control over medical decisions during the pregnancy, intended parents’ presence during delivery, payment of medical bills, liability for medical complications, health and life insurance, and more. Financial considerations, including the carrier’s compensation and reimbursements, including lost wages, child care, legal fees, maternity clothes, and more, are also addressed in the gestational carrier agreement.
Your attorney will be paid for by the intended parents.
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Step 6Embryo Transfer
You will begin taking medication and then proceed with the embryo transfer. The embryo transfer is a doctor’s office “procedure” that involves inserting a thin catheter through your cervix and depositing the intended parent’s embryo into your uterus. Generally speaking, embryo transfer is not painful, and the entire process only lasts a minute or two.
Right after the embryo transfer procedure takes place, you are considered at least two weeks pregnant.
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Step 7Pregnancy Confirmation
Approximately ten days after the embryo transfer, you will undergo a blood test to confirm a pregnancy. Once confirmed, and approximately four weeks after the transfer, you will have your first ultrasound and confirm the baby’s heartbeat. You will begin receiving compensation for the pregnancy distribution based on the terms of your contract.
You will begin receiving compensation for the pregnancy distribution based on the terms of your contract, which typically starts at time of ultrasound heartbeat confirmation.
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Step 8Pregnancy
Enjoy your pregnancy! Surrogate Steps will continue to guide you throughout your pregnancy to ensure that you are receiving the support you need. Depending on the terms of your Gestational Carrier Agreement and your comfort level, the intended parents may accompany you to doctor visits and ultrasound appointments.
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Step 9Delivery
This is the joyous moment everyone has been waiting for. You are giving an amazing gift to the intended parents—one that will change their lives forever. They will spend time in the hospital with you, getting to know their new child.
Depending on the details of the Gestational Carrier Agreement and on your comfort level, the following may also occur at this time:
- You will meet and spend time with the baby.
- You can introduce the baby to your own family.
- Based on requests and the comfort level of all parties, you may pump breast milk so the Intended Parents can feed their baby breast milk.
Once the baby is ready to be discharged, the intended parents will take the baby to his or her new home, and you will receive your final compensation.
Tips from our Team
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Be honest with yourself, with your agency, and with your Intended Parents; be communicative and responsive and remember that this is a highly emotional and very personal journey that you’ve been entrusted with. That said, it can be the most rewarding and incredible experience.
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?
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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.
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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.
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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
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Guaranteed Compensation
Parents will fully fund an escrow account so you can be confident that you’ll get paid.
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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.
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No Out of Pocket Costs
Parents cover all necessary surrogacy related expenses with extras to improve your quality of life.
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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.
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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.
