Louisa H | American Surrogacy Blog

Surrogate Pregnancy Vs. Personal Pregnancy

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, then here’s everything you need to know about how a surrogate pregnancy compares to a personal pregnancy.

It’s common to wonder how a surrogate pregnancy compares to a personal pregnancy. Many potential surrogates ask if the experience is any different from when they carried their own children, especially when it comes to the emotional aspects of the process. Will I miss the baby? How can I go through the process without becoming attached?

These concerns are normal, but know that a surrogate pregnancy significantly differs from a personal pregnancy. Although there are some similarities in the process, here’s what you can expect from a surrogate pregnancy.

To learn more about the journey toward becoming a surrogate, check out this article.

Surrogate Pregnancy vs. Personal Pregnancy [3 Key Differences]

There are many differences between a surrogate pregnancy and a personal pregnancy. From emotional aspects to financial differences, we’ll help you understand everything you need to know to help you embark on a surrogate journey with confidence.

Physical Aspects

When you become a surrogate, there are certain surrogate requirements you must meet to qualify. Unlike a personal pregnancy, surrogate pregnancies often involve a screening process that ensures you’re prepared to complete a successful surrogacy journey. These surrogate requirements are meant to protect everyone involved, providing peace of mind as you navigate this journey.

Also, a gestational surrogate pregnancy often involves in-vitro fertilization to create embryos using the intended parents’ own genetic material or an egg donor’s. This means that as the surrogate, you won’t share any DNA with the baby like you would with a personal pregnancy.

Because the process uses IVF to achieve a pregnancy, there are also certain fertility medications you’ll need to take to prepare for the embryo transfer process. After becoming pregnant, the physical symptoms are similar to those that occur during a personal pregnancy.

Financial Aspects

Unlike personal pregnancies where you’re responsible for medical and pregnancy expenses, surrogate pregnancies include surrogate compensation that covers every step of your journey. You’ll also receive additional compensation that recognizes your commitment to helping a couple build their family.

First-time surrogates have the chance to earn $50,000-$90,000 while second-time surrogates can earn $60,000-$110,000. Although your cost of living and current income can affect how much you earn, our goal is to help you get the highest surrogate pay possible.

Mental and Emotional Aspects

Personal pregnancies come with a lot of preparation, from picking out names to getting the nursery ready. With a surrogate pregnancy, the emotional experience is completely different than if you were preparing to give birth to your own child. For some gestational carriers, the main focus becomes sharing all the important milestones with the intended parents.

Whether that’s facetiming during appointments or sending sonogram pictures, you’ll have a front row seat watching a family grow right before your eyes. If you happen to experience difficult emotions post-partum, your specialist will be there to help you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to become a surrogate or have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. With over 30 years of experience building families, we know what it takes to help you feel confident as you embark on this life-changing journey.

Surrogacy for Gay Parents: Celebrating Pride and Parenthood

Through the stories of surrogacy for gay parents that we’ve worked with, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy and the essence of family.

Family is more than just a biological connection. In today’s diverse and evolving society, stories of gay surrogacy demonstrate the power of love and determination in creating families. These heartfelt journeys of gay intended parents we’ve helped have the family of their dreams highlight the path through the surrogacy process to the joy of parenthood.

Each narrative is a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment and resilience, demonstrating how surrogacy turns dreams of parenthood into reality. Through these stories, we witness the profound impact of surrogacy, fostering acceptance, equality and the true essence of family.

To learn more about the process of surrogacy for gay parents, fill out our simple form.

Gay Surrogacy Stories from American Surrogacy

Michael and Viet’s Story

For Michael and Viet, becoming parents was the next step in their journey together as a couple. As they considered their family-building options, surrogacy stood out as a way to share a biological connection to their child.

“Surrogacy just gave us an opportunity to complete our family and it completely changed our lives,” says Viet. “We looked at adoption and at the time there was a two year waiting process and the fees were just about the same so we though why don’t we just go through surrogacy and have someone that is part of me in our family which was something we also really wanted.”

After meeting their surrogate, Alissandra, Michael knew she was the person who they wanted to help grow their family.

“The first meeting with our surrogacy Alissandra I definitely felt like it was an instant connection and it was an amazing match because the reasons why she wanted to this were very heartfelt,” says Michael.

It was as if their family grew by two through surrogacy. “After we started the whole process we just got really close and we were a family I felt,” Viet says.

The birth of Michael and Viet’s son through surrogacy fulfilled them in ways they never could have imagined. Viet recalls the first time he held his son.

“The birth of our son was amazing. Alissandra had just given birth and the nurses handed him to me and I just couldn’t believe after all the years and everything we went through that he was finally here. I was holding my little boy in my arms and he was perfect.”

“My son has filled a part of my existence and should and heart with a love that I just never knew existed,” Michael adds.

Watch more of their story here.

Nicholas’s Story

Surrogacy for gay parents isn’t limited to couples. Nicholas, a single gay man, wanted to have a family. Having a genetic connection to his child was important to him, but he worried that surrogacy wouldn’t be an option on his own.

“You first say, ‘Forget it; it’s too complicated, it’s too risky,” Nicholas says. “And then you start to talking to some people and understanding that it is possible to do so if you really want to, so then you have to sleep on it — and then one day realize this is not just an option, but you can do it.”

After finding American Surrogacy, Nicholas’s surrogacy specialist presented him with Nichole’s surrogate profile. Within moments of getting to know her, he knew she was the perfect fit. “We talked to each other, and it seemed really natural,” he remembers. “But what made me sure that Nichole was perfect was because she came across really genuine, and she wasn’t doing it for the money but truly to help.”

The day Julian, Nicholas’s son was born, was the day his life changed forever.

“I had been waiting for so long that… when I saw Julian, I was just completely overwhelmed,” Nicholas remembers. “It was such a wonderful experience to see Julian coming into our world.”

How American Surrogacy Facilitates Surrogacy for Gay Parents

For all of our intended parents, we work tirelessly to help them find the perfect surrogate match as soon as possible.

“Within a few weeks of making first contact, American Surrogacy told us we have a very, very strong match for you,” Michael remembers. “It was a really wonderful match. I wish all intended parents to have such a wonderful match like that.”

We help you find the right surrogate for you by showing you profiles of surrogates who possess the qualities you want in the person who will carry your child. We put the best interests of you and your future child at the forefront.

“You need someone that you’re going to trust to choose a surrogate for you, and American Surrogacy was the only agency I felt comfortable with and was genuine enough for me to choose over the other agencies,” Nicholas remembers. “I spoke to many surrogacy agencies — small and big — and none of them made me feel the way American Surrogacy made me feel.”

We’re here for you every step of the way throughout your surrogacy journey.

“The staff at American Surrogacy made our experience really good. We spoke to [our surrogacy specialist] and she was just comfortable to talk to,” says Viet. “She reassured us when we needed it. Every time we called her, she always answered the phone. They’re very supportive and invested in our process.”

“The whole thing is to truly find people like [my surrogacy specialist], who have experience, patience and care for what you go through,” says Nicholas. “This is such a wonderful journey because you realize you’re not alone, and it gets easier than you think.”

Whether you’re an LGBT couple or individual, parenthood is just in reach through our agency. If you’re ready to begin your journey or have questions about surrogacy for gay parents, contact us today.

Honoring Infertility Awareness Month [2024]

World Infertility Awareness Month sheds light on couples experiencing infertility, and the paths available to them that can make parenthood possible.

If you are currently coping with infertility, you are not alone. June is World Infertility Awareness Month; a month to acknowledge infertility issues while educating and raising awareness for something that affects roughly 1 in 6 people worldwide.

As a family-planning agency with over 40 years of experience, we’ve worked with many amazing couples and individuals who are coping with infertility and have helped them have the family they’ve waited so long for. To get infertility support, connect with us today.

What is Infertility Awareness Month?

World Infertility Awareness Month is celebrated every June to increase awareness regarding numerous infertility issues faced by couples across the globe. This includes problems related to female as well as male fertility. During this month, several myths regarding infertility are debunked, and a lot of options are brought forward to those who may want to conceive.

The purpose of the month is to instill a sense of unity and hope among those who may be experiencing infertility. If you’ve been trying to conceive, parenthood can still be possible for you through treatment, procedures or family-building options such as adoption and surrogacy.

Understanding Infertility

Before diving into coping with infertility grief, you should know what the different types of infertility are:

Primary infertility: You haven’t ever been pregnant before and can’t conceive after one year, or six months if you’re older than 35, of unprotected sexual intercourse. 1 in 5 women between the ages of 15-49 deal with primary infertility.
Secondary infertility: You can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy. About 1 in 20 women deal with secondary infertility.
Unexplained infertility: Medical appointments haven’t been able to determine why you can’t get pregnant.

There are many causes of infertility and your treatment may look different from someone else’s. Only a medical professional can determine the cause and help determine the best way to deal with infertility for your situation.

Coping With Infertility

Infertility impacts people differently, no matter if you’re experiencing primary infertility or trying to figure out how to cope with unexplained fertility.

But there are ways to help you deal with infertility to overcome this difficult process as you look to grow your family.

1. Share Your Feelings

For couples experiencing primary infertility, sharing your feelings, in a positive manner, with your partner and others can give you an open ear to talk to.

Your partner is learning how to cope with infertility too and it can be just as helpful for them as it is for you to realize you and your close circle of family and friends are there for them.

Whether you are utilizing an infertility counselor to talk through what you’re feeling or an infertility support group of others that are going through similar emotions, sharing your struggles can help you move forward.

2. Allow Yourself to Grieve, Feel Anger and Cry

You may have been dreaming about the family you envision for years. Coping with a secondary infertility can be painful, emotionally and physically.

Bottling up those emotions or hiding them to put on a brave face can lead to more emotional hurt down the road when the top eventually comes off.

Coping with infertility grief by expressing your emotions can be a healthy, cathartic way to help you move forward.

3. Stay in Touch With Your Partner

No matter if you’re a couple experiencing primary infertility, secondary infertility or unexplained fertility, its important to stay in touch with your partner.

The emotions you may be feeling and navigating are something your partner could be figuring out how to cope with too.

Being open, honest, strong and loving with each other can help you both deal with infertility together. Whether its talking to an infertility counselor or just planning a special night with each other, coping with infertility with each other can help you both navigate the emotions you feel.

If You’re Infertile Can You Use a Surrogate?

Depending on how long you have been dealing with infertility, you may wonder what other options you have. Surrogacy is an option for infertile couples or individuals particularly if you’ve exhausted medical options like in-vitro fertilization to try and become pregnant.

Only you can know if surrogacy is right for your situation but surrogacy for infertile couples is another option for you to grow your family. These questions can help determine if surrogacy could be right for you:

Are you ready to move on from your current infertility treatments?
Are you OK with not experiencing pregnancy?
Do you want someone else to carry your baby to term?
Do you have embryos left over from infertility treatments?
Are you and your partner on the same page about surrogacy?

These are all questions that require introspection and communication. If you don’t have the answers to these questions, that’s OK.

We have infertility counseling with someone trained in assisted reproductive technology that knows about the emotions you could be feeling and the different options you have moving forward. Infertility counseling can consist of:

Patient-centered care
Support counseling
Psychotherapy

If you’re interested in learning more about surrogacy as an option for infertile couples, our surrogacy specialists that can give you all the information needed to help you make the best decision for your situation. Contact us today.

Celebrating Mother’s Day On Your Surrogacy Journey

As an intended mother, celebrating Mother’s Day is a way to honor the love and determination you’ve dedicated to growing your family. But if you’re struggling with infertility or in the middle of your journey, there can be complicated emotions that surface. We’re here to help.

Mother’s Day is a day of celebration, but it can also be emotionally challenging for those who have not yet achieved their motherhood goals. Whether you’re experiencing infertility, in the middle of a surrogacy process or have had a child through surrogacy, your experience will be unique.

We celebrate mothers in all stages of their parenting journey. If you’re coping with infertility or in the middle of your journey and struggling with difficult emotions, you can contact us today for support.

Here’s how to make Mother’s Day positive, no matter where you are:

If You’re Struggling with Infertility

Women who are not yet mothers can find Mother’s Day particularly difficult. The images of happy mothers and children can be emotionally devastating when you desperately want to be a mom. Remember that your emotional well-being is essential. Here are some approaches:

Take a Break: If celebrating Mother’s Day feels too painful, it’s okay to sit it out. Do an activity unrelated to the holiday that brings you joy. Use your coping mechanisms to address your emotions.
Focus on Loved Ones: Shift the attention away from yourself by celebrating with your own mother and other family members. Sometimes, being around loved ones can help you forget your sadness and enjoy the day.

If You’re in the Surrogacy Process

Being in the middle of a surrogacy journey on Mother’s Day can bring conflicting feelings. Here’s how to navigate them:

Include Your Surrogate: If your surrogate is pregnant, you’re likely excited about the little bundle of joy arriving soon. Consider including your surrogate in your Mother’s Day celebrations. A token of appreciation like flowers or a small gift can go a long way.
Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize that this Mother’s Day might be bittersweet. Allow yourself to feel both excitement and longing. It’s okay to have mixed emotions.
Look Ahead: Imagine next year’s Mother’s Day when you’ll finally hold your baby. Let that anticipation fill your heart with hope and joy.
Talk to your surrogacy specialist: Your surrogacy specialist can provide a shoulder for you to lean on, help talk you through your emotions or provide helpful resources and coping skills.

If You’ve Had a Child Through Surrogacy

Congratulations! You’ve experienced the miracle of surrogacy. Now, Mother’s Day is about celebrating your journey. Here’s how:

Reflect on Your Journey: Take a moment to appreciate the path that led you to motherhood. Remember the courage, patience and love it took to get here.
Create Keepsakes: Consider framed ultrasound images, recordings of the baby’s heartbeat, pictures of you with your surrogate. These sentimental items will remind you of this special time.
Call or text your surrogate: Call your surrogate and catch up. Update her on how the baby is doing and express your gratitude for her role in helping you have the family of your dreams.
Send a card: Send your surrogate a card thanking her for helping you be able to celebrate your first Mother’s Day with your baby.
Have Lunch Together: Share a meal with your surrogate, if possible. Celebrate the bond you’ve formed and the beautiful life you’re bringing into the world.

Remember, every stage of the surrogacy journey is significant. Whether you’re waiting, anticipating, or celebrating, Mother’s Day is a day to honor the love and commitment that make motherhood possible. And if you’re considering growing your family through surrogacy, contact us today to get started.

How to Find Couples Looking for a Surrogate

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, you’re driven to help others experience all that parenthood has to offer. We’re here to help you find the perfect match.

Choosing to be a surrogate is the start of making your dreams of parenthood come true. One of the biggest decisions you have to make during this life-changing journey is to find the best intended parents.

As a full-service, national surrogacy agency, we’ve helped create tens of families and we can help you find couples looking for a surrogate. We will:

Create your surrogate profile
Show you profiles of people looking for surrogates
Set up a conference call with potential matches

To find great intended parents, fill out our easy form.

How to Find Intended Parents

The easiest way to find intended parents for surrogate mothers is to work with us. That’s because our screening process quickly identifies quality intended parents looking for a surrogate without compromising your safety.

We know you can’t wait to begin life with your new family as soon as possible which is why we’ve designed our screening process to be as safe and efficient as possible. This means our intended parents are:

100% committed to surrogacy
Physically and emotionally ready for parenthood
Living in a safe and viable home in which to raise a child
Free of any criminal or legal troubles
Financially prepared for surrogacy and for raising a child

Here’s how we find the best intended parents:

Surrogacy Planning Questionnaire

The surrogacy planning questionnaire is part of the initial application to work with us and has an extensive list of questions that let us get to know the intended parents looking for a gestational surrogate.

Their answers to the questionnaire will help shape their family profiles, similar to the surrogate profile we create for you. These profiles are what we show to you to help you learn more about their family and situation.

Home Assessment

These are not a legal requirement for you or people looking for surrogate mothers, but it’s something we reserve the right to do.

The home assessment has a licensed social worker visit the home of the intended parents to go more in-depth with them about their lives and the impact it could have on their journey if you were to choose them.

Background Checks

Both sides must complete a background check to be eligible to go through this journey. Intended parents looking for a surrogate must pass:

FBI clearances
Criminal background checks
Child abuse records checks

Get to Know Couples Looking for a Surrogate

Our screening process is thorough but only you can know who the right match is for the journey you’re embarking on.

A conference call can only do so much but it’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know the people looking for surrogate mothers on a deeper level.

Consider these three steps when getting to know the intended parents looking for a gestational surrogate:

Step 1: Be Prepared: Know what you want to talk about ahead of time, and identify what’s important to you.
Step 2: Know Which Questions to Ask: You want to get to know the intended parents but not interrogate them. Talk with your specialists about topics and questions to discuss, as well as what to avoid.
Step 3: Ask About Their Profile: If the intended parent profile drew you in for a specific reason, follow up on their profile and learn more about them to see if they’re a perfect match.

7 Tips for How to Find Intended Parents and Have a Healthy Relationship

Surrogacy changes the lives of everyone involved. The relationship you have with the intended parents is a partnership, you’re both in it together and having a healthy relationship will help make the process that much easier.

Here are seven tips to keep in mind when building that relationship:

Intended parents have no control over their pregnancy
Create a schedule for updates during the pregnancy
Be open and honest about your needs
Be accepting of the intended parents’ desires
Share your pregnancy experience with the intended parents
Treat the parents as you’d like to be treated
Reach out to your surrogacy specialist

If you’re ready to help someone’s dreams of parenthood come true, contact us today to learn more about our intended parents.

Can I Choose Surrogacy for Non-Medical Reasons?

We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience parenthood, but there are reasons why we only work with intended parents who are unable to conceive.

For infertile couples, LGBT couples and single individuals, surrogacy bridges the gap to parenthood. While medical reasons and physical limitations often drive intended parents toward this path, some hopeful parents may consider surrogacy for alternative reasons.

With over 40 years of experience in creating families, we prioritize helping those who can’t reach their dreams of parenthood on their own and safeguarding our surrogates’ wellbeing.

One way we do this is by requiring a medical diagnosis, not as a barrier, but as a way to preserve the integrity of the surrogacy process. To learn more about whether surrogacy is a family-building option for you, contact us today.

Why Do People Choose Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an opportunity to grow your family if doing so on your own is out of the realm of possibility. Everyone deserves the chance to have a family and you may decide to use a surrogate for reasons such as:

Infertility
Being a same-sex couple
Age
Being unable to carry a baby to term
Not wanting to pass on health conditions or genetic defects
You’re a single parent
Trauma during pregnancy or childbirth

What Is Elective Surrogacy?

Typically surrogacy is a family-building method for those who cannot physically conceive on their own for medical reasons or because they’re a same-sex couple.

Elective surrogacy is term used to refer to surrogacy chosen by intended parents who are able to become pregnant on t their own, but do not want to experience pregnancy or child birth, don’t want to take time off work, or they have a career or hobbies that don’t align with a safe pregnancy.

Can You Have A Surrogate Just Because You Don’t Want to Be Pregnant?

No. While we understand that pregnancy and childbirth are physically intensive processes that are not ideal or convenient for everyone, you cannot choose surrogacy for the purpose of avoiding pregnancy. The couples and individuals that we work with come to us because pregnancy is unlikely, impossible or dangerous for them.

Why is a Medical Diagnosis Needed?

Surrogacy with us requires a medical diagnosis because we want to commit our time and resources to helping couples who can’t become parents on their own finally have the family they’ve always wanted.

As a family-building agency, we have worked with infertile couples who, after painstakingly trying to become pregnant on their own, have had to accept that it would be improbable or even impossible and with LGBT couples who have yearned to become parents but have always known they’d only have a family through adoption or surrogacy.

Valuing Our Surrogates

The surrogates we work with share our goal of wanting to help others create families that cant on their own. We want to ensure that when they match with you, you know they’re making a brave decision to offer you the gift of experiencing what it’s like to be a parent.

We also want to protect our surrogates’ time and wellbeing by working with intended parents who truly value and appreciate the service our surrogates provide.

Possible Alternatives

If you want to grow your family, but don’t want to be pregnant, adoption may be an option for you. While you won’t be genetically related to your child, you will have the opportunity to be chosen as adoptive parents by mother who wants to give their child the best possible future with an amazing family. You can reach out to our adoption specialists today to learn more.

While we only accept intended parents with a medical diagnosis, LGBT couples and single individuals, we believe everyone should have the chance to experience parenthood if they want to. To learn more about the options available to you, contact us today.

The Best Surrogate Apps in 2024

Learn how you can keep track of your surrogate journey with some of the best surrogate apps of 2024.

Becoming a surrogate involves a lot of moving parts, from managing your fertility medications to keeping track of your doctor’s appointments. Staying organized during your journey creates a smoother experience and can help you confidently move through the process.

If you have any questions about how you can become a surrogate, fill out our form to connect with us today.

With the advancement of technology, several surrogate apps can help you manage all aspects of your journey with the touch of a button. From calendar apps to fertility apps for surrogates, this guide has you covered.

Here are some of the top-rated surrogate apps of 2024 that can make your path to surrogacy that much easier:

1. Fertility Friend

Fertility Friend is a comprehensive surrogate mother app designed to help you track their menstrual cycles, ovulation and fertility windows. By inputting daily information, such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus observations, surrogates can enhance their understanding of their reproductive health.

Download Fertility Friend on the App Store

Get Fertility Friend on Google Play

2. My Calendar

My Calendar is not just a period app but an overall tool that can be customized to suit your specific needs. It’s an easy-to-use tracker that helps you take control of different aspects of your menstrual cycle like ovulation, fertility, moods and other symptoms associated with your surrogate pregnancy.

Download My Calendar on the App Store

Get My Calendar on Google Play

3. Embie

Managing fertility treatments are a crucial aspect of the surrogacy process. Embie is a surrogate app that simplifies this by sending reminders for medication doses, tracking your medication protocol by cycle and providing educational resources to ensure you stay on top of your medication schedule.

Download the Embie on the App Store

Get Embie on Google Play

4. BabyCenter Pregnancy Tracker

BabyCenter is a widely used app that offers a supportive community and a wealth of information about fertility, pregnancy and parenting. It provides an ovulation calculator and a kick counter to help you track the baby. You can connect with other surrogates and intended parents, sharing experiences, pregnancy tips and stories to gain insights into your unique journey.

Download BabyCenter on the App Store

Get BabyCenter on Google Play

5. Calm

Managing stress and maintaining mental well-being is crucial during the surrogacy process. Calm is the #1 app for meditation and sleep helping you discover a happy, healthier you during your surrogate journey. Calm is for everyone, whether you’re brand new to meditation or are a seasoned expert. It’ll help give you a mental break during your journey to help keep stress at a minimum.

Download Calm on the App Store

Get Calm on Google Play

Remember, the surrogacy journey is a unique experience, and these surrogate apps are here to support you every step of the way. Tailor these apps based on your preferences and needs, and feel empowered as you become the hero in your own story.

If you want to learn more about how to become a surrogate, check out this article or fill out our form to connect with a specialist today.

What Is Embryo Donation?

If you’re an infertile couple, LGBT couple or a single individual, embryo donation can reduce IVF costs on your surrogacy journey.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) plays a significant role in the surrogacy medical process. You may have already attempted IVF and have no embryos left or you may be new to the process and are intimidated by the associated costs.

Through embryo donation, you can receive multiple frozen embryos for your surrogacy journey without paying for the most expensive parts of the IVF process.

Embryo donation is the process in which couples or individuals who have had success with IVF and have completed their family can choose to donate their remaining frozen embryos to other hopeful intended parents like you.

We can help you determine how embryo donation can fit into your surrogacy journey. If you want to learn more about the surrogacy medical process, contact us today.

What is Embryo Donation?

IVF and gestational surrogacy are increasingly popular family-building methods for infertile couples, LGBT couples and single individuals.

For those that do not want to cover costs of the IVF process such as egg retrieval, embryo creation, cryopreservation or an egg or sperm donor (if applicable), embryo donation allows them to receive frozen embryos donated by patients who have completed their families.

What is the Difference between Embryo Donation and Embryo Adoption?

Both embryo donation and embryo adoption are used interchangeably to refer to the same process of the donation and reception of frozen embryos. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, embryo donation is the medically and legally accurate term.

However, there may be differences in the processes used by embryo donation programs that use one term over the other.

Embryo Donation

Embryo donation is the widely accepted term for the practice of a person’s or couple’s unused frozen embryos are donated to another person or couple.

There are many fertility clinics that have an embryo donation programs, as well as embryo donation agencies. While these programs may provide matching services, embryo donation is treated as a medical process, similar to egg or sperm donation.

Embryo Adoption

Embryo adoption, sometimes referred to as “snowflake adoption” is a term coined by a Christian adoption agency to refer to the donation of frozen embryos. This term may be used by those who see the embryo as a child, or by professionals that employ similar practices used in traditional adoption in their embryo donation process, such as home studies and judicial measures.

Embryo adoption is a misnomer because state adoption laws currently apply to the post-birth placement of a living child, not an embryo. Instead, donated embryos are typically protected under property law and Food and Drug Administration regulations.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) cautions against treating embryo donation the same as adoption, as unnecessary measures like home studies and judicial intervention can lengthen the process or create restrictions.

How Much Does Embryo Donation Cost?

Receiving a frozen donor embryo costs significantly less than both the average cost of an IVF cycle.

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the U.S., according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, is $12,400-$30,000.

While the cost will depend on the program you choose, receiving a donor embryo can be as low as $2,500-$4,000.

Using Embryo Donation for Surrogacy

The embryo donation process may vary depending on the clinic or agency you work with, but must follow the guidelines set in place by the Food and Drug Administration. All donors must complete FDA screening.

Many embryo donation programs facilitate anonymous donations where you will not know the identity of the donor. Some may have the option of a known or direct donation, where you receive the embryo of someone you know.

For anonymous donation, you will not have access to identifying information about the donor, but their profile will include medical history, physical characteristics, family history and background and often a photo of the donor(s).

Once you’ve found a donor match and complete any necessary paperwork, the surrogacy medical process will proceed as normal. Once your surrogate has completed a prescribe regimen of fertility medications, the donor embryo will be transferred to her uterus through a simple and minimally invasive procedure.

If you have questions about creating or receiving donor embryos for your surrogacy journey, connect with us today.

Do Surrogates Get Taxed? [2023 Tax Year]

You earn exceptional compensation as a surrogate. Learn more about how to document your surrogate pay on the your taxes.

Becoming a surrogate is the adventure of a lifetime. You get to fulfil the dreams of the intended parents while earning compensation that you can use to create a better future for you and your family.

As a surrogate, you can earn $50,000-$110,000+ for the heroic service you’re providing. Because this is such substantial compensation, it’s important to know how to document it when tax season rolls around.

If you have questions about your surrogate pay, fill out our online form or text 913-0204-0224 for immediate assistance.

Do Surrogates Get Taxed?

There are no clear-cut surrogacy laws regarding taxes, so there are not any established cases or state laws specifically addressing being a surrogate and paying taxes.

That being said, you will likely need to report your surrogate compensation on your taxes. If you receive a 1099 MISC from, you are required to claim your compensation as income on your taxes.

That’s why we recommend reaching out to your surrogacy specialist or a local tax lawyer to get the most up-to-date information.

What is a 1099-MISC Form?

A 1099 MISC form is an official document used to report miscellaneous income, such as payments to independent contractors, rent, royalties and prizes or in this case, surrogate compensation.

It is typically issued by a payer (such as an employer, client, or financial institution) to a recipient who received payments during the tax year.

The primary purpose of the 1099 form is to report income that is not subject to withholding tax. Unlike regular employees who receive a W-2 form, individuals who receive 1099 forms are responsible for calculating and paying their own taxes.

What if I Don’t Receive a 1099-MISC Form?

Surrogates are still legally obligated to report their earnings. Each surrogacy journey is unique, so it’s essential to consult with your surrogacy professional for personalized advice.

Ideally, discussions about surrogate compensation and taxes should start during the drafting of the surrogacy contract. Experienced surrogacy attorneys can guide you through this legal step.

Why Do Surrogates Pay Taxes?

Your surrogate compensation is treated as your income for the amazing service you’re providing. Because of this, tax entities place surrogates under the category of “self-employed individuals” when it comes to paying taxes on surrogate pay.

This means you are responsible for both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Unlike traditional employees, surrogates shoulder these costs themselves.

If you have questions about surrogate pay and taxes, contact us today to get the answers you need.

The information in this article should not be taken as financial or legal advice. Please contact a local tax lawyer for information on tax laws where you reside.

Surrogacy With Frozen Embryos [What to Know]

Frozen embryo transfers play a pivotal role in the IVF process for surrogacy, and can increase your chances of becoming a parent.

In 2021, more than 97,000 infants were born in the U.S. from more than 400,000 cycles of assisted reproductive technology. Of these cycles, 167,689 used eggs or embryos that were frozen for future use.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen embryo transfers make gestational surrogacy possible, going beyond the traditional aspects of assisted reproductive technologies.

Using frozen embryos on your IVF journey not only enhances the chances of success in the surrogacy process but also brings about several advantages for intended parents who want to grow their family.

To learn more about what freezing your embryos might look like during the surrogacy process, fill out our form.

How Does Surrogacy With Frozen Embryos Work?

In-vitro fertilization plays a pivotal role in the surrogacy medical process. There are two main phases: Embryo creation and the embryo transfer.

Embryo creation

Your fertility specialist will perform a procedure to retrieve mature eggs. These eggs will be fertilized using the intended father’s sperm to create embryos. If you do not have viable eggs or sperm, you can use donor gametes.

By creating multiple embryos at once, you increase your surrogate’s chances of becoming pregnant. Not every egg that’s retrieved will become an embryo and not every embryo is viable. With your consent, additional embryos can be frozen for future use.

If you’ve attempted IVF prior to surrogacy, you may already have frozen embryos.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Once an embryo has formed, it will be transferred to your surrogate’s uterus for implantation.

If the first transfer doesn’t take, you can use one of your additional embryos without having to repeat the egg retrieval and embryo creation process, saving you time and money.

Frozen embryos are typically stored and monitored at hospital facilities, like labs or commercial reproductive medicine centers. They can be safely preserved for 10 years and even longer.

How are Embryos Frozen?

Embryos are frozen through a process known as vitrification. This is done in two stages:

The embryo is exposed to cryoprotectant agent to the embryos, which acts like antifreeze and prevents ice crystals from forming.
The embryos are quickly placed into liquid nitrogen at -321 Fahrenheit and stored in straw-like containers.

Benefits of Frozen Embryo Transfers In Surrogacy

1. Controlled Implantation and Reduced Risks

One of the key benefits is the ability to implant embryos one at a time, reducing the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. This approach not only safeguards the health of the surrogate but also minimizes potential complications during the pregnancy.

The risk of Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is also significantly reduced, ensuring the surrogate’s well-being throughout the surrogacy journey. OHSS is a potentially life-threatening response to fertility medication resulting in fluid in a women’s abdomen and comes with the risk of blood clots getting into the lungs.

2. Increased Chances of Success:

Surrogacy with frozen embryos offers a strategic advantage by increasing the overall chances of success. In cases where the initial transfer doesn’t result in pregnancy, having additional frozen embryos allows for subsequent attempts without the need for repeated egg retrieval.

The higher success rates associated with frozen embryo transfers in surrogacy underscore the effectiveness of this method, providing you with increased confidence and optimism on your journey to parenthood.

3. Cost-Efficiency and Convenience

Storing and using frozen embryos eliminates the need for repeated egg retrieval or acquiring them from a donor. This not only reduces the financial burden but also streamlines the surrogacy process, making it more convenient.

What Happens to Unused Frozen Embryos?

Once your surrogate is pregnant with your baby, you may have leftover embryos. You have 3 options for how to handle your unused frozen embryos:

Store them for future use: If you plan on having more children, you can store your embryos for your next IVF or surrogacy journey.
Disposal: If you feel your family is complete, you can request that your remaining embryos be destroyed.
Donation: You can donate unused embryos to a hopeful couple or individual like you who is growing their family through IVF or surrogacy.

How Are Frozen Embryos Destroyed?

Typically conducted under the guidance of fertility clinics or medical professionals, the common method involves thawing the embryos to room-temperature, rendering them non-viable. The cellular material is then disposed of according to lab policy, or handed over to you for burial if your state’s laws allow.

Using Frozen Embryo Donation

If couples have leftover embryos after IVF, they can donate them to others who want to grow their family.

If you have not yet created embryos or are unable to due to medical reasons, you can choose to receive a donor embryo through a fertility clinic or agency. The process will likely vary depending on the professional you work with, but here’s what you should know:

You will have access to donor info such as medical and family history, ethnic background and physical traits.
You get to choose the donor or approve the match if a donor chooses you.
Some clinics or agencies may allow degrees of openness in the donation where you can have a contact arrangement with the donor. Others only perform closed or anonymous donations where you will have no identifying information about the donor.
An attorney can help you negotiate an agreement where the donor relinquishes their parental rights, allowing you to become the legal parents.

Whether you’ve already tried IVF or have your heart set on surrogacy, if you have frozen embryos contact us online now to begin your journey to parenthood.