Author: Louisa H

How to Apply to be a Surrogate in 5 Steps

Applying to become a surrogate is an exciting first step towards helping individuals or couples achieve their dreams of parenthood

When you make the decision to apply to be a surrogate, we strive to make the process as simple as possible. With over 40 years of experience building families, you’ll get the best experience throughout your surrogacy journey.

Becoming a surrogate is fulfilling and our specialists will be by your side as you apply to be a surrogate mother. If you want to learn more about the process of becoming a surrogate, then call us today at 1-800-875-2229 or fill out our online form to get more information.

How to Apply to be a Surrogate Mother [5 Steps]

We’re always here to help you as you begin your surrogate journey. Our specialists will work with you from start to finish, making sure you’re always supported. We’ll make sure you understand every step of the process to help you understand what it means to become a surrogate mother. If you want to apply for surrogacy, then here are five simple steps to take:

Step 1: Reach out to American Surrogacy

Our specialists are on standby ready to help you begin the process of filling out a surrogacy application. While other surrogacy agencies can be difficult to get ahold of, our team offers unwavering personal support and guidance to help you feel confident throughout the process. You can always call us at 1-800-875-2229 or reach out to us online to get connected with an experienced specialist.

Once we get connected, we’ll go over some basic questions that help us understand your situation. This helps us decide the best way to support you throughout your journey. Our experienced team will guide you as you apply to be a surrogate mother. We will always be there to answer any questions and provide the resources you need to have a successful surrogacy experience.

Step 2: Receive Comprehensive Support and Guidance

Creating a family can be challenging, but we have spent decades perfecting the process and know what it takes to successfully build families. With our expertise, you’ll be on the right track toward having the best possible experience with surrogacy. Our dedicated team of specialists will help with things like:

  • Receiving competitive surrogacy compensation
  • Understanding how to apply to be a surrogate
  • Creating a surrogate profile
  • Providing helpful information and guidance
  • And more

We believe you should feel confident and excited as you apply to be a surrogate mother. Our specialists are dedicated to helping you feel this way throughout your surrogate journey.

Step 3: Find the Right Surrogacy Match

Matching with the right intended parents is one of the most exciting steps as you apply to be a surrogate. We understand how important it is to develop a strong connection and shared values between surrogates and intended parents. When you begin the matching process, you’ll find comfort knowing that we take great care in helping you find the perfect intended parents.

We consider factors such as location, personal preferences and compatibility to ensure a high-quality match. By only accepting the best intended parents, we ensure that the surrogate-intended parent match is the beginning of a beautiful and positive arrangement.

While you wait for your perfect match, connect with our social media. We have a supportive, accepting community of surrogates and intended parents growing by the day.

Step 4: Draft a Legal Contract and Prepare for Embryo Transfer

When you apply to be a surrogate mother, a legal contract will be drafted to protect both you and the intended parents legally. You will each have an attorney who specializes in your state’s surrogacy laws. Even if you have a great relationship with the intended parents, a legal contract ensures that your interests and rights are protected throughout the process.

Once the legal contracts are signed and finalized, we will help you begin preparing for embryo transfer. This process involves closely working with a fertility clinic, including a medical screening and tracking of your fertility cycle. We’ve worked with many fertility clinics across the country and will help you determine the best one to use.

After a pregnancy test and heartbeat is confirmed, you will begin receiving monthly payments for your base compensation and monthly allowance.

Step 5: Give the Gift of Parenthood

In most surrogacies, the intended parents will join you at the hospital to share this life-changing event with you.

When you apply to be a surrogate, you’ll be able to decide whether you want the intended parents at the hospital with you. If you have any questions on what your hospital stay will look like, you can always speak to your surrogacy specialist who can help mediate any discussions with the intended parents, if needed.

Once the baby is born and you’re discharged from the hospital, you’ll return home knowing that you changed the life of a couple whose dream was to become parents. Whether you decided to continue a relationship with the intended parents, you will always be connected to them for the gift you gave to their family.

When you apply to become a surrogate mother, there’s a lot involved in the process. But with our help, you’ll be able to move through the process with complete confidence. To learn more about how to apply to be a surrogate, call us at 1-800-875-2229 or contact us online to connect with a surrogacy specialist.

Can a Surrogate Keep the Baby?

The amazing surrogates who commit to carrying a child for someone else want nothing more than to help you start or grow your family.

Surrogacy can help you fulfill your dream of becoming a parent and working with American Surrogacy means that you will have all of your questions answered.

 If you’re wondering “Can a surrogate keep the baby?” you can rest easy knowing the answer is a hard no.

In this article, we will answer this and some of the other common questions about surrogate relationships and what it is like to grow your family with American Surrogacy. You can also get help now from a surrogacy professional, and stay up to date with the world of surrogacy by following us.

Can Surrogates Keep the Baby?

No. Surrogates cannot keep the baby that they carry for another family. What is more important though, is that they don’t want to. When you work with American Surrogacy, you can rest assured that each and every gestational surrogate has been screened thoroughly and wants to be a surrogate for the right family.

As a part of our screening, we ensure that surrogates have been through pregnancy before and have their own children at home. This means they have children of their own and if they wanted to have another child of their own, they could. But the truth is that women who choose to be surrogates often feel called or passionate about helping another family have a family of their own. In other words, they want to help you and they don’t want another child of their own.

Do Surrogate Mothers Get Attached to the Child in the Womb?

Gestational surrogates certainly have a unique bond with the children they carry as well as the child’s biological parents, but surrogates know from the beginning that the child they are carrying is not theirs. So while surrogates certainly may feel protective, care for the child they carry, and want to see the child have a happy life, they do not have the same bond as they do with their own children.

Do Surrogates Get Attached to the Baby After Birth?

Gestational surrogates are called “gestational” because they are surrogates only during pregnancy and birth. Once the child is born, as a biological parent, you will be the parent, not the surrogate.

When you find a surrogate, your surrogacy professional will help you and your surrogate make agreements about communication expectations after birth. Some families and surrogates are interested in staying in contact and giving each other updates. However, in other cases, you and your surrogate may agree that you will live separate lives.

Surrogates generally do not have a significant amount of contact with the children they carry after birth as they have their own children and their own lives.

What Happens if a Surrogate Wants to Keep the Baby While Pregnant?

It is worth noting again that surrogates voluntarily choose to be surrogates and usually a big reason for choosing surrogacy is because they want to help a family like yours. Surrogates do not want to keep your baby because they have their own family and they want to help you.

In many cases, getting to know your surrogate ahead of your surrogacy agreement and building a healthy relationship may help ease your mind.

That being said, if you choose surrogacy with American Surrogacy, you will already have an agreement with your surrogate about what will happen, and even if the surrogate has strong feelings towards the baby she carried, that doesn’t change the agreement with you that the baby will be yours at birth.

What if a Surrogate Decides to Keep the Baby at Birth?

If a surrogate gives birth to a child with an established surrogacy agreement, she cannot simply “decide to keep the baby.” When the baby is born, the surrogacy agreement will still be in effect.

When Can a Surrogate Change Their Mind?

Since the surrogate is choosing to be a surrogate voluntarily, she also has opportunities to change her mind about becoming a surrogate. However, that doesn’t mean that you should be worried your surrogate will back out at the last minute. 

With American Surrogacy, your surrogate is screened thoroughly and interviewed, and has several steps to back out of the decision before she makes an agreement to be your surrogate:

  • First, in the informational stage, she can back out at any time and choose not to seek out additional information.
  • If she continues seeking information and begins screening, she can back out of the screening at any time and choose not to become a surrogate. 
  • If she completes screening and is approved to be a surrogate, she has the ability to say no to any family profile she doesn’t want to be a surrogate for.
  • If she chooses to get to know a family, she can still choose not to move forward with the family if she has any hesitations. 

Once you and your surrogate have come to an agreement and created a surrogacy contract, she is obligated to continue with surrogacy. And at this point, she has likely given much thought to the process and is fully prepared to complete the process.

With American Surrogacy, you can get added peace of mind knowing that we offer unlimited matching if you meet a surrogate match that doesn’t work out.

Get Help Now

Surrogacy can be a beautiful journey, and it is normal to have questions about the process. If you have questions like “Can surrogate mothers keep the baby?” or “Can a surrogate change her mind?” our surrogacy professionals can help you understand how we protect you and help you find a great surrogate. Click here to get help now.

How to Become a Surrogate Mother in 2023

Becoming a surrogate is an experience filled with joy, as you have the incredible opportunity to help someone else fulfill their dream of having a child.

Helping a family with one of life’s most precious journeys as a surrogate can be a beautiful experience. You can transform a family’s life and the benefits of surrogacy can help you reach your goals.

Read on to learn how to become a surrogate and what to expect along the journey. You can also get help from a surrogacy professional now.

How to Become a Surrogate Mother

Becoming a surrogate in 2023 typically involves several steps and a thorough screening process to ensure the health and readiness of the surrogate. At American Surrogacy, here are some of the steps you can expect:

Step 1. Research and Learning 

The first step is to understand the legal and medical aspects of surrogacy to make an informed decision. It may help to read first-hand accounts from other surrogates. While you can read about the process, our surrogacy specialists are also happy to talk you through each step and help you get started. Click here to get help now.

Step 2. Meet Eligibility Standards

Most agencies have specific eligibility criteria that potential surrogates must meet. These criteria commonly include: 

  • Being between the ages of 21 and 40
  •  Having a healthy BMI
  •  Raising at least one child
  • Having no complications in previous pregnancies

American Surrogacy screens for the basic eligibility requirements to become a surrogate and has some additional requirements. You will complete paperwork that details information about your personal, medical and reproductive history. These can help determine whether surrogacy will be a safe option for you.

Step 3. Medical and Psychological Screening 

If basic screenings go well, the next step in how to become a surrogate mother is to complete a series of medical and psychological evaluations to assess your physical and mental health. This typically involves comprehensive medical exams, blood tests and screening for infectious diseases. You may also be required to undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure you are mentally prepared for the emotional aspects of surrogacy.

Step 4. Matching Process

Once you have successfully completed the screening and legal steps, we will match you with intended parents whose preferences align with yours. The matching process may involve reviewing profiles and having initial meetings or interviews. We use a mutual matching system so that you can choose a family that fits your preferences.

Step 5. Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy 

Once you’ve matched with the intended parents, we will work closely with a fertility clinic and the intended parents’ reproductive specialist to schedule fertility treatments and a pregnancy attempt. You will undergo fertility treatments, which may involve hormone injections and medical procedures, to prepare your body for embryo transfer. After a successful transfer, you will continue with regular prenatal care throughout the pregnancy.

Step 6. Making Dreams Come True 

After the baby is born, it will be handed over to the intended parents, and you may have the opportunity to have a relationship with them if desired. Legal arrangements will ensure that the intended parents become the legal parents of the child.

It is essential to note that surrogacy laws and regulations can vary by state, so it is crucial to consult with legal professionals who specialize in reproductive law to understand the specific requirements and processes in your jurisdiction. Working with a reputable surrogacy agency like American Surrogacy can provide guidance and support throughout the entire surrogacy journey.

How to Become a Surrogate Mother for Money

At American Surrogacy, we advocate for compensated surrogacy because of the time and effort it takes to be a surrogate. If you complete our screening process and are approved and matched with a family, you will receive compensation for the process. 

That being said, if the only reason you want to become a surrogate is the money, this may not be the path for you. Surrogacy can be an emotional and at times difficult journey, and most successful surrogates have a strong desire to help another family grow.

How Can I Become a Surrogate Today?

The first step to becoming a surrogate is to get help from a professional, who can help you through all of the questions you have when you are wondering “How do I become a surrogate?” You can click here to get help from our surrogacy professionals now.

Benefits of Gay Surrogacy

In honor of June being Pride Month, we want to take the time to highlight the amazing ways that surrogacy can give LGBT+ couples the chance to have the family of their dreams.

Becoming a parent through surrogacy can be one of the most beautiful journeys of your life. Learn the benefits of gay surrogacy here and how we can help you get started on your journey today.

In this article we will share the benefits of gay surrogacy, eligibility requirements, and answer other common questions about surrogacy for gay parents. You can also click here to get help now.

Follow us on Instagram to hear from other intended parents about how surrogacy gave them the opportunity to experience parenthood.

Am I Eligible for LGBT Surrogacy?

At American Surrogacy there are no additional requirements for same sex surrogacy or individual LGBT surrogacy approval. In other words, surrogacy for gay couples, surrogacy for trans or non-binary couples, and lesbian couple surrogacy have the same requirements as surrogacy for any other couple. Similarly LGBT surrogacy as an individual has the same requirements as surrogacy for a straight, cisgender individual.

If you are interested in gay surrogacy, you will need to meet the basic requirements for surrogacy, and then complete the approval process with a surrogacy professional. Your surrogacy professional will help you prepare for the surrogacy process. Get help now when you click here.

LGBT Surrogacy Benefits

  • Opportunity to parent from birth: When you choose LGBT surrogacy for your family, you can have an opportunity to parent from the moment your child is born, which can be a meaningful experience for many parents.
  • Creating a family on a predictable timeline: When you choose surrogacy and get started on the embryo transfer process, it can be easily predicted when you will have your new family member. And at American Surrogacy, we have the fastest matching in the industry.
  • Experiencing the pregnancy process with your surrogate: Surrogacy is a beautiful journey, and if you have been looking forward to pregnancy and seeing your little one even in ultrasounds, you can have this experience. Many surrogates are excited to share each step of the pregnancy with you and help you on your journey to growing your family.
  • Possibility of genetically-related family: LGBT Surrogacy can allow you to have a child who is genetically related to you. In some cases LGBT couples may not otherwise be able to have genetically related children, but LGBT surrogacy can allow one or both partners to have a genetic link to their child.
  • Building a meaningful bond with your surrogate: Pregnancy and birth can build a family, but surrogacy takes an extra step and allows couples

Gay Couple Surrogacy Considerations

Surrogacy for gay parents is the same as surrogacy for other parents in most ways, but there are some special considerations that gay couples

  • Legal requirements
  • Finding surrogates for gay couples or individuals
  • Finding a supportive surrogacy agency
  • Finding donor eggs, sperm, or embryos

Gay Surrogacy Costs

The cost of surrogacy can vary widely depending on several factors, including the location, the specific services involved, and the individual circumstances of the surrogacy arrangement. At American Surrogacy, we simplify costs by offering services at a flat fee and listing all of the services that are included before you begin your surrogacy journey. And gay surrogacy costs the same as surrogacy for any other couple or individual.

Here are some of the factors to take into account when considering the finances of surrogacy:

  • Agency Fees: Surrogacy agencies typically charge fees for their services, which can include the screening and matching process, legal support, counseling, and coordination of medical procedures.
  • Legal Fees: You will need to work with a reproductive attorney to draft and review the necessary legal agreements.
  • Medical Expenses: The medical expenses associated with surrogacy can include the surrogate’s medical screening, fertility treatments, prenatal care, and delivery.
  • Insurance: The surrogate’s insurance coverage may not fully cover the costs associated with surrogacy, especially if the insurance policy excludes surrogacy-related expenses. Intended parents may need to purchase a separate surrogacy insurance policy or cover any additional medical expenses not covered by the surrogate’s insurance.
  • Compensation and Expenses for the Surrogate: Surrogates typically receive compensation for their time, effort, and the physical demands of the pregnancy. Additionally, intended parents are usually responsible for covering the surrogate’s pregnancy-related expenses, such as travel costs, maternity clothing, and reasonable living expenses.

Get Help Now

If you are excited about starting your LGBT surrogacy journey, you can get help now when you click here.