How do you become a surrogate mother in California?
It’s a common question from women in the Golden State. If you have an overwhelming desire to help a hopeful parent by volunteering your working uterus, you are among good company.
Even with all the information out there online, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to how to become a surrogate mother in California. Fortunately, American Surrogacy is here to help.
Below, find answers to your most common questions about becoming a gestational carrier. When you’re ready to get started, contact our surrogacy specialists for more information and to submit your initial application.
What is the Surrogate Mother Pay in California?
Some of the biggest questions that prospective gestational carriers have in the Golden State are questions regarding surrogate base compensation.
What you’ve heard is true: Surrogacy pay in California is, on average, higher than in any other state in the U.S. Gestational carriers in California can regularly demand thousands more in surrogate compensation than surrogates in other states. This is mainly due to the high cost of living in California and the higher wages that women are typically paid in return, as well as a higher demand for surrogates in California from international intended parents.
It’s normal for surrogate mother pay in California to play a role in your decision to pursue surrogacy. However, if the only reason you are thinking of surrogacy is because of this base compensation, surrogacy will likely not be the right choice for you — and many surrogacy professionals will deem you ineligible. Financial motivation can complicate relationships between surrogates and intended parents, which is why many professionals will seek out prospective surrogates who are motivated by something other than money to take this path.
For more information on surrogate mother pay in California with American Surrogacy, please contact our surrogacy specialists.
How to Become a Surrogate in California
While every woman’s path to becoming a gestational carrier will be slightly different, there are some general steps you will need to take to be approved for the surrogacy process. Here is what you can expect moving forward:
Step 1: Contact American Surrogacy or Another Surrogacy Professional.
In order to become a surrogate mother in California, you must first locate a surrogacy professional to work with. Surrogacy is not a journey you can take on your own; whether you work with an agency, an attorney or a surrogacy clinic from the start, they will be incredibly important in preparing you for the challenges ahead.
As you decide which professional to work with, you will need to determine whether you want an agency-assisted or independent surrogacy. There are many reasons why an agency can be invaluable to you; not only are all of its services free to you as a gestational carrier, but you will work with a surrogacy specialist from start to finish. This way, you will receive personalized support and guidance every step of the way.
When you contact the specialists at American Surrogacy, they will answer all of your questions and get you the information you need for free. You are never obligated to choose surrogacy when chatting with our specialists, but they will help you determine whether surrogacy is the right path for you and your family at this time.
Step 2: Complete Pre-Screening and Meet Surrogacy Requirements.
After you choose a surrogacy professional, they will guide you through how to become a surrogate mother in California. The first step will be ensuring that you meet the requirements to do so.
Every surrogacy professional has specific requirements for surrogates, but many follow the recommendations set forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. American Surrogacy does, too. In order to become a surrogate mother in California through our agency, you must:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 38
- Have a BMI between 19 and 32
- Have had at least one successful pregnancy
- Be raising at least one child in your home
- Not be receiving state assistance
- Have had no tattoos or piercings within the last six months
- Have not been on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication within the last 12 months
When you apply to become a surrogate mother in California with our agency, you will need to fill out initial forms asking about these requirements and more. You will also need to submit a social and medical history form that goes into further detail on your health history, current family lifestyle and more. An in-home assessment and psychological screening may also be necessary.
Your surrogacy specialist will discuss your application materials with you and determine whether you can become a surrogate in California through our agency. Exceptions to certain requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis, so it’s incredibly important that you are 100 percent honest with your specialist during this step.
Step 3: Find Intended Parents.
If you are approved for the surrogacy process, you will start one of the most exciting steps — finding intended parents to carry for!
As a gestational carrier, you have the right to determine what kind of intended parents you wish to partner with. You can create an ideal intended parent profile with characteristics such as location, marital status, sexual orientation and more. Your specialist will then present you with profiles of intended parents who match your desires.
If you and an intended parent express mutual interest in each other, you will get to know each other through a conference call. This will be mediated by your surrogacy specialist but offers a chance for both of you to ask any remaining questions you have before committing to a match.
Once you have found intended parents that you are comfortable with, you will undergo one more medical screening at their clinic before you can become a surrogate mother in California. If you are cleared by the clinic, you and your intended parents will finalize your match with a legal surrogacy contract (drafted and negotiated by your two separate surrogacy attorneys).
Step 4: Complete the Medical Process of Surrogacy.
The final step in how to become a surrogate mother in California will be completing your medical journey. This starts with your final screening at the intended parents’ fertility clinic and will conclude when you give birth to their child!
First, you must prepare your body for gestational surrogacy by taking a prescribed protocol of fertility drugs. This will all be determined by the medical professional at your intended parents’ fertility clinic. Once your body is ready, you will undergo the quick and relatively painless embryo transfer procedure. You will receive a pregnancy confirmation from that clinic before you start receiving prenatal care from a local obstetrician of your choice.
Your intended parents and you will create a hospital delivery plan together for your surrogate pregnancy. In many cases, your intended parents will be present for their child’s birth. Once you deliver, you will receive your final compensation payment, and your journey will be complete! Remember: All of your medical costs will be covered by your intended parents as part of your package of surrogacy pay in California.
While the steps above are the basic description of the surrogacy process in California, it’s important to note that everyone’s journey is different. The best way to learn about becoming a surrogate is by speaking with a surrogacy professional such as the specialists at American Surrogacy.
Our team is always ready to answer your questions and help you get started on your journey when you call us at 1-800-875-BABY(2229) or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!