A happy mother sits in bed while holding and kissing her smiling child on the cheek.
Guide to surrogacy for surrogates

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, you’re likely filled with questions or you might feel a little overwhelmed which is normal. Surrogacy is a beautiful way to help someone achieve their dream of parenthood, but it also comes with responsibilities and considerations. If you are just beginning your research, this article is designed to give you a brief overview of the surrogacy process.

1. What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy involves a woman (the surrogate) carrying a baby for another individual or couple (the intended parents). There are two main types of surrogacy:

  • Gestational Surrogacy: The surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. The embryo is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors. This is the only type of surrogacy arrangement that we facilitate at NewGen Families.
  • Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate is genetically related to the child, as her eggs are used for conception. This type is rare and often involves different legal considerations.

2. Why become a surrogate?

Below are just some of the reasons women choose surrogacy

  • To help someone build a family: Surrogates are motivated by a deep desire to help others achieve their dreams of parenthood.
  • Compensation: Surrogacy provides financial compensation that allows your family to achieve their goals. Compensation varies based on location, experience, and the agency you work with.
  • New experiences and connections: Surrogacy can provide opportunities to forge deep bonds and have new experiences with people you may not have otherwise crossed paths with.
  • Joining a sisterhood: Becoming a NewGen Families surrogate means you join a sisterhood of incredible women who found fulfillment through surrogacy.

3. What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

The requirements to become a surrogate can vary by surrogacy agency and IVF clinic, but below are some of the requirements to work with NewGen Families:

  • Be passionate about wanting to help create a family for others.
  • Be between the ages of 21-40.
  • Live in a healthy, happy and stable environment.
  • Have experienced at least one successful full-term pregnancy.
  • Have experienced uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries.
  • Have not experienced more than 3 previous births by cesarean section.
  • Be non-smokers and unexposed to second-hand smoke at home and at work. 
  • Be willing to abstain from alcohol throughout the entire pregnancy.
  • Be financially secure.
  • Live in a surrogacy friendly state.
  • Have strong family and friend support networks. 

4. How much do surrogates get paid?

Surrogates can earn a base compensation of $40,000 to $80,000 plus additional benefits like legal and medical clearance bonuses and allowances for lost wages.

5. What is the surrogacy process?

The surrogacy process generally involves these steps if working with an agency:

  • Application Process
  • Matching
  • Medical Clearance
  • Legal
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Pregnancy & Birth

For more detail on what each step entails, click here for our guide to the process for a NewGen Families surrogate.

6. What are the legal considerations?

Surrogacy involves important legal aspects so we recommend working with an attorney experienced in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to help you navigate the following:

  • Legal contracts: Ensure you have a legally binding contract that protects your rights and outlines expectations. Understand how parental rights are established for the intended parents before or after the child’s birth.
  • State laws: Surrogacy laws vary by state, so it’s crucial to work with professionals who understand the laws in your state.

7. What support is available?

  • Surrogacy agencies: Agencies like NewGen Families provide practical and emotional support, ensuring you have the right team of experts in place to guide you throughout the journey.
  • Support groups: Connecting with other surrogates through online groups can offer a way to share experiences and gain emotional support.
  • Counseling services: Professional counseling can help navigate the emotional complexities of surrogacy. At NewGen Families we partner with Embra Health to offer our surrogates access to licensed mental health providers at every stage of the journey.

 

Click here to download our surrogate journey guide.

Future Parents

We’d love to stay in touch, so please enter your details to download our Future Parent Journey & Cost Guide.

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
First Name(Required)
Last Name(Required)
Privacy(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Surrogates

We’d love to stay in touch, so please enter your details to download our surrogate handbook. The handbook will give you a detailed overview of every stage of the journey.

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
First Name(Required)
Last Name(Required)
Privacy(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.