Category: About American Surrogacy

Go behind the scenes at American Surrogacy. Get to know the American Surrogacy agency staff, learn about our surrogacy services and programs, and more.

How to Find the Best Surrogacy Agencies for Intended Parents

Finding the best surrogacy agency is a crucial step for intended parents embarking on their surrogacy journey. Working with the right agency can provide the guidance, expertise and support necessary for a successful and fulfilling surrogacy experience.

When you’re first beginning your surrogacy journey, one of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a surrogacy professional who can help guide you through the process. If you’re looking for a professional who provides comprehensive support throughout the entire process, you may want to look into working with a full-service surrogacy agency.

But how do you know if a surrogacy agency is right for you? The best agencies are happy to sit down with you to explain their services and answer any questions you may have. At American Surrogacy, we strive to make the process as smooth and simple as possible. And we happen to be experts in knowing how to find the best surrogacy agency to work with.

If you have any questions about finding the best surrogacy agencies, then contact us online now or call us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).

What to Look for in the Best Surrogacy Agencies

One of the best things you can do as you search for the best surrogacy agency is to think about what’s most important to you. As you keep in mind what you’re looking for, you’ll discover which professionals are right for you and which ones are not. As you research prospective surrogacy agencies, here are some things you should look for:

  • Thorough screening process: When you enter into a surrogacy arrangement with a surrogate, you’re placing your trust in them and the professional you choose. Surrogacy can be a legally and emotionally complicated process and the best surrogacy agencies will make sure to fully screen all prospective surrogates to make sure they’re ready for the challenges of the surrogacy process.
  • Track record of success: Surrogacy is still a new field, and some surrogacy agencies have been around longer than others. But it’s important to choose a professional who has done surrogacies successfully in the past. If a surrogacy professional can’t give you names of people they’ve helped before, it’s a sign that you should not work with them.
  • Experienced legal counsel: Since surrogacy involves a lot of legal rules, it’s important to have a lawyer who can make sure everyone’s rights are protected. The best surrogacy agencies can recommend reliable and experienced lawyers who know about surrogacy laws. They’ll take care of all the legal requirements even before the medical process begins. If the agency doesn’t do this or insists that one lawyer can represent both sides, those are signs that you should be careful.
  • Clear direction on responsibilities and steps in the process: If someone you’re working with doesn’t explain what each person needs to do, what to expect and the steps involved from the start, you should be cautious. Surrogacy requires the teamwork of different professionals, and the best surrogacy agencies have a well-organized process that keeps everyone safe and makes things go smoothly. If the person you’redealing with seems disorganized, it might be better to find a different professional to work with.
  • Support and availability: While surrogacy agencies can have similar good qualities, people often choose based on how they “feel” about the agency. You’ll be working with them for a year or longer, so it’s important to feel comfortable, supported and appreciated by your surrogacy specialist. Find an agency where you have a connection, where you don’t feel like you’re just another person on their list.

How to Choose a Reputable Surrogacy Agency

Because of the amount of options out there, you’ll probably find agencies that share some of these qualities. So, how can you find the best one for you? When you come across a potential surrogacy agency, make sure to visit them in person or have a phone call, if at all possible. This is an opportunity to not only get to know them, but also for you to decide if you’re comfortable working with them.

Even if you find one of the best surrogacy agencies, it may not be the perfect fit for you and that’s OK. You’re the only one who can ultimately decide whether or not the professional is right for you. As you prepared to meet with an agency specialist, here are some questions you can ask to help you learn more about their agency:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • When are your requirements for intended parents?
  • What are the expenses for intended parents?
  • How involved is your agency during each step of the process?
  • Which states do you work in?
  • How does the matching process work?
  • Do you offer support and education services?
  • Are you a full-service agency? If not, what services will we need to obtain from another professional?
  • On average, how long does the surrogacy process take with your agency?

While these questions are a great place to start, make sure to write down any additional questions you may have. You’re never obligated to choose a surrogacy professional until you’re 100% sure it’s the right one for you.

Why American Surrogacy is Right For You

As one of the best surrogacy agencies, we offer a wide range of benefits to help make your dreams of becoming parents a reality. Our dedicated team of specialists has helped thousands of hopeful parents on their path to parenthood and we’re ready to do the same for you. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll experience with our program:

  • Short wait times when looking for the perfect match
  • Sense of security from our experienced staff
  • Financial protection
  • Unlimited matching
  • Clear upfront fixed fee structure
  • Unwavering commitment to providing care and support
  • And more

Your well-being is top priority and we’re committed to providing you with the utmost care throughout your surrogacy journey. With our full-service program and team of dedicated specialists, there’s no doubt that we’re one of the best surrogacy agencies in the nation.

Our specialists are always willing to answer any questions you may have about choosing a surrogacy professional. To learn more about our surrogacy program, contact us online now or call us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).

7 Tips for a Healthy Surrogate Pregnancy

Maintaining a healthy surrogate pregnancy helps ensure the well-being of yourself and the precious life you carry. As a surrogate, the responsibility of nurturing a developing baby requires special attention to physical, emotional and lifestyle factors to promote a safe and thriving pregnancy.

As a surrogate, you’ve been given one of the most important tasks out there: to grow and protect another person’s unborn baby. By prioritizing a healthy and safe lifestyle, you’ll provide a nurturing environment for the unborn child and will offer hope for individuals or couples who are unable to conceive naturally.

Maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle is crucial as it directly impacts the well-being of the developing child. A commitment to good physical and mental health, regular prenatal care and proper nutrition ensures the optimal growth and development of the baby.

If you have any questions about how to live a healthy lifestyle as a surrogate, then contact us online or call 1-800-875-2229 to connect with a specialist.

In the meantime, here are seven surrogate pregnancy tips to help you have a safe, healthy experience:

1. Attend All Your OBGYN Appointments

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll need to check in with your OBGYN more frequently than you would for a standard pregnancy. Although you may be tired of going to the doctor so many times, these frequent visits help ensure that there are no complications in your surrogate pregnancy journey. Each appointment tracks your health along with your baby’s health as well.

To help make these appointments more bearable, you can invite the intended parents. Even if they’re unavailable, sending them a quick update, photo or video chatting with them after each appointment can help you feel excited as you navigate your surrogate pregnancy.

2. Stay on Top of Eating Healthy Meals and Hydrating

If you live a busier life, it can be easy to resort to fast food to satisfy your cravings. But, you’ll want to make sure that you (and the baby) have plenty of protein, fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Your health and the baby’s health are of utmost importance, so make sure you’re thinking about ways to eat healthier.

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of premature labor and can cause harm to both you and your baby. Drinking enough water can also provide the essential vitamins and minerals the baby needs. It’s important for both you and the baby that you drink plenty of water to avoid any complications in your surrogate pregnancy.

You’ll also want sure you know what food and drinks to avoid when pregnant and check in with your doctor if you need any tips for eating healthier and staying hydrated.

3. Take your Vitamins

As a surrogate, one of the last things you want to do is add more medications to your routine. But prenatal vitamins are an integral part in your surrogate pregnancy that ensures you and the baby are both getting what you need. Even though vitamins can help contribute to a healthy surrogate pregnancy, you need to make sure to stay on top of your diet at the same time.

Setting a daily alarm to take your vitamins and any other OB-approved medication can be helpful in case you forget.

4. Get Plenty of Rest

Your body is working overtime right now, so it’s important to get at least eight hours of sleep at night and take naps when you can. After the first trimester, try to sleep on your side as sleeping on your back can limit blood supply to the baby and may leave you feeling lightheaded or dizzy.

If you have a hard time sleeping comfortably as your surrogate pregnancy progresses, you can always try a pregnancy pillow or prenatal massages (with your doctors approval) if you’re feeling sore.

5. Try Keeping Stress Levels Low

When you make the decision to pursue a surrogate pregnancy, the link between your cortisol levels and its effect on the baby is pretty strong. Your own physical health is tied to how you’re feeling emotionally, so you’ll want to focus on your emotional health to help keep you and the baby healthy.

Pregnancy often comes with many complex emotions and mood swings that are hard to control. With the added pressures of a surrogate pregnancy, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to talk with your specialist or another qualified counselor if you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Remember to take plenty of time to recharge, breathe and relax.

6. Journal or Scrapbook your Surrogate Pregnancy

Someday, this child may want to learn about the time you spent together and his or her parents won’t be able to tell that part of the story. It can be fun to write about your surrogate pregnancy experience in letters or a journal. If you want to get more creative, you can create a scrapbook with pictures throughout your pregnancy.

This can be a fun way to tell the child about your time together, your time with their parents and how excited you are to meet them and see them grow up with their family.

7. Involve the Intended Parents as Much as you Can

If you’re unsure when the intended parents should be involved, you can always talk with your surrogate specialist for advice. Generally, most intended parents are eager and excited to be included in your surrogate pregnancy experience to whatever extent you’re comfortable with. Many intended parents would love to see sonograms and pictures of your growing belly.

Most communication involves text messages about how you’re feeling and can include invitations to your doctor appointments. If you live nearby the intended parents, having them stop by for a quick visit can be a nice way for you to get to know each other and build a lasting relationship. Having a strong relationship with the intended parents can make the process a beautiful journey for all involved.

If you need any more advice on how to have a healthy surrogate pregnancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to your American Surrogacy specialist. You can always contact us online or call us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).

Affordable Surrogacy Options for You

For individuals and couples who dream of becoming parents, having affordable surrogacy options to choose from can help make budgeting for the journey ahead more efficient.

Because of all the helpful resources and services that go into the surrogacy process, there are various costs to account for when planning for your surrogacy journey.

In addition to managing your own finances through budgeting, there are other affordable surrogacy options. If you’re looking for ways to afford surrogacy, a great place to start is by reaching out to one of our specialists who can help get you started on the right path.

If you have any questions about how to pay for surrogacy, then contact us online or call 1-800-875-2229.

How to Pay for Surrogacy [Your Options]

We offer a fixed fee structure, which means you’ll know exactly what you’ll be paying from the beginning, so that you can budget accordingly. Even with this financial certainty, it’s helpful to have options to help create a more affordable surrogacy journey.

 Below is a breakdown of your affordable surrogacy options.

Loans

Loans are one of the most common ways intended parents pay for surrogacy. There are many lenders out there that specifically offer loans to couples undergoing fertility treatments and pursuing surrogacy. Like any other loan, you must consider the interest charged on loans for surrogacy and decide whether you can reasonably afford monthly payments even after you become parents. Here are some loans you may consider:

  • Home equity loans (using your home as collateral)
  • Borrowing from 401(k) plans
  • Credit cards (although watch out for high interest rates)

For fertility specific financing loans, here are some companies you can contact:

Grants

If you don’t want to borrow money to pay for surrogacy, then you may have the opportunity to earn funds through fertility and surrogate grant programs. Each program will have different requirements, so make sure to fully research each to decide what you qualify for. Below are some grants you can apply for:

Fundraising

Another affordable surrogacy option is community fundraising events. As the intended parent, you may have a supportive community of friends and family members who are willing to help you raise money to help with an affordable surrogacy. There are many ways you can go about fundraising for your surrogacy journey:

  • Online crowdfunding: There are many ways you can reach out to a large audience through sites like GoFundMe to share your surrogacy and infertility journey. Friends, family and strangers can easily donate as much or as little as they’d like.
  • A community event: Whether you want to host a community wide garage sale or something larger like a silent auction, you can reach out to your community to help you accept donations and raise money to help pay for surrogacy.
  • Turn a hobby into a business: If you have any hobbies or interests, you can sell your handmade goods or services on sites like Etsy or partner with a direct sales consultant to get your product out there. These profits can be put toward paying for surrogacy.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and family for help. You can always ask for money to be put toward your surrogacy fund instead of receiving typical gifts for holidays or birthdays. It’s also a good idea to start saving your money and allocating a portion of your income to a special surrogacy savings account.

Choosing American Surrogacy

Although you may be tempted to find a cheap surrogacy agency, you may be sacrificing essential services that can help you have the best experience possible.

We understand the importance of providing high-quality service throughout your surrogacy process, which is why we place such an emphasis on an affordable surrogacy journey that benefits everyone involved.

With our fixed fee structure, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re paying for, with no hidden fees. You’ll be able to budget accordingly and move through your surrogacy journey with confidence and certainty in your finances.

If you find that surrogacy is out of your price range, you can explore different family building options such as adoption. You can contact our sister company American Adoptions to help you understand the adoption process by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

However if you are confident that surrogacy is the right path for you, then contact us online now or call 1-800-875-2229 to get started.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Honoring Infertility Awareness Month

June is Infertility Awareness Month. The event was created to help people experiencing infertility discover they aren’t alone and to highlight how they can work through this common diagnosis.

If you’re considering using surrogacy to grow your family, you or your partner may be working through infertility. We want you to know that you’re not alone, and we’re here to support you through whatever stage you’re at in your family-building journey.

Contact us today to connect with a surrogacy specialist who can refer you to a counselor specializing in infertility. With Infertility Awareness Month on the horizon, now is the perfect time to find a professional to help you work through your feelings.

Keep reading to learn about Infertility Awareness Month, how to honor it, and more.

What is Infertility Awareness Month?

June is Infertility Awareness Month. The month-long event was created to bring awareness to how common infertility is and to spotlight the treatments that can help solve some infertility issues.

We’re choosing to honor Infertility Awareness Month by detailing who is affected by it and how people overcome the condition.

Who Experiences Infertility?

According to the National Library of Medicine, 10% to 15% of couples in the United States experience infertility.  Men and women experience infertility at the same rate (10%), and sometimes, a couple’s infertility challenges are because of a combination of several factors.

The following are a few other facts about infertility:

  • A doctor can diagnose infertility when a couple cannot conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex.
  • A doctor can check men and women for infertility through a variety of tests.
  • There are several infertility treatments men, and women can pursue.

Common Infertility Treatments

One of the important aspects of Infertility Awareness Month is ensuring people affected by this common condition know their options. One way to handle infertility is through treatment.

The following are just some of the effective infertility treatments people try:

  • Infertility Medications: Certain medications can be prescribed to men and women to help resolve certain infertility issues.
  • Infertility Surgeries: Men and women may undergo certain surgeries that can help repair internal infertility causes.
  • Assisted Reproductive Technologies:  Recently, IUI and IVF have become more common. These procedures can help couples overcome many infertility challenges and help them conceive.

Embracing Surrogacy After Infertility

One of the final aspects of acknowledging Infertility Awareness Month is working through your feelings on infertility and deciding your next steps.

Working Through Infertility Grief

Choosing when you’re ready to move from infertility treatments to another family-building option like surrogacy isn’t a simple decision.

You and your partner will experience several intense emotions during this time. You may even decide to work with an infertility counselor to help process your feelings.

Even if you decide not to continue your family-building journey this year, you can use this time to work through your grief and allow yourself time to heal.

Choosing Surrogacy

If you and your partner determine that you’re ready to move on from infertility to another family-building option and choose to go forward with surrogacy, congratulations! Surrogacy is a wonderful choice, and it has helped many people become parents.

One of the benefits of working with American Surrogacy for your surrogacy journey is that our agency can provide the essential benefits needed to help you succeed.

The following are some of the most important benefits our agency can provide you:

  • Surrogacy Screening: We’re dedicated to ensuring that hopeful intended parents and prospective surrogates are ready to start the surrogacy process. We do this by coordinating your psychological, medical, and physical screenings.
  • Matchmaking: When you work with our agency, you can expect an average match time of 30 to 90 days. We maintain this by prescreening all hopeful intended parents and surrogates, providing in-house marketing, and keeping a 1:1 intended parent-to-surrogate ratio.
  • Case Management: We will organize and manage your case so you can spend your time focusing on yourself and your surrogacy partner during your surrogacy journey.
  • 24/7 Support: American Surrogacy will provide you with continuous support from licensed social workers from the beginning to the end of their journey.
  • Financial Certainty and Transparency: Our agency offers a transparent fixed cost of $149,900 that covers our services, gestational carrier fees, and medical and legal costs. We also provide a Parent Protection Fee and will organize your journey’s variable fees.

Reach Out to Us Today

This June, we hope you can honor Infertility Awareness Month by caring for yourself. If you need extra support during this time, you can contact us anytime, and we’ll refer you to an infertility counselor who can help you process your emotions.

Surrogacy is On the Rise, But Don’t Call it Commercial

Surrogacy is on the rise, and is often referred to as commercial surrogacy. However, it’s important to understand what surrogacy really means and how it’s far more than a transaction.

With gestational surrogacy on the rise as a family-building option, many people have taken note of the compensation that surrogates receive for the selfless service they provide. Because of the financial aspect of surrogacy, many have come to refer to this form of surrogacy as compensated surrogacy or commercial surrogacy.

While commercial surrogacy is not an inaccurate term, it can paint a blurry picture of what it truly means to be a surrogate. To get more information about what commercial surrogacy really means, get connected with a surrogacy specialist today.

Below we’ll break down why you should be wary of using terms like “commercial” surrogacy.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an amazing family-building method where a surrogate, also known as a gestational carrier, carries a baby for intended parents who may not be able to conceive or carry a pregnancy on their own. There are many reasons why intended parents might choose surrogacy as a way to build their family:

  • Couples struggling with infertility
  • LGBT+ couples
  • Hopeful single parents
  • Couples who don’t want to pass on health conditions

No matter what the reason is, gestational surrogacy allows hopeful couples and individuals to become the parents they’ve always dreamed of being.

How Does Surrogacy Work?

The majority of commercial surrogacies today are gestational surrogacies. Gestational surrogacy is a type of surrogacy where the baby being carried by the surrogate is biologically related to one or both of the intended parents and/or a gamete donor.

The main three stages of the gestational surrogacy process include:

  • Finding a surrogacy match
  • Completing a legal contract
  • Transferring an embryo to the surrogate

In most cases of commercial surrogacy, intended parents will work with a full-service surrogacy agency to find a surrogacy match. Once they’ve found their perfect match, both parties complete a surrogacy contract that will outline responsibilities, risks and surrogate compensation. Once everyone is on the same page, a fertility clinic will facilitate the IVF and embryo transfer process. The IVF process usually involves:

  • The eggs and sperm of both intended parents
  • A donor egg fertilized with sperm from the intended father
  • The intended mother’s egg fertilized with the donor sperm
  • An embryo created from both donor egg and sperm

Once a pregnancy has been confirmed, the surrogate will begin receiving surrogate compensation in monthly installments. This is where commercial surrogacy gets its name. The surrogate will carry the baby to term, and the intended parents will assume full custody of their child when they are born.

What is Commercial Surrogacy?

Commercial surrogacy, more accurately known as compensated surrogacy, is when a surrogate is paid for her service as a surrogate. The alternative to this is altruistic surrogacy, where a surrogate carries a baby for intended parents without compensation. This type of gestational surrogacy is typically done between close friends and family members.

Some critics feel that commercial surrogacy is unethical because it appears exploitative in nature and commodifies pregnancy. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Every surrogate who enters into a commercial surrogacy contract does so willingly and enthusiastically.

Going through the surrogacy process and carrying a baby for someone else often means surrogates are dedicating one to two years of their time and physical and emotional energy. Proponents of commercial surrogacy argue that it’s only fair that surrogates are compensated for the incredible service they’re providing in addition to caring for themselves and their own families.

What Commercial Surrogacy Really Means [More than a Transaction]

While surrogates do get paid through commercial surrogacy, money is rarely the factor that inspires them to become gestational carriers. For many surrogates, surrogacy is an opportunity to change the lives of hopeful intended parents by helping them grow their family.

Many hopeful intended parents are not able to have a child on their own but still want to be involved in bringing their baby into the world. Surrogacy gives them that gift, which is why intended parents are not only prepared to compensate their surrogate but often happy to do so.

Creating a family is priceless, but commercial surrogacy allows intended parents to express their gratitude for all their surrogate has given them.

Get Help Now

If you have questions about commercial surrogacy, we’d be more than happy to have a conversation with you. Get connected with a surrogacy specialist or call 1-800-875-2229 today to learn more.

Why 2023 is a Great Year to Pursue Surrogacy

The 2023 year is a great opportunity for you to pursue the surrogacy process and become a loving parent for your future child. Find out how you can begin today.

Many people look to the new year as a refreshing start with the “new year, new me” mentality. In addition to setting achievable goals, we also welcome change in our lives.

The 2023 year is a great opportunity for you, as intended parents, to pursue the surrogacy process and become a loving mom or dad for your future child. Your dream of parenthood can become a reality. And, you don’t need to wait any longer to see that come true.

American Surrogacy provides expert care from the best professionals and has many helpful services waiting for you, like:

  • Unlimited re-matching until a successful pregnancy
  • The shortest wait times in the industry
  • Extensive surrogate screening
  • Your own surrogacy specialist for every step of the process
  • And more

You can reach out to a surrogacy specialist at any time for free advice and guidance on how to navigate your 2023 year of family-building through surrogacy. Continue reading for our helpful tips below.

5 Steps to Welcome a New Family Member in the New Year

There is inspiration and hope that come with a new year. So, whether previous family-building methods have not gone in your favor or surrogacy was your first choice, you deserve to be parents. Our team is prepared to make that happen.

Every intended parent’s journey to surrogacy will be different, but there are a few general steps that our surrogacy specialists recommend every hopeful parent take before making life-changing decisions.

In our experience, those who are best prepared for the surrogacy process have usually completed these steps:

Step 1: Decide American Surrogacy is Right for You

Surrogacy is a complicated process and is not one that an intended parent jumps to right away. Those struggling with infertility have many other assisted reproduction methods before gestational surrogacy, such as an IUI or IVF.

Additionally, the adoption process is another method intended parents choose. Very different processes are taken for surrogacy vs. adoption, but they are viable options for those looking to add to their family.

In order to know what is best for your family, you must fully understand all of the options available to you. Fortunately, the specialists at American Surrogacy are well-experienced in both the gestational surrogacy and adoption processes.

Your surrogacy specialist will be your point of contact and will oversee the entire gestational surrogacy process from your initial phone call to well after the surrogacy process is completed. They will be available to:

  • Answer any questions you have along the way
  • Offer support and advice
  • Make sure that your surrogacy journey is proceeding as smoothly as possible

Step 2. Complete the Screening Process with American Surrogacy

To get to know you and your goals for surrogacy better, your specialist will first send you our Surrogacy Planning Questionnaire.

The SPQ will have a variety of questions designed to tailor the surrogacy process to your preferences, including:

  • Do you have any past experiences with surrogacy or adoption?
  • What is your budget for surrogacy?
  • Do you require an egg or a sperm donor?
  • What type of contact do you want with the surrogate during and after the surrogacy?
  • And many more

The screening process is an essential step in our surrogacy method. Your answers will help us find the right surrogate for your family and prepare for the upcoming steps of your surrogacy process.

For intended parents, our screening process includes two steps: the home assessment and background clearances.

The home assessment consists of an in-home inspection and interviews. Your social worker will conduct these steps. Additionally, screening both intended parents and surrogates ensures that the other party is physically, psychologically and legally ready for the surrogacy process before matching. This prevents any delays in your surrogacy process once you begin.

Step 3. Match with a Surrogate

Based on your preferences and goals, your surrogacy specialist will help identify possible surrogate candidates and show them your Intended Parent Profile.

Your profile will include:

  • Information about your family and your home
  • Pictures of your family
  • A letter to any prospective surrogate reading your profile

Your surrogacy specialist and our media team will work with you to create your profile to help you find the right surrogate for your family.

Once you and a surrogate reciprocate interest in one another, your surrogacy specialist will set up a meeting for you to get to know each other and discuss your surrogacy goals.

From there, if both parties are ready to move forward with our surrogacy procedure, you are officially matched, and the legal process will begin.

Step 4. Understand the Legal Process

Both you and your surrogate will have your own attorney who will meet with you individually to review the agreements and ensure you understand your rights and any possible risks.

The legal process is a crucial part of how surrogacy works. Once the contracts are signed, your attorney will begin working on the pre-birth order after the first trimester, which will:

  • Establish you as the legal parents of your child
  • Allow you to make medical decisions for your child
  • Resolve any insurance conflicts
  • Direct the hospital and the state’s vital records department to include your names on the birth certificate

Step 5. Complete the Embryo Transfer

American Surrogacy partners with fertility clinics across the country. We’ll help you find a fertility clinic that’s current with the best surrogacy technology to make this medical process of surrogacy go as smoothly as possible.

In gestational surrogacy, a surrogate is not related to the child that she carries. Instead, a previously created embryo will be transferred into her uterus.

If an egg or sperm donor is required, the fertility clinic will handle much of this surrogacy process while we oversee it.

Once all conditions have been satisfied, the embryo will be transferred to your surrogate. A few months later, once a healthy pregnancy is confirmed, base compensation of monthly payments will begin.

Supporting the surrogate is a vital part of the overall surrogacy process, especially at this stage. Her surrogacy specialist will be available for her during every step of the pregnancy, and we educate and encourage intended parents to be there for her as well in any way they can.

Bringing Your Baby Home This New Year

The hospital stay is obviously a very exciting time for everyone, as everyone’s hard work and dedication will soon result in a beautiful newborn.

You and the surrogate, along with your surrogacy specialist, will determine the events of the hospital stay and the surrogacy birth, such as:

  • The hospital choice for the surrogacy
  • Whether you will be involved with the birth in the delivery room
  • How much the surrogate wants to be a part of post-birth

Once the surrogate can be dismissed from the hospital, you will all leave together, forever connected in this new year.

Our staffs’ help isn’t finished yet. As we said at the beginning, any support and guidance you need over the next few days, weeks or years, we will be there for you.

If you’re ready to have a baby through surrogacy, please contact us today at 1-800-875-BABY.

What Is My First Step? The Agency or the Clinic?

What is my first step as an intended parent? Do I l find a fertility clinic or surrogacy agency? This guide explains what to do.

What is your first step as an intended parent? Do you locate a clinic for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment or try to find a surrogacy agency? We’re here to answer that question for you.

If you want to get free surrogacy information now, then you can contact us online whenever you need us. Our trusted team is always here to support you. In the meantime, though, we’ve put together this guide that explains what your first step should be as an intended parent.

Your First Step in Choosing Surrogacy [What You Need to Know]

You know surrogacy is the right path toward building your family and making your dreams of parenthood a reality. But, what you don’t know is how you begin the surrogacy process. What is that important first step, exactly? When you’re ready to get started, you’ll want to contact a reputable agency like American Surrogacy.

Our agency’s experienced professionals can answer all your questions. We will also determine your needs and preferences for matching with a prospective surrogate. Before you seek out a fertility clinic to undergo the IVF process, you should first work with American Surrogacy and go through our matching services. After all, how would you start IVF without a surrogate? That’s where we come in to help.

Finding a Surrogate Mother with Our Agency

As you might imagine, finding a prospective surrogate alone can be stressful. Fortunately, American Surrogacy has an extensive surrogacy screening process that ensures they are 100% committed to carrying a baby for you. For instance, we require all surrogates who work with us to:

  • Complete thorough background checks
  • Visit an obstetrician to confirm their fertility
  • Fill out social and medical history forms
  • Undergo a home assessment from a licensed social worker
  • Receive a psychosocial evaluation from a licensed psychologist

In other words, you can rest assured that all our prospective surrogates are dedicated to this journey. Before you match with a surrogate, our media specialists will help you create your intended parent profile. This profile showcases who you are. When prospective surrogates view them, they’ll learn about your hobbies and interests, family traditions, why you’ve chosen surrogacy, and so much more.

After they view your profile, you can begin getting to know the surrogate a bit better. Your American Surrogacy professional can arrange a video chat for you all. Here, you can ask them any questions you have and learn more about them as a person.

Also, your professional will mediate this call, and they’ll inform you of any topics to avoid before you speak with the surrogate mother. If you’re ready to move forward and feel like this is the right choice, then let your specialist know! It’s time to move to the next step.

What to Look for in a Surrogacy Clinic

Once you’ve matched with a prospective surrogate mother, your professional will refer you to a fertility clinic. Still, it is ultimately your choice as you decide which surrogacy clinic you’d like to work with.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to research which clinics meet your needs and preferences. No two surrogacy journeys are the same, so it’s important to find a surrogacy clinic that’s best for you. To give you a solid starting point, we’ve listed some key services below that you should keep an eye out for:

When you reach out to these clinics, be sure to ask them all your questions. Their answers will help you determine if the clinic you’re interested in meets your surrogacy needs.

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There’s no doubt that surrogacy is a complex topic, so we completely understand if you have some more questions. American Surrogacy is here for you whenever you need us. To get more free information now, you can fill out our online contact form today. We would love to hear from you!

A Day in the Life of a Surrogacy Specialist

The surrogacy process is a beautiful way to start a family. It’s also something that takes a lot of work. Everyone involved has an important role to play, especially the specialist with your surrogacy professional.

Surrogacy specialists are responsible for many aspects of the process. Typically, they’re juggling multiple tasks and everything is high priority. They know they can’t afford to drop any balls, because this work is vital to fulfilling your dreams of becoming a parent. Surrogacy specialists are passionate, caring professionals who work tirelessly to help create families.

As an intended parent or surrogate considering surrogacy, or as an intended parent currently going through the process, you obviously know that surrogacy specialists are important, and the work they do matters. But do you really know what their days look like?

We’re going to pull back the curtain on the daily life of a surrogacy specialist. As you’ll see, these are everyday heroes performing challenging tasks under high pressure. From the required administrative duties to filing paperwork to counseling families and surrogates through the ups and downs of the process, your specialist is there for you.

Here’s what a typical day in the life of a surrogacy specialist might look like.

7 a.m. — Family First

Wait, isn’t this about what a surrogacy specialist does at work? Yes, it is. But before we get to that, we need to establish something very important: Surrogacy specialists have lives, too. They have families, obligations, early mornings and everything else.

When an intended parent or surrogate is working with a surrogacy specialist, it can be easy to get tunnel vision and forget that they are more than just a surrogacy specialist. Before the drive to the office, there’s getting the kids fed and out the door and, if they’re lucky, time to sit down for a cup of coffee.

8 a.m. — Time for Some Emails

Awareness and interest in surrogacy is growing every day. As recently as several years ago, surrogacy was still seen as an “out there” option for family building. Today, it is much more common. A surrogacy specialist knows this firsthand through the amount of inquiries they respond to each day.

After driving to the office and settling in with a hot cup of coffee, their day will often begin by responding to all of the requests for information that came in over the last 24 hours. This could be five, 10 or more emails.

Each response carries a lot of weight. This is a person who is interested in starting a family or interested in carrying a baby for intended parents. Both are asking serious questions that could be life-changing. Far from a quick response, each email demands careful focus and attention.

9 a.m. — Assisting Active Cases

Our surrogacy specialist shifts focus to the caseload already on their plate once these interest inquiries are taken care of. Along with the people interested in surrogacy, there are also the people who are already in the process. These could be matches — intended parents and a surrogate who are already paired up — or either party that is still waiting for a match.

Managing the caseload is part administrative work, part counseling work and a little bit of everything else. One minute could be dedicated to reviewing a surrogacy contract, and the next is spent vetting a family to ensure they qualify. It’s important for each step of this process to be completed accurately for the protection of everyone involved.

10 a.m. — Phone Calls to Speak with Women Interested in Surrogacy

Deciding to carry a baby as a gestational surrogate is a big choice. After initially requesting information online, women who are interested in taking the next step will often schedule a follow-up call to have a more in-depth discussion about the surrogacy process.

This is unique in the day of a surrogacy specialist, as opposed to many other family-building professionals. Many adoption agencies, for example, have adoptive family specialists and birth mother specialists. In surrogacy, the surrogacy specialist works with everyone involved from start to finish.

These calls are a chance to educate and encourage women interested in becoming a surrogate.

11 a.m. — Team Meeting

Our team at American Surrogacy is made up of several hard-working individuals, and it helps to be on the same page. The surrogacy process can get complicated. There are a lot of moving parts, important documents and necessary phone calls. Plus, working as a team helps provide encouragement on the hard days.

12 p.m. – Lunch, and Probably More Emails

Who really takes a full lunch, anyways? While our surrogacy specialist was speaking with women on the phone and collaborating with her team, new requests for information and emails from active cases have been building up in her inbox. A working lunch is typical.

1 p.m. – Intended Parent Calls

It’s time for more phone calls! So much of being a surrogacy specialist involves answering questions. These questions are important, and they require complete responses. Without the support of a surrogacy specialist, intended parents would be at a loss in this process.

Just like our surrogacy specialist did at 10 a.m. with surrogates, they will spend time in the afternoon following up with intended parents who want to learn more. These calls typically last an hour, and, depending on the day, could take up the whole afternoon. Each family is unique, which means each conversation is totally different.

2 p.m. – Delivering Good News and Finding a Match

One of the best things that can happen in a surrogacy specialist’s day is when intended parents hop on the phone and are ready to go. That means they already have taken the necessary medical steps, have embryos prepared and are ready to find a match. Here’s the best part: showing them our list of available surrogacy situations.

We work with so many amazing gestational surrogates. Helping a family find a match is one of the best parts of the day. This is a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives, and we are honored to play a part in the story of their family.

3 p.m. – Delivering Bad News and Having Tough Conversations

This is a profession comprised of ups and downs. For all the times a surrogacy specialist gets to be a part of life-changing moments, there are times when they have to deliver bad news and have tough conversations.

At this point, a surrogacy specialist may have to pick up the phone and call a woman hoping to be a surrogate with some bad news: We’re so sorry, but something has come up, and you do not meet the qualifications.

American Surrogacy has psychological and medical standards for all surrogates, which provides protection for everyone involved in the process. It can be really hard when something comes up in the medical screening that was unknown or unexpected. Delivering news like this is not easy. It’s the knowledge of the good things that will happen that keeps a surrogacy specialist going through hard conversations like this.

4 p.m. – Wrapping up loose ends

You never truly know what a day is going to hold. The last hour is reserved for the unexpected (unless, of course, something unexpected demands attention earlier). There are plenty of loose ends to tie up. A surrogacy specialist rarely leaves the office feeling like work is “done.” The goal is to get everything in a good place to come back to work tomorrow.

 5 p.m. – An Evening Full of Family

Once again, we’re back to life.

It’s time for school pickup, volleyball practice, basketball games, cooking dinner (or, let’s be real, ordering takeout) and enjoy time with family. American Surrogacy is all about creating family, so of course a surrogacy specialist places a high value on her own. This is what makes life great. Even though toting the kids to and from evening activities can be tiring, it provides fuel for the next day at work.

The Heart of Surrogacy

Anyone who dreams of starting a family should have the opportunity to see that dream fulfilled. That’s the belief at the core of American Surrogacy. Yes, being a surrogacy specialist is a job. But it’s also much more than that. It is a position with daily opportunities to play a vital role in changing someone’s life.

That kind of work comes with its ups and downs. There are hard days when nothing seems to go right, but there are also great days when you get to witness a family come together for the first time. Surrogacy specialists accept both the good and the bad, holding it all together in this delicate process and working tirelessly to serve you.

If you’d like to speak with a surrogacy specialist today, you can call 1-800-875-BABY(2229) or reach out online. We would love to talk with you.