Matching with intended parents is a big milestone in the surrogacy process, and there is a lot that goes into finding the right fit. When matching surrogates and intended parents, our team looks for that ideal combination of abstract and concrete qualities.
We have an extensive and exceptional history with the success of our matches between our surrogates and intended parents. In fact, 99% of our match meetings end in a confirmed match.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about how the surrogate matching process works at Hatch Fertility — from pre-screening all the way through to what happens after you say yes.
What Is the Surrogate Matching Process?
The surrogate matching process is the structured journey of pairing a qualified surrogate with the right intended parents.
It is far more than simply finding two parties who are available at the same time.
A great match means that both the surrogate and the intended parents share compatible personalities, expectations for the relationship, and alignment on key decisions throughout the pregnancy.
At Hatch, your surrogacy coordinator will work closely with you to understand your wants and needs so we can recommend the most compatible matches. For your safety and peace of mind, everyone involved is pre-screened extensively prior to matching.
The 6 Steps of the Surrogate Matching Process
Here is a look at the surrogate matching process from start to finish at Hatch:
- Submit your application. Your surrogacy journey begins with an in-depth application covering your medical history, pregnancy history, family life, support system, and motivation for becoming a surrogate. This information forms the foundation of your profile and helps our team get to know you as a person, not just a candidate.
- Complete your pre-screening. Once your application is reviewed, you will move through our thorough pre-screening process. This includes background checks, a review of your OB/GYN and delivery records, and a psychological evaluation conducted by a licensed mental health professional. Your partner or spouse, if applicable, will also be included in this stage.
- Meet with your Match Specialist. You will work one-on-one with a Hatch Match Specialist who will take the time to understand what you are looking for in your surrogacy journey. Our team includes experienced former surrogates who truly understand what you are stepping into, and they are here to listen.
- Review intended parent profiles. Once you are cleared for matching, your coordinator will present intended parent profiles to you one at a time.
- Attend your video match meeting. If there is mutual interest after reviewing profiles, a video match meeting will be facilitated by your coordinator. At Hatch, 99% of these meetings end in a confirmed match.
- Confirm the match and move forward. After the meeting, your coordinator will check in with both parties separately to confirm that everyone is comfortable moving forward. Once confirmed, you will move into the legal and medical phases of your journey.
How Intended Parents Are Screened Before You Match
At Hatch, we are committed to inclusively making families possible, which means we review all intended parents thoroughly and without judgment.
Our surrogacy team is made up of several experienced surrogates who are the best in the world at connecting with surrogate applicants, talking through their answers, and addressing any questions that come up along the way. These conversations help reduce the risk of future match breaks and disappointment for everyone involved.
The pre-screening process for intended parents includes:
- Understanding their reason for needing the support of a surrogate
- Determining, in many cases, whether they have embryos frozen prior to matching
- Connecting them with resources for egg or sperm donors for embryo creation if needed
- Consulting with our team about their unique circumstances to best understand their needs
- Clearance from a licensed mental health provider to proceed with surrogacy
- A criminal background check
- Ensuring that eggs and sperm are carefully screened and tested for diseases
How Your Profile Shapes the Matching Process
Just as intended parents share a profile with you, you will create one of your own.
Your profile is one of the most important tools in the surrogate matching process because it gives intended parents a genuine sense of who you are and what this journey means to you.
Your profile will typically include:
- Your background and family life
- Your pregnancy and delivery history
- Your motivation for becoming a surrogate
- Photos of you and your family
- Your preferences for communication and relationship with the intended parents
- Your views on selective reduction, termination, and other key decisions
The more open and thoughtful you are in building your profile, the easier it is for our team to find a match that truly feels right for you.
What Are the Matching Criteria?
The surrogate matching process at Hatch accounts for four key areas of compatibility.
Social Fit
This is composed of two criteria: compatible personalities and compatible desires for your journey. Our matching team reviews the potential match to ensure good personality fits.
Our goal is to make sure that both parties have a comfortable relationship throughout the entirety of the journey.
Medical Fit
This is determined by the intended parent’s IVF physician. The IVF physician will review the surrogate’s previous OBGYN and delivery records. After the match is confirmed, the surrogate will also go through a comprehensive in-person medical screening.
Legal Fit
In the United States, each state has its own laws regarding surrogacy. Some states are more compatible than others for a specific match, and Hatch only works with surrogates located in surrogacy-friendly states.
Additionally, each country we assist has different requirements and laws regarding surrogacy. Therefore, our legal team ensures that the laws of the surrogate’s home state (where the delivery will take place) complement the laws of the intended parents' home state/country. We will make sure that every match is a safe, legal fit.
Financial Fit
Costs vary for each surrogacy journey, which is determined by several variables. We align financial needs to accommodate both parties.
How Long Does It Take to Be Matched With Intended Parents?
The time it takes for surrogates to match with intended parents will depend on each unique case. At Hatch, the surrogate matching process takes an average of 3 months. As we mentioned in the previous section of this article, we also do all the pre-screening for you.
Tips to Speed Up Your Match
There are a few things you can do to help the surrogate matching process move even more smoothly:
- Be transparent and detailed in your application. The more our team knows about you, the better we can advocate for a match that truly fits.
- Add photos that represent you and your family. Intended parents connect with real, genuine glimpses into your life.
- Be open about your communication preferences. Letting us know whether you prefer a close, ongoing relationship or something more independent helps narrow the field quickly.
- Stay flexible where you can. The more open you are on criteria such as the intended parents' location or family structure, the larger the pool of compatible matches.
- Keep your coordinator updated. If your circumstances change, let your team know so your profile stays current and accurate.
If you are interested in additional information regarding the surrogacy experience and how Hatch can help you in your journey, please reach out to us here.
What Happens After You Are Matched?
Once you and your intended parents have confirmed the match, your surrogacy journey moves into its next chapter.
Here is a look at what comes next:
- Legal contracts. Both you and the intended parents will work with independent legal counsel to draft and sign a surrogacy agreement. This contract covers rights, responsibilities, compensation, and contingency plans. Your legal fees are covered by the intended parents.
- Medical screening. You will complete a comprehensive in-person medical screening at the intended parents' IVF clinic. This is a standard step the clinic uses to confirm you are medically cleared to carry the pregnancy.
- Embryo transfer. Once legal contracts are signed and medical clearance is confirmed, the embryo transfer will be scheduled. Your Hatch team will be with you through every appointment and update along the way.
- Pregnancy and ongoing support. Throughout the pregnancy, your coordinator remains a consistent point of contact. Hatch provides emotional, logistical, and financial support every step of the way, through delivery and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Surrogate Matching Process
How does surrogate matching work?
The surrogate matching process begins after a surrogate has completed her application and passed all pre-screening requirements.
From there, a Match Specialist works with her to understand her preferences and goals for the journey. Intended parent profiles are then presented one at a time. If both parties express mutual interest, a video match meeting is scheduled.
Once both the surrogate and the intended parents feel comfortable moving forward, the match is confirmed and the journey officially begins.
Do surrogates still get paid if they miscarry?
The specifics of miscarriage compensation are outlined in your surrogacy contract, and your Hatch coordinator will walk you through exactly what to expect before you sign anything.
Most contracts include base compensation payments that begin with the confirmed heartbeat and continue through the pregnancy, with provisions in place in the event of a loss.
Is the baby biologically yours if you are a surrogate?
No. Hatch works exclusively with gestational surrogates, meaning you carry a pregnancy created from the intended parents' embryo — or a donor embryo — rather than your own egg.
You are not genetically related to the baby you carry. The embryo is created through IVF using the egg and sperm of the intended parents, or donors, and is then transferred to you.
Begin Your Surrogacy Journey With Hatch
The surrogate matching process is one of the most meaningful parts of the surrogacy journey, and at Hatch, we take it seriously.
Our team works tirelessly to make sure every match feels right. We are honored to walk alongside you as you do something truly extraordinary for another family.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a surrogate with Hatch, or if you have questions about the matching process, we would love to hear from you.
Reach out to our team today.