Thinking about gestational surrogacy? This guide explains what the gestational surrogacy process looks like- step by step.
Gestational surrogacy is a form of third-party reproduction where a surrogate—also called a gestational carrier—carries and delivers a child for another individual or couple. Unlike traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, in gestational surrogacy the embryo is created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors. This means the gestational carrier has no genetic relationship to the baby she carries.
Want a deeper understanding? Read more about what gestational surrogacy is: https://www.hatch.us/en/blog/what-is-gestational-surrogacy
Here’s a quick breakdown of how it all goes- from start to finish:
You’ll kick things off with a consultation, or “get-to-know you” call with one of our Surrogate Specialists (like me!) to prepare you for the surrogacy process.We want to know all about you, make sure the process is going to be medically safe for you, and that we are a good fit for you and your family. We will do a quick preliminary medical records check through the Health Information Exchange that takes about 2 business days. You will then be moved on to work with one of our amazing Surrogate Advocates, who will help build a profile for you and get to know you even better! So, once you get to matching, your Match Specialist will know exactly what it is you are looking for out of your journey, which will ensure you are matched with someone who shares your values and goals. That match is super important- it sets the tone for everything that follows.
During the Admission stage of the process when you are working with your Surrogate Advocate, you will go through a background check ( for you, your partner if applicable and anyone in the household over the age of 18), full medical records collection for your pregnancy, delivery, fertility, or other relevant records, and a medical records review. Our medical records team works closely with the doctors of Pacific Fertility Center of Los Angeles (PFCLA) for your medical records review to ensure your health and safety is a priority. You’ll undergo a uterine lining check locally, and then a psychological screening is completed with a licensed mental health professional. We will also provide you (and your support person)with education to prepare you for your journey. Again, we want this to be the safest possible journey for you, baby and intended parents.
Then comes the surrogate matching process, where Surrogate and Intended Parent(s) are matched based on a social fit. We take into consideration your state laws, your medical history, the type of relationship you want with your Intended Parents and so much more. We really want to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to even the smallest details- Our Match specialist will take some time getting to know you (the surrogate) even more! A fun fact about us here at Hatch- Almost all of us have been surrogates before, including our Match Specialists😊 Which means you will ALWAYS have someone walking side by side with you who has been in your shoes.
Once you have been matched, you will be introduced to your very own Case Manager (again an experienced previous surrogate) who will help you pick from the best-of-the-best attorneys to select your legal counsel and go over the legal aspects of the surrogacy process. They will review the surrogacy contract for your case and go over everything step-by-step. The contract will cover parental rights, medical decisions, compensation, insurance and will be tailored to your specific state.
Surrogates undergo an in-person medical screening appointment , where they will travel to the clinic the IPs are working with and meet the IVF doctor and nurses they will be working with throughout the IVF process. The medical screening may include bloodwork, a pelvic ultrasound, and a uterine evaluation.
As a surrogate, you will need to take hormonal medications such as estrogen and progesterone. This is to ensure your cycle is timed with embryo transfer to improve success rates in hopes of achieving the best possible outcome: a positive pregnancy. All going well, the hope is that you’ll have a smooth, full term pregnancy and deliver a baby for your Intended Parents making parenthood possible for them (which is the reason we are all here- to support you while you take on the selfless task of making a family possible!)
The embryo is transferred during a quick, painless outpatient procedure. Pregnancy is confirmed via a blood test after about 2 weeks. Around 6-8 weeks of pregnancy the first ultrasound is done to confirm heartbeat. You usually continue IVF medications until around 10-11 weeks of pregnancy before you will be released and monitored with a regular OB/GYN. Your care will be close to home at this point of the process and the IP’s will come to you for any OB appointments and of course the delivery.
The final step is delivery (YOU DID IT!) now just because you have delivered doesn’t mean we are going anywhere, our Hatch family (especially your case manager) will be checking in on you during what we like to call the 4th trimester. We want to make sure you are feeling great after such an amazing journey.
Enjoy time with your family and be so proud of what you have accomplished. Our whole Hatch family appreciates you so much for your immeasurable gift to a loving family!
As you might imagine, the surrogacy process involves emotional complexities. Hatch supports surrogates and intended parents with counseling and ethical practices throughout your entire journey, even post birth. We are proud to have had a comprehensive, supportive, and ethical program since 1991. As one of the earliest surrogacy programs founded over three decades ago, you can rest assured that we know exactly how to support you and keep this journey as smooth and safe as humanly possible.
At Hatch we strive to keep surrogacy accessible with our comprehensive Peace of Mind Package covering surrogate compensation, agency fees, medical expenses, and legal services. Hatch maintains a 99%+ IVF success rate and complete transparency. We strive to ensure our parents reach their goal of having a baby, and that our surrogates are also fairly compensated for all that they take on to make this possible.
How long does it take?
Typically, the process takes anywhere from 14–18 months, sometimes longer depending on how the journey unfolds medically.. Every case is different, just like every pregnancy is different.
What are the medical risks for surrogates?
Similar to typical pregnancy, all our surrogates are monitored closely throughout the journey. There is an added layer of caution in pre-pregnancy medical screening when it comes to surrogacy to ensure that you are a low-risk candidate. A surrogate pregnancy carries all the same risks as your own pregnancy or taking hormonal birth control. We recommend discussing your pregnancy history with your own OBGYN to understand if you are a good candidate.
What legal protections are in place?
The contract you will have between you and your intended parents is in place to protect you and set clear expectations for your journey legally. You will have your own expert 3rd party attorney to represent you for the contract as well as the pre-birth (or when necessary post-birth)orders that establish parentage for your intended parents.
Do Surrogates and Intended Parents build a relationship?
Yes! We certainly hope so and strive to work with both intended parents and surrogates who want to share the journey and open communication together. This is a team process and we encourage as much involvement as is welcomed by both sides. 😊
With over 34 years of experience and 3,300+ healthy babies born, Hatch promises to:
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