Why Become a Surrogate

Committing to being a surrogate takes courage and a big dose of selflessness. You’re pregnant again, sharing the experience with the intended parents, and after delivery, the baby goes home with them. Along the way, all kinds of wonderful things are possible for you, the surrogate.

Joy

An undeniable joy and pride come with carrying a child for a person or couple unable to carry their own. It’s a selfless act, perhaps the greatest act of giving that you’ll ever perform, and that’s empowering.

Connection

A rich and rewarding bond between you and the intended parents forms when you match. That bond deepens as the months go by. Most intended parents want to share in your experience of being pregnant. They watch from the sidelines, mesmerized, filled with questions, eager to be a part of something they’ve dreamed of.

Awareness

Every stage of the pregnancy brings new excitement for the intended parents. Imagine their gratitude as the wish to have their own baby is granted, thanks to you. Your willingness to be a carrier creates a bond of gratitude they’ll never forget. The experience gives you greater awareness and compassion around what it’s like not to be able to carry your own child.

Compensation

You are compensated fairly as a surrogate. Payments are generally structured across the pregnancy. The compensation is formalized in discussions with both parties, their legal counsel and Bright Futures Families.

Medical care

As a surrogate, your pregnancy-related medical costs are covered by the intended parents. This coverage begins with the IVF process and continues through at least six weeks post-partum. The intended parents are not responsible for any medical costs unrelated to the pregnancy.

Well-being

Though pregnancy comes with its ups and downs, many surrogates truly enjoy being pregnant again. Women who felt great during an earlier pregnancy look forward to that same sense of well-being, and to sharing the experience with their family.

Community

As a surrogate, you’re introduced to a community of women for whom surrogacy was a beautiful and rewarding process. Their interest in the kindhearted ideals of surrogacy supports and enriches your experience.

 

Become a Surrogate

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Contact Us To Learn How

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Become a Surrogate 〰️ Contact Us To Learn How 〰️

 
 

The Surrogacy Process

The surrogate’s journey is beautiful, rewarding and not without its challenges (like pregnancy!). The good news? You’re never in this alone. We’re with you every step of the way, from our initial conversation until after the baby is born.

  • We prepare your Surrogate Profile for presentation to potential intended parents.

  • Ask questions at any time!

  • You’re matched with the intended parents—this can take a few weeks, but not generally that long—and we arrange your match meeting. One of us from Bright Futures Families will always be at your initial meeting!

  • You head to the intended parents’ IVF clinic for a full medical workup.

  • An independent attorney, paid for by your intended parents, represents you in explaining and negotiating a legal contract between you, your spouse (if applicable) and the intended parents. This legal contract protects you as the surrogate and ensures that the child will be the legal child of the intended parents. The agreement includes your compensation plan and the wishes you and your intended parents have agreed to regarding the pregnancy and birth.

  • Once the legal agreement is in place, a licensed reproductive endocrinologist (fertility doctor) at an IVF clinic prescribes the medications necessary for embryo transfer. The embryo transfer follows and the next stage—pregnancy—begins.

  • The Bright Futures Families team and your medical team support you, answer your questions and are here for you throughout your pregnancy.

  • Your intended parents take the legal steps, with your cooperation, to acquire a Pre-Birth Parentage Order (PBO). This document stipulates that their names be placed on the birth certificate. We want to make sure you’re only responsible for carrying and having the baby and nothing more!

  • The baby is born! Everyone celebrates the family you’ve helped to create! We’re standing by to help with any logistics and post-delivery concerns.

What Will I Get Paid to be a Surrogate?

You and your intended parents, with legal counsel, agree to your compensation plan. While there is no one plan that covers all situations, you can expect compensation that generally follows these general guidelines.

  • Pre-Birth Child Support

    • Starting Compensation: $50,000 (experienced GS’s may command higher compensation)

    • Monthly Expense Allowance: $300 per month for approximately 14 months Total: ~ $4,200

    • Maternity Clothing: $1,000 (for multiples pregnancy $1.250)

    • Medical Screening Completion Fee: $500.

    • Medication Start Fee: $1,000.

    • Embryo Transfer Fee: $1,500

    • Additional Procedure Fees (e.g. in utero testing, mock or dropped cycle) ~2,000-$7,000+

    • Housekeeping Allowance: ~$2,500

    • Gestational Carrier Lost Wages: ACTUAL

    • Gestational Carrier’s Partner Lost Wages (May be capped: ACTUAL

    • Childcare During Doctor Ordered Best Rest (May be capped): ACTUAL

    • Doula and/or Wellness package: ~$5,500

    • Surrogate Independent Attorney: ~$2,000-$4,000

    • Life Insurance for Surrogate: ~$900+

    • Travel and Lodging Expenses (if GC lives 50+ miles from the IVF Clinic): ACTUAL

    • Companion Travel and Lodging Expenses (if required): ACTUAL

    • Psych./Social Worker Support: ~$1250

    • Out of Pocket Medical Expenses: ACTUAL

    • Multiple Pregnancy: $15,000

    • Mock or Dropped Cycle: $500

    • Caesarean Section: $5,000

Ready to Become a Surrogate?

Ready to take the first step toward becoming a surrogate? Apply Now to start your journey. Here, you’ll find our quick and secure application form, along with helpful information on what to expect next. If you meet the basic requirements and feel called to help grow a family, we’d love to hear from you.