Callie Megel, Intake Coordinator at Bright Futures Families Surrogacy, here for Ask Question. And today's question is: What is the typical process during the time directly after baby is born?

Callie Megel, Intake Coordinator at Bright Futures Families Surrogacy, here for today's question. And today's question is:  How do you feel after the embryo transfer?

And I can only talk off of my experiences. I've had three embryo transfers and everybody's body is different. Everybody's going to react differently. It's going to feel different for everybody. But for me, the embryo transfers was, I would say, the easiest part of the whole process. You feel a little bit crampy, but other than that, it shouldn't be too much painful, just a little bit of cramps. But again, everybody's different. Every clinic is different. If you have any more questions, let me know.

Medication Side Effects in Surrogacy

• The key takeaway is that side effects from surrogacy medications vary widely, requiring personalized medical consultation.

• Amanda from Bright Futures Families emphasized that side effects depend on individual responses and specific medications used in IVF 

• • She advised surrogates to consult both their OB and reproductive endocrinologist for tailored guidance 

  • The variability in medication types and personal reactions means no one-size-fits-all answer exists 

  • Understanding medication impact is crucial for managing health throughout the surrogacy process 

  • This approach ensures intended parents and surrogates make informed decisions based on expert medical advice

Preparing to become parents through surrogacy involves more than medical and legal steps. This guide helps intended parents understand how to prepare emotionally, financially, and practically for surrogacy—covering education, building relationships with a surrogate, managing expectations, and preparing for life after birth.

Hey, everyone, this is Jennifer White, CEO of Bright Futures Families Surrogacy, with this week's Ask Question, which is:  What if the embryo transfer isn't successful?

And this is such a hard question because we all, of course, this is what we built for. Everybody wants it to be successful. My first thing I would say is always everybody on both sides, intended parents and gestational carriers, allow yourself the time and the space to grieve, because this is not the outcome that anybody wanted and nobody should expect that. You just pick right back up with a chipper, happy face on either side. Right? Gestational carriers are just as disappointed in disappointing intended parents as intended parents are disappointed that this didn't work. And so both sides really need to grieve, whether it's separately or whether you want to support each other.
I think nobody should feel obligated to support each other through that though, and each person should be able to grieve in their own way. Beyond that, the actual logistical nuts and bolts, which I think is what was actually being asked, is that generally people try again, assuming that there are more embryos. Usually people try up to three times, usually within about a year to 18 month period, and they keep going and hopefully there is a success. Generally if the first one isn't successful, generally the second one is. No promises ever. But usually statistically by that second one, things really work. So. So if the first one doesn't, please, please allow yourself the space to grieve. It's normal. But pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and everybody is really excited to sprinkle that fairy dust and try again.

Psychological Support Services

• Bright Futures Families provides continuous psychological support and community connection for all participants.

• Bright Futures Families offers ongoing monthly psychological support and access to support groups for both intended parents and gestational carriers, ensuring sustained emotional care throughout their journey 

• • This support helps maintain mental well-being during complex surrogacy processes 

  • The monthly format creates consistent opportunities for participants to share and receive guidance 

  • Ashley emphasized inclusivity, covering both intended parents and carriers equally 

  • This approach aims to reduce isolation and foster a supportive community environment

Pumping and shipping breast milk after birth is a generous option some surrogates choose to support intended parents. This guide explains how pumping and shipping works, what to expect postpartum, tips for success, and companies that help surrogates safely ship breast milk.

• Hi, this is Danielle Gage, Case Manager at Bright Futures Families Surrogacy, with today's Ask Question. And the question is: Do you have tips for the shots I have to do as a surrogate?

   

  That is an excellent question. And I will admit at first those shots can be very intimidating. But as someone who has done this process several times, I can give you a few tips to make them a little easier. For progesterone and oil shots, that medication is very thick, so it really helps if you warm the medication slightly before injecting it. That will help it flow more smoothly and just make it go in a lot easier. You can also apply ice to the area to help numb the spot that you're injecting beforehand. After you've done the injection, you could try massage or use a worn compress to distribute the medication.

  
  Because it's so thick, it really helps by doing that to reduce soreness and hopefully helps prevent any lumps that you might get. You should also be rotating injection sites to help avoid bruising or tenderness. And remember that it's totally normal to ask for help. You can always reach out to your clinic or your agency case manager to ask for help. And honestly, many partners become pros at giving injections as well. If you want to ask your partner for help, you've got this. I promise. It really does get easier with time. And really after you get past that first one, it's a lot easier. Thank you for your question.

Janelle Ibarra with Bright Futures Families Surrogacy.  Here are the top three things I wish I had known before I became a surrogate, before I continue. Our agency, our surrogacy agency, Bright Futures Families, answers these questions a couple times per week. And so you should go follow our social media pages so that you can get the most up to date information every week.

Surrogacy is a meaningful and rewarding path to parenthood—but it also carries real risks. This guide outlines what can go wrong during a surrogacy journey, from IVF and embryo challenges to legal, medical, emotional, and communication issues, so intended parents and surrogates can prepare, plan, and protect themselves.

Callie Megel, Intake Coordinator at Bright Futures Families Surrogacy, here for Ask Question. And today's question is: What is the typical process during the time directly after baby is born?

Well, that's the end goal right? So that's celebrated. That's amazing that you've made it this far. The process is really quite simple. If delivery went great, hopefully you get to go home soon on the doctor's releases but you kind of just go home and relax and return to your daily life. It might involve some pumping and managing that but usually the case managers from the agency really take care of you and making sure that you are well supported. They do look into making sure all those bills are paid through, you know if it's coming from your OB or the hospital but that's pretty much the process.
Usually, you go home and intended parents go home with baby and hopefully it's happy, healthy everyone. But if there's any complications you reach out to your case manager directly and they will handle it all.

Surrogacy can be a powerful path to parenthood for gay intended parents, but it also comes with important legal, medical, and personal considerations. This guide answers common surrogacy questions from same-sex couples, including state laws, biological connection, donor selection, timelines, and how to build a safe, supportive journey.

Surrogacy Commitment and Intentions

• The team confirmed that 99.9% of surrogates do not want to keep the baby, emphasizing strong commitment to the surrogacy process. 

• Amanda explained that surrogates are motivated by the goal to create joy and bring life, not personal gain. 

• Intended parents seek to welcome the child and then return to their normal lives, highlighting clear role expectations. 

• This insight helps reduce fears driven by negative media stories, reinforcing trust in the surrogacy process. 

• Understanding this high commitment rate supports marketing and counseling strategies aimed at intended parents and surrogates.

• Infertility Awareness and Support

  • The discussion highlighted that infertility affects a significant portion of the population, emphasizing the need for supportive services.

  • Infertility impacts roughly one in six people, representing millions of families worldwide, which frames the scale of the issue Danielle addressed 

  • • This prevalence shows infertility is common rather than rare, breaking stigma around the topic 

    • Danielle stressed infertility is not shameful, encouraging open conversations and support 

    • The message sets the foundation for outreach and service development in fertility support 

    • Recognizing wide impact helps the business prioritize empathetic communication and resource allocation

  • Surrogacy was presented as a key path to parenthood offered by the organization, inviting engagement from both prospective parents and surrogates 

  • • This dual-focus approach broadens market reach and potential service users 

    • Danielle’s invitation to connect signals active recruitment and community-building efforts 

    • Positioning surrogacy as a supported option aligns with business goals to expand client base 

    • This framing supports long-term growth through relationship development and trust-building in the fertility space

Choosing the right surrogate match is one of the most important steps in the surrogacy journey. This guide covers five key factors intended parents should consider, including surrogacy laws, medical and psychological screening, shared values and communication, agency vs. independent matches, and the true financial costs of surrogacy.

Hi everyone. Ashley Old, Case Manager with Bright Futures Families, here with your Ask a Surrogate Expert question. This week's question is how much does _surrogacy cost and why? Surrogacy usually costs between 175,000 to 200,000, covering surrogate pay, legal, medical insurance and agency support. Clinic fees are separate. It's a huge investment, but it ensures everyone is fully supported and cared for throughout the journey. Thanks for the question.

We are always happy to send people in directions of non profits and fertility related charities that might fit them really well that need volunteers. So if you ever want to reach out, ask us. We're happy to individualize any suggestions to you.

Hi Janelle Ibarra, Social Media person here at Bright Futures Families, here for Ask a Surrogacy Expert. Who can be in the delivery room during a surrogacy birth? So there are a couple pieces to this. The first piece being it's going to depend on who is decided during the matching process and legal contract piece. So sometimes the intended parents request that they can be in there. The second piece to consider is that different hospitals and birthing places have different policies and so the number of people who can be in the room may vary.

Matching in surrogacy is about more than availability—it’s about shared values, communication, and trust. This blog explores what makes a strong match between a gestational carrier and intended parents, including important conversations about termination, vaccines, relationship expectations, and medical decision-making before pregnancy begins.

Delivering a surrogacy birth at home is generally not feasible, prioritizing safety due to potential complications.

Surrogacy is often shown as a highlight reel—but there’s so much more behind the scenes. From the long waiting periods and emotional highs and lows to the physical demands, changing relationships, and post-birth transition, this blog shares the real, human parts of surrogacy that people don’t always talk about.