Egg Donors Intended Parents Surrogates CATEGORY It's natural for a surrogate to be concerned about whether they'll feel emotionally attached to the baby they'll carry. Discover why this attachment is uncommon. Read More AS A SURROGATE, WILL I GET ATTACHED TO THE BABY? Gay and LGBTQIA+ intended parents often face unique hurdles and challenges during the family-building process. Discover how Growing Generations helps same-sex couples navigate the surrogacy process. Read More SURROGACY PROCESS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Before committing to embarking on your egg donor journey, it's essential to keep these simple yet vital egg donation "do's and don'ts" in mind. Read More EGG DONATION DO'S AND DONT'S As you consider surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the pros and cons of gestational versus traditional surrogacy is vital. Discover what you need to know before making this important decision. Read More TRADITIONAL VS GESTATIONAL SURROGACY In preparing for surrogacy, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being can help ensure a. healthy and positive journey for all parties involved. Use these tips to embark on the surrogacy journey with confidence. Read More PREPARING FOR SURROGACY: TIPS TO HELP PROSPECTIVE SURROGATES HAVE A POSITIVE JOURNEY Becoming a surrogate? You shouldn’t feel alone; it can be comforting to hear from people who have been through it. Get advice for surrogates, from surrogates here. Read More BECOMING A SURROGATE: SURROGACY ADVICE FROM SURROGATES Learn about the D&C procedure, often recommended after a miscarriage or abnormal pregnancy, including its process, potential complications, and signs to monitor during recovery to ensure proper healing. Read More D&C PROCEDURE AFTER MISCARRIAGE: RISKS & RECOVERY Going through a miscarriage or D&C is a taxing experience. Get some peace of mind on certain topics, like when to expect your first period afterwards, here. Read More FIRST PERIOD AFTER A MISCARRIAGE OR D&C One question we commonly receive when surrogates are preparing for embryo transfer is whether embryos can fall out after a transfer. Get the answer and the reasons behind it here. Read More PREPARING FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER: CAN AN EMBRYO FALL OUT AFTER TRANSFER? When you begin your surrogacy journey, you will have to be paired with an IVF doctor. Don’t let this stress you out; you have options. Read More DURING SURROGACY, WHICH IVF DOCTOR WILL I USE? In order to complete your screening process, you will need to provide your medical records. See how to get your medical records here. Read More HOW TO GET YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS Mosaic embryos, with both normal & abnormal cells, offer new hope in IVF despite potential risks & uncertain long-term impacts. Read More WHAT ARE MOSAIC EMBRYOS? RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PARENT TESTIMONIALS JOSÉ AND MIQUEL INTENDED PARENTS 1/6 PARENT "We want to explain our child that he or she is the result of a sum of very generous acts: most of all that of his surrogate mother and the egg donor who also made it possible for him to exist. This gesture of offering the potential of one’s own body to others is something beautiful. This makes us think that this baby will bring with him this sum of generosity, solidarity, hope and understanding. He will not be born by surprise, but rather our surprise will always be in him, in his amazing existence to which so many people have contributed with professionalism, love and dedication." TIM PARENT 2/6 PARENT "Thank you, for my new family. The twins are beautiful and perfect in every way. After my parents, who gave me life, you have given me the most important gift I will ever receive. I will be forever grateful. What joy this is… like nothing I have ever known! Yours is the work of angels! Much Love." ERIC AND DOUG SAN FRANCISCO, PARENTS TO TWIN DAUGHTERS 3/6 PARENT "Growing Generations was by our side throughout the process of becoming parents – on the good – as well as the bad days. Now, we’re blessed with the two most beautiful girls in the world. Thank you GG for helping make our dreams come true." PARENT "Don and I want all of you to know that we will be forever grateful to Growing Generations for helping to make our dream come true. We appreciate the professionalism and care that everyone has shown us through this journey. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem real. Words cannot express how much we love our little babies." DAVID AND DON, ARKANSAS PARENTS TO DAUGHTER ALENA AND SON AIDEN 4/6 ANTHONY AND IRA, LOS ANGELES PARENTS TO DAUGHTER NOELLE 5/6 PARENT "Thank you guys for seeing us through. We feel so fortunate that you decided to do what you do, when we decided to do what we’re doing with your help. How’s that for a tongue twister!" PARENT "We want to express our deepest gratitude for making our lifelong dream of becoming parents a reality. Thank you all for helping us through a process that at times was overwhelming. Your professionalism, support, and love made us feel at ease." ERIC AND JOSE, BOSTON PARENTS TO DAUGHTER ALEXA 6/6 BECOME A DONOR BECOME A PARENT SURROGATE TESTIMONIALS CHRISTINA S. SURROGATE 1/6 SURROGATE "Thank you for this incredible opportunity you’ve given me! Being a surrogate has been one of the most fulfilling things in my life and I cannot imagine doing any of this without you. Your support has been incredible and it means the world to me. I could never thank you enough!" TINA SURROGATE, DELIVERED TWINS 2/6 SURROGATE "I wanted the thank you for the adorable silver bear to add to my charm bracelet. It was very thoughtful of you. It being your job or not, you all do a distinguished part in making your surrogates happy. I cannot say enough good things about GG and all you do." JESSICA SURROGATE 3/6 SURROGATE "There are so many things I am thankful for when it comes to Growing Generations and the staff. I don’t think I could name them all. In a “nutshell”, thank you for taking such wonderful care of me and my guys." SURROGATE "I just needed to let you all know how touched I am by all the support and true concern you have shown me. Through the highs and lows, I have felt so surrounded by kindness." JENNIFER, SURROGATE 4/6 TONYA, SURROGATE 5/6 SURROGATE "I wanted to thank you all for making my experience as a surrogate so amazing! It exceeded my expectations. Very few things in my life turn out better than I expect or imagine." SURROGATE "Thank you seems like such a small thing to say for how much I feel. How do you thank people for helping me with one of the GREATEST experiences of my life! You each treated me like I was the most important person in your care." JENNIFER, SURROGATE 6/6 BECOME A SURROGATE BLOG MORE BLOG POSTS...

It's natural for a surrogate to be concerned about whether they'll feel emotionally attached to the baby they'll carry. Discover why this attachment is uncommon. AS A SURROGATE, WILL I GET ATTACHED TO THE BABY? Read More Gay and LGBTQIA+ intended parents often face unique hurdles and challenges during the family-building process. Discover how Growing Generations helps same-sex couples navigate the surrogacy process. SURROGACY PROCESS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Read More Before committing to embarking on your egg donor journey, it's essential to keep these simple yet vital egg donation "do's and don'ts" in mind. EGG DONATION DO'S AND DONT'S Read More As you consider surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the pros and cons of gestational versus traditional surrogacy is vital. Discover what you need to know before making this important decision. TRADITIONAL VS GESTATIONAL SURROGACY Read More In preparing for surrogacy, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being can help ensure a. healthy and positive journey for all parties involved. Use these tips to embark on the surrogacy journey with confidence. PREPARING FOR SURROGACY: TIPS TO HELP PROSPECTIVE SURROGATES HAVE A POSITIVE JOURNEY Read More Becoming a surrogate? You shouldn’t feel alone; it can be comforting to hear from people who have been through it. Get advice for surrogates, from surrogates here. BECOMING A SURROGATE: SURROGACY ADVICE FROM SURROGATES Read More Egg Donors Intended Parents Surrogates CATEGORY LOAD MORE

EGG DONATION TIMELINE REFRESHER PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM You’ve decided to become an egg donor ! What comes next? When do you start medications? What’s going on behind the scenes? These are all questions we expect you to have, and we are thrilled that you’re so excited to get started. Here’s a bird’s eye view of the entire process, from where you are right now through donation day. The first thing you do is fill out our online application . It will take the Growing Generations team about one business day to receive and review your information. On occasion, it can take a bit longer if we need extra information from you. We’ll schedule a video consultation with you if your initial application is approved. The entire conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes. In that time we’ll give you an overview of the entire process, and you'll have time to ask us any questions you may have. After your consultation and once we have the proper items in place, we will create and publish your profile. Your profiles outlines your traits and characteristics from the application you completed, and this is what intended parents see when reviewing our donor database. Next, we wait. This is likely the longest part of your process. While we have had intended parents choose donors the day we publish their profiles, we also have had donors wait for months to be chosen. While a longer wait time can feel disappointing, try to remember that intended parents choose donor eggs with specific criteria in mind and parents tend to be very detail-oriented in making this decision. Once you’re selected it’s time for us to screen you. You’ll typically spend one day near the IVF doctor's office the parents are working with undergoing psychological, medical, and genetic screenings. After doctors process the test results, you’ll spend time talking with lawyers and drawing up contracts. This phase usually lasts between three and four weeks. Now you’re ready for your medical cycle. This phase usually lasts between two and three weeks and includes injectable medications. The needles are very small and the injections are typically pain-free. The medicines will stimulate your ovaries and produce follicles. We expect you to make and keep doctor’s appointments a few times per week during this phase. These appointments are vital to ensure your body is responding to the medications appropriately and track your progress. Finally, it's egg retrieval day. Once your body is ready for egg retrieval you will again see the IVF doctor. The doctor will insert a transvaginal ultrasound wand and pierce each follicle to retrieve your eggs. The procedure lasts about 15-20 minutes, but you should plan to be at the clinic for three hours. If you are traveling from out of town you should plan to be away for five to twelve days, as we do your final monitoring appointments on site. If you are local, doctors will release you to travel home immediately following the procedure. So, there you have it! While we can’t give you a firm answer on how long the entire process will take, know that from the moment you apply, we’re always actively working to get you matched and help you complete a successful journey. If at any time in the process you have questions, feel free to reach out to your admissions or case specialist. They’ve helped hundreds of donors find their matches and will be able to answer any potential questions that you may have.

WHEN YOUR SURROGATE BABY IS IN THE NICU: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM When your surrogacy journey ends with an extended hospital stay it can feel overwhelming and emotionally draining. This may be a challenging way to enter into your parenthood journey, but parenthood is rarely a smooth experience. We have faith that you can navigate this first hurdle. Here’s a look at what to expect if your surrogate-born baby must stay in the NICU, and how we can help you during this time. WHAT YOU'RE FEELING You may be feeling a whirlwind of emotions, including fear or anxiety if your new child needs time in the NICU. You could be feeling stress about the financial implications of extended hospital care for your child or your surrogate or feeling confused about what is expected of you and who to talk to when it comes to managing expenses. All of this is likely happening in a city you're not familiar with while your normal life goes on back home. It’s a lot to manage at once--we understand. Whatever you’re feeling is normal, and your mental health specialist is available to talk with you about your emotions and how to manage them if you’d like. WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOU If your surrogate needs to be hospitalized for an extended period of time, be it before or after the delivery, you will be responsible for any additional medical expenses that occur as the result of the pregnancy or birth. Additionally, you will be responsible for additional lost wages, child care, and housekeeping expenses that may arise as a result of an extended hospital stay. If your surrogate is going to express breast milk for your use, you will be responsible for the costs of a breast pump, nursing supplies, and compensation for your surrogate. These expenses are outlined in your contract with your surrogate. HOW TO BALANCE IT ALL You’re likely going to spend a fair amount of time in a city that you aren’t familiar with. The best thing to do is look into long-term housing options. We recommend looking into furnished apartments with a kitchen. Not only are they far more affordable than hotels, they’ll also give you a “home base” and sense of comfort in the days or weeks to come. If you know that you’ll need to be in your surrogate’s hometown for an extended period following the birth, it can be advantageous to look into this sort of lodging in advance of the delivery. This is prudent especially in the instance of multiples. Next up, it is in your best interest to identify your hospital social worker and establish a good rapport with this person. Growing Generations will not be with you at the hospital, and the hospital social worker is your best link for on-site support and guidance. It is likely that you will meet this person during your 20-week hospital tour. Finally, consider allowing your surrogate time with your new child. Quite often, surrogates feel as though they’ve failed in their mission to carry a child for you if the child needs to spend time in the NICU. She may also be jarred from a premature end to her surrogate journey. Allowing your surrogate time with the child that she carried for you is a kindness that will help with her emotional and physical recovery. Growing Generations is here to support you as you welcome your baby into your family, however that occurs. If you're considering surrogacy agencies for your own journey, please reach out to us online or call us at 323.965.7500. Our team is known for our white-glove attention to detail and compassionate, knowledgeable support for intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors.

YOUR SURROGATE JOURNEY: 3 KEYS TO SUCCESS DURING SURROGACY PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Surrogacy is a collaborative effort among a whole group of people, all with the goal of helping someone become a parent. Three things will help make your surrogate journey a success: 1. TRUST In surrogacy, trust as a foundation for your journey is essential, but it's not a blind "do whatever we say" trust. It needs to be at the core and in all directions. It is so important that you feel good about this process and know that once Growing Generations goes forward with you, we trust you, and we ask that you trust us in return. 2. COMMUNICATION It is really important to foster good lines of communication between all the people on the team—returning phone calls, texts, etc. Communicating anything going on in your life or with surrogacy is essential for the journey. If you call your intended parents (IPs) and they don't get back to you, it's normal to worry, "Do they care? Are they involved? How will they have time to be parents?” etc., but really, it's just that they are living their busy lives. The same goes for you. If your IPs call or email and don't hear from you, their heads go a little crazy, too, and they may think, "Is she okay? Did she move to Mexico? Is she having second thoughts"—and I would tell them the same thing, that you’re just living you a busy, full life. So I ask that you and the IPs give each other space, but at the same time, be respectful and return communication in a timely manner. 3. FLEXIBILITY This is not a linear process. Growing Generations will control everything that we can control, but there are many moving parts, and we can’t control them all. For example, when the transfer is scheduled, it is based on a lot of factors. It's really important that you are fluid about your expectations and know that things can change. Dates, like the transfer and due date , are moving targets. I promise you that there will be some inconvenient times during your surrogacy. For example, the date of the transfer may get set, you'll set up your life for that, your child care, travel, time off work, etc., and a week before the transfer, the doctor calls you and tells you that the transfer is going to be a day earlier or 2 days later than originally anticipated. Being flexible in times like these will make the journey much easier! It’s important to remember that surrogacy is a marathon, not a sprint! KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS ARTICLE: The surrogacy journey's success lies in trust, communication, and flexibility. Trust is the core foundation; surrogates should trust the process and the Growing Generations team. Good communication between all parties involved and timely responses to calls, texts, etc., is essential. Flexibility is needed as surrogacy isn't linear; dates like the transfer and due date can be moving targets. Surrogacy is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience and understanding. If you're ready to begin your surrogacy experience, Growing Generations is here to help. You can contact us online or call us at 323.965.7500 to learn more, or get started by completing our online application .

LABOR & DELIVERY TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM The labor and delivery process is the most emotional, nerve wracking, exciting, overwhelming and, more than anything, confusing day of your journey as an intended parent . After all, your entire life is about to change forever! Here’s a look at a few of the labor and deliver terms and abbreviations that you may hear flying around during the hours that lead up to the birth of your child. SHOW Also referred to as the “bloody show” is when the softened cervix begins to open, thus rupturing tiny blood vessels and leading to blood tinged mucus. This is also known as the mucus plug. This is usually indicative on the onset of early labor. DILATION A term used to measure the opening of the cervix. Through the process of labor the cervix will go from 1cm (the size of a Cheerio) to 10cm (The size of a sliced bagel). EFFACEMENT A term used to measure the softness of the cervix. Usually measured in percentage from 10-100% effaced. EPIDURAL A popular form of pain management used in childbirth. A form of regional anesthesia, an epidural is administered through a small tube inserted into the back. The goal is to decrease sensation in the lower half of the body by blocking nerve impulses. More than 50% of laboring women will request this form of pain management. STATION This refers to how far into the birth canal your baby’s head is located. The scale ranges from a -5 to a +5. Generally speaking, a -5 station is a baby that is not engaged at all, and a +5 station very engaged and preparing for delivery. MECONIUM The fetal waste that accumulates in a baby’s intestine during gestation. It is expelled during or shortly after birth and is greenish in color. If it is present at the time of birth members from the NICU may be called in for observation. NICU Short for neonatal intensive care unit. This is a hospital inside of the hospital for babies born either very premature or with serious health conditions. You can learn more about what to expect if your baby needs to stay in the NICU in our related blog post . BREECH The term given to the position of the baby when the buttocks or the feet are positioned to exit the vagina before the head. EPISIOTOMY The procedure of cutting the thin skin (the perineum) between the vagina and the anus. The doctor may perform this procedure in the final stages of labor in order to enlarge the vaginal opening in preparation for delivery. This can help prevent excessive tearing. Learn more about Growing Generations and building your family with surrogacy on our Surrogacy Program page. If you're ready to get started, complete your intended parent application .

SURROGATE MOTHER PROCESS PART 2: CONSULTATION & SURROGATE MEDICAL SCREENING PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM At Growing Generations, our process for vetting our surrogates is renowned because we are committed to thoroughly screening potential surrogates while matching them with intended parents. As we explain in Part 1 of this post , the first part of the surrogate mother screening process deals with the online application. Next comes a consultation with a member of our admission team and surrogate medical screening. STEP 4: SURROGATE CONSULTATION The consultation is an hour-long conversation between you and an admissions specialist with Growing Generations. The purpose of this phone call is to continue to educate you about the overall process and make sure that it is right for you. During the consultation, a summary of the entire process is given, from application to birth. We will talk about the benefits of surrogacy, as well as potential sacrifices you will need to make during your journey. There is also plenty of time during the phone call for you to ask questions. STEP 5: IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION After the consultation is complete, you’ll move on to the paperwork phase. We will need a copy of your driver’s license and social security card. If you have a partner or spouse, you will need to send in copies of their ID and social security card as well. This information is needed to complete the criminal background check. Additionally, you will also need to obtain your past pregnancy and delivery records for the doctor to review. We will also review your insurance options with you. All of the paperwork items that need to be signed can be done online. This phase of your application process tends to be the most time intensive, and will move at your speed. Surrogates who are able to promptly compile and complete their paperwork period will move through the process much more quickly. STEP 6: MEDICAL SCREENING & CLEARANCE Once all of your paperwork is in order, you will begin preparing for your in-person screening. Growing Generations incurs the cost of your travel, transportation, food, and child care costs for this visit. Most of our surrogates can expect to receive an intended parent profile sometime in the period between scheduling their in-person screening and being issued final medical clearance. At the time of your medical screening, you will complete a blood test and have a pelvic exam. This is to ensure that the doctor feels you’re a suitable candidate for IVF , and that your blood is free from disease, nicotine, and the presence of drugs. Your partner or spouse will also need to complete a blood test. STEP 7: FINAL CLEARANCE & MATCH At the end of your doctor visit, you are sent back to the airport to head home. Sometime in roughly the next two weeks, all of your medical tests results come back. Generally speaking, if they all look good, you will be issued final clearance. When that happens, if you've already accepted a profile and completed a match meeting , we will consider you formally matched! If you have not completed your match meeting yet, this will become your next step. Once you're officially matched, things really start moving as you prepare your body for an embryo transfer! GETTING STARTED If you're ready to become a surrogate, complete our online application to get started. You can also get in touch with us online or by calling 323.965.7500.

SURROGATE MATCHING PROCESS & MATCH GUARANTEE SURROGATE MATCHING PROCESS & MATCH GUARANTEE WHAT IS THE MATCH GUARANTEE PROGRAM? Trust is vital to the surrogacy process, and it can only be earned. At Growing Generations, one way we earn the confidence of our clients is by promising that your surrogate will pass screening, or we’ll provide up to $5,000 to help you cover screening costs—that’s our Match Guarantee. Each year thousands of women apply to become surrogates. After an extensive screening process, a small percentage go on to become surrogates with Growing Generations. If you are matched with a surrogate that does not pass medical screening, not only will we cover up to $5,000 of the surrogate’s screening expenses, but we will also provide you with another surrogate match free of any additional agency fees. Over 98% of Growing Generations clients choose to work with the first surrogate they meet. We accomplish this using a highly personalized process that pairs intended parents and surrogates based on preferences, expectations, and personalities. We want to deliver an experience that you will treasure forever. COVER UP TO $5,000 What makes Growing Generations' surrogate admissions process so special is OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND QUALITY AND IN-DEPTH SURROGATE SCREENING AND MATCHING PROCESSES. Here is a look at what each gestational surrogate candidate goes through to be matched with intended parents. 1. APPLICATION Each surrogate must complete an in-depth application about her medical history, family life, employment, support system, and motivation for being a surrogate. 2. VIDEO COSULTATION Every surrogate has a video consultation with our surrogate support staff. This consultation is an educational opportunity for the surrogate and helps us delve deeper into their surrogate application and assess the candidate’s ability to complete the surrogacy process. 3. PREGNANCY RECORDS REVIEW AND APPROVAL Each surrogate and her partner or spouse (if applicable) will undergo a criminal history background screening check. 4. FINANCIAL REVIEW Because we understand that this is a significant investment in your future, we offer three levels of professional fee packages, designed to provide you with an exceptional and unparalleled customer experience perfect for you and your budget. BECOME A PARENT

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REFERRAL PROGRAM OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM Many of our surrogates and donors come to us through referrals. As part of sustaining Growing Generation’s strong network of candidates, we recognize that important contribution by offering the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in referral fees. While those who have worked with us are often the best resources to personally recommend surrogacy or egg donation as a path for others, anyone is eligible to earn referral fees, and there is no limit to how much you can earn. If you know someone who would make a great surrogate or egg donor, send them our way. In their application, under the question “How did you hear about our program?” let them know to select the “Referral” option in the dropdown list and provide your name. STANDARD REFERRAL FEES When you refer a surrogate, you will recieve ​ $5,000 ​ once she and her intended parents complete the legal phase and contracts are complete. When you refer an egg donor, you will recieve ​ $1,000 ​ once she has completed her egg donation. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU CAN EARN. TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL REFERRALS BE A SURROGATE BE AN EGG DONOR Referring someone to be a surrogate or egg donor means being able to provide helpful information, either firsthand or by sharing resources with them. There are several pages on our website where you can educate yourself on Growing Generations, surrogacy and egg donation. Direct your potential referral to the: The following pages are good places to start: 9 Reasons to Become a Surrogate, Reasons to Consider Egg Donation You can also share some of our blog posts with your potential referral, or even post them on your social media for all to see—you never know who may be interested. GROUP COACHING CALLS If you have questions or want to brainstorm referral techniques, join our Admissions & Marketing Specialist Kelly Enders-Tharp for live group coaching calls (video or phone options available), email Kelly Enders-Tharp at kenders-tharp@growinggenerations.com CONTACT US For any questions about our Referral Program, including following up on referral fee payments, email Kelly Enders-Tharp at kenders-tharp@growinggenerations.com