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Over the last 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information: How We Receive Personal Information Indirectly from you Directly from you Categories and Types of Information We Collect If you are a resident of California, this section provides additional details about the personal information we collect about you, and your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, or “CCPA.” ​ Subject to certain limitations, the CCPA provides you the right to request: That we provide you access to details on the categories or specific pieces of personal information we collect and/or sell (including how we use and disclose this information, to whom we may sell it); That we delete any of your personal information; To opt out of any “sale” of your personal information that may occur; and To not be discriminated against for exercising any of the above rights. If you would like to submit a request to exercise your California privacy rights under the CCPA, you may do so here . We will verify your request using information associated with your account, including your email address. Further identification may be required. You may also designate an authorized agent to act on your behalf. ​ Please note, if you do not have an account used to comment on our blog, use our photo gallery ‘save™’ feature, or have contacted us previously through a form on our Site, we will not have enough information about you to verify your Right to Know and Right to Delete requests, as we do not keep sufficient information necessary to reidentify and link you to a prior visit our website where data may have been collected. As such, we will be unable to verify and honor your requests. 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WHAT IS A PRE-BIRTH ORDER PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Pre and post-birth orders are items of extreme interest in gestational surrogacy. Both assign parentage to the intended parents and remove any rights or obligations from the surrogate. These birth orders can also cause a great deal of stress for both intended parents and surrogates when they’re not properly understood. In the simplest of terms, a birth order is a legal document assigning parentage to a child. Depending on the state in which your surrogate lives, these documents can be started in the fourth month of pregnancy and are often signed by the seventh month in pre-birth order states. In post-birth order states, intended parents are usually seen in court within three to five days following birth. The most important thing to understand about the pre-birth order is that while it may be issued by the court prior to the birth, it is not effective until the birth occurs. So, while having this court order signed two to three months prior to the birth may offer you some peace of mind, it is not an absolute necessity and should not cause you distress if early labor occurs before your pre-birth order is finalized. Parentage will be protected by other guardianship documents even if the pre-birth order is not in place at the time of the birth. Some states do not offer the option of a pre-birth order. These states, post-birth states, do not allow the filing of parentage documents until after the birth of the baby to file parentage documents. In these post-birth order states, there will typically be a court hearing held after the birth, and the intended parents may be required to attend. Even if a hearing is required, know that these hearings are typically a formality and agreed upon easily by the courts as all parties are in agreement over the desired parentage of the child in question. Court hearings can just as easily be required in states offering pre-birth orders. This reality, paired with the fact that pre-birth orders aren’t considered active until the birth of your child, makes the real-life difference between pre-birth and post-birth order states insignificant. In general, don’t let fear of working with a post-birth state scare you away from someone who could be your ideal surrogate. If you do choose a pre-birth state, everything will work out with or without your pre-birth order in hand at the time of the delivery. Additional questions about birth orders should be directed to the attorney's office helping you establish your parental rights.

HOW IS ALTRUISTIC SURROGACY DIFFERENT FROM COMMERCIAL SURROGACY? PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM At Growing Generations, we guide surrogates and intended parents through ethical surrogacy to ensure healthy outcomes for our surrogates, intended parents, and their families. The idea that surrogates are uneducated and financially unstable women who are being led into an arrangement that they would not otherwise choose is common. When surrogacy is done properly these things are objectively not true, and these ideas can be deeply offensive to a woman who is motivated to help change lives. When entering the world of surrogacy, you’ll hear about two main types: altruistic surrogacy and commercial surrogacy. The main distinguishing factor of altruistic surrogacy is that no monetary compensation is offered to the surrogate. Other than that, there are no significant differences between the two types of surrogacy. ALTRUISTIC MOTIVES FOR COMMERCIAL SURROGACY Commercial surrogacy includes monetary compensation and a contract between surrogates and intended parents who don’t usually have a prior relationship. While many people believe commercial surrogacy commoditizes women, we believe that surrogacy can be both altruistic and commercial at the same time. We deeply respect all of our surrogates at Growing Generations and believe they are some of the most incredible women we’ve ever met . So, it’s important that we dispel the misconception that surrogacy is about commoditization. COMMERCIAL SURROGACY WITH ETHICS In reality, surrogacy is a partnership between several parties of educated, informed, and stable adults working together toward a common goal. This level of informed consent and ethical standards is paramount to surrogacy done well. Our gestational surrogates are women who have become mothers themselves and have enjoyed the process of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood so much that they wish to give this gift to others. SURROGATE PAY While surrogates in our program receive compensation, the majority of them tell us they would have chosen this journey even if money was not exchanged. It’s important to note that we only work in surrogate-friendly states to avoid legal problems. Motivated by altruistic measures, these women are not only seeking fiscal gain. and this is something we investigate during our in-depth screening process . We screen our surrogates thoroughly, including a review of their income to ensure that financial gains are not a motive for their choice. Our surrogates are women who are financially stable without the added compensation of surrogacy. They do not need this additional income to survive. Additionally, we offer a surrogate compensation package that is competitive but not excessive. SURROGATE SCREENING & CONSENT Beyond simple financial matters, these women are vetted and counseled long before signing any binding paperwork or starting any medications. Our surrogates undergo extensive interviews and psychological evaluations, and they are given the opportunity to ask as many questions as they want before they’re approved to join our program. Surrogates can back out of an agreement at any time before becoming pregnant. We don’t force women to follow through with becoming pregnant if they change their mind. While this rarely happens, thanks in large part to proper screening, it eliminates any concerns over coercion. SURROGATE AGREEMENT CONTRACTS All parties receive their own legal representative to ensure that everyone’s needs can be addressed and considered before moving forward with a binding contract. This ensures that, even if the surrogate is not fluent in legal jargon, she understands what she is agreeing to and has the opportunity to have those requests amended or even removed from her contract before moving forward. You can learn more about the legal aspects of surrogacy in our related blog post . SURROGATE TESTIMONIALS A growing family and the gift of a child are always worth celebrating – whether formed through altruistic or commercial surrogacy. When surrogate applicants are properly screened and vetted, the outcome is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Ethical surrogacy is a shining example of the mountains that can be moved when adults are informed, respectful, and working together toward a common goal. Each Growing Generations surrogate shares a goal of building families, but no two surrogates are the same. Here’s a look into the lives and experiences of these extraordinary people . "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!" - Christina S. "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 BECOME A SURROGATE If you're thinking about becoming a surrogate, know that Growing Generations is here to support you. You can get in touch with us online to learn more or complete an application to get started.

ANNOUNCING YOUR SURROGACY NEWS: A WORD OF ADVICE PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM The choice to become a surrogate is overwhelmingly exciting! It’s not unusual to be very excited to share your news with your friends and family. In fact, the choice to become a surrogate is rarely one that you can keep 100% secret, as you’ll find that you may need to rely on friends or family as early as the screening phase, since you’re likely to need a babysitter for your screening process. So, once you’re accepted and matched into our program, how do you know when it’s the best time to share your news with the world? Since it’s probably not ideal or realistic to wait until the birth to share your pregnancy news, you have two simple time frames to choose between. Here are a few things to keep in mind. EARLY ANNOUNCERS Most surrogates will choose to go public with their news well before they’re pregnant. This can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it allows the people closest to you the luxury of time. They’ll be able to thoughtfully consider the incredible gift that you’re giving, and they'll have time to come up with any questions they may have for you about the process. You’ll also be able to gather support for the time that you’re on hormone therapy, and it can be helpful if those around you understand why your mood may be a bit off during this time. MID-PREGNANCY PLANNERS Other surrogates choose to wait until about halfway through their pregnancy to share the news of their surrogacy. This allows them some privacy from invasive questions and safeguards them against having to tell friends or family about a potential early pregnancy loss. By waiting until the midway point of your pregnancy, you ensure a bit of peace and privacy for your family. When it comes to telling your boss, delayed sharing allows you to keep the secret a bit longer in the sad possibility of an early miscarriage. Some women also feel as though their bosses would not allow time away from work for important surrogacy appointments or procedures. If this is your situation, feel confident knowing you are not required to tell your boss why you’re missing work for medically related absences. As for your children, a handful of variables will come into play. Things like your children’s ages, maturity levels, and general awareness all play into choosing when it is best to tell them your surrogacy plans. Here’s a more in-depth look at that decision-making process. A WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is never secret. Even if your social media accounts have the highest level of security, you’ll find that word can travel pretty quickly. The whole premise of social networking is that it makes it easy to follow the lives of friends and family without direct interaction. We mention this as a reminder that if you’re not ready for your boss, your brother, or your book club to know your news, it’s probably not the time to talk about it on social media.

BONDING WITH YOUR SURROGATE BABY BEFORE BIRTH PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM The distance between your home and your surrogate’s home is often very large and can present a bit of a challenge when it comes to bonding with your surrogate baby in utero. Despite the distance, many intended parents still desire to form a bond with their unborn child. HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR BABY IN THE WOMB The good news is that there are many ways to form a connection across the miles, it just takes is a little creativity! Here are some bonding options that can help you get to know your growing baby. SOUND Perhaps the easiest way to introduce your child to you is through the sound of your voice. Research continues to show that fetuses are able to hear voices (and music) from the outside world while inside of the womb and will often recognize those voices after birth. Products such as “Belly Buds” allow intended parents to record their voices from one location and then send them to another standard audio device located anywhere in the world. The surrogate then places “ear buds” on her belly and plays your recording. Using products like this you will be able to read, sing, or simply talk to your growing baby. This can help your baby to recognize the sound of your voice at the time of birth. WORDS Consider writing letters to your unborn baby or keeping a journal for the child. List how you’re feeling through each stage and practice talking to your child. Getting into the habit of communicating with your child now can help create a feeling of familiarity at birth. You can also send your letters to your surrogate and ask that she read them to the baby. Even if you keep these thoughts just for yourself, you can begin to build a relationship with the baby by this routine act of communication. PREFERENCES Perhaps your baby gets very active every time your surrogate eats peanut butter. Maybe it’s Cheerios cereal that gets your little one moving. Is your future child a night owl or an early bird? Try asking your surrogate about your baby’s food preferences and times of activity. Then try mirroring those preferences. Try eating the foods that your little one likes and being active when they are most awake. You could be getting an early look into their sleep schedule and personality! INSTINCTS Many women will tell you that they had an inkling into their newborn’s personality before the baby was ever born. Will the baby be peaceful or antsy? Will he sleep soundly or lightly? Talking with your surrogate about any suspicions she has about your baby’s personality could offer insight into their personalities, even if it is just a guess and far from scientific. Even if your surrogate’s guesses wind up completely wrong, you can still have fun imagining the baby’s personality this way. (Learn more about building a strong relationship with your surrogate to facilitate these types of interactions in our related blog post .) THE JOY OF BONDING WITH BABY However you choose to form a bond with your growing baby, have fun with it! Pregnancy is an exciting and brief time in the grand scheme of parenthood, and enjoying every moment will help create a bond all of its own. GETTING STARTED If you haven't yet started your surrogacy journey to parenthood, we welcome getting to know you. You can get started by completing our intended parent application form.

IVF FOR SURROGACY: MEDICATIONS & MEDICAL PROTOCOL PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM If you're entering surrogacy , you will typically be placed on a regimen of hormone IVF surrogacy therapies to prepare the uterus for the embryo transfer and aid in maintaining the pregnancy. Some of the surrogacy medications you can expect to be on during your medical cycle may include: Estrogen - You are likely to be on at least one form of estrogen supplement. This is to build the uterine lining. Common forms include Estrace (pill) and/or Delestrogen (intramuscular injection). Lupron - This medication (subcutaneous injection) is given primarily to women who are planning on transferring a fresh embryo as opposed to a frozen one. It is used to help suppress the ovaries while waiting for the transfer. Progesterone - Most surrogates will be on progesterone for many weeks. Progesterone is used to mimic pregnancy in the body and sustain a viable early pregnancy. Common forms are vaginal suppositories (Endometrin), patches, and intramuscular injections compounded with oil (Ethyl Oleate, Sesame Oil, or Olive Oil are common.) Medrol - This is a short term steroid administered orally prior to transfer. It is given to suppress the surrogate’s immune system in hopes of encouraging embryo implantation and potential pregnancy. Prednisone - This is another steroid form, administered (pill) for the same purpose of immune system suppression, but given over a prolonged period of time. Baby Aspirin - Given as a blood thinner as a precautionary measure due to the high levels of hormones the surrogate is taking. Doxycycline - Some surrogates are given this antibiotic (pill) before their embryo transfer to help fight infection in the body, including possible low-grade pelvic infections. Prenatal Vitamins, Folate & DHA - Just as with all pregnant women, most surrogates are asked to take daily supplements to aid in their overall health and the development of the fetus. The list above is purely a sample of frequently used medications in IVF. Your medical cycle may vary. Just as with all medications, an individual’s response to each medication can vary widely from one patient to the next. What works well for one patient may not work at all for another. Ensuring you're a good fit for the surrogacy process is one of the reasons for our in-depth medical screening during the initial surrogacy process. MONITORING MEDICATIONS Your hormone medications will be monitored closely through the entire process. Your doctor may order changes to the drugs you take as well as the dosage of your medications many times in order to ensure continued success of your journey. This is normal and is not a cause for concern. SURROGACY MEDICATION TIMELINE You'll likely begin IVF medications a month or two before the embryo transfer. Some surrogates undergo a mock cycle beforehand so the doctor can see how your endometrium lining responds to the medication. Typically, you'll be released from medication between 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. That time estimate is just a guideline and actual release may come earlier or later. When you're released from medication, it is a weaning process that generally takes several days. Any questions or concerns you experience during your medical cycle can and should be discussed with your case specialist and/or nurse right away. BECOMING A SURROGATE If you're considering becoming a surrogate, we're happy to walk you through the process and answer all your questions about surrogacy and its medical protocol. Growing Generations is a premier surrogacy agency known for its attentive team. You can reach us online or call us at 323.965.7500. *Revised 2/29/24

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE EGG DONATION PROCESS TIMELINE 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 you’re so excited to get started. Here’s a bird’s eye view of the entire egg donation process , a timeline that walks you 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. (Check out our blog post for tips on completing your egg donor profile .) 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 intended parents' IVF doctor's office 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 to 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 12 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 you may have. If you haven't started the process, use our online form to complete your application today.

FIRST PERIOD AFTER A MISCARRIAGE OR D&C PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM The time following a miscarriage or dilation and curettage (D&C) can be both physically and emotionally challenging. It is crucial that you are attuned to your body’s health and response over the next several weeks as it outlines how you are recovering and what your next steps in surrogacy will be. In general, doctors will monitor your blood hormone levels to ensure that your HCG levels return to zero on their own. Your body will typically experience a slow bleed for up to a week following the miscarriage or procedure. The cessation of the bleed is generally an indication that the HCG levels have returned to zero. Your first period will generally return within 4 weeks on your HCG levels returning to zero. However, it is not uncommon for some women to experience prolonged return to ovulation and menses, sometimes up to eight weeks. You should note that, for many women, ovulation will not occur during your first cycle, as your body is still recovering. In most cases, your IVF doctor will wait for you to experience one or two cycles before starting medications for a repeat medical cycle and transfer. During this time, your cervix will remain soft and open, which may make intercourse painful. EXTENTIVE BLEEDING: In the case of natural miscarriage especially, you’ll want to pay special attention to how long your initial bleed lasts and how frequently you experience a recurrence of bleeding. It is possible that some tissue may have been retained in the uterus and is preventing your body from healing. If you continue to experience light spotting over an extended time, it could be possible that your body is having trouble returning to regular hormone levels. In any case of extended bleeding, you will want to speak with your doctor. PROLONG ABSENCE OF MENSES: A prolonged return of menstruation is not normal. While it can take up to eight weeks for your body to properly recover and return to regular cycles, some women will experience an even longer delay. This is typically experienced after a D&C, as opposed to a natural miscarriage, and may indicate the presence of new scar tissue or fibroids inside of the uterus. If you have not experienced a menstrual bleed by ten weeks following the miscarriage or procedure, it is important to mention this to your doctor as well.

WHEN TO ARRIVE FOR THE BIRTH: INTERNATIONAL IP PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Planning to arrive in your surrogate’s hometown in time for the birth of your child can be especially difficult when you’re traveling from another country. While it is important to arrive in town early, international intended parents also have to plan accordingly for the time they’ll need to be stateside following the birth as well. This can turn your stateside visit into a lengthy one. First of all, understand that most babies are not born on their due dates. In fact, studies estimate only about 5% of babies are actually born on their due dates, the rest falling within two weeks to either side of the due date. For this reason, we strongly urge our international intended parents to arrive in town no later than 38 weeks gestation for a singleton, and 36 weeks gestation for a multiples pregnancy. Many intended parents will choose to arrive even earlier as, in many cases, the travel time from their home to their surrogate’s home can be in excess of 24 hours, leaving little chance to make it in time for delivery if labor begins earlier than expected. If you are unable to travel this far in advance of your expected due date, we advise that you’re able to “drop everything and go” when you receive the call that your surrogate is in active labor. In the final weeks of pregnancy your surrogate and her OB will be paying very careful attention to your surrogate’s body as it prepares for labor and child birth. Her OB will be monitoring her swelling, blood pressure, and the heart rate of the baby to ensure that no one is in distress. Elevated levels could lead to a medical induction. The OB will also be performing internal exams on your surrogate’s cervical opening to check for softening, thinning, or dilation, as these can mean labor is approaching. Some women who have experienced childbirth many times say that they are able to tell when labor is nearing and may be able to share her instincts with you in the final weeks. Of course, there is no exact science and false alarms can happen to anyone. A defined plan of action leading into the final weeks of the pregnancy can provide the most relief possible as you await the birth of your child. Whatever your plan is, due try to relax and enjoy the final weeks and days of your journey as much as possible.

SURROGACY PROCESS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Everyone’s path to parenthood is unique. However, many same-sex couples experience additional challenges as they traverse their journey to building and growing their dream family. In addition to facing biological hurdles, many gay couples also encounter legal and social obstacles. Fortunately, those barriers are breaking down, and surrogacy is becoming an empowering solution for gay couples and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community deciding to start a family. Read on to learn more about how the surrogacy process for same-sex couples puts parenthood within reach for many intended parents. SPECIALIZED SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY Surrogacy agencies typically offer specific resources and support services for LGBTQIA+ clients. As one of the first surrogacy agencies to service gay and single men, we at Growing Generations understand the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ parents growing a family through surrogacy. Since 1996, our founders have worked to overcome hurdles and unique challenges faced by gay intended fathers—from navigating and improving legal systems that were designed to accommodate only “Mom and Dad” to educating doctors, professionals, and the surrogate community about gay parenting. We continue to promote inclusivity by recruiting surrogates and egg donors who are excited to help gay men become dads. Additionally, we offer resources to help our intended dads talk to their kids and communicate with their support networks about surrogacy. We also specialize in solutions for assisting HIV-positive men to become biological fathers via surrogacy. SURROGACY AND LEGAL PROTECTION FOR GAY COUPLES Each state has unique laws regulating surrogacy. Some states do not grant parental rights for same-sex couples, while other states do not allow or recognize surrogacy contracts at all. Understanding and navigating these complex laws is easier with the support of legal experts who can help ensure same-sex couples are recognized as legal parents from the moment the surrogate gives birth. Essential surrogacy legal services for same-sex couples include: Counsel on which states are surrogate-friendly and ideal for your specific situation. Assistance obtaining paternity judgments that name you as the legal parent of your child with both parents’ names on the birth certificate—or just one name if you are single. Legal representation and assistance drafting your surrogate or egg donor contracts and family planning documents. ESTABLISHING A BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN LGBTQIA+ PARENTS AND CHILDREN With recent advancements in assisted reproduction technology and procedures, same-sex couples can safely use their own genetic material or donor biology to build a family. Most IVF clinics can use sperm from both male partners (if applicable) to have siblings from the same egg donor. They also have the ability for HIV-positive males to use their own sperm to become biological fathers. In addition, a friend or a family member can volunteer and become an egg donor. Growing Generations is happy to connect with your chosen donor, walk her through what to expect, and help coordinate each step of her screening and egg retrieval process . PROMOTING PARTICIPATION IN THE FAMILY-BUILDING JOURNEY Surrogacy gives same-sex couples more freedom and flexibility to build a family on their terms with help from professionals who understand their needs. In the past, societal norms and biological constraints often limited the options for same-sex couples to build and grow their families. The surrogacy journey not only enables all individuals and couples to experience the joys of parenthood—it also empowers all participants to be actively engaged in every step of the family-building process, from selecting an egg donor to being involved throughout the surrogate’s journey. Surrogacy fosters a sense of agency and ownership for same-sex couples as they embark on their unique path to parenthood, marking a significant stride towards a more diverse and inclusive perspective on modern family dynamics. At Growing Generations, we pride ourselves on being there for you and your family every step of the way. Contact us to book your free consultation or financial analysis or answer any questions about the surrogacy process.