BEGIN A LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY

Growing Generations Surrogacy Process

The surrogacy process takes an average of 14-18 months from the moment you apply to the time of delivery. Every surrogate and surrogacy journey is unique, so the timing and process may vary. This is a general idea of what you can expect.

 

Happy family with dog sitting together in cozy living room

Applying to be a Surrogate 

First, you will need to complete a quick survey to see if you qualify. Once you qualify, you can complete our full application!  

Your application will be reviewed by our team. If your application is approved, you are invited to schedule a consultation. Your case specialist will guide you through our admissions process, which includes a review of your pregnancy-related medical records, pay stubs, surrogacy preferences, and general paperwork. You will also complete psychological screening with the psych team. 

Matching with Intended Parents 

During your admissions process, our matching team works to identify the right intended parent match for you. We begin by asking several questions. Our goal is to understand your hopes and expectations for the surrogacy so we can match you with like-minded parents.  

Our unique, highly customized matching process means we hand pick an intended parent profile for you. Once you approve a parent profile, your profile will be sent for their review. If everyone accepts the match, you will have a video match meeting, facilitated by a member of the case management team. Matching can happen within a few days or several weeks. We work diligently to find a match you’re excited about! 

Medical Screening 

You will complete medical screening with the doctor overseeing your IVF cycle. In most cases, this involves travel. The travel expenses for you and your partner are covered. During your trip, you will have a physical examination and blood draw. We typically receive medical screening results within two weeks of your appointment. 

Legal Process 

After you are medically cleared and your intended parent match is confirmed, the legal phase begins. You will complete a legal contract between you and the intended parents to establish the terms of the surrogacy. The legal process takes a few weeks on average, but that can vary. You will not be able to begin injectable medications until your legal clearance is issued. Once the contract is in place, your case specialist will work with you and the IVF clinic to create a calendar with your medication protocol and tentative embryo transfer date. 

Embryo Transfer Preparation 

You will receive a copy of the cycle calendar from your IVF clinic. The cycle medications will be shipped to you, and the clinic will provide detailed instructions on how to administer the medication and what dosages to take. You will also have a few local monitoring appointments at a facility near your hometown to track your progress. Once your body is ready for the transfer, you will travel to the IVF clinic for the procedure. The first pregnancy test occurs 10-12 days after the transfer. 

Pregnancy 

Once a pregnancy is confirmed, you will continue some of your IVF medications until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, you are released to the care of your local obstetrician. Once the IVF process is complete, your pregnancy care becomes more routine. Your OB appointments will occur about every 4 weeks and will increase in frequency near the end of the pregnancy. Your case specialist will be with you the entire time to help navigate the practical and emotional sides of this process. You will have milestone calls with your case specialist and intended parents to help prepare for delivery. You will also have access to our online resource center as well as a private social media group to connect with other wonderful surrogates and to share your feelings and experience. 

Preparing for Delivery 

In your second trimester the legal team will begin the second phase of the legal process, often referred to as “parental establishment.”  This process varies from state to state but results in the intended parents being named the legal parents of their children. During your third trimester, your case specialist will complete an interview with the delivery hospital to review the hospital policies. They will also help you and the intended parents create a birth plan to outline everyone’s wishes for delivery day. 

Delivery & Recovery 

The day you’ve all been working toward! Surrogates often describe delivery day as life-changing. After delivery, the baby(ies) will be discharged from the hospital with the parents, and you will be discharged as well. We’ll be here to support you in the postpartum period to ensure you’re recovering and have everything you need. 


Creating the Magic of Family 

When you choose to become a surrogate and carry someone else’s baby, you’re making dreams come true.