Thinking of Becoming A Surrogate?

A Gestational Surrogate is a woman who is carrying a baby that has no genetic connection to her. The embryo was created by the intended parents using theirs or a donor’s material to create the embryo.

A Traditional Surrogate is a woman who is also using her egg for the creation of the baby. This can be done via IUI or IVF.

Here at Carrying Hope, we only participate in Gestational Surrogacy.

Everyone’s reason for pursuing surrogacy either as a surrogate or an intended parent is individual. Many surrogates know someone who has struggled with infertility, has a medical condition that would deem them unable to safely carry a pregnancy or who has no explanation why, but has faced complications. Each intended parent has a unique story as well. Some are hard to share and some have accepted this path as their choice and are excited to pursue it.

We would love to hear your ‘why’.

The intended parent(s) will create embryos with their fertility clinic through IVF and once ready, they will transfer the embryo to the surrogate’s uterus. The process to become pregnant is quite different as there will be very specific timing required and cycles will be closely monitored to be sure the embryo will be transferred into the most ideal of environments to hold the highest chances of success.

Most states are considered ‘surrogacy friendly’, however, the laws and process can vary from state to state. If you want to connect with us to learn more about your state, feel free to reach out.

The requirements can sometimes seem discouraging to some, and some of them actually have some slight flexibility. You can always connect with us to discuss your situation or question. But at the end of the day, we want to be able to ensure all parties, intended parents and surrogates, are doing their journey in a safe and healthy manner. And this starts with the general requirements.

Yes! You have just as much say in who you match with as intended parents do. We want everyone to match ideally for them. Here at Carrying Hope, matching is so much more than just what’s on paper. As we work together and get to know you, we pay attention to the details. We do the same for intended parents, too. During the matching stage, there are a few opportunities to learn more about IPs and meet them before you officially match with them. And at any point during that process you can share with your coordinator if they are or are not the ideal match for you.

There are so many variables that can affect the overall journey time.

• How quickly you complete your screening steps
• Matching preferences
• Clinic availability
• Length of time for a surrogate to become pregnant

The average time for a surrogate’s journey from agency application to delivery is 15 months.

Truth is, we aren’t giving anything up. We are giving it back. As surrogates, we go into this process wanting to help the intended parents achieve their parenthood dream, and to do that, they need our help. We meet the intended parents, get to know them, agree to join them on this unique journey and build a relationship with them. Once we become pregnant, we don’t daydream about baby, gender, nursery themes, bottles and strollers. Instead, we daydream about delivery day. The day we get to watch the intended parents finally meet the child they have waited so long for. Our bond doesn’t build with the baby; it builds with the family.

No. One of the requirements set forth by ASRM, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, is that a woman has to have a least one pregnancy and delivery (uncomplicated) and be raising that child. There are many reasons that factor in to this guideline.

Remember how we mentioned above that there are a few general requirements that have some flexibility? Well, BMI is one of them. If you are slightly out of the BMI range, but meet the other requirements, we encourage you to apply as long as you are committed to working on getting your BMI within the range. We will start the screening process with you and walk you through all the steps while you are simultaneously working on that BMI. We know it isn’t often an easy task, but it is important. We want everyone healthy and safe, including you! Surrogacy is about mitigating risk, so let’s talk about ways to get your BMI where it needs to be, whether that is lowering or trying to bring it up.

Yes!

YES! Though the intended parents are already established at a fertility clinic that you will need to work with to achieve the pregnancy, once you are pregnant you will see your OB and deliver at your hospital.

YES! We will want to chat about your support and what that looks like to be sure it is there if you were to need to lean on someone during the journey. For many women this support is family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church friends, etc.