Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction in which a woman, called a surrogate mother, carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple, called the “intended parent(s).” Surrogacy enables people who cannot successfully carry a pregnancy to have a baby.
The length of our matching waitlist changes frequently, as it depends on a variety of factors. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information about the current wait time, we encourage you to contact our office directly. Our team will be happy to provide you with the latest details and assist you with any other questions you may have.
The short answer is no–never.
Rest assured, there is no need to be concerned about this. Here’s why:
First, gestational surrogacy is now much more common than traditional surrogacy, meaning there’s no biological relationship between the surrogate and the child, and no basis for claiming parental rights.
Second, both parties have legally binding agreements, including a parentage order that establishes parental rights. Often, the intended parents’ names are placed on the birth certificate at the hospital.
Third, it’s incredibly rare for a surrogate to want to keep the baby. Surrogacy is a partnership, and surrogates are thrilled for the intended parents when the baby arrives.
With over 35 years of experience and more than 1000 babies brought into the world, this has never been an issue once.
To be eligible for surrogacy you must:
Have had one or more easy pregnancies and deliveries.
Be between the ages of 21 and 40.
Be a California resident.
Have at least one child of your own living with you.
Be a non-smoker.
Have reliable transportation.
Be financially stable.
Have a desire to help another in a special way.
…And you must love being pregnant!
At SPS, our base compensation is $65,000 for first-time surrogates and $75,000 for surrogates who have had at least one or more journeys.
Our surrogates also receive $13,000 in guaranteed extras, which includes:
We cover a wide range of cities in the state of California.
No, the agency location does not matter! It is important that you live in a country or state where surrogacy is legal. In the U.S., surrogacy laws vary by state.
SPS is located in California (one of the friendliest states in the country for surrogacy), and we only work with surrogates who are California residents. This enables us to provide hands-on care to our surrogates, and it ensures the most legal protection for surrogates and intended parents.
For hopeful parents, the agency’s location usually doesn’t matter. At SPS, we help make dreams come true for parents all over the country and the world. In fact, around 20% of our intended parents live in other states, and about 30% are international!
The surrogate will undergo IVF with the intended parents’ fertility doctor. The surrogate is not involved in the embryo creation process. For this reason, the surrogate and the baby will not have any genetic relationship
At SPS, we know every journey is unique. While other programs may offer an all-inclusive package, we found that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to surrogacy. We are very hands-on and our goal is to ensure all the needs of both parties are met, no matter how long they decide to work together.
Unlike other programs, we do not offer an online list of our available surrogates. Our matching process is very personal and unique. Cristie Montgomery personally matches each surrogate with the Intended Parent(s), and this is based on many factors, including personalities, personal values, location, what each is looking for in the other, etc. Once each party reviews each other’s profile and photograph, SPS schedules a meeting between the surrogate and her partner (if applicable), the Intended Parent(s), the Case Manager and Cristie. The majority of the time, the match is successful and the surrogate and Intended Parents proceed to work together.
At SPS, we are here to walk you through the journey and help you form a healthy and happy relationship with each other. We find it best for the surrogate, the intended parents and SPS to form a team, all working together and supporting each other toward a very special and mutual goal.
No, the surrogate primarily serves as a nurturing environment for the baby’s growth, but does not form the same bond a parent would. While the surrogate may feel happy for the intended parents, her emotional connection is different from parental bonding.
Assuming there are no complications during birth, the intended parents will hold the baby immediately after delivery. This early skin-to-skin contact allows the baby to begin bonding with his or her parents right away. These initial moments are crucial in establishing a strong parent-child connection, which is much more significant than any physical association with the gestational carrier.
As long as the fertility doctor says it is OK to try for another transfer, most surrogates decide to try again with the same intended parents. There is a true team feeling that gets formed with a match and everyone wants to reach the same goal. However, each party has the opportunity to be rematched, if desired.
At SPS, we encourage open communication between the surrogate and the parents. Your case manager is there to facilitate healthy and beneficial interactions, ensuring that the focus remains on the well-being of the baby rather than legal or financial matters.
Yes, as long as her OB is board-certified, accepted by her insurance, and they have delivery privileges at the right hospital, she can work with her doctor.
For the age limit, we follow the ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) guidelines. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that surrogates be between the ages of 21 and 45.
But ultimately it is the Intended Parents fertility doctor who will approve their surrogate to work with them.
In case of a miscarriage, surrogates are paid as they achieve specific milestones during the surrogacy journey. If you experience an unforeseen event like a miscarriage during your surrogacy journey, you will be compensated up to that point.
You can potentially be a surrogate mother many times! Many intended parents consider a previous surrogacy to be a welcome sign and a valuable characteristic to look for. However, medical professionals recommend that you have no more than 5 previous pregnancies.
Surrogacy provides additional biological options for intended parents, including gender selection. Most often the embryos are tested for genetic issues/abnormalities to ensure the best possible chances at a successful pregnancy. That being said, the sex of the embryo is often known and parents can generally select which embryo they want to transfer to the surrogate.
With over 35 years of experience, Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is considered one of the best surrogacy agencies in California. Our team members, located throughout California, offer outstanding support for both surrogates and intended parents throughout the surrogacy process. Whether you’re looking to become a surrogate or grow your family, our commitment to personalized care makes SPS an ideal choice for your surrogacy journey.
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