How to become a surrogate mother and help others

A surrogate mother – also called a gestational carrier or gestational surrogate – is a woman who carriers a baby for people (the Intended Parents) who are unable to have a baby on their own. Most surrogate mothers are gestational surrogates, meaning the surrogate mother does not use her own eggs and doesn't share any genetics with the baby.

Circle Surrogacy only works with gestational carriers – women who do not share biology with the baby they are carrying.

Surrogate mothers get paid for carrying someone's baby, and they are protected by a legal contract signed by both the surrogate mother and the Intended Parents.

Surrogates are women who have children of their own, have had relatively easy pregnancies and births (they like being pregnant!), and many have completed their own families. Surrogate mothers want to help others have their own families.

What is surrogacy? It's an amazing way to help make intended parents' dreams come true and give others the ultimate gift: a baby!

Surrogate mothers help intended parents (IPs) who planned on having a family but are unable to do so on their own.

There are two different types of surrogacy: gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. At Circle Surrogacy – and most other surrogacy agencies – gestational surrogacy is the type of surrogacy that is done. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby she carriers.

Women who become surrogates have the opportunity to help intended parents from all ethnicities, locations and sexual orientations. Some intended parents are single, others are coupled or married. Surrogates may be matched with IPs who live in the US or international parents.

The types of intended parents surrogate mothers help are:

1. Heterosexual couples who have struggled with infertility
2. Intended mothers who are unable to carry a child
3. Intended parents who have a genetic defect or health condition they don't want to pass onto the child
4. LGBTQIA+ intended parents who want to have a genetic link to the baby

Some surrogacy agencies give surrogates the chance to express their preferences about the intended parents with whom they wish to match.

Women who wish to become surrogate mothers must meet a set of requirements to ensure they are a good fit physically, mentally and emotionally. These requirements are in place to minimize the risk of being a surrogate and to help provide as successful as a journey as possible for the gestational carrier as well as the intended parents. Everyone's goal is a healthy baby, happy intended parents and a proud surrogate!

Health requirements:

• Has had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries.
• Is between 21-41 years of age.
• Typically have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of no higher than 32. Calculate My BMI.

Lifestyle requirements:

• Has the support of her family. If married or partnered, the surrogate must have her partner’s support.
• Has delivered a child of her own, and is currently parenting at least one child.
• Is willing to travel for IVF process. Please note, often these trips include overnight stays.
• Does not use illegal drugs, smoke cigarettes, or abuse alcohol.

Legal requirements:

• Does not participate in the following government aid programs: cash assistance, welfare, public housing and section 8. All other forms of government assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Lives in a surrogate-friendly state in the United States (we are very sorry but we cannot accept gestational carriers who reside in Nebraska, Louisiana or Michigan).
• Has a valid driver’s license.

Circle Surrogacy follows the surrogate mother guidelines put forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Surrogate applicants will also participate in a screening with a social worker, and complete psychological testing.

Becoming a surrogate mother requires applicants to be emotionally and mentally ready to enter into a surrogacy journey to help ensure the most successful outcome for intended parents.

"How much do surrogates make?" This is a popular question among women who are considering being a surrogate. And rightly so! Gestational surrogacy is an emotional and physical journey, and they should be compensated.

Surrogate mother pay can vary, but in general, average surrogate pay can be between $50,000-$60,000. This estimated surrogacy pay includes a surrogate's base fee – which can be between $30,000-$40,000 – as well as the additional compensation and benefits she receives throughout the journey.

A surrogate mother's base fee is determined by a few factors:

1. The state she lives in
2. Whether or not she has health insurance
3. If she's an experienced gestational carrier

Once a base fee is established, a surrogate will then receive compensation and payments both before she's pregnant, as well as throughout the pregnancy.

At Circle Surrogacy, we offer generous surrogacy pay and benefits. Learn more and see how much you could make as a surrogate mother with our surrogate pay calculator.

Becoming a surrogate mother consists of many mini-milestones that lead to the big day: delivery day!

How long does the surrogate process take?

When you apply to become a surrogate, you will likely not be told how long your journey will last. A surrogacy journey for surrogate mothers can take anywhere from 14-20+ months. Your journey begins with your application, but then depends on many factors: how quickly you're matched with intended parents, how well you respond to IVF medications and time for embryo creation and transfer.

What does the surrogate process look like?

Here's a step-by-step guide to the surrogacy process, and a surrogacy timeline to help you see how long it takes to give intended parents the ultimate gift: their baby!

The six key milestones of the surrogacy process are:

Step 1: PreScreening (1-2 weeks)
The first step is to fill out a surrogate application. If your application passes the first set of surrogate requirements, you'll be connected with a Surrogate Prescreening Coordinator. Medical records review and evaluation and background checks also happen during this step.

Step 2: Surrogacy Consultation (1-2 weeks)
During this step you'll have a video call with social worker, and your primary support person/spouse will have a call with the social worker as well.

Step 3: Matching (1 week to 2 months)
This is an exciting step: matching with your intended parents! When a good match is identified, there will be a profile exchange with intended parents, then a video call. If all parties agree, you will officially be matched! Circle Surrogacy has intended parents waiting for the right surrogate match – you could be matched immediately!

Step 4: Medical Screening & Legal Contracts (2-3 months)
You'll attend your Medical screening at the IVF clinic (overnight trip), and you'll start and finalize contract negotiations with your attorney.

Step 5: Monitoring Appointments & Embryo Transfer (3-4 weeks)
Once approved medically, you'll begin your medications. While administering your surrogate medications you'll attend local monitoring appointments to ensure your body is responding properly. When your body is ready you'll attend the Embryo transfer! (3-7 day trip)

Step 6: Pregnancy (9 months+)
This step can feel like the longest of all the steps. You'll go for Beta tests at your local clinic to confirm pregnancy. From there, you'll have an ultrasound at 6-7 weeks for confirmation of heartbeat(s). During the pregnancy you'll attend routine appointments, develop your relationship with your IPs and share updates until the big day arrives: Delivery day!

See the full surrogate mother process in detail.

There are many different surrogacy agencies out there, each offering something different to their surrogates.

Circle Surrogacy has the most comprehensive compensation package, and our surrogates will always be protected.

Our surrogates receive the support, programs and security of a large agency, with a small agency feel. That's why more women choose Circle Surrogacy as their surrogate agency.

We're always happy to speak with potential surrogate applicants about what sets Circle apart. Send us an email: [email protected]

You've been thinking about becoming a surrogate but in the current state of the world, you're not sure if it's the right decision.

Becoming a surrogate is a BIG decision! You have to be comfortable with the surrogacy process – from the dedication of time to the idea of traveling – in order to have a successful and fulfilling journey.

So is it safe to apply to become a surrogate during COVID-19? The answer is: Yes! Circle has been supporting surrogates, egg donors and intended parents safely and securely throughout the pandemic.

Things you may be thinking about:

• Travel. Surrogates are required to travel to their intended parents' fertility clinics. All clinics are in the United States. You have the opportunity to request to work with parents who are working with a clinic close to where you live. While there is no guarantee, if you're comfortable driving for your medical screening and embryo transfer, it would be the only traveling you have to do. All other appointments are local to you.
• Balancing a surrogacy and your home life. All of our surrogates are moms, many of which are raising young children, doing remote learning, all while working full time. The beginning of your surrogacy journey requires time for your application and screening, filling out and gathering documents and monitoring appointments while taking your medications and after your transfer (these appointments are at a facility near your home, not at the Parents' IVF clinic). We understand how difficult this time is, so the Circle team is being extremely flexible and working with our surrogate applicants' schedules.
• Can I wait to be pregnant until the pandemic is over? It's hard to say when the pandemic will truly be "over". However, you can absolutely apply and be put on a short hold until you are ready to be pregnant (when school is out, when you are more comfortable traveling, etc).
• Do I have to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to be a surrogate? If you have not been vaccinated and you are interested in becoming a surrogate, we encourage you to reach out to us. Some clinics are requiring gestational carriers have the COVID vaccine in order to proceed and some intended parents wish to match with a vaccinated surrogate.

We have intended parents applying every day who are ready to start their families – and they will be waiting for you when you're ready.

"I am so happy with how everything unfolded and came together and so thankful to Circle Surrogacy for making this such an enjoyable experience for me as a surrogate. Circle took such care of me through the entire process! I just don't have enough nice things to say."
- Angelina

"My experience with Circle Surrogacy has been nothing but the best since I applied for my first journey almost 2 years ago. The staff are quick with responses, they are very open, honest and helpful to answer any questions I had from start to finish and even after I delivered my surrogate baby, and showed compassion and support every step of the way as well. From being a surrogate I have come in contact with some ladies who have been surrogates through other surrogacy agencies and it seems as though their experience(s) have been less enjoyable than mine because their agency lacked communication or empathy and it made it very difficult for their surrogates. Circle makes sure that their surrogates and intended parents are always in the loop and on the same page, and I couldn't have asked for anything more for my first time being a surrogate!"
- Holly

"Working with Circle Surrogacy was amazing! Their commitment and reliability made it easy to trust them and eager to start a journey. I had a great support system and always felt advocated for. I wasn’t just another surrogate, I was a friend and that meant so much. My coordinator and social worker made me feel important, I couldn’t have asked for more."
- Ashtin

"I can not say enough wonderful things about Circle Surrogacy and their staff! From the moment I applied to be a surrogate (May 2018) to the present day (2 months postpartum of my first journey) everyone that I have been in contact with has been amazing! From the legal aspect, matching with Intended Parents, the medical side of things and the emotional aspect I always had the backing and support needed. The matching team hands down could not have matched my little family with a better couple and we know consider ourselves all family. :) The relationship established is one that will truly last a lifetime. The Circle staff always made the time and effort to check in, show me that as a surrogate I was appreciated and were always quick to respond when needed. I couldn't imagine a smoother journey or experience and am grateful that I chose to go through this agency while making my dreams to be a surrogate a reality!"
- Melinda

As you consider surrogacy, you may have questions along the way. With many experienced surrogates on staff, we've helped women navigate their surrogacy journeys successfully, and have answered almost every question out there!