The Surrogacy Process: What to Expect During Your Journey
The gestational surrogacy process includes an application, matching with intended parents, medical and psychological screening, legal agreements, embryo transfer, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. At My Donor Connection, our team helps you understand each stage and supports you throughout the journey.
Maybe you love being pregnant and have wondered about helping someone become a parent. Maybe you know someone who struggled to build their family. Or maybe the compensation could make a meaningful difference for your own family.
Whatever brought you here, you are welcome to ask questions. You do not need to arrive knowing every detail or having already decided to become a surrogate.
My Donor Connection has supported family-building journeys since 2011. We believe you deserve clear information, personal attention, and the space to decide whether surrogacy feels right for you.
What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries a pregnancy for another person or family using an embryo created through IVF. The embryo is created using eggs and sperm from the intended parents, donors, or a combination of both.
A gestational surrogate does not use her own eggs and is not genetically related to the baby she carries. My Donor Connection coordinates gestational surrogacy journeys.
Step 1: Apply and Get to Know Our Team
Your journey begins with our pre-qualification survey and application process.
We review your initial information, help you complete the next steps, and arrange a conversation about your health history, previous pregnancies, family support, and reasons for considering surrogacy.
We also help gather the medical records and other information needed for review.
This is your opportunity to ask questions, including:
- What responsibilities would I have as a surrogate?
- How much travel might be involved?
- How could appointments affect my work and family?
- What screening will I need?
- What support will I receive?
Surrogacy involves medical appointments, medications, and the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. We want you to understand that commitment before deciding to move forward.
Step 2: Design Your Compensation Package
At My Donor Connection, you design the compensation package you want to request. We do not tell you how much you should make.
I meet personally with every surrogate to discuss base compensation, additional benefits, expense coverage, and the needs of her family.
We explain each line item so you can make informed choices about what you want to propose. Your compensation preferences become part of finding a compatible match, and the final agreed terms are documented in your legal agreement.
Step 3: Find Intended Parents Who Feel Like the Right Fit
Matching is about more than finding someone who needs a surrogate. It is about finding people whose expectations and values align with yours.
We help prepare your profile and learn what matters to you in a journey. Important conversations include:
- Communication during pregnancy and after delivery.
- Attendance at appointments and the birth.
- Embryo-transfer preferences.
- Prenatal testing and views about termination or selective reduction.
- Travel, timing, and other practical needs.
When a potential match is identified, you have an opportunity to learn about the intended parents and connect through a video call or another agreed format.
Matching is a mutual decision. You should feel comfortable with the intended parents, and they should feel comfortable with you. Our team helps guide the conversation and address questions before either side commits.
Step 4: Complete Medical and Psychological Screening
The intended parents’ fertility clinic reviews your medical history and determines the screening required for your journey. Some clinics review records before a match is finalized.
Screening may include a physical examination, bloodwork, infectious disease testing, cervical screening if due, and an evaluation of the uterus. The clinic determines the specific tests and procedures you need.
Psychological screening provides an opportunity to discuss the emotional aspects of surrogacy, your support system, and expectations for the relationship.
Travel to the intended parents’ clinic may be required. We help coordinate the arrangements and explain what to expect so you feel prepared.
Submitting an application or finding a potential match does not guarantee medical approval. The fertility clinic makes the final medical eligibility decision.
Step 5: Review Your Legal Agreement and Financial Arrangements
You will have your own attorney to review the surrogacy agreement and represent your interests. The intended parents have separate legal representation.
Your agreement addresses matters such as compensation, expense responsibilities, insurance, expectations during pregnancy, and plans for delivery.
Your attorney explains the terms, answers your questions, and helps negotiate changes. The intended parents cover your legal representation as part of the journey.
Our team also coordinates insurance review and the establishment of a third-party escrow account for funds associated with your arrangement.
Medical and legal clearance must be in place before proceeding with the transfer cycle under the clinic’s requirements. You should understand the agreement and feel comfortable with its terms before signing.
Step 6: Follow Your Clinic’s Medication Calendar and Complete Embryo Transfer
Once the required clearances are complete, the fertility clinic provides your medication instructions and monitoring schedule.
Your calendar explains which medications to take, when to take them, and when to attend appointments. The medication plan and its duration depend on your clinic and protocol.
The clinic will prepare you for embryo transfer and explain the procedure and follow-up instructions. Our team helps coordinate the practical details, including travel when needed.
You will receive a scheduled date for blood pregnancy testing after transfer. If the result is positive, the clinic will arrange further monitoring and an ultrasound.
An embryo transfer does not always result in pregnancy. If a transfer is unsuccessful, the clinic, surrogate, and intended parents discuss possible next steps, with support from our team.
Step 7: Continue Pregnancy Care and Stay Connected
The fertility clinic monitors the early pregnancy and tells you when to transition to your local OB or other pregnancy-care provider.
Many appointments will be familiar from your previous pregnancies, but your care is individualized. Additional monitoring may be recommended.
During pregnancy, you and the intended parents follow the communication expectations discussed during matching. That might include regular messages, updates after appointments, or attending selected appointments together.
Our team remains available to help coordinate updates, answer process questions, and work through concerns.
Monthly base compensation begins at the milestone specified in your agreement, often after confirmation of a fetal heartbeat. Other payments may occur earlier. Your escrow provider administers payments according to the agreed schedule.
Step 8: Prepare for Delivery and Postpartum Recovery
As delivery approaches, we help you and the intended parents discuss hospital arrangements, communication, and the preferences established for the birth.
Your medical team directs your care, while your attorneys guide the legal steps associated with parentage. Delivery plans may need to change based on medical needs or hospital policies.
Your journey includes your recovery after birth.
We stay connected during the postpartum period and help coordinate the support and benefits included in your agreement. If you are interested in providing breast milk, that is a separate conversation about your willingness, practical arrangements, and compensation.
Your physical recovery and emotional well-being deserve attention throughout this final stage.
How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take?
A gestational surrogacy journey can take a year or longer from application through delivery, followed by postpartum recovery.
There is no guaranteed timeline. Medical-record collection, finding a compatible match, clinic screening, legal work, and transfer scheduling all affect how long the process takes. An unsuccessful transfer can also extend the journey.
We will discuss your availability and keep you informed about what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Surrogacy Journey
Do I have to commit before asking questions?
No. You can contact My Donor Connection to learn about the process before deciding whether you want to apply or proceed.
Can I choose the intended parents I work with?
Matching is a mutual decision. You have an opportunity to learn about potential intended parents, discuss expectations, and decide whether the relationship feels right.
Will I need to travel?
Travel may be needed for medical screening and embryo transfer. The amount depends on your location and the intended parents’ clinic. We discuss travel requirements and expense arrangements before you proceed.
Who determines whether I am medically eligible?
Our team reviews your initial qualifications and helps collect records. The fertility clinic determines medical eligibility and the screening required.
Do I get my own attorney?
Yes. You have independent legal representation to review the agreement and advocate for your interests. The intended parents cover that representation as part of the arrangement.
Who decides my compensation?
At My Donor Connection, you design the package you want to request. We help you understand the components, seek a compatible match, and document the final agreed terms through the legal process.
What happens if the first embryo transfer does not work?
Your clinic will discuss the result and possible next steps. Any additional transfer plans depend on medical guidance, everyone’s willingness to proceed, and the agreement.
Does MDC continue supporting me after delivery?
Yes. Our support continues through postpartum recovery and the remaining coordination needs of your journey.
Ready to Learn More About Becoming a Surrogate?
You deserve to understand the process, feel heard, and have support as you consider this decision.
At My Donor Connection, we take time to learn about you and your family, explain each stage, and help you explore whether gestational surrogacy is the right fit.
Visit our surrogacy page to learn more or contact our team to schedule a conversation. We would love to hear your questions.
