Becoming a surrogate is one of the most remarkable journeys you can go on, but it is hard work. You will be choosing to become pregnant for another family. With any pregnancy you will experience emotional and physical effects from the pregnancy. SurrogateFirst has put in place a support system along with opportunities for you to speak to a licensed counselor if you ever feel the need. We are here for you through it all. Read the top ten requirements list below or click here to see the full list!

TOP 10 REQUIREMENTS 

You...

• Are 21-40 years old
• Have a BMI of 18-32
• Are a U.S. citizen, legal resident or legal immigrant are living in a stable home in a surrogate-friendly state in the U.S.
• Are a non-smoker who does not use illicit drugs
• Have given birth to and are raising at least one child of your own have had a healthy reproductive history during previous pregnancies and births
• Have had 6 months since your last vaginal or cesarean birth + no more than 2 cesareans total
• Have not been on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications for the past 12 months
• Are not on governmental financial support
  

FULL REQUIREMENTS LIST:

• 21-40 years old
• BMI of 18-32
• U.S. citizen, legal resident or legal immigrant
• Living in a stable home in a U.S. surrogate-friendly state
• Not on governmental financial support
• Healthy reproductive history during pregnancies or birth
• Given birth to and be raising at least one child
• Six months+ since last vaginal or cesarean birth
• Ok with subcutaneous + intramuscular injections
• Non-smoker in a non-smoking home
• Not using illicit drugs
• No history of criminal activity or felony convictions
• No history of clinical mental illness
• No anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medication for past 12 months
• You + partner will both undergo background checks
• You + partner will both undergo psych consultations
• Able to travel for surrogacy appointments + overnight stays
• Agree to a home visit with all persons + pets present

• 100% of SurrogateFirst’s Team are former Intended Parents and experienced Surrogates who can truly empathize with your journey and share the same perspective.  Your well-being is our top priority so we offer a 16-month Health & Wellness Program, customized just for you, that extends into your 4th trimester to help you get back to your post-birth weight/BMI.  
• Personal attention & accessibility. At SurrogateFirst, we are available 24/7; you will have a dedicated Case Manager to serve your needs.  We over communicate so you trust that you always have the information you need. To us, you are part of our family. 
• SurrogateFirst offers one of the most competitive and transparent compensation packages in the industry.

While money is only a small part of the reason why many choose to become surrogates, it is still an important question to be answered. At SurrogateFirst, our Surrogate Compensation Packages from $38,000 to $53,000  with additional benefits up to $50,000 based on location and number of previous surrogacies. 

There are also many other benefits that you can receive for your contribution. Full health benefits, life insurance, and all other related costs are covered. 

SurrogateFirst offers one of the most competitive and transparent compensation packages in the industry.

If you refer friends, you can also earn up to $1,000 per referral! 

This is something that we recommend you speak to your accountant about it.

The intended parents are responsible for all pregnancy related medical cost. They will pay for at least one year of health insurance.

Check out the full list of requirements here and then schedule a consult with our agency. Call 424-567-3703 or contact us for more info. 

We would love to answer your questions and support you on this amazing journey!

Conduct Surrogacy Research: 1-12 Weeks

• Conduct online research

• Speak to previously experienced surrogates

Meet Necessary Requirements: 1-4 Weeks

• 21-40 years old
• BMI of 18-32
• U.S. citizen, legal resident or legal immigrant
• Living in a stable home in a U.S. surrogate-friendly state
• Not on governmental financial support
• Healthy reproductive history during pregnancies or birth
• Given birth to and be raising at least one child
• Six months+ since last vaginal or cesarean birth
• Ok with subcutaneous + intramuscular injections
• Non-smoker in a non-smoking home
• Not using illicit drugs
• No history of criminal activity or felony convictions
• No history of clinical mental illness
• No anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medication for past 12 months
• You + partner will both undergo background checks
• You + partner will both undergo psych consultations
• Able to travel for surrogacy appointments + overnight stays
• Agree to a home visit with all persons + pets present

Application Process: 2-8 Weeks

• Fill-out interest form

• Phone call with agency

• Fill out Application

• Long interview with agency

• Medical History Review

• Previous OBGYN records

• Labor record and delivery records for each previous pregnancy

• Recent pap-smear results

• Any other pertinent medical information

• Sign Agency Contract

Medical Screening: 1-4 Weeks

Schedule IVF clinic visit with the intended parents' physician, who will speak with you in detail and perform a surrogacy information assessment. The work up varies from clinic to clinic but typically includes:

• Vaginal ultrasound - a probe is inserted into the vagina enabling the technician to look at your uterus for polyps, scar tissue and lining thickness

• Physical and pap smear

• Hysteroscopy - a procedure where a small camera is placed in the uterus to look at the uterine cavity

• Medical instruction of the IVF cycle, injections, medication use and embryo transfer

Psychological Evaluation: 1-2 Weeks

Match with Intended Parents: 2-8 Weeks

Start Medications & Monitoring Appointments: 4 Weeks

Embryo Transfer

Transfer Confirmation - Success / Fail: 2 Weeks from transfer

First Ultrasound: 4-6 Weeks from transfer

Released to OB care: 8-10 Weeks from transfer

Pregnancy: 30 Weeks from release to OB

Delivery!

Pumping: 0-16 Weeks

Find out more about the Steps of Surrogacy by clicking here.

DOXYCYCLINE

Use: Doxycycline is a pre-cycle antibiotic that prevents any possible low-grade pelvic infection and prevent the body from rejecting the embryo when it is implanted.

Side Effects: None, but varies per individual.

Administration: Oral tablet.

When: administered before and after the embryo transfer.

LUPRON (leuprolide acetate)

Use: Lupron prevents the surrogate’s natural cycle and usual hormone exchange that causes follicle production and ovulation by suppressing the pituitary stimulation to the ovaries.

Side effects: Headache, fatigue, hot flashes.

Administration: Lupron is an injection given subcutaneously (in the fatty tissue) by a 1/2 inch needle under the skin.

When: administered prior to the embryo transfer.

LOW DOSE ASPIRIN

Use: Aspirin assists with cycle stimulation and impending embryonic implantation. This medication will continue until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Side effects: Upset stomach, heartburn, easy bruising or bleeding.

Administration: Oral tablet.

When: During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

VIVELLE PATCHES (estradiol)

Use: Estrogen is a hormone that helps grow the lining of the uterus which maintains an early pregnancy.

Side effects: Skin redness, irritation or rash, nausea, fluid retention.

Administration: The patch is applied to the skin on the abdomen and the estrogen is absorbed through the skin.

When: Prior to the embryo transfer and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

ESTRACE (estradiol)

Use: Estrogen is the hormone necessary for the preparation and thickening of the uterine lining for the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of early pregnancy.

Side effects: Bloating, mild nausea, or breast tenderness.

Administration: Oral tablet or vaginal suppository.

When: Prior to the embryo transfer and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

PROGESTERONE / PROMETRIUM / ENDOMETRIN

Use: Progesterone is the hormone produced by the ovaries after ovulation necessary for the preparation of the uterine lining for the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of early pregnancy.

Side effects: Breast tenderness, injection site tenderness, vaginal discharge and dizziness.

Administration: Intramuscular injection (into the muscle) or in the form of vaginal suppository.

When: Days prior to the embryo transfer and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

TETRACYCLINE

Use: Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic taken orally starting a few days before transfer to help prevent infection from occurring.

Side effects: Minor gastrointestinal upset, sensitivity to sun.

Administration: Oral tablet.

When: Few days prior to the embryo transfer.

MEDROL (methylprednisolone)

Use: Medrol is a low-dose steroid pill to suppress the autoimmune system from interfering with embryo implantation to decrease the risk of embryo rejection.

Side effects: None.

Administration: Oral tablet.

When: Beginning the day of retrieval and ending the day of embryo transfer.

PRENATAL VITAMINS

Use: often taken before the transfer and throughout the entire pregnancy to ensure the surrogate and baby are getting the proper nutrients.

________________________

By taking these and other prescribed medications and following all instructions provided by your doctor, you can help prepare your body for a successful surrogate pregnancy.

We take your profile, our current intended parents’ profiles and look for the best fit for both of you. We have years of experience matching surrogates and intended parents. You are a key part of this process; we will always have both the surrogate and intended parents approve the profiles. When both parties feel that there could be a possible match, we then set up a video meeting for you to get to know each other.

That is completely your choice. Some IP's may ask that you breastfeed their baby after birth. Surrogates are compensated at a rate of $200 a week for her efforts and time pumping. Intended parents will pay for supplies and shipping if need be.

Yes, we work with you to find the right insurance plan and doctors.

Yes, you can continue your healthy lifestyle and exercise as long as the doctor sees that doing so will harm neither you nor the baby.

SurrogateFirst’s Wellness Program, created specifically with surrogates in mind, encompasses every stage of your journey from pre-conception, each trimester, and three months post-partum (“4th” trimester).  We provide a holistic approach consisting of nutrition, fitness and relaxation guidance from passionate professionals at STRENGTH & GRACE. 

What can you expect?

• 1-on-1 Personal Consultations               Expert Advisors
• Weekly check-ins                                Certified Nutritionists
• Nutrition & Exercise Plans                    Personal Trainers

Our goal starting Day ONE is for a healthy pregnancy, resulting in a healthy baby and the quickest recovery possible for our surrogates. Our commitment to our surrogates is unparalleled.

There is travel with surrogacy. We will need you to travel most likely to California a few times for medical clearance, start of medications and transfers. We do cover travel related cost.

We believe in protecting our surrogates and our intended parents. In order to do so, we will need a background check and medical clearance for any sexual partners and or spouses.

Yes, you can continue your healthy lifestyle of exercise as long as the doctor sees no harm to you or baby.

No, SurrogateFirst works with the intended parent’s embryos

No, we use the intended parent’s embryos