Have you been thinking about becoming a surrogate, but your worried about what others will think? If you are looking for a selfless way to help an individual or couple start their family, you might want to consider becoming a surrogate. People may look at you as if you are crazy when they first hear about your plan to become a surrogate, but after talking with them about why you want to do it, they are likely to support your decision and wish you all the best.

  • Surrogacy allows women to help others build families.
  • To be a surrogate you have to meet certain requirements such as being in overall good health, being 21-42 years old, and having had at least one full-term pregnancy.
  • Surrogates are compensated and earn around $55,000 plus benefits.
  • Most U.S. states allow surrogacy, besides Louisiana and Nebraska.
  • Educating your friends and family will help them understand your decision.
  • To get started you must select a trusted agency to work with and submit an application.

What is a Surrogate?

A gestational surrogate becomes pregnant through in vitro fertilization with implanted embryos created using sperm from one partner or donor sperm, eggs from another partner or donor egg, or donated embryos.

The surrogacy process begins with an embryo transfer, which happens in stages: in vitro fertilization (IVF), an optional embryo screening procedure, implantation of one or more embryos into your uterus, and pregnancy. The surrogate then carries the pregnancy to term and delivers the baby to its parents upon birth.

Who Can Become a Surrogate?

When it comes to gestational surrogacy, there are a few requirements you need to meet:

  • Be a resident of the United States
  • Be between the ages of 21-42 years old
  • Be healthy overall
  • Not smoke or take illegal drugs
  • Have a BMI of 33 or less
  • Have experienced a full-term pregnancy and delivery AND are raising (or have raised) that child
  • Live in a stable environment
  • Not currently on medication for depression or anxiety
  • Enjoy pregnancy and be motivated by the wish to help others create or add to their family

It’s important to understand that being a surrogate is not for everyone. It takes lots of love and sacrifice. You need to do a lot of soul-searching to be confident that you can do something as emotionally intense as carrying a baby for someone else!

Do You Get Paid as a Surrogate?

Yes! The average surrogate earns around $55,000 in base compensation plus benefits. The payment you receive is largely dependent on where you live and if you’ve been a surrogate before.

You will also receive payment for:

  • Maternity clothes
  • Prenatal vitamins
  • Lost wages
  • Childcare for your children during your pregnancy
  • The intended parents will also pay for all your pregnancy-related medical expenses

Although the money you receive as a surrogate is significant, the emotional rewards of knowing you helped bring a new life into this world and have fulfilled the dreams of a hopeful parent are priceless!

Is Surrogacy Legal in My State?

The laws on surrogacy are different in every state. Compensated surrogacy is not legal in all states, so becoming a surrogate might not be an option where you live.

Since there is no Federal law regarding surrogacy, each state has its own rules. Currently, only 2 U.S. states expressly prohibit commercial surrogacy:

  • Louisiana
  • Nebraska

Some states are considered more “surrogacy friendly” than others because the laws in those states make it easier for intended parents and surrogates to complete the legal process. Some of the most surrogacy-friendly states are:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Nevada
  • Washington

How to Tell Your Friends and Family

Start by reaching out to those closest to you. Let them know why you are considering becoming a surrogate and how the process works. Many times, people don’t understand what surrogacy is, but once they’re educated on the surrogacy process, they’re very supportive.

As a surrogate, having a strong support system is a must! Having others by your side will make the journey more meaningful and smoother. Ultimately though, only you know whether or not surrogacy is right for you.

How Do I Get Started?

Before you decide, carefully consider your motives for becoming a surrogate. Surrogacy is an incredibly meaningful decision that can dramatically affect all involved.

If you have decided that surrogacy is right for you and want to get started now, the first step is submitting your application. If you are still unsure whether surrogacy is right for you, feel free to reach out to us to request information about becoming a surrogate.

Family Source Consultants’ staff will ensure your success in becoming a surrogate and help you find intended parents that fit your conditions perfectly. We are happy to answer any questions you might have about surrogacy or assisted reproduction in general.

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Staci Swiderski, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants, has been a prominent leader in reproductive medicine for over two decades. Through her strategic vision and dedication, she has developed Family Source Consultants into a globally recognized agency specializing in comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy services. Under Staci’s leadership, the agency has become a trusted partner for intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors worldwide, known for its rigorous standards, compassionate support, and commitment to excellence in third-party reproduction.

Her professional insight is uniquely informed by her own family-building experiences. As an intended parent, Staci welcomed her son via gestational surrogacy in 2005, and as a known egg donor, she assisted an infertile couple in expanding their family. These experiences lend a rare depth to her leadership and have fueled her ongoing dedication to ethical, empathetic, and professional support within the field of reproductive medicine.