Surrogacy FAQs for Gestational Carriers

Preliminary guidelines generally include age 21–39, at least one prior uncomplicated term pregnancy, a stable support system, a non-smoking and drug-free lifestyle, and the ability to complete medical and psychosocial screening.

What changes the answer: Clinic criteria and individual medical, mental-health, legal, and state review determine final eligibility.

A previous C-section does not automatically disqualify you. A fertility clinic and obstetric professionals review the number of prior deliveries, operative records, recovery, complications, and current health.

Next step: Provide complete pregnancy and delivery records for individual review.

Possibly. Eligibility depends on the carrier’s home state, the intended parents’ state, the treatment location, and the planned place of delivery. California law cannot be used to bypass restrictions elsewhere.

Next step: The proposed arrangement must be reviewed by independent attorneys before treatment.

Start with the preliminary eligibility form or contact the team with questions. Initial review does not create an obligation, guarantee acceptance, or replace medical, psychosocial, clinic, and legal screening.

Next step: Submit accurate contact, location, pregnancy-history, and health information.

There is no fixed duration. Timing depends on record collection, screening, matching, legal clearance, treatment scheduling, embryo-transfer outcome, pregnancy, and recovery.

What changes the answer: Clinic availability, match preferences, additional testing, an unsuccessful cycle, and medical needs can extend the process.

Travel is individualized; a fixed number of Los Angeles trips cannot be promised. The fertility clinic, screening location, treatment plan, legal requirements, monitoring arrangements, and delivery plan determine where and when travel is needed.

Next step: Request a written travel plan and expense procedure before agreeing to a match.

Yes. Matching should consider both parties’ preferences, communication style, medical expectations, location, travel, and views about pregnancy-related decisions. Either party may decline a proposed match before contracts are signed.

When not to proceed: Pause if important expectations or medical decision-making preferences are not aligned.

No. Every pregnancy and fertility-treatment cycle carries possible physical and psychological risks. Qualified professionals review medical and pregnancy history, explain the medication and transfer plan, and determine whether proceeding is appropriate.

Next step: Discuss risks, alternatives, and questions directly with the treating professionals before consent.

Many embryo-transfer protocols use hormonal medication, but the exact drugs, route, dose, and duration are determined by the fertility physician. Individual protocols and side effects vary.

Next step: Review the written protocol, risks, monitoring, and contact instructions with the clinic before starting medication.

An unsuccessful or cancelled cycle is a known possibility and is not evidence that the carrier did something wrong. The physician decides whether another attempt is medically appropriate, while the agreement determines any cycle limits, waiting periods, or applicable fees.

What changes the answer: Medical findings, embryo availability, consent, and the written agreement.

Many people continue working, but the answer depends on health, pregnancy course, job duties, exposures, lifting, travel, and medical advice. Restrictions or leave may become necessary.

Next step: Discuss your actual work duties with your healthcare provider and review any lost-wage documentation requirements in the agreement.

Single-embryo transfer is the preferred approach in gestational-carrier cycles because multiple pregnancy increases health risks. The fertility physician determines the proposed plan, and the carrier must receive information and give informed consent.

When not to proceed: Pause if the parties disagree about the number of embryos or management of a multiple pregnancy.

In a gestational-carrier arrangement, the carrier is not genetically related to the embryo. A traditional surrogate uses her own egg. Blessing Surrogacy works exclusively with gestational-carrier arrangements.

Important distinction: Agency policy is not the same as a statement that every other arrangement is illegal.

Parentage depends on the applicable law, compliant agreements, required procedures, and court orders for the specific arrangement. It should not be described as automatic in every state or factual situation.

Next step: Each party receives independent legal advice about the states involved and the required parentage process.

The gestational carrier makes decisions about her own medical care with her healthcare providers. Preferences about prenatal testing, pregnancy management, reduction, or termination should be discussed before matching and addressed with independent legal advice.

When not to proceed: Do not finalize a match when material expectations are incompatible.

Contact after delivery depends on the preferences and mutual understanding of the participants. Some maintain contact and others prefer privacy; no single relationship can be promised.

Next step: Discuss frequency, format, boundaries, photographs, social media, and the child’s privacy during matching.

Estimated total packages commonly range from $60,000 to $90,000 or more, but this is not a quote or guarantee. Base compensation, allowances, reimbursements, and contingency benefits must be shown separately.

What changes the answer: Experience, location, medical history, matching circumstances, insurance, travel, and the final agreement.

Carriers generally are not expected to bear approved surrogacy-related expenses. The agreement identifies covered items, direct payments, reimbursements, required documentation, limits, and possible insurance gaps.

Next step: Ask your attorney and insurance professional to explain anything that could create personal exposure.

An independent escrow provider holds and disburses funds under the signed agreement and escrow instructions. Escrow can reduce uncertainty, but the exact protections depend on funding requirements, provider terms, documentation, and dispute procedures.

Important limit: Escrow should not be described as an unconditional payment guarantee.

Payment timing follows the milestones, schedule, and documentation requirements in the signed agreement. Base compensation, allowances, reimbursements, and contingency benefits may follow different schedules.

Next step: Obtain an itemized schedule and have your independent attorney and escrow provider explain it before signing.