Embarking on a surrogacy journey is an exciting and transformative experience. Our comprehensive process is designed to guide you smoothly from initial consultation to the joyous moment of welcoming your new baby. Below, we outline each step of this journey.
Begin your journey with an in-depth consultation where we explain the entire surrogacy process, discuss budget considerations, and recommend clinics. We answer all your questions and prepare you for the steps ahead. If you already have embryos prepared, you can skip directly to step 3.
For those needing to create embryos, this step involves egg retrieval and fertilization at an IVF clinic, which may include egg donation if required. Embryos can also be created abroad and transported to a U.S. IVF clinic.
Once your embryos are ready, we discuss your preferences for a surrogate, including criteria like age, marital status, and state of residence. We also consider the requirements of your IVF doctor to ensure a suitable match.
We only send profiles of potential surrogates who meet your and your IVF doctor’s criteria. Finding the right match may take time, and it’s important to understand that finding a perfect match may require flexibility.
The chosen surrogate’s medical records will be reviewed and approved by the IVF clinic. If the surrogate does not pass this stage, a rematch will be necessary.
You’ll meet your potential surrogate via a video call—an opportunity for both sides to ask questions, share hopes, and build a connection before moving forward.
Sign a retainer with our agency to formalize your commitment and continue the process.
Surrogates undergo thorough psychological and medical screenings. Both screenings are essential and must be passed to move forward.
After medical and psychological clearances, we initiate the legal process. We refer family law attorneys to draft surrogacy contracts. Both intended parents and surrogates review these contracts with their respective attorneys, make necessary amendments, and finalize them. The contracts are then notarized, and the IVF clinic is notified once legal clearance is obtained.
Following legal clearance, the IVF clinic plans the embryo transfer. This involves several preparatory tests and procedures to ensure the surrogate is in optimal condition for implantation. Post-transfer, the surrogate follows medical advice to support embryo development.
Around the 12th week of pregnancy, we initiate the process for a prebirth order, requiring forms and signatures from you. This legal document, usually obtained between the 32nd and 36th week, is essential for hospital requirements after your baby is born.
Once the surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, your baby will be delivered at a trusted hospital. You or your authorized representative will be present to complete all necessary hospital procedures and officially welcome your child into the world.
Many intended parents describe this moment as life-changing.
Read real baby birth stories from Ivy Surrogacy families.
Embarking on a surrogacy journey often comes with important questions. To support you every step of the way, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions intended parents ask—from surrogate matching and embryo creation to legal contracts, escrow accounts, and timelines. If you don’t see your question here, our team is always happy to assist.
The first step is scheduling a consultation with our experienced team. During this meeting, we’ll discuss your goals, medical background, and expectations, and walk you through the entire gestational surrogacy process—from embryo creation and surrogate matching to legal planning and delivery.
We’ll also answer any questions you may have about surrogate selection, surrogacy-specific insurance, newborn medical coverage, and program timelines—so you can begin your journey with clarity and confidence.
We match intended parents with surrogates based on a variety of factors, including your preferences, expectations, and compatibility with the surrogate’s lifestyle, location, health history, and communication style.
Each match includes a video meeting to help build trust and ensure both parties feel aligned before moving forward.
No, you don’t need to have embryos ready before starting the process. If needed, we’ll help connect you with a trusted IVF clinic to begin the embryo creation journey, which may involve egg donation, sperm collection, and optional genetic screening such as PGT-A.
Every gestational surrogate completes comprehensive screenings to ensure she is medically and emotionally ready. Medical evaluations include uterine health assessments, hormone testing, drug screening, and infectious disease testing, all in accordance with FDA and ASRM guidelines.
In addition, licensed professionals conduct psychological evaluations to assess emotional stability, motivation, and support systems—helping ensure a safe and successful surrogacy experience for all parties.
Once the surrogate has passed both medical and psychological clearance, a reproductive attorney representing the intended parents will draft a gestational carrier agreement. This contract outlines all legal rights, responsibilities, compensation terms, and the intended parents’ legal parentage.
The draft is then shared with the surrogate and her independent attorney for review. Both parties may propose revisions to ensure the agreement fully reflects their mutual understanding. Once all terms are finalized, the agreement is signed and notarized by both sides.
This legal clearance is required before proceeding to the embryo transfer. Later in the pregnancy, a pre-birth order is filed to formally establish the intended parents’ legal rights prior to the baby’s delivery.
Embryo transfer is scheduled after medical and legal clearance is complete. Timing is coordinated with the surrogate’s menstrual cycle and the fertility clinic’s protocol to ensure optimal conditions for implantation and pregnancy success.
The escrow account can be closed only after all outstanding surrogacy-related expenses—especially medical bills—have been confirmed as fully paid.
Because hospital billing in the U.S. can be slow, escrow closure usually occurs 6 to 12 months after delivery. Any remaining balance will be refunded to the intended parents’ designated bank account.
From initial consultation to your baby’s birth, the full surrogacy journey typically takes 12 to 18 months. The timeline varies depending on whether embryos are already available, surrogate matching time, legal review, and other individual factors.
