Find the answers you need to common gestational surrogate FAQs

As you try to decide if becoming a gestational surrogate is right for you, you likely have a lot of questions. Learning about surrogacy and what it’s like to be a gestational surrogate can help you decide if this beautiful path is right for you.

Les Petits Surrogacy^® exists to help both intended parents and generous surrogates on their surrogacy journeys. Our team has decades of combined experience that we will use to guide you. You can also find answers to common gestational surrogate FAQs here and learn what you need to know about surrogacy.

Gestational surrogate FAQS: What do I need to know about surrogacy?

What is gestational surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy both involve a surrogate who carries a baby for an individual or a couple. However, these two types of surrogacy are different.

Traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate carries the pregnancy and provides her egg. This makes her biologically related to the child, which can present ethical and legal issues.

Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate carries the baby but is not biologically related to the child. This means the surrogate does not provide her egg for the pregnancy. The intended mother or an egg donor does. This is the type of surrogacy that we exclusively focus on at Les Petits Surrogacy.

What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

At Les Petits Surrogacy, we have several basic requirements for surrogates. These qualifications ensure surrogacy will be a safe and successful journey. Below are examples of a few of these requirements.

• United States citizen or legal resident
• Between the ages of 21 and 41
• Healthy body mass index (BMI)
• No history of illegal drug use
• At least one full-term, complication-free pregnancy
• No more than two C-section deliveries

What states are surrogacy-friendly?

Although they have different surrogacy laws, most U.S. states are considered surrogacy-friendly. This means they have laws that permit surrogacy arrangements of some kind.

States that are not surrogacy-friendly include:

• Nebraska
• Louisiana
• Indiana
• Mississippi
• Alabama

How do I apply to become a surrogate?

Our team makes it easy to apply to become a surrogate at Les Petits Surrogacy. You will take a preliminary quiz to see if you qualify to become a surrogate.

After completing this quiz, you will submit a contact form. A team member will contact you to schedule your initial consultation and have you complete an in-depth application. This is what we will use to create your gestational surrogate profile and facilitate the matching process with intended parents.

How do surrogates match with intended parents?

Before the matching process begins, surrogates undergo medical, psychological and social evaluations. Doing so helps our team ensure the woman will make a good surrogate, and the process will minimize any risks for both the gestational surrogate and baby. At the same time, these evaluations help us learn about a potential surrogate’s preferences. Les Petits Surrogacy also assesses the intended parents to determine their expectations and preferences.

Using this information, we suggest potential matches based on criteria about core values, expectations, medical history and location.

What screenings are necessary for surrogates?

Potential surrogates undergo comprehensive screenings to assess their overall health and ability to carry a pregnancy successfully.

• The medical screenings assess general health and reproductive health.
• Psychological evaluations ensure readiness for the surrogacy journey ahead.
• Background checks confirm the character of all individuals considering serving as a gestational surrogate.

How long does the surrogate process typically take?

From the initial consultation to the birth of the baby, surrogacy typically spans a little over one year to 18 months. The surrogacy timeline involves the matching process, medical and psychological screenings, legal contracts, embryo transfer, pregnancy and birth.

How much money can I make as a gestational surrogate?

Compensation for gestational surrogacy varies depending on location, agency fees, medical expenses and compensation for specific circumstances. The typical gestational surrogate compensation package in the United States may include the following.

1. Base compensation: This can vary widely, but it often ranges from $65,000 to more than $100,000. Factors such as the surrogate’s experience, location and health insurance may influence the base compensation amount.
2. Extras: Gestational surrogates receive a monthly allowance to cover pregnancy-related expenses, ranging from maternity clothing to prenatal vitamins.
3. Medical expenses: Intended parents cover all medical expenses associated with surrogacy, including prenatal care, fertility treatments, labor and delivery costs and any necessary medical procedures.
4. Insurance coverage: In some cases, the intended parents may also provide health coverage for the surrogate to cover medical expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth.
5. Lost wages: Surrogates may receive compensation for lost wages or income, due to time off work for appointments, pregnancy restrictions and postpartum recovery.
6. Additional compensation: Surrogates may sometimes receive extra compensation for certain situations, such as carrying twins or having a C-section.

Gestational surrogacy compensation is typically outlined in a legal contract between the surrogate and the intended parents.

Are there any medical risks of being a surrogate?

Any pregnancy, including a surrogate pregnancy, has potential risks. Medical risks may include, but are not limited to, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and the need for a C-section. There are also psychological risks, such as postpartum depression.

Les Petits Surrogacy offers comprehensive support and resources throughout your surrogacy journey to address these challenges.

Learn more about becoming a gestational surrogate with Les Petits Surrogacy

Les Petits Surrogacy is here to help you start your surrogacy journey. As we learn more about you and your goals for surrogacy, our team will give you more information about surrogacy and our agency. We will also answer all your gestational surrogate FAQs to make sure you feel confident that this journey is right for you.

Are you ready to learn more about becoming a gestational surrogate? We invite you to contact Les Petits Surrogacy today. Our entire team is happy to explain what you need to know about surrogacy.