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Surrogacy Process

Women Helping Women -- Personal Support From Hello to Delivery

Surrogacy Process — What to Expect

Clear steps, constant support, and a match that feels right for you.

On This Page

Typical pace varies by preferences and clinic scheduling. You’ll be in touch with our founder directly by phone, text, and email throughout but here is an estimatd timeline:

Timeline & Checkpoints (Typical Pace)

  • Initial form received → Welcome call: 1–3 business days
  • Full application completed: within 1–2 weeks (your pace)
  • Profile created & approved: 1 week after application
  • Matching window: typically 2–6 weeks (varies by preferences)
  • Screening & contracts: 8–12 weeks (clinic + legal)
  • Embryo transfer to pregnancy confirmation: 10 days after transfer for blood work confirmation and then 6 weeks after transfer for confirmation of fetal heartbeat
  • Pregnancy: ~9 months with monthly support calls

The following is a detailed description of each step from Hello to Delivery


STEP 1

How to Begin Your Surrogacy Journey

Simple Start

  • Initial questionnaire. Complete the brief initial questionnaire to see if you qualify.
  • Welcome call. (usually within 1–3 business days).
  • Full application completion (your pace, typically few days).
  • Obtain your pregnancy and delivery records for review by the fertility clinic.
  • Complete background checks.
  • Create your profile (~1 week after application).

Communication & Support

You’ll be in direct contact with our founder and head advocate every day, as needed — by phone, text, and email. Communication with her will be easy and responsive.

  • See if you qualify → your Apply page


    • STEP 2

    Finding the Right Surrogacy Match

    You receive profiles aligned with your preferences, and you’re only matched if you say “yes.”

    The AFS Difference

    • Review intended parent profiles that match your preferences.
    • If you’re interested, we schedule a Google Meet with everyone.
    • Spend 1–2 weeks connecting directly so everyone can be confident moving forward.
    • Your “yes” is what makes the match.

    Matching Tips

    Surrogate meeting with couple
    • Be open about communication during pregnancy and delivery wishes.
    • Ask practical questions early (travel, appointment support).
    • Take your time — the right fit matters more than speed.


    STEP 3

    Protection for You and Your Family

    Legal & Insurance

    • You have your own attorney, paid by the intended parents.
    • Contract covers compensation schedule, travel, decision-making, bed rest, multiples, and more.
    • Escrow is funded before medications and transfer per the agreement.
    • Insurance is confirmed prior to procedures (never Medicaid).

    Compensation Flow (How it’s paid)

    • Pre-pregnancy:  successful screening completion bonus, contract sign-on bonus, start of meds fee, embryo transfer fee, plus covered expenses.
    • During pregnancy: Base Compensation, Monthly Miscellaneous Fee, Maternity Clothing, Multiples fee, and covered expenses (lost wages, childcare, travel, etc.).
    • Reimbursements: simple process; payments on your behalf or in advance so you’re not fronting costs.

      • Download Compensation Guide

    Roles & Responsibilities

    You

    • Complete application & records
    • Join matching meetings
    • Attend screenings
    • Follow clinic instructions

    AFS

    • Create your profile
    • Guide each step; coordinate clinic/attorneys
    • Manage logistics & support
    • Monthly counseling once pregnant
    • Prepare your hospital plan

    Intended Parents

    • Cover all costs (screening, legal, insurance, travel)
    • Provide profiles; attend meetings
    • Fund escrow after contract


    STEP 4

    The Next Steps After a Match

    Screening & Clearances

    • Medical screening at the IVF clinic (labs, ultrasound, physical).
    • Psychological assessment by a licensed professional.
    • Records release from your OB/GYN (AFS requests with your consent).
    • Insurance review to ensure proper coverage.

    Appointments, Travel & Expenses

    • All clinic travel (airfare, hotel, mileage, per diem) covered by intended parents.
    • We help book and send written confirmations.
    • Quick-submit template for any reimbursements.


    STEP 5

    The Medical Process — Step by Step

    Overview of how the medical steps flow, from clearances through transfer and confirmation.

    Petri dish -- science, hope, dreams

    Before Transfer

    • Clearances completed (medical + psychological + legal).
    • Escrow funded; insurance verified.
    • Start of medications (per clinic protocol).

    Embryo Transfer

    • Clinic procedure day (travel covered if applicable).
    • Follow post-transfer instructions from clinic.


    STEP 6

    Pregnancy

    Pregnancy

    Approximately 10 week after your embryo transfer and confirmation of fetal heartbeat the fertility clinic will graduate you to your ob/gyn. Again, our head advocate, Candace, will be there for you 24/7

    Michelle will also check in on you monthly during your pregnancy and be there for counseling and some extra support.

    Pregnancy

    Hospital Plan & Delivery

    As you get closer to delivery, we finalize your hospital plan (support person, visitors, birth preferences, pumping/colostrum, keepsakes, photography permissions).

    AFS coordinates with hospital staff and your intended parents so the day feels calm and organized.

    After Birth

    Postpartum check-in and access to ongoing resources.

    Escrow closeout per contract (final reimbursements).

    Continued community access — you’re always welcome

    Latest Blog Post

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    What People Are Saying

    • “Here’s the thing, I thought we could save money by handling the surrogacy ourselves, but the truth is that we tried and we lost time and almost got ourselves into a mess. Our fertility clinic recommended we try an agency and gave us a few recommendations. Advocates for Surrogacy was on the list. We called, we never looked back. Candace and the team were amazing from the time we began matching with a surrogate which was a totally different experience from when we were trying to do that ourselves to handling the contract, to the medical process all the way to the delivery of our beautiful daughter.”

      — B and Z

    • “Candace is great. We must have met with her 3 or 4 times and she was always patient and provided all the answers we needed and when we finally signed up we felt comfortable and at ease. We had called several other agencies before finding Advocates for Surrogacy and the experience was very different. We received information and had a chance to speak with the director but it was obvious that we were expected to make a decision based on information and one meeting. We just didn’t think that was enough for the emotional and financial commitment that surrogacy requires.”

      — Sheila T.

    • “Our surrogacy journey was not easy. We had some false starts with surrogates and then our surrogate had 2 miscarriages but through it all Candace was there to help us get through the rough patches and helped us to stay the course. Candace would always check in with me regularly after the miscarriages and I really appreciated that. Our surrogate also had the same experience with Candace continually checking in with her. All I can say is that surrogacy can have some bumps but having Candace beside us made all the difference. We never lost our faith and confidence and in the end our dreams of having a child came true times two!”

      — M&M

    • “I’ve had 4 surrogate journeys. Candace is great to work with. She is caring and understanding. I had a wonderful experience with Advocates for Surrogacy and would go through them anytime. Thanks Candace for another unforgettable journey.”

      — P.D.

    • “Advocates for Surrogacy was our lifesaver. My cousin agreed to be our surrogate but we did not have the finances for IVF after several failed attempts on our own. I started to look at international programs and stumbled upon Advocates for Surrogacy’s Guatemala IVF Program. It was our answer. Even with the travel costs, it was a major savings. The doctors at the clinic were great and really took time to explain everything. Candace’s team in Guatemala were great. We were picked up at the airport, taken to the clinic and never felt we were on our own.”

      — Tara K.

    • “I just completed my 5th surrogacy journey and my first with Advocates for Surrogacy. I was with another agency for 1st and 3rd journeys and did 2nd and 4th independently. My 1st and 3rd were so so and not much support from agency. 2nd independent was good but I had some problems with bills getting paid on time. My 2nd independent journey was a total mess so I definitely don’t recommend going independent even with experience. I can honestly say that working with Candace was great. She went to bat for me when I needed it and was always there.”

      — C.T.