The opportunity of a lifetime.

Common Questions About Surrogacy

• Is there a difference between a gestational carrier and a traditional surrogate mother?

  These two terms are often used interchangeably, however, traditional surrogacy is a more outdated. The most common type is gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate carries a child conceived using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material, making her genetically unrelated to the child. Gestational surrogacy is the primary focus of modern surrogacy practices due to its clear legal and genetic distinctions. Traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, is less common and not practiced by the vast majority of fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies, including West Coast Surrogacy.

• Can I be a surrogate for someone I know?

  Yes, you can be a surrogate for a couple or single person you know. Our agency will vet the intended parent(s) by facilitating criminal background, mental health consultations, and the other screening steps we implement per our surrogate matching process. We ensure you have all the necessary information at the beginning of your journey, as your protection and the relationship with the intended parent(s) is of the utmost importance to us.

• Is it hard to give the baby up?

  Though we understand why it seems like surrogates would grow attached to the baby during the pregnancy, many describe the experience as being completely different from what they felt during pregnancies for their own biological children. Knowing you are giving a gift to other parents changes the framework.

• What is the compensation for surrogates?

  Compensation for surrogates is typically determined based on several factors, including the location of the surrogate, her employment status, and any previous surrogacy experience. At West Coast Surrogacy, compensation ranges from $72,000 to $104,000 or more, with additional payments for specific circumstances such as carrying multiples.

• How involved will the intended parents be?

  During your journey through surrogacy, you may encounter many obstacles and experience many joys. The nature of the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parent(s) is typically discussed and agreed upon before the surrogacy arrangement begins, with the intentions of all parties taken into consideration. The relationship between the surrogate and the child after birth varies depending on the agreement made between the surrogate and the intended parent(s), as well as your overall relationship during the process. Some intended parent(s) and surrogates opt to continue their relationship after the journey has come to an end, while others choose to part ways amicably.