Your Path

The Surrogacy Journey

Five stages, one team beside you at every step

Stage 1

Initial Inquiry & Decision

This is where everything begins — curiosity, courage, and hope.

For Intended Parents

Why this step matters

  • Many intended parents reach this point after years of IVF attempts, miscarriages, or medical advice that pregnancy isn’t possible.

What happens here

  • Exploring surrogacy options (gestational vs. traditional, U.S. laws, clinic selection).
  • Attending an introductory consultation with the EMS team.
  • Reviewing costs and financial planning (average range $120k–$180k in the U.S.).
  • Understanding the timeline (typically 15–24 months from consultation to delivery).

For Surrogates

Why this step matters

  • Women who feel called to surrogacy are motivated by compassion, a strong family of their own, and the desire to help others.

What happens here

  • Learning about the requirements (age, health, lifestyle, prior healthy pregnancy).
  • Speaking to current or past surrogates for mentorship.
  • Deciding whether to apply and take the first step toward becoming a surrogate.
  • Reading through the surrogacy process guide.

Stage 2

Screening & Matching

The foundation of a safe, ethical, and successful surrogacy journey.

For Intended Parents

Matching

  • Profile creation: share your story, values, and family goals.
  • Match meetings are guided conversations — ensuring both sides feel comfortable.
  • Secure match-making workflow with admin oversight.
  • Educational handouts: “What to Ask in a Match Call”.
  • EMS carefully pairs surrogates and parents based on compatibility (values, location, medical factors).

For Surrogates

Medical screening

  • Blood tests, hormone panels, ultrasounds, infectious disease screening.
  • Review of pregnancy history and health records.

Psychological screening

  • Evaluations to confirm emotional readiness and family support.

Background checks

  • Criminal and financial checks to ensure stability.

Stage 4

Medical & Pregnancy

The scientific miracle meets the emotional heartbeat.

IVF & embryo transfer

  • Embryos created from intended-parent gametes or donors.
  • Transfer into the surrogate’s uterus under physician guidance.

Pregnancy monitoring

  • Beta hCG tests to confirm pregnancy.
  • Ultrasounds to check implantation and heartbeat.
  • Trimester monitoring: bloodwork, OB/GYN checkups, and milestone tracking.

The emotional journey

  • Surrogates celebrated for milestones (first heartbeat, trimester completions).
  • Parents receive photos, updates, and emotional guidance.
  • Tools like countdown clocks (to transfer, heartbeat, birth).
  • Weekly or monthly update reports.

Stage 5

Birth & Beyond

The miracle is realized — but the journey doesn’t end at birth.

At birth

  • Legal parentage orders ensure intended parents’ names go directly on the birth certificate.
  • Surrogate’s health and recovery are supported by the EMS network.
  • Post-birth care checklists for surrogates.
  • Delivery at an approved clinic or hospital.

For Intended Parents

After birth

  • Transition into parenthood with legal, medical, and logistical guidance (passports, citizenship if international).

For Surrogates

After birth

  • Postpartum medical checkups, emotional support, and connection with other surrogates.
Become a SurrogateStart as an Intended Parent