The Surrogacy Process

A Step by Step Guide – What to Expect

Whether just beginning to research, to being a step away from starting your journey, we are happy to address all of your questions about surrogacy by phone or email before applying!

Whether you found us through social media, a friend, or found us on the internet, the first step is to make sure you understand surrogacy. We understand that there is a lot to consider, which is why we understand that additional information may be needed before committing to the process. You will never feel pressured to begin until every question has been answered and you are sure you are ready. Reach out to us through our Surrogate Inquiry Form, social media, phone or email and we would be happy to chat!

Getting to

Know You

Completing Your Application

Once you are ready to apply to Family Makers, it’s time to sit down and complete an application. It takes about 15-20 minutes to answer a variety of questions pertaining to medical and social history, and provides us with preliminary information needed to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for Surrogacy

Interviews & Creating a Profile

One of the most important roles an agency has is finding an ideal match for Intended Parents and Surrogates. Each agency has it’s own process of doing this, and our approach is based on getting to know you as much as possible.

In addition to several interviews and calls with you, we give you the opportunity to be involved with creating a beautiful profile that allow Intended Parents to get to know important information about you. Once we have everything we need, we provide you with a final draft for approval before it is shared with any possible matches.

Background Checks & Medical History

At the same time as we are working on your profile, we will be conducting background checks conducted by a licensed investigator to ensure there is no history of criminal activity or legal concerns we should be aware of that could affect your journey. Background checks go back 7-10 years, and are performed on you, anyone you are in a committed relationship with, and anyone over 18 in your household. A video tour of your home via video chat and/or an in-person home visit will also be required.

Meeting Your

Intended Parents

Choosing Your Match

Unlike some agencies, we do not match Surrogates based on who has been waiting the longest. Instead, much consideration goes into presenting a profile based on what you’ve told us you would like in a match. In fact, more than 95% of Intended Parents and Surrogates who work with Family Makers agree to the first match they are presented with. We do everything possible to get it right the first time.

Meeting Your Prospective Intended Parents

Many Surrogates have described meeting their a prospective Intended Parents to be very much like a first date. You have seen one another’s profile and like what you see. Still, it can be a little nerve wracking when meeting someone for the first time and trying to create a conversation out of thin air. The great news is, we will prepare you so that you know exactly what to discuss, and a member of our staff will help guide the conversation to ensure that all major topics are covered. If you forget to ask a question, or you think of one after your call, no worries! We can clarify anything you need to know before making the decision to match.

It’s a Match!

At Family Makers, our matching process means that both the Intended Parents and Surrogate agrees to the match and general terms that both parties have agreed upon. We believe that communication is the foundation for a healthy journey, and so we encourage you to begin building your relationship with your Intended Parents immediately. Once a match is official, we will provide email and phone contact information so that you can begin getting to know one another!

Medical Screening

Medical Record Review & Screening

When you apply to Family Makers, one of the first things we do is a thorough medical record review. Records pertaining to previous obstetric and gynecological history, pregnancy and delivery of previous babies are reviewed for any issues that could cause possible issues for future pregnancies. Once you have passed Family Makers’ approval process, they are then sent to a fertility specialist for final review and approval.

Once the fertility specialist has confirmed that your medical records are acceptable, a psychological evaluation is performed by a licensed mental health professional. This lengthy interview is an opportunity for the psychologist or social worker to go over the risks and responsibilities of surrogacy, social history of the you and your significant other, and to assess a number of things to determine if you are an appropriate candidate. This evaluation also typically includes a group consultation with the Intended Parents review and clarify sensitive and important topics known to come up in surrogacy arrangements as a group. Lastly, you be required to complete a standardized personality assessment called a MMPI-2 or PAI, an additional tool used to assist the mental health professional in the overall evaluation.

Psychological assessment may be completed prior to or during her physical medical screening at your Intended Parents’ fertility clinic. This one to two day appointment with your Intended Parents’ RE will include an interview, pelvic exam, ultrasound and blood work. Additional tests may be performed at the physician’s discretion.

In addition to a mental health evaluation, you will be required to travel to your Intended Parents’ fertility clinic for a day of testing and appointments. There will be extensive blood tests taken from you and your partner to look for infectious diseases, common health problems, and drug use. An ultrasound will be performed to evaluate your uterus for any scar tissue, fibroids, polyps or anatomical malformations that could interfere with becoming a Surrogate.

Once the medical approval process is complete, you will return home. You should receive final confirmation of approval in 1-2 weeks once blood tests and the psychological evaluation have been reported.

Legal – Contracts

Legal Process – Choosing Your Attorney

Once clear blood results and psychological reports have been received in 8-10 days after your visit to your Intended Parents’ fertility clinic, you will then be officially “approved” by your clinic. All that’s left before you can begin your journey is contracts!

One of the most important steps you can do to protect yourself and your Intended Parents is to select a qualified attorney experienced in surrogacy. Family Makers is privileged to partner with legal experts throughout the United States and abroad who will prepare and negotiate your surrogacy agreement. In most cases, your Intended Parent will use this same legal expert once you becomes pregnant to ensure your Intended Parents’ are acknowledged as the baby’s legal parents by obtaining a Pre-Birth Order.

Contracts

Contracts can be a bit stressful, even for matches who believe they are on the same page about everything. As part of preparing for this stage of the process, Family Makers supplies a detailed list of match terms outlining all of the things you and your Intended Parents have already agreed on, including compensation and delivery location. Surrogacy contracts, some as lengthy as forty pages, cover anything and everything that could arise during your journey and can provide you with piece of mind that both parties are as protected as possible throughout the process. Once contracts have been approved by you and by your Intended Parents, you will visit a notary to sign. It’s now official and now the exciting part begins!

Getting Pregnant

Preparing for Embryo Transfer

Once your attorney has provided a legal clearance letter to your Intended Parents’ clinic stating that contracts have been finalized and executed, a number of things start happening! In addition to the administrative side of things that we will be handling for you, such as setting up your escrow account and activating any required insurance policies, you will finally begin preparing your body for embryo transfer. During this time, your Intended Parents’ clinic will also create a medication calendar and protocol for you to follow. Your Case Manager will review your shipment of medications and instructions just to confirm that there are no outstanding questions or concerns you should address with the clinic before beginning.

Many Surrogates do not live physically close to their Intended Parents’ fertility clinic, which means that a clinic located near your home is utilized. This is what we call a “monitoring clinic,” and is the place you will be receiving 2-3 ultrasounds and blood work in preparation for transfer.

Transfer Day!

This is a big day, and one you’ve been waiting for! Some Intended Parents and their Surrogates come dressed in matching pineapple socks, transfer shirts, lucky green polish, or other ways symbolizing the day. Just as common are those that are more reserved and do not do anything. Whatever your preference, many Intended Parents are present for embryo transfer and are allowed in the procedure room to witness the big moment. Most procedures occur mid-day, so you will usually be asked to arrive the day before or the morning of the transfer. The procedure itself lasts a few moments, and then the 10-day countdown begins to find out if you are pregnant.

Early Pregnancy

Positive Pregnancy Test!

Ten days after transfer, a blood test is performed to determine if there is a specific hormone present to indicate pregnancy. This is commonly called “beta,” and should increase steadily over time. The fertility specialist will order a second, and sometimes third, blood text to ensure that these levels are rising appropriately…indicating a viable pregnancy.

Approximately 3 weeks after your last blood test, you will be scheduled for your first ultrasound to look for baby’s heartbeat! This appointment usually takes place at your monitoring clinic or OB’s office.

We Have a Heartbeat! – First Trimester of Pregnancy

And there it is – the baby’s heartbeat! Because this is a surrogacy pregnancy created through IVF, this pregnancy will be treated a bit differently than others. Instead of an OB appointment, you will continue being monitored by your fertility specialist for another 4-6 weeks after heartbeat is confirmed to ensure there are no complications or concerns prior to being released to a general obstetrician or midwife. You will also stay on hormonal medications to support the pregnancy for several more weeks.

Once released out of the care of the fertility specialist between 9-12 weeks, you will begin attending regular prenatal appointments at your own provider’s office that will be managing the remainder of the pregnancy. You can even invite your Intended Parents to come along via in person, over phone, or video call and “meet” your doctor and ask any questions they may have about their precious baby.

One of the first tests many Parents learn about during pregnancy is prenatal testing (also called NIPT), a simple blood test that can identify possible genetic abnormalities. An ultrasound-guided test called a nuchal translucency test can also be performed to check for early signs of physical birth defects as well. We encourage Surrogates and their Intended Parents to discuss these optional tests with the provider during their first visit since it can only be done before 14 weeks gestation. Billing, insurance, and HIPAA releases can also be addressed during one of these first trimester visits.

Establishing Parentage

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

We hope that the second trimester of pregnancy is a relatively quiet and enjoyable time for both you and your Intended Parents. At the 18-20 week mark, an anatomy scan will be performed to evaluate growth and to ensure everything is as it should be. Many Intended Parents attend this milestone appointment for a chance to see their baby and visit with their Surrogate. If they have not already discovered their baby’s gender and want to, they can find out now. Some Parents want to be the first to know and keep the secret to themselves, others like to plan a party and make an announcement. It is important to discuss how and when they want to know so that you are all on the same page.

Establishing Your Parental Rights

Once you have reached the middle of pregnancy, we will initiate a vital part of the legal process in order to establish who the baby’s Parents are between 18-24 weeks of pregnancy. A Pre-Birth Order (commonly referred to as the PBO) is used in all but a handful of states to assign parentage prior to the baby’s birth. Once the baby is born, the document goes into effect and protects the Intended Parents’ rights, while also stating that you have no financial or legal responsibility for the baby. These rights allow Intended Parents to make medical decisions regarding care of their baby after delivery, ensures that their name goes on the baby’s birth certificate, can assist in resolving insurance claim issues, and allows the baby to be discharged home in its parents’ care.

Preparing for Birth

Setting Expectations for Delivery

During the third trimester, we recommend touring the delivery hospital with your Intended Parents if you haven’t already during a previous visit. From assisting with travel for your Intended Parents who aren’t local to their Surrogate, to ensuring the hospital is provided with all the insurance and legal paperwork needed, Family Makers does everything needed for a positive experience during this exciting time.

Many Surrogates have questions about how exactly the delivery will go. Will the Intended Parents be in the delivery room? Will they get their own room after the baby is born? What if they miss the birth due to travel delays? What happens in case of a c-section or complications? Can you provide breastmilk? What should you pack and bring with you to the hospital?

All of these questions, we can help answer to ensure you feel as prepared as possible when the big day arrives!

Delivery Day!

Whether delivery is planned, or you go into labor spontaneously, delivery day can be extremely stressful and exciting all at the same time. Many of the women who have completed journeys with us say one of the most special moments of their entire experience is witnessing their Intended Parents meeting their baby for the first time. In most cases, Parents are allowed to attend delivery, or shortly after if a cesarean is performed. Once the baby has arrived, we will request that your Intended Parents are provided with their own private area or room in the hospital to bond and enjoy one-on-one time with their baby, while you can have some much deserved rest.

Postpartum

After delivery, you will be free to leave the hospital whenever your OB discharges you. If your Intended Parents do not live close by, they may decide to stay in the area for a few days to several weeks before returning home with their baby. If you are providing breastmilk to the baby, Family Makers can provide education and assistance in milk preparation and shipment. We will also request any documentation required to process any remaining compensation and benefits due from delivery and postpartum recovery. Your journey is officially over and you can now call yourself an “Experienced Surrogate!”

Testimonials from Surrogates

These people were amazing!

After my cousin suffered through years of IVF, I learned about surrogacy but honestly knew nothing about it. These people were amazing in not only teaching me, but supporting me and my Intended Parents from day one. It was a fantastic adventure, it was so incredibly humbling, and it is something I would do again given the opportunity. If anyone deserved to be parents, it was the couple I was blessed to help!

Courtney, Surrogate from North Carolina

I always felt informed, respected, and supported.

As an L&D nurse, I didn't think there was anything in this world like witnessing someone meet their child for the first time. Being the person to make that happen? THAT was one of the most amazing moments of my life. Family Makers listened to everything I said wanted in a match. I was never a number to them and the family I helped was a perfect match. I always felt informed, respected, and supported. It was truly one of the most profound experiences of my life!

- Sarah, Surrogate from Georgia

My surrogacy journey was a beautiful experience!

I definitely researched surrogacy before jumping in but still felt a little green on certain details. But Family Makers was always there for both myself AND my intended parents! They are a great judge at HOW MUCH support you need. They were always available for at chat, day or night which was very helpful. My surrogacy journey was a beautiful experience. It's bittersweet that its over, but maybe I'll be back for another!

- Kim, Surrogate from New Hampshire

Family Makers has been great!

Family Makers has been great! This was my second journey, and my first was independent. I was nervous about going through an agency. I like to typically handle things myself. They understood this and let me handle the things I wanted to, but stepped in when we needed help. The whole process went very smooth!

- Amanda N.

Highly recommend Family Makers Surrogacy for your next journey whether as an IP or surrogate.

At the very beginning, I was highly impressed with how quickly they collected all of my medical information from the two separate hospitals and three different OB’s I had used for previous deliveries. I was thankful for the opportunity to match with a couple that had the same views on termination which was a major matching point for me. Overall, their matching process made me feel heard and that what I was looking for mattered. They listened intently and matched me with a couple who desired the same on all major matching points. During the entire journey, I never felt like a bother or burden but my coordinator, Ashley, was always available for questions and support the entire journey. I was very pleased with how the owner, Ashlee, handled delivery during a pandemic by personally calling the hospital and figuring out what that would look like and guiding my IPs and I through that new expectation of labor & delivery. After delivery, I felt incredibly loved and honored by the way the owner herself messaged me to check on me along with my coordinator, Ashley. Financially, I love that they use SEAM for their escrow as all bills have been paid promptly within one day of submitting. I am officially retired from surrogacy but would highly recommend Family Makers Surrogacy for your next journey whether as an IP or surrogate. Family Makers attention to detail in every aspect of the journey made the entire process seamless.

- Jessica G.

I’ve completed my first surrogacy with Family Makers Surrogacy and couldn’t be more pleased.

I've completed my first surrogacy with Family Makers Surrogacy and couldn't be more pleased with working with Ashlee. No matter what was going on, Ashlee was always there to answer any questions I had and resolve any issues. I really have absolutely nothing negative to say.

- Tonya H.

I highly recommend Family Makers. All around great experience!

I completed my journey June 2019. My coordinator was Ashley Hackenmiller. She was always attentive and responded proptly to email and text. If she didn't know something, I'd get a call from Ashlee Hammonds (owner) and my issue would be resolved. I had a few issues with the ips. They were so sweet but often flakey and hard to get ahold of. Me, I'm a planner. So when things were not going as needed and I couldn't get ahold of ips the agency always helped me get a plan b. They were extremely supportive and I knew if anything happened they would be right there with me. After delivery, they constantly checked up on me. I was pumping and another employee from Family Makers reached out for pumping assistance if I needed it. I highly recommend Family Makers. All around great experience!

- Nicole G.

Family Makers was absolutely amazing.

I worked with family makers as a gestational carrier after “breaking up” with another agency due to a poor experience. Family Makers was absolutely amazing the entire time. They were on top of everything, they made sure things were constantly moving since the starting process requires so much leg work, and they were always supportive. I set my own fees, I chose my own lawyer as did my intended parents, and a third party escrow company was used. Anything I needed was done even if it was just verbal support. Reimbursements were paid quickly bills were paid on time it was a perfect journey from start to finish. I highly recommend family makers for both surrogates and intended parents as there are both surrogates and intended parents working for the agency so they can really understand both sides of the journey.

- Ashley L.

Family Makers Surrogacy is a solid agency.

I just finished my first surrogacy journey on April 3, 2019! I was, and still am, impressed, at how fast and informative she was with the whole experience! Ashlee's knowledge of surrogacy and IVF is very extensive and that put me at ease instantly. But Ashlee always seemed to be there for both myself AND my intended parents! She also is a great judge at HOW MUCH support you need. I didn't feel like she was "bothering" me with texts or emails. I never felt rushed or "pushed" into anything. There were weeks where it felt like we spoke every day and then weeks where we wouldn't but her support in our journey was still there. Any issues we had she was right there for help and support. She was also always available for a chat, day or night which was very helpful in those times of confusion or what have you. My surrogacy journey was a beautiful experience. It's bittersweet that it's over but maybe I'll be back for another ;) Family Makers Surrogacy is a solid agency. If you're looking for strong support and rich knowledge in the surrogacy world definitely reach out!

- Kimberly Ann J.

Our experience was nothing short of stars aligning.

The founder of this company is just like you. I can say that because I am her previous gestational carrier. Our experience was nothing short of stars aligning. I owe that greatly to her attention to detail and naturally caring demeanor. We went through an independent match with a few hiccups all normal things we made it through as family. She is uniquely qualified to this tackle this new feat. She has been in many of your shoes as a previous IP. She KNOWS the struggle, investment, loss, and disappointment, but the other side of that is she KNOWS the little joys and triumphs moving forward with your dreams and sigh of relief when over. She is dedicated to everything she invests herself in. I have no doubt in my mind this will be a huge success and bring her as well as others much joy.

- Rebecca T.

Best choice ever to go with Family Makers Surrogacy.

From the start, Ashlee was amazing. She always answered any question I had. She was very quick with following up. Everything has gone smoothly. Ashley my coordinator was amazing too, she always checked in and made sure I never needed anything. During my short pumping journey, Ashley helped me with some great pumping tips etc. No issues, No complaints. This was my 2nd journey and 1st with Family Makers Surrogacy, best choice ever to go with Family Makers Surrogacy this 2nd time.

- Micha K.

You won’t find a more compassionate, kind, professional than Ashlee.

You won't find a more compassionate, kind, professional than Ashlee. Intended Parents and surrogates, etc. should be honored to use her agency. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to highly recommend her.

- Tammi D.

I recommend them 100%.

This agency could not have possibly made my journey as a surrogate more smooth. Ashlee specifically was available anytime I needed her and was amazing to work with. I appreciated her different perspective as an Intended Parent, and I ran several things by her during my journey when I wanted her advice on things that made the relationship with the family I worked with stronger. They were super diligent about making sure I understood what I was getting myself into and helped set realistic expectations. It really feels like I've got a close friend walking me through my journeys and really can't think of anything but amazing things to say about them. Ashlee is well known in the community for being a great educator and resource, and I recommend them 100%.

- Emma St. C.

I knew right away that this was the agency for me.

I am almost 6 weeks pp so here is my agency review. I matched with Family Makers Surrogacy in July of 2018. I had talked to other agencies before deciding and when I talked to Ashlee the owner of Family Makers I knew right away that this was the agency for me. I was matched in September 2018 with amazing like minded IPs. Ashlee was amazing taking care of things when we had issues with insurance. We had our transfer in January 2019 and I delivered a healthy baby boy September 27, 2019. I had some issues after delivery and the agency was amazing. They made sure I was taken care of in every way. Throughout the pregnancy, I was checked on but never felt like I was being micromanaged. If I could I would do it all again.

- The Cole Clan

I would strongly recommend Family Makers Surrogacy to anyone thinking about becoming a surrogate.

I completed my first surrogacy journey at the end of January helping a wonderful couple become parents to a beautiful little girl. I do not think I would have been able to do this without the help of Ashlee. She was there EVERY single step of the way from the beginning until the end. She has become a dear friend of mine and my husband and I cannot wait to work with her again in the future. I never realized how much would be involved throughout the process and Ashlee was very knowledgeable throughout every step. I would strongly recommend Family Makers Surrogacy to anyone thinking about becoming a surrogate.

- Katie G.

I highly recommend Family Makers for both surrogates and intended parents.

I worked with family makers as a gestational carrier after "breaking up" with another agency due to a poor experience. Family Makers was absolutely amazing the entire time. They were on top of everything, they made sure things were constantly moving since the starting process requires so much leg work, and they were always supportive. I set my own fees, I chose my own lawyer as did my intended parents, and a third party escrow company was used. Anything I needed was done even if it was just verbal support. Reimbursements were paid quickly bills were paid on time it was a perfect journey from start to finish. I highly recommend Family Makers for both surrogates and intended parents as there are both surrogates and intended parents working for the agency so they can really understand both sides of the journey.

- Jennifer H.