10 Essential Surrogacy Facts You Need to Know

Surrogacy is one of the most meaningful paths to parenthood available today, and yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. If you’re in the early stages of researching what to know about surrogacy and whether this path is right for you, whether as an intended parent or as someone considering becoming a surrogate, you’ve probably already discovered that the internet offers plenty of information, but not nearly enough clarity.

This guide is designed to change that. Below, we break down ten essential surrogacy facts, written plainly and honestly, to help you understand the medical process, the legal realities, and what a supported journey actually looks like.

Fast Surrogacy Facts at a Glance

• Genetic Connection: In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate shares 0% DNA with the baby.
• Infertility Impact: According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 1 in 5 women experience infertility, making surrogacy a vital family-building option.
• The Modern Standard: According to CDC data tracking assisted reproductive technology, modern medical surrogacy in the U.S. is overwhelmingly gestational, with traditional surrogacy rarely practiced in modern clinical settings.
• Time to Match: While industry waitlists can last 8+ months, boutique agencies like Newborn Advantage can match families within weeks.

Surrogacy Fact 1: There Are Two Types of Surrogacy, and One Is Far More Common Today

The gestational surrogacy process involves a surrogate carrying an embryo created using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby.

Traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate’s own egg is used, is rarely practiced today due to the legal and emotional complexities it introduces.

This distinction matters because it directly shapes the legal process, the screening requirements, and the nature of the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parents. When people raise concerns about a surrogate becoming emotionally attached to a baby as “her own,” gestational surrogacy addresses that at a biological level.

Surrogacy Fact 2: It Is an Option for Many Different Types of Families

Surrogacy is pursued by a wide range of intended parents: heterosexual couples who have experienced infertility, LGBTQ+ couples, single parents, and individuals with medical conditions that make carrying a pregnancy unsafe or impossible.

A good surrogacy agency treats every family structure with equal warmth and expertise. Every family deserves the same thoughtful guidance and care, regardless of how it’s shaped.

If you’ve wondered whether surrogacy is available to you specifically, the answer is almost certainly yes. You can explore the process for intended parents or schedule a free consultation to get answers specific to your situation.

Surrogacy Fact 3: Surrogates Must Meet Strict Medical and Personal Requirements

Becoming a surrogate is not simply a matter of volunteering. Reputable agencies require candidates to meet established medical and personal criteria before they can be approved and matched with a family. If you’re asking yourself, ‘How does surrogacy work for the carrier?’, it all begins with ensuring a safe, healthy foundation.

Typical surrogate requirements include:

• Being between 21 and 40 years old
• Having had at least one prior full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy
• Being in excellent overall health with a BMI under 31
• Living a stable, smoke-free lifestyle
• Being comfortable with injectable medications and travel for medical appointments

These requirements exist to protect the health of both the surrogate and the baby. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, the best step is to simply apply. You can review the full surrogate requirements and application process here. Agencies review applications individually and will let you know your eligibility quickly.

Surrogacy Fact 4: The Screening Process Is Comprehensive (And That’s a Good Thing)

Every surrogate candidate undergoes thorough screening before being approved. This includes a medical evaluation by the intended parents’ fertility clinic, a psychological assessment, a background check, and a detailed review of pregnancy history.

For intended parents, this screening process is one of the most important safeguards in surrogacy. It helps ensure that the surrogate you’re matched with is medically and emotionally prepared for the journey ahead.

At Newborn Advantage, intended parents also receive a rematch guarantee at no additional cost if a surrogate does not pass medical clearance. That commitment is one of the clearest signals of what a truly supportive agency looks like in practice.

Surrogacy Fact 5: The Matching Process Matters More Than Most People Realize

Matching is the process of pairing intended parents with a surrogate whose values and expectations align with their own. A well-made match sets the tone for the entire journey.

Many agencies have waitlists of eight months or more before intended parents are matched. Newborn Advantage maintains an active pool of qualified surrogates, which means many intended parents are matched within weeks rather than months, without any compromise to fit or safety.

The matching process at Newborn Advantage includes a first-name-only video call, so intended parents and surrogates can connect personally before committing. A match is confirmed only when both parties feel ready to move forward.

Surrogacy Fact 6: The Medical Process Involves IVF, and Your Clinic Leads It

Once a match is confirmed and legal contracts are signed, the surrogate begins a medication protocol to prepare her body for an embryo transfer. The transfer is performed at the intended parents’ fertility clinic, and a pregnancy test follows roughly ten days later.

If the surrogate doesn’t live near the fertility clinic, monitoring appointments leading up to the transfer are handled locally. The surrogate’s personal OB manages her pregnancy and delivery throughout.

Your agency coordinates all of this behind the scenes, so neither party has to manage complex medical logistics on their own.

Surrogacy Fact 7: Surrogacy Law Varies Significantly by State

Surrogacy is legal in the United States, but the laws governing it differ considerably from state to state, and they continue to evolve. Some states are highly surrogacy-friendly, with well-established legal pathways and pre-birth orders that establish intended parents’ legal rights before the baby is born. Others are more restrictive.

This is why every surrogacy arrangement should involve independent legal representation for both the surrogate and the intended parents. Contracts define parental rights, surrogate compensation, medical decisions, and confidentiality before any medical procedures begin.

A qualified reproductive attorney is not optional. A reputable agency will help connect you with experienced legal counsel from the start.

Surrogacy Fact 8: There Are Real Costs, and Financial Transparency Matters

Surrogacy involves a significant financial investment. Costs typically include agency fees, legal representation, fertility clinic fees, surrogate compensation, and additional allowances for maternity clothing, travel, and medical appointments not covered by insurance.

Total costs vary depending on the specifics of each arrangement, but understanding the full picture from the beginning is essential. Ask any agency you’re evaluating to walk you through their fee structure clearly, with no hidden costs.

For surrogates, compensation is competitive and typically includes a base fee, milestone bonuses, life insurance coverage, and allowances for incidentals. Full compensation details are reviewed personally with each surrogate candidate.

Surrogacy Fact 9: The Emotional Journey Requires Dedicated Support

Surrogacy is one of the most emotionally layered experiences a person can undertake, on both sides of the arrangement. Intended parents often arrive having already navigated infertility, loss, or years of uncertainty. Surrogates carry not only a pregnancy but a profound responsibility and a deep generosity of spirit.

A trustworthy agency acknowledges this honestly. The process can include difficult moments alongside beautiful ones, and having a consistent, experienced team by your side is what allows both parties to move through those moments with confidence.

With approximately 1 in 5 women in the U.S. experiencing infertility, surrogacy represents a vital path forward. Because of the high stakes, emotional support throughout that journey isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Surrogacy Fact 10: The Agency You Choose Shapes the Entire Experience

Surrogacy agencies vary widely in size, approach, responsiveness, and level of care. Large agencies may process high volumes of clients but struggle to offer the individual attention that a journey this significant deserves.

Newborn Advantage Surrogacy was built differently. As a boutique, family-run agency led by Mindy Berkson and her daughter Courtney Torlai, the team brings more than 20 years of experience to every client relationship. The agency maintains an active surrogate pool that allows most intended parents to be matched within weeks. A dedicated case manager walks every client through medical coordination, legal logistics, escrow, insurance, and every decision in between.

This is what boutique care means in practice: you are known by name, guided personally, and never left to figure things out alone.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re considering surrogacy as an intended parent or thinking about becoming a surrogate, the most important thing you can do right now is ask your questions to someone who knows the answers.

• Intended parents: Schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll walk you through your options, timeline, and the Newborn Advantage process for your specific situation, with no obligation.
• Prospective surrogates: Learn more about becoming a surrogate with Newborn Advantage. You’ll find everything you need to understand the requirements, process, and comprehensive support our team provides from day one.

Surrogacy changes lives. With the right team beside you, it can also be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life.