Become a Surrogate
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Become a Surrogate

Frequently Asked Questions for Intended Parents

We’ve gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions about becoming an intended parent through surrogacy, covering everything from the surrogacy process and finding a surrogate to costs, timelines, and support. If you’re considering growing your family through surrogacy, we’re here to provide the information you need to feel supported every step of the way.

Understanding Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, a surrogate carries an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The embryo may use eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors. The surrogate does not use her own eggs, has no genetic relationship to the baby, and has no parental rights or legal claim to the child.
Bamboo Surrogacy works with couples, single parents, LGBTQIA+ families, domestic families, and international intended parents. Our surrogacy agency in Laguna Hills, California, takes time to understand your family-building goals and the medical, legal, and logistical details involved in surrogacy.
No. Some intended parents already have embryos, while others are still working with a fertility clinic or considering donor options. Our team can explain how the surrogacy agency, IVF clinic, donor, and matching stages may fit together based on where you are now.

Choosing a Surrogacy Agency

Look at how the surrogacy agency screens surrogates, manages matching, communicates with families, and coordinates with fertility clinics and attorneys. You should also understand the surrogacy agency’s fees, matching policies, and the level of personal support you will receive throughout the process.

Yes! Bamboo Surrogacy works with intended parents throughout the United States and abroad. Our international surrogacy program includes added coordination around travel, legal planning, communication, and the hospital process.

Bamboo Surrogacy welcomes all LGBTQIA+ couples, individuals, and single parents. Our team offers guidance for gay couples pursuing surrogacy and single intended fathers based on their specific family-building plans.

The Surrogacy Process

The surrogacy process for intended parents includes signing a surrogacy agency agreement, matching with a surrogate, completing medical and psychological clearance, finalizing legal contracts, preparing for embryo transfer, pregnancy, and delivery. Bamboo Surrogacy guides intended parents through each stage of the surrogacy process.
Many surrogacy journeys take about 12 to 18 months. Timing depends on embryo readiness, matching, medical clearance, legal work, clinic scheduling, and whether more than one transfer is needed.

Yes, as long as the fertility clinic accepts gestational surrogacy cases. Our team coordinates communication and scheduling, while the fertility clinic remains responsible for medical screening, clearance, and treatment decisions.

Bamboo Surrogacy has established working relationships with numerous fertility clinics across the United States, including Ember Fertility Center, Beverly Hills Fertility, California Center for Reproductive Health, Life IVF Center, San Diego Fertility Center, La Jolla IVF, Fertility & Surgical Associates of California, HRC Fertility, and American Fertility Medical Center. Our experience extends beyond California, including collaborations with Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute in Hawaii.

We are happy to coordinate with your preferred fertility clinic, even if we have not worked with them before, to help ensure a smooth and seamless surrogacy journey.

No. There is no upfront commitment or payment required.

At Bamboo Surrogacy, you can review surrogate profiles and have a video interview with your preferred candidate without signing any agreement or paying any fees. Only after you have interviewed a surrogate and feel comfortable moving forward with her will we ask you to sign an agency agreement and make your initial payment.

In other words, you don’t pay anything until you’ve found a surrogate you’re interested in moving forward with.

Bamboo Surrogacy offers personalized guidance from matching through pregnancy and delivery. Our team coordinates with the surrogate, fertility clinic, attorneys, and other professionals while keeping intended parents informed throughout the process.

Surrogate Matching

Our team looks at location, communication preferences, pregnancy expectations, and the kind of relationship both you and the surrogate hope to have. We introduce a potential surrogate match when both sides appear compatible and interested in learning more about one another.
Bamboo Surrogacy aims to match intended parents within two weeks or less. Timing depends on surrogate availability and any specific preferences related to location, communication, or medical history.
You will receive a profile with information about the surrogate’s pregnancy history, location, family background, interests, and reasons for becoming a surrogate. The fertility clinic reviews detailed medical records during the clearance stage.
Yes. Bamboo Surrogacy arranges an introductory match meeting before the match is finalized. This gives both sides time to talk about communication, expectations, and the relationship they hope to build.

Legal and Medical Coordination

The intended parents and surrogate sign a legal agreement before embryo transfer. In California, attorneys generally obtain a pre-birth parentage order so the intended parents are legally recognized as the child’s parents.
Yes. Intended parents and surrogates should have separate attorneys so each party receives independent legal advice. The intended parents’ attorney usually drafts the agreement, while the surrogate’s attorney reviews it with her before signing.

Pregnancy and Delivery

The amount of contact depends on what you and your surrogate agree to during matching. Communication may include texts, calls, appointment updates, and in-person visits, based on the relationship you both want.
Intended parents are often present when hospital policy, timing, and medical circumstances permit. Before delivery, the team coordinates a hospital plan that addresses the birth, parentage documents, medical decisions, and discharge.

Surrogacy Costs and Insurance

A California surrogacy journey often costs $130,000 to $180,000 or more. The final amount depends on surrogate compensation, insurance, travel, and whether additional embryo transfers are needed.
Common expenses include surrogacy agency fees, surrogate compensation, medical screening, fertility treatment, legal services, insurance, escrow, travel, lost wages, and pregnancy-related reimbursements.
Compensation depends on the surrogate’s location, prior experience, and legal agreement. The package may include base compensation, monthly allowances, travel, lost wages, and payments related to certain procedures or circumstances.
Intended parents deposit funds into an independent escrow account according to an agreed payment schedule. The escrow company then issues surrogate compensation and approved reimbursements, such as travel, lost wages, and pregnancy-related expenses, based on the legal agreement.
Coverage depends on the insurance policy. Some plans cover maternity care for a surrogate pregnancy, while others exclude surrogacy. An insurance review determines whether another policy or added coverage is needed.

Become a Surrogate with Bamboo Surrogacy

Join our community of surrogates and create something beautiful. Complete the quick form to see if you’re eligible!

(949) 822-9542

Become a Surrogate