Surrogacy Process for Intended Parents

Your journey to parenthood begins with a personalized consultation designed to understand your goals and vision for the surrogacy process. During a one-on-one 30–60 minute Zoom meeting, we’ll take time to get to know you, discuss your expectations, and outline a tailored plan for your journey ahead. Following the consultation, you’ll complete our Intended Parent Questionnaire. This helps us create your customized profile, giving our Match Manager insight into the type of surrogate you’re hoping to work with and the kind of relationship you wish to build. To make your profile more personal, we ask that you provide 6–8 photos of yourself and your family.

Once your personalized profile is complete, our team begins the careful process of finding the ideal surrogate for you. Using the information from your questionnaire, we identify several qualified surrogates whose preferences and criteria align with yours. We then present these profiles for your review and consideration. When both you and a potential surrogate feel that the match is a good fit, we arrange a match meeting between the parties. If everyone agrees to move forward, your surrogacy journey officially begins. As the next step, both you and your surrogate will complete a psychological evaluation in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Your surrogate will meet with a licensed mental health professional who will conduct a comprehensive assessment of her, and, if applicable, her spouse, to ensure readiness and stability for the surrogacy journey. Intended parents will also complete a separate psychological evaluation with an independent mental health professional. This meeting provides an opportunity to explore the emotional and psychological aspects of third-party reproduction, ask questions, and ensure that all considerations of this unique journey have been thoughtfully addressed.

Once both psychological evaluations are complete, the next stage of your journey focuses on the medical and legal preparations necessary to move forward confidently and safely. Medical Evaluation At this stage, your surrogate will undergo a comprehensive medical screening, coordinated with your IVF physician’s office. Once your trust account is established, a match sheet is sent to your IVF clinic, and the medical team will schedule your surrogate’s appointment. The evaluation typically includes bloodwork, urine testing, and an ultrasound to ensure she is physically ready for the surrogacy process. For surrogates traveling from out of state, our team will accompany them to their medical screening in Southern California. This visit helps familiarize your surrogate with the IVF clinic, nursing staff, and environment — making her more comfortable and confident when she returns for the embryo transfer. Once your surrogate successfully completes both the medical and psychological evaluations, your IVF physician will issue a formal medical clearance letter to your attorney, allowing the legal phase to begin. Legal Process and Gestational Surrogacy Agreement Both intended parents and surrogate mothers are represented by independent legal counsel specializing in reproductive law. Giving Tree Surrogacy will provide recommendations for trusted attorneys to choose from. Your attorney will draft the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA), which will then be reviewed and approved by your surrogate and her attorney, ensuring that both parties are protected and fully informed before proceeding. Medical Monitoring and Embryo Transfer Following legal clearance, Giving Tree Surrogacy will coordinate all medical monitoring appointments with your IVF physician. Our team will accompany the surrogate for embryo transfers that take place in Southern California, ensuring a calm and supportive environment. After the transfer, your surrogate will observe the required three-day bed rest period. We encourage intended parents to attend the transfer and related appointments whenever possible, but if travel isn’t feasible, our team will keep you updated every step of the way. Pregnancy Testing and Heartbeat Confirmation After the embryo transfer, your surrogate will undergo one to two pregnancy tests, followed by an ultrasound to confirm the fetal heartbeat — the moment every parent eagerly awaits. A true pregnancy is confirmed with the first visual detection of a heartbeat on the ultrasound. It’s an incredible milestone. Hearing that first heartbeat and knowing your journey to parenthood is becoming a reality. From this point forward, your dedicated case manager will continue providing personalized guidance and support throughout the pregnancy and beyond.

After the completion of all medical and legal preparations, your surrogate is ready to begin the most exciting phase of the process, the pregnancy itself. During this stage, Giving Tree Surrogacy remains closely involved, ensuring clear communication, comprehensive support, and compassionate guidance every step of the way. IVF Clinic Graduation and Transfer to Personal OB Around 12 weeks after the embryo transfer, your surrogate will officially “graduate” from the IVF clinic and transition to her personal OB-GYN for the remainder of her pregnancy. The OB clinic is selected in advance and covered under your surrogate’s health insurance. The OB-GYN will oversee all aspects of prenatal care, including routine visits, necessary tests, and any medical recommendations. Throughout the pregnancy, your surrogate is encouraged—and required—to keep both you and our team informed about appointment schedules, updates from her doctor, and any important developments. During Pregnancy During this special stage, Giving Tree Surrogacy continues to act as the liaison between you and your surrogate’s medical team. We coordinate all OB appointments and maintain communication with the hospital to ensure that every detail is handled with care. We encourage intended parents to stay involved throughout the pregnancy. If you’re local, you’re welcome to attend prenatal appointments and ultrasounds to experience these special moments firsthand and continue building your relationship with your surrogate. If you’re unable to attend in person, your surrogate will share photos, videos, and regular updates so you remain connected and engaged. Delivery and Parental Rights As the final phase of the surrogacy journey approaches, typically around the 20th week of pregnancy, Giving Tree Surrogacy will notify your attorney to begin preparing the necessary legal documents establishing parental rights. In most surrogacy-friendly U.S. states, these documents are filed and finalized before the baby’s birth. The completed legal paperwork is delivered to the hospital where your baby will be born, ensuring that all staff understand the surrogacy arrangement and that your child will be legally released to you after delivery.

As the culmination of your surrogacy journey approaches, our team ensures that every final detail is coordinated with care and sensitivity. After months of preparation, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for, the day you welcome your baby into the world. At the Hospital When the big day arrives, a Giving Tree Surrogacy representative will accompany both you and your surrogate at the hospital to facilitate the delivery process and provide continuous support. We work closely with hospital staff to ensure that all legal documents are in place, the transition of care is seamless, and the birth experience is as calm, memorable, and joyful as possible. Post-Birth Support Following the delivery, our commitment to both you and your surrogate continues. All remaining compensation due to your surrogate, along with any final expenses, will be paid from the established trust account. Once all healthcare claims and invoices have been processed, typically within six months to one year after birth, any remaining balance in the trust account will be refunded to you. The account is officially closed one year after the delivery date. This final step marks the completion of your surrogacy journey, but for us, it’s just the beginning of celebrating your new chapter as parents. Giving Tree Surrogacy remains available to offer continued guidance, support, and care as you transition into parenthood.