How Intended Parents Should Review a Surrogate Profile Before Agreeing to a Match

A surrogate profile is the beginning of the matching decision, not final medical clearance and not a completed match.

Before intended parents agree to move forward, they should understand what information has already been reviewed, what still requires confirmation, whether the candidate appears compatible with their fertility clinic and family building plans, and whether both sides share similar expectations about communication, pregnancy, and the relationship after birth.

The goal is not simply to find an available surrogate. The goal is to identify a woman whose medical history, practical circumstances, communication style, and expectations make her a reasonable candidate for further evaluation.

At Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, also known as EDSI, a surrogate introduction is part of a structured surrogacy coordination process. Preliminary review can help identify important questions before intended parents become emotionally committed to a match. Final medical clearance, however, belongs to the intended parents’ fertility clinic.

What Should Intended Parents Review in a Surrogate Profile?

A useful surrogate profile should help intended parents understand several areas of the candidate’s life and history.

These commonly include:

1. Her age and location
2. Her pregnancy and delivery history
3. The number and type of prior deliveries
4. Any reported pregnancy complications
5. Her current health and general lifestyle
6. Her family and household support
7. Her work responsibilities and availability
8. Her reasons for becoming a surrogate
9. Her expectations for communication
10. Her views on important pregnancy decisions
11. Her willingness to travel when required
12. Her preferences regarding contact after birth

The profile should help intended parents decide whether they would like to learn more about the candidate. It should not be treated as proof that every part of her medical, psychological, legal, or insurance review is complete.

Intended parents who are still deciding how to begin can first review How to Find a Surrogate in the United States.

What Does Preliminary Surrogate Screening Confirm?

The word “screened” can mean different things at different agencies.

A candidate may have completed an agency application and preliminary interview, but that does not necessarily mean her complete pregnancy records have been reviewed or that a fertility clinic has approved her.

Preliminary screening may include:

1. Confirming that the candidate has previously given birth
2. Reviewing her reported pregnancy and delivery history
3. Checking basic age and BMI requirements
4. Reviewing current medications and major medical disclosures
5. Confirming that she does not smoke or use prohibited substances
6. Discussing her household and support system
7. Reviewing her motivation for becoming a surrogate
8. Discussing her availability and willingness to follow clinic requirements
9. Identifying obvious conflicts with intended parent preferences
10. Collecting authorizations for medical record requests

The exact steps completed before a profile is presented should be explained clearly.

A trustworthy agency should also explain what has not yet been completed.

Preliminary Review Is Not Final Medical Clearance

This distinction is one of the most important things intended parents should understand.

An agency can collect records, organize the candidate’s history, identify questions, and prepare a clinic ready file. The fertility clinic must still decide whether the candidate is medically appropriate for embryo transfer.

Review stage	What it may establish	What it does not establish
Agency application	Basic eligibility and initial disclosures	Complete medical suitability
Preliminary records review	Pregnancy history and possible concerns	Final clinic approval
Psychological review	Readiness, expectations, and understanding	Medical clearance
Background review	Identity and relevant background information	Legal parentage protection
Insurance review	Possible coverage and exclusions	A guarantee that every claim will be paid
Fertility clinic screening	Medical testing and clinic specific review	A guarantee of pregnancy
Legal process	Rights, responsibilities, and parentage planning	Medical advice

Intended parents should ask exactly where the candidate is within this process.

For a closer look at what happens before a candidate reaches the matching stage, see how EDSI’s surrogate screening process works.

What Screening Still Happens After a Potential Match?

Even when a profile appears strong, several steps may remain.

These can include:

1. Review of complete obstetric and delivery records
2. Fertility clinic medical screening
3. Infectious disease testing
4. Uterine evaluation when required by the clinic
5. Psychological evaluation
6. Joint psychological consultation
7. Criminal background checks
8. Insurance review
9. Independent legal representation for both parties
10. Completion of the gestational carrier agreement
11. Funding through an independent third party bonded escrow provider
12. Written legal and medical clearance before medications begin

The order of these steps can vary based on the clinic, the candidate, the intended parents, and the state where the surrogate lives.

For a broader explanation of timing, review the Surrogate Matching Timeline.

How Should Pregnancy and Delivery History Be Evaluated?

A prior pregnancy history is one of the most important parts of a surrogate profile.

The fact that a woman has delivered a healthy child is important, but intended parents should look beyond the number of births.

Questions may include:

1. Were the pregnancies full term?
2. Were the deliveries vaginal or by cesarean section?
3. Was there gestational diabetes?
4. Was there high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or postpartum preeclampsia?
5. Was there significant bleeding after delivery?
6. Was a blood transfusion required?
7. Was there a premature delivery?
8. Was there a placental complication?
9. Was labor induced?
10. Was the baby admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit?
11. Were there postpartum mental health concerns?
12. How long ago was the most recent pregnancy?
13. Has the candidate had additional medical treatment since her last delivery?

A reported complication does not always disqualify a candidate. The fertility clinic may need the complete records, an explanation from the candidate, additional testing, or a maternal fetal medicine review.

Intended parents should avoid making medical conclusions based only on a short profile description.

Which Medical Record Gaps Need to Be Resolved?

A profile may look reassuring while still having incomplete records.

Common record gaps include:

1. Missing delivery summaries
2. Missing prenatal records
3. Unclear information about a pregnancy complication
4. Inconsistent birth dates or infant birth weights
5. Missing documentation of a cesarean section
6. No recent Pap smear
7. No recent primary care or obstetric clearance
8. Unclear medication history
9. No documentation concerning a past medical condition
10. Missing records from an emergency room visit or hospitalization

The agency should identify missing information before representing the candidate as ready to proceed.

At EDSI, the goal of a clinic ready file is not to replace the fertility clinic’s medical decision. It is to give the clinic an organized and reliable starting point.

Does the Surrogate Meet the Fertility Clinic’s Requirements?

Fertility clinics do not all use identical gestational carrier requirements.

A candidate accepted by one clinic may require additional review or may not meet the standards of another clinic.

Clinic requirements can differ regarding:

1. Age
2. BMI
3. Number of prior pregnancies
4. Number of cesarean deliveries
5. Time since the last pregnancy
6. Prior preeclampsia
7. Gestational diabetes
8. Premature delivery
9. Mental health history
10. Current or past medications
11. Breastfeeding status
12. Vaccination or infectious disease requirements
13. The time required after a cesarean delivery
14. Whether maternal fetal medicine clearance is necessary

Before intended parents become committed to a profile, the agency should understand which clinic will review the candidate and whether any known requirements may affect eligibility.

This is especially important when intended parents already have embryos stored at a specific clinic.

How Do Embryos and Clinic Readiness Affect a Match?

A surrogate may be a strong candidate, but the intended parents’ embryo situation can still affect timing and compatibility.

Intended parents should be prepared to discuss:

1. Whether embryos have already been created
2. Where the embryos are stored
3. Whether the clinic has approved the intended parents to begin a gestational carrier cycle
4. Whether donor eggs or donor sperm were used
5. Whether additional genetic testing is planned
6. Whether the clinic accepts out of state surrogates
7. Whether the surrogate will need to travel for screening or transfer
8. Whether the clinic has specific medication or monitoring requirements
9. Whether the intended parents are prepared for the legal and financial steps after a match

An agency should not recommend a surrogate based only on general availability. The intended parents’ clinic, embryos, timeline, and legal circumstances should be considered.

How Do State, Insurance, Travel, and Delivery Plans Affect a Match?

Medical history is only one part of compatibility.

A surrogate’s location may affect:

1. Travel expenses
2. Medical screening logistics
3. Embryo transfer travel
4. Local prenatal care
5. Insurance options
6. Independent legal representation
7. Parentage procedures
8. Intended parent travel near delivery
9. Hospital planning
10. Birth certificate and documentation procedures

Intended parents should receive advice from independent reproductive attorneys about the legal process. EDSI can coordinate an attorney guided legal process, but the attorneys provide the legal advice.

Insurance should also be reviewed by a qualified insurance professional. A policy card alone does not confirm that a pregnancy connected to surrogacy will be covered.

Communication Style Can Be as Important as the Profile

A medically promising candidate may still be the wrong relational match.

Intended parents and surrogates may have different expectations about:

1. How often they will communicate
2. Whether communication will happen by text, telephone, video, or group chat
3. Whether intended parents will attend appointments
4. How quickly important updates will be shared
5. Whether the surrogate is comfortable with international intended parents
6. Whether an interpreter will be needed
7. Who will communicate with the clinic
8. How disagreements will be handled
9. Whether the intended parents want frequent personal contact
10. What relationship, if any, both sides expect after birth

Neither a highly involved relationship nor a more structured relationship is automatically better. The important issue is whether both sides want something similar.

What Difficult Decisions Should Be Discussed Before Matching?

Some subjects are uncomfortable, but postponing them can create serious conflict later.

The intended parents and surrogate should discuss their views regarding:

1. Prenatal testing
2. Fetal abnormalities
3. Selective reduction
4. Pregnancy termination
5. Multiple embryo transfer
6. Medical recommendations during pregnancy
7. Vaccinations requested by the clinic or obstetrician
8. Travel restrictions
9. Delivery preferences
10. Emergency medical decisions
11. Communication during complications
12. Contact after delivery

These conversations should be handled respectfully and without pressure.

The purpose is not to force agreement during the first conversation. The purpose is to identify whether a fundamental conflict exists before the parties move further into the process.

Questions to Ask During the First Match Meeting

A profile should guide the conversation, but it should not turn the meeting into an interrogation.

Useful questions include:

1. What made you interested in becoming a surrogate?
2. What kind of relationship would you like with the intended parents?
3. How involved would you like the intended parents to be during the pregnancy?
4. How do you prefer to communicate?
5. Who is part of your support system?
6. How does your family feel about surrogacy?
7. What was most important to you during your prior pregnancies?
8. How do you normally handle stress?
9. What would make you feel supported during the journey?
10. How do you feel about intended parents attending medical appointments?
11. What type of contact would you want after birth?
12. Is there anything in the profile or process you would like the intended parents to understand better?

For additional preparation, review Questions to Ask a Surrogate the First Time You Meet.

Pros and Cons of Moving Forward After the First Match Meeting

Pros	Cons
Momentum can be maintained when both sides feel comfortable	Important records or screening may still be incomplete
The candidate may appear compatible with the clinic and family	Early excitement can make it harder to evaluate concerns objectively
Both sides can begin building trust	Communication differences may not be obvious during one conversation
Legal and medical steps can begin sooner	The intended parents may misunderstand preliminary screening as final clearance
A promising candidate may not remain available indefinitely	Moving too quickly can create emotional and financial complications

The best decision is rarely the fastest emotional decision. It is the decision supported by reliable information and mutual comfort.

What Happens When a Promising Profile Is Not the Right Match?

Declining a profile does not mean the candidate is a bad person or an unsuitable surrogate.

It may simply mean that the candidate is not the right match for that family.

Common reasons include:

1. Different communication expectations
2. Different views regarding pregnancy decisions
3. Clinic eligibility concerns
4. Location or travel difficulties
5. Insurance complications
6. Timing differences
7. A lack of mutual connection
8. Family or household concerns
9. Legal complexity
10. Intended parent preferences that cannot be reconciled

A responsible agency should not pressure intended parents or surrogates to accept a match.

Both sides should have the opportunity to decline respectfully.

How EDSI Decides Whether to Recommend a Surrogate Introduction

Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute is a Beverly Hills, California surrogacy and egg donation agency serving intended parents throughout the United States and internationally.

EDSI’s structured surrogacy coordination process considers more than whether a surrogate is available.

Before recommending an introduction, EDSI may review factors such as:

1. The intended parents’ fertility clinic
2. Embryo readiness
3. The candidate’s pregnancy history
4. Available medical records
5. Known clinic requirements
6. Geographic and travel considerations
7. Communication preferences
8. Family involvement expectations
9. Views regarding important pregnancy decisions
10. The intended parents’ timeline and family building plans

Parham Zar and the EDSI coordination team help intended parents understand what is known, what remains under review, and which questions should be resolved before the parties proceed.

EDSI does not replace the fertility clinic, independent reproductive attorneys, mental health professionals, insurance specialists, or the independent third party bonded escrow provider.

Each professional has a separate role in protecting the process.

Intended parents comparing agency models can also review How to Choose a Surrogacy Agency for Intended Parents and the Top Surrogacy Agencies in the United States.

A Practical Surrogate Profile Review Checklist

Before agreeing to move forward, intended parents should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What preliminary screening has been completed?
2. Which medical records have been received?
3. Which records are still missing?
4. Has the candidate reported any pregnancy complications?
5. Does the fertility clinic have any requirements that may affect approval?
6. Has the candidate completed psychological screening?
7. Have background checks been completed?
8. Has insurance been reviewed?
9. Are the surrogate’s communication preferences compatible with ours?
10. Have difficult pregnancy decisions been discussed?
11. Is the surrogate’s state appropriate for the planned arrangement?
12. Will both sides have independent reproductive attorneys?
13. Will funds be managed by an independent third party bonded escrow provider?
14. What happens if the clinic does not approve the candidate?
15. Do both the intended parents and the surrogate feel comfortable proceeding?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a surrogate profile the same as medical clearance?

No. A profile summarizes information about the candidate and may reflect preliminary screening. Final medical clearance is provided by the intended parents’ fertility clinic after reviewing records and completing required testing.

What does a pre screened surrogate mean?

The term can have different meanings. Intended parents should ask which steps have been completed. Preliminary screening may include an application, interview, pregnancy history review, basic eligibility review, and record collection. It may not include final fertility clinic approval.

Can a strong surrogate candidate still be rejected by the fertility clinic?

Yes. A fertility clinic may identify a concern in the records, require additional testing, request maternal fetal medicine review, or apply a clinic specific requirement that the candidate does not meet.

Should intended parents choose a surrogate based mainly on her profile photos?

No. Photos can help intended parents feel introduced to the candidate, but they do not provide meaningful information about medical suitability, communication compatibility, legal practicality, or readiness for the process.

Should intended parents select the first available surrogate?

Availability is only one consideration. Intended parents should also consider medical history, clinic requirements, communication expectations, legal circumstances, insurance, location, and mutual compatibility.

How important is communication compatibility?

It is very important. Many journeys involve frequent communication over more than a year. Different expectations about updates, appointments, involvement, and boundaries can create tension even when the medical process is progressing well.

Does a surrogate need to live near the intended parents?

Not necessarily. Many successful journeys involve intended parents and surrogates living in different states or countries. The parties should understand travel, legal, insurance, clinic, and delivery logistics before proceeding.

Who makes the final decision about medical eligibility?

The intended parents’ fertility clinic makes the final medical decision about whether a gestational carrier is approved for treatment.

What happens if intended parents are not comfortable with a profile?

They can decline the introduction. A responsible matching process should allow both intended parents and surrogates to make a voluntary decision without pressure.

How can EDSI help intended parents evaluate a potential match?

EDSI helps organize the matching process, review available candidate information, identify questions, coordinate the clinic ready file, support compatibility discussions, and guide the matter toward the appropriate medical, psychological, legal, insurance, and escrow professionals.

Review Your Surrogate Matching Priorities

A surrogate profile should help you begin asking the right questions. It should not pressure you into making a decision before you understand the candidate, the remaining screening, and the practical requirements of the journey.

During a private consultation, EDSI can help you understand which profile factors matter for your clinic, embryos, timeline, location, communication preferences, and family building plans.