Surrogacy is a life-changing experience for intended parents and surrogates alike. Whether you’re an intended parent exploring how to start the surrogacy process or a prospective surrogate looking for guidance, understanding each step is essential.
At Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), we provide a comprehensive surrogacy program that includes surrogate matching, medical and legal guidance, and emotional support.
This guide covers:
A step-by-step breakdown of the surrogacy process
The emotional journey of intended parents and surrogates
Surrogacy laws and legal considerations
If you’re wondering, “How does surrogacy work?” or “What are the legal steps for surrogacy?”, this blog will provide clear answers.
Last Updated: December 3, 2025
Quick Summary: How Does Surrogacy Work? (5 Steps)
While every journey is unique, the surrogacy process generally follows these 5 core milestones:
- 1. Consultation & Agency Selection: Intended parents select an agency like EDSI to navigate the journey, while potential surrogates undergo initial screening.
- 2. The Matching Process: We personally match parents with a surrogate based on shared values, legal needs, and personality compatibility.
- 3. Legal Contracts: Independent attorneys for both parties draft and sign a binding agreement that establishes parental rights and surrogate compensation.
- 4. The Medical Cycle (IVF): The surrogate undergoes IVF treatment to prepare for the embryo transfer and confirm pregnancy.
- 5. Delivery & Parenthood: The surrogate carries the baby with ongoing agency support until the parents are united with their child at birth.
Ready for the details? Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
Understanding the Two Types of Surrogacy
Before beginning your journey, it’s important to understand the two types of surrogacy:
Before beginning your journey, it is critical to choose the right path for your family.
Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate uses her own egg. This is rarely practiced today due to higher legal risks and emotional complexities.
Gestational Surrogacy (The Standard): The surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. An embryo is created via IVF using eggs from the intended mother or a donor. This is the most legally secure method in the U.S.
While most modern journeys use gestational surrogacy, understanding the terminology is important. Read our full guide on what a surrogate is for a deeper dive into the definitions and differences.
Before moving forward, it helps to understand the full cost of surrogacy before you begin so you can plan your journey with clarity and confidence.
Ready for the details? Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Consultation & Finding Your Agency
Choosing the right partner is the foundation of a successful journey. While some attempt independent surrogacy, working with an experienced agency like EDSI ensures you have a team to handle the heavy lifting of medical screening, insurance verification, and legal compliance.
What happens in this step:
Profile Creation: Intended parents create a “Dear Surrogate” letter to introduce themselves to potential matches.
Initial Consultation: We review your budget, timeline, and hopes for the journey.
Agency Selection: You sign with an agency that aligns with your values.
Step 2: The Matching Process
Once you are onboarded, the most exciting phase begins: finding your match. At EDSI, we don’t just match names; we match values.
How we screen surrogates: Before you ever see a profile, our surrogates undergo rigorous vetting:
- Medical Screening: Review of pregnancy history and current health by fertility specialists.
- Psychological Evaluation: Ensuring the surrogate is emotionally ready for the journey.
- Background Checks: Full clearance for the surrogate and her partner.
The “Match Meeting”: Once a potential match is identified, we facilitate a video call. If both parties feel a connection, we move forward to the legal phase.
Step 3: Legal Contracts & Parentage
You cannot proceed to medical procedures until legal contracts are signed. This protects both the Intended Parents’ rights and the Surrogate’s compensation.
Key Legal Milestones:
Fund Management: An independent escrow account (like SeedTrust) is funded to handle surrogate payments securely.
Drafting the Agreement: Your attorney drafts a contract covering compensation, health insurance, and birth plans.
Establishing Parentage: Depending on the state, your attorney will file a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) to ensure your names go directly on the birth certificate.
Step 4: The Medical Cycle (IVF & Transfer)
With contracts signed, the medical journey intensifies. The surrogate begins a medication protocol (estrogen and progesterone) to prepare her uterus for the baby.
The IVF Timeline:
The “Two-Week Wait”: We wait 10-14 days before a blood test (Beta hCG) confirms the pregnancy.
Cycle Syncing: The surrogate’s cycle is synchronized with the egg retrieval or frozen embryo schedule.
The Transfer: A quick, non-surgical procedure where the embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.
Step 5: Pregnancy, Birth & Coming Home
Once the heartbeat is confirmed (usually around week 6-8), the surrogate “graduates” from the fertility clinic to her local OB/GYN for standard prenatal care.
The Birth Plan: As the due date approaches, EDSI helps you create a Birth Plan that answers:
- Who will be in the delivery room?
- Who cuts the umbilical cord?
- How will immediate skin-to-skin contact be handled?
The Finale: After the delivery, the baby is discharged to the Intended Parents. You return home as a family, forever changed by the gift of surrogacy.
Final Thoughts: Is Surrogacy Right for You?
Surrogacy is an incredible journey, but it requires careful planning. Whether you’re researching how to start the surrogacy process or already committed to finding a surrogate, understanding these steps ensures a smooth experience.
At Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), we guide intended parents and surrogates every step of the way.
Have questions about surrogacy? Contact us today to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Surrogacy Process
How long does the surrogacy process take?
On average, the journey takes 18 to 24 months from the initial consultation to the birth of the baby. This timeline can vary depending on how quickly you match with a surrogate and the success of the medical cycles.
How much does surrogacy cost?
The total cost typically ranges between $100,000 and $150,000+. This includes surrogate compensation (starting at $60,000+), agency fees, IVF clinical costs, and legal expenses for both parties.
Do surrogates share DNA with the baby?
No. In Gestational Surrogacy (the standard method used by EDSI), the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. The embryo is created using the intended mother’s egg or an egg donor, so the surrogate carries the DNA of the intended parents or donors only.
