Surrogate FAQs

Fairfax Surrogacy stands out as a trusted choice for surrogacy due to our unwavering commitment to education, support, credibility, transparency, diversity, and compassion. We cater to all aspiring parents and surrogates, ensuring a high standard of integrity throughout the surrogacy journey. Our extensive screening process before matching, combined with safeguards to protect and honor all parties involved, demonstrates our dedication to creating successful and ethical surrogacy experiences. Whether you're an intended parent dreaming of growing your family or someone interested in the rewarding journey of becoming a surrogate, Fairfax Surrogacy is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

• Education and Support: We provide comprehensive education and support to both aspiring parents and surrogates, ensuring everyone involved is well-informed and prepared for the journey ahead.
• Credibility and Transparency: Our agency is built on a foundation of credibility and transparency, offering clear and honest communication throughout the surrogacy process.
• Diversity and Compassion: We embrace diversity and approach every surrogacy journey with compassion, understanding the unique needs and wishes of each individual and couple.
• Integrity and Safeguards: Our rigorous screening process and commitment to ethical practices ensure the highest level of integrity, safeguarding the well-being of surrogates, intended parents, and the children brought into the world.

At Fairfax Surrogacy, we believe in building dreams, creating lasting relationships, and making the dream of parenthood a reality. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing the support and resources needed to navigate the surrogacy process successfully, making us a trusted partner in your family-building journey.

We want our surrogates to know and understand the compensation from the beginning. Transparency is our priority, with no hidden loopholes or additional requirements thrown in along the way. We offer a generous Benefits Package, with base compensation starting at $53,000, plus additional contingent compensation and bonuses. Download a copy of our surrogate benefits package

Fairfax Surrogacy specializes in Gestational Surrogacy. Gestational carriers, also known as gestational surrogates, are by far the most popular option for those who choose surrogacy to build their family. Gestational surrogates are not genetically related to the child that they carry. Instead, modern technology allows the gestational surrogate to carry a genetically unrelated fetus through the use of the intended mother’s eggs or eggs from a donor. Traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate not only carries the child but also uses her eggs to create the embryo. This means she is the biological mother who carries the child with the intention of all parentage rights being given to the intended parent(s) upon birth. Because of the traditional surrogate’s biological connection to the baby, traditional surrogacy raises many legal and medical concerns. If you are interested in this route, please proceed with tremendous caution.

Nothing! Financial transparency for surrogates is one of our priorities. All pregnancy related expenses are covered, and there will be no hidden costs or exceptions along the way. In addition, you will receive compensation for your time. Any pregnancy-related expenses that you pay out of pocket will be fully reimbursed according to the terms of your surrogacy agreement.

Yes. From the beginning, we will be talking to you about your matching preferences. We will provide profiles of intended parents who meet your criteria. If your preferred intended parents agree to the match, then we will connect everyone virtually so you can begin to get acquainted. From there, the relationship can take shape however the surrogate and intended parents see fit.

Yes, you can. We will accept surrogates who have had up to 2 c-sections.

Yes! Tied tubes or a past “tubal ligation” does not impact your ability to be a gestational surrogate. As a gestational surrogate, you will undergo a reproductive treatment called  In Vitro Fertilization, also known as IVF. The IVF process bypasses the need for the egg to travel through the tubes, since the embryo is transferred directly to the uterus.  No matter whether your tubes are cut, cauterized, or “tied” you can absolutely still become a gestational surrogate.

Medical experts have developed a set of requirements for surrogates that produce the best success rates. Women with a BMI above 32 are at higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other conditions that can affect the surrogate and the baby. Additionally, studies have shown that women with a high BMI may have lower implantation and pregnancy rates following IVF. Women with a high BMI may respond differently to fertility medications. They may require higher doses of medication to stimulate ovulation, which can increase the cost and the risk of side effects.

Yes. Your termination stance is part of your matching preferences. Fairfax Surrogacy will work to match you with intended parents who are on the same page regarding important decisions like termination or selective reduction.

No, you do not. We will review your medical insurance to determine which, if any, aspects of the surrogacy are covered. In the interest of preventing unforeseen expenses for you, we may need to change or expand your health insurance coverage. If a new or updated policy is needed, Fairfax Surrogacy will purchase this for you.

Most likely, but only for a couple of days at a time. If you are not local to the fertility clinic, you will travel there for 1-2 days for the initial medical screening and then again for 2-3 days for the embryo transfer. Fairfax Surrogacy will make sure all travel-related expenses are covered each time, and a companion will be able to accompany you for the embryo transfer.

Absolutely. You also can choose to hire a birth doula experienced with surrogates and intended parents, for additional emotional support. If you’d like to work with a doula, be sure to discuss this during the intake process to ensure it is part of your surrogacy agreement.

Yes, the surrogate chooses the provider who will deliver the baby. Often surrogates are most comfortable using the same doctor or facility as their previous birth(s), and the surrogate’s medical coverage is usually best in her local area. We understand that pregnancy and birth is an intimate process and we encourage you to choose a provider and birth setting where you feel most comfortable, whether that be a hospital, birthing center, or home birth. Not only are we supportive of our surrogates using a midwife, we even have a midwife on staff!

No. As with most things these days, all communications and interactions can be done remotely. Michigan, Nebraska, and Louisiana are the only states that we cannot accept candidates from due to the surrogacy laws in those states.

We are experts in surrogacy, not taxes, so we recommend that you work with a certified tax professional. We do not issue a 1099.

Being a surrogate requires you to be financially stable. We wouldn’t want the compensation for surrogacy to interfere with benefits that are crucial for your family’s betterment. The income requirements for many government assistance programs are typically below the base compensation for a surrogate, which would then make you ineligible for the government programs. Additionally, it’s crucial that surrogates are able to provide informed consent free from financial coercion. If a surrogate is not financially stable, it is difficult to ensure that her decision to become a surrogate is being made freely and without undue pressure. This can cause legal issues when it comes to the parentage agreement.

As a surrogate, travel is typically part of the process, primarily due to the necessity of visiting the intended parents' fertility clinic for key steps like medical screening and embryo transfer. These visits are crucial for ensuring the best possible outcomes and require you to be on-site for assessments or procedures. For medical screenings, surrogates often travel the day before and return home the same day post-screening. For embryo transfers, travel usually occurs the day before the procedure, with a return trip the following day. This travel ensures you are in the optimal location for these important milestones in the surrogacy journey, with arrangements usually facilitated to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

No. As a surrogate, you do not have to pay for the cost of hiring an attorney to handle the legal aspects of the surrogacy process. The fees for legal representation are typically covered by the intended parents or the surrogacy agency. Your main responsibility is to sign the engagement letter with the attorney and ensure that you are comfortable with the legal representation provided to you. This legal support is essential for understanding the complex legalities of surrogacy agreements, ensuring your rights and interests are fully protected throughout the journey.

Yes, most surrogates will need to take injectable medications to prepare for the embryo transfer. The specific type of medication and method of administration will depend on the fertility center's protocols and the results of your medical screenings. Injectable medications are commonly used to prepare your body for pregnancy, optimizing the conditions for a successful embryo implantation. While the thought of injections might make you nervous, these medications play a vital role in the surrogacy process.

The embryo transfer procedure is generally not painful and is similar to undergoing a pap smear. Some surrogates might experience cramping during or after the procedure, which can be a positive sign of embryo implantation, but it's not always present in successful transfers. The process is designed to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible, with medical professionals on hand to ensure your well-being throughout the procedure. Understanding that minor discomfort or cramping could occur helps prepare surrogates emotionally and physically for this step.

It's important for surrogates to be prepared for the possibility that an embryo transfer might not result in pregnancy on the first attempt. Despite surrogacy having one of the highest success rates among fertility treatments, there are no guarantees, and multiple attempts may be necessary. This can be an emotionally challenging aspect of the surrogacy journey, both for the surrogate and the intended parents. Being prepared for this possibility and understanding the emotional support available can help manage expectations and provide resilience through the ups and downs of the process. The goal is always success, but flexibility and emotional readiness are key components of navigating the journey with strength and optimism.