FAQs As a Surrogate Mother

QUESTION:
What are some of the reasons women choose to become a surrogate?
 
ANSWER:
Top Five Reasons to be a Surrogate
(1) "I have been blessed with two children of my own, and I would like to give another woman the joy I have experienced with my kids."

(2) "I'm a stay at home mom, and I have had smooth pregnancies. This is the best way for me to help someone while helping my family to get some extra income."

(3) "My husband and I both wanted to do something that would make us feel good, something that fits our lifestyle, and something that would supplement our income. Surrogacy just made sense because I get pregnant very easily, and my part-time job will allow me to still take it easy when I'm pregnant."

(4) "I have been a surrogate mother before, and I love taking care of babies. This is my special way of helping people.

(5) "My kids give me the greatest happiness in my life, and I wanted to help another couple who otherwise couldn't experience this happiness."

 

QUESTION:
What it the financial compensation for acting as a surrogate?
 
ANSWER:

See the tab for surrogate compensation for a detailed compensation and payment schedule. 

 

QUESTION:
Is surrogacy legal?
 
ANSWER:

Yes, completely.  With the passage of the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act which took effect January 1, 2005, Illinois became the magnet state for surrogacy due to this favorable legislation.

 

QUESTION:
Whose name will be on the birth certificate?
 
ANSWER:

In Illinois, the intended parents names will appear on the birth certificate as a result of a legal contract in which both parties certify all parties entered into the agreement with the intent to satisfy the provisions of the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act. No other state makes obtaining the birth certificate as easy as Illinois.
 

QUESTION:
When is the baby turned over the intended parents?
 
ANSWER:

Immediately after the birth making it especially easy for the new parents to deal with issues such as removing the child from the hospital and insuring the child.
 

QUESTION:
Will I have any future contact with the child?
 
ANSWER:

Not likely. A more typical arrangement would be for the new parents to send an annual photo and note as an ongoing expression of their continued gratitude for the sacrifice you made to help them build their family.

 

QUESTION:
What if more than one embryo remains viable, will I be forced to have a multiple birth?
 
ANSWER:

No. Part of our matching process of surrogate to intended parents will ensure both the surrogate and intended parents basically agree with regard to wether or not fetal reduction and/or multiple births are an option for both parties.