Resources to Guide Your Journey
Surrogacy involves many moving parts — medical, legal, financial, and emotional. Having the right information can make all the difference.
We’ve created resources to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident as you move forward in your journey.
What's Included in the Heart to Home Surrogacy Guide
Inside the Guide:
- Independent surrogacy basics & terminology
- Matching guidance for IPs & GCs
- Emotional, lifestyle, and relationship considerations
- Medical screening & psychological evaluations
- IVF, embryo transfer, and pregnancy process
- Legal agreements & parentage information
- Compensation, budgeting, and financial planning
- Insurance & escrow education
- Pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum planning
- Communication and support system guidance
- Sample timelines, templates, and birth plans
- State-by-state resources including clinics, attorneys, psychologists, and more
Free Resources
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Have you completed a pregnancy before, and were there any complications? How many pregnancies? How many births? (It should be noted here that most clinics have a cap at 6 pregnancies. You may want to check with the clinic ahead of time)
- Do you have support from your partner, family, or friends for this journey?
- Are you comfortable with injections, medical monitoring, and frequent appointments?
- Do you currently have health insurance, and do you know if it is surrogate-friendly?
- How do you feel about carrying multiples?
- What are your views on selective reduction or termination if medically necessary?
- How do you prefer to communicate during the pregnancy (text, calls, in-person visits)?
- Are you comfortable with the level of involvement we’d like during appointments and delivery?
- Do you work outside the home, and will your job allow time off for appointments or recovery?
- What kind of relationship would you like after delivery?
- What are you looking for in compensation?
- Have you been medically cleared?
Sample Independent Surrogacy Compensation Guide
- Compensation Category
- Estimated Range
- Compensation Category
- Base Compensation
- Experienced GC Compensation
- Monthly Allowance
- Embryo Transfer Fee
- Mock Cycle Fee
- Maternity Clothing Allowance
- Multiples Compensation (Twins+)
- C-Section Compensation
- Invasive Procedure Fee
- Lost Wages
- Childcare Reimbursement
- Travel Reimbursement
- Housekeeping Assistance
- Breastmilk Compensation
- Life Insurance Policy
- Health Insurance Deductibles & Co-Pays
- Estimated Range
- $45,000 – $55,000+
- $55,000 – $80,000+
- $200 – $400/month
- $1,000 – $2,000
- $500 – $1,000
- $500 – $1,000
- $5,000 – $10,000+
- $2,500 – $5,000
- $500 – $2,000
- Varies by employment
- As needed
- Covered as incurred
- If medically required
- Optional / varies
- Typically covered by IPs
- Typically covered by IPs
- Base Compensation
- $45,000 – $55,000+
- Experienced GC Compensation
- $55,000 – $80,000+
- Monthly Allowance
- $200 – $400/month
- Embryo Transfer Fee
- $1,000 – $2,000
- Mock Cycle Fee
- $500 – $1,000
- Maternity Clothing Allowance
- $500 – $1,000
- Multiples Compensation (Twins+)
- $5,000 – $10,000+
- C-Section Compensation
- $2,500 – $5,000
- Invasive Procedure Fee
- $500 – $2,000
- Lost Wages
- Varies by employment
- Childcare Reimbursement
- As needed
- Travel Reimbursement
- Covered as incurred
- Housekeeping Assistance
- If medically required
- Breastmilk Compensation
- Optional / varies
- Life Insurance Policy
- Typically covered by IPs
- Health Insurance Deductibles & Co-Pays
- Typically covered by IPs
Important Note
Compensation varies based on experience, location, insurance needs, clinic requirements, and the overall journey agreement. Independent surrogacy journeys are highly customizable, and every contract should be reviewed by independent legal counsel for both parties.
Heart to Home Philosophy
We believe compensation should reflect the time, commitment, physical demands, and emotional investment involved in a surrogacy journey — while still creating a respectful and collaborative partnership between Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers.
Common Questions
Independent surrogacy allows intended parents and gestational carriers to move through the process without a traditional agency, while still working with medical and legal professionals.
No — but you do need the right support, guidance, and professionals in place.
Most people begin with education and a consultation to better understand their options and next steps.