Surrogate
faq

About Being A Surrogate

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a baby but is not genetically related to the child. The embryo is created through IVF using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors.

This is different from traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses their own egg.

At Heartland Surrogacy, we support gestational surrogacy only.

Surrogacy could be right for you if you’re compassionate, dependable, and want to help someone experience the joy of parenthood. It takes time, commitment, and a strong support system.

You’ll need to meet our guidelines, complete medical and psychological screening, and feel confident about the journey ahead.

Want to learn more? Read our blog post on the top signs you’d make a great surrogate.

Agencies reduce risk and provide guidance at every step. Surrogacy involves legal, medical, and financial details—and unexpected changes can come up. With an agency, you have a team to support and advocate for you, so you can focus on your health and the incredible impact you’re making.

We’re a small, experienced agency that truly understands what it means to be a surrogate.

Co-founded by a former surrogate, we offer compassionate, personalized support and advocate for you every step of the way. You’re never just a number here.

Surrogate Requirements

Yes, you can apply if you’re currently lactating. You’ll need to be finished lactating before matching, but you don’t have to wait to get the application process started.

You can apply up to six months in advance, and we’ll begin your background checks and screening so you’re ready to move forward as soon as you’re done lactating.

Yes! You can still be a gestational carrier after having your tubes tied because pregnancy is achieved through IVF, not natural conception.

However, we’re not able to accept applicants who have had the Essure procedure, as it can interfere with embryo transfer.

You’ll need to wait at least 6 months after your most recent delivery before starting the medical part of the surrogacy process. Some fertility clinics may require a longer wait, especially if you had a C-section.

That said, you can apply to our program before the 6-month mark so we can begin the screening process and get you ready to move forward when the time comes.

Yes. At Heartland Surrogacy, we match based on shared values and beliefs. If you don’t support termination or selective reduction, we’ll only match you with intended parents who feel the same—and your legal contract will reflect that agreement.

However, it’s important to know that most intended parents want the option to make those decisions if needed. Because of that, matching may take longer, and at times, we may limit the number of surrogates we accept with this preference. 

Curious why some intended parents consider termination or reduction? Read our blog post to learn more about the medical and emotional factors they may face.

Yes! You can absolutely be a surrogate for someone you know. At Heartland Surrogacy, we offer case management services to support journeys between friends or family members.

Working with an agency helps protect both parties—legally, financially, and emotionally—while reducing the workload for you. These arrangements often come at a lower cost for intended parents, without sacrificing structure or support.

Having a professional team involved also helps set clear boundaries and expectations, which can be especially important in preserving close relationships throughout the journey.

No. If your current health insurance doesn’t cover a surrogate pregnancy, the intended parents will purchase a suitable policy for you.

We’ll help coordinate this process to make sure you have the coverage you need for a safe and supported journey.

Yes—if you meet our eligibility requirements and haven’t used hormone therapy in the past 6 months, you may be eligible to become a surrogate.

We welcome surrogates of all gender identities and encourage you to fill out our preliminary application so we can connect and talk more about your individual situation.

Surrogacy Journeys

Yes! At Heartland Surrogacy, matching is always a mutual decision between the surrogate and intended parent(s). We take time to understand your goals, preferences, and views on key aspects of the journey to help find the right fit.

We’ll review your profile and identify intended parents who may be a strong match. You’ll receive their profile to review, and if you’re interested, we’ll set up a match meeting—either in person or virtually. A member of our team will join to help guide the conversation and make sure everyone feels comfortable.

You’re never required to accept a match. If it doesn’t feel right, we’ll keep working together until the right connection is found.

Want a deeper look at how matching works? Check out our blog post on how we create thoughtful surrogate-intended parent matches.

 

Yes! We specialize in open matches that encourage strong communication and meaningful relationships.

Your first meeting with the intended parent(s) will usually be a video call, and a member of our team will be there to support the conversation. In some cases, an in-person meeting may be possible before matching, depending on your location and the intended parents’ circumstances.

As a surrogate, you set your own compensation, and we’re here to guide you. We want you to feel confident choosing a fee that reflects the time, effort, and risk involved in your journey.

You can learn more about recommended base compensation and common additional payments (like for carrying multiples or prior surrogacy experience) here. 

All funds for your surrogacy journey are held in escrow, a secure account managed by an independent provider. Escrow protects both you and the intended parents by ensuring that payments are handled fairly, transparently, and on time.

While the specific details are outlined in your contract, we oversee the process and are here to support you if you need help submitting expense reports or have questions. Our goal is to make sure you are reimbursed and compensated promptly throughout your journey.

The intended parents choose the escrow provider, but we’re happy to recommend trusted options we’ve worked with.

Ready to take the next step?

Fill out the form below to connect directly with a member of our team. We’re here to answer your questions and help you start planning for this incredible journey!