General
The terms “surrogate” and “carrier” are used interchangeably in both traditional and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is genetically related to the child being carried. The surrogate’s own egg(s) is used to create the pregnancy with the intended parent’s or donor’s sperm. The surrogate is thus both the egg donor and surrogate for the baby being carried.
In gestational surrogacy, there is no genetic link between the surrogate and the baby that is carried and delivered. The embryo(s) are created via in vitro fertilization and may contain cells from the intended parent(s) and/or egg, sperm, or embryo donors. Heartland Surrogacy offers gestational surrogacy only.
Surrogacy is right for you if you want to share the joy of parenthood with another individual or couple. Surrogacy requires much work and sacrifice: you must be a devoted and loving person. In addition, you must meet our agency guidelines, pass screening, and have a strong support system.
There are many benefits of using an agency, the most important being decreased risk for all parties. While some matches may be able to navigate the many details of a surrogacy journey, few are equipped to manage complications with insurance, medical providers, and court decisions. Working with an agency will give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your pregnancy.
Heartland Surrogacy understands the incredible gift you are looking to make. Our agency president, a three-time surrogate and registered nurse, has designed our case management services to reflect her best experiences in those roles. We believe that you deserve to be supported in the way that works best for you, and we do not take your sacrifice lightly.
Eligibility
Yes. We do require that surrogates wean before beginning fertility medications, but you can submit your application and necessary materials to us up to six months in advance. We can start working on your background checks and screening so that you are ready to start as soon as you wean.
Yes, because you can still undergo IVF. However, we cannot accept applicants who have had Essure.
We require you to wait a minimum of 6 months after delivery before you can start the medical process of surrogacy. Some fertility clinics may require a longer wait, especially after a cesarean section. However, you can submit your application and necessary materials to us before then so that we can start the screening process.
Yes. At Heartland Surrogacy, all matches are based on common goals and beliefs. No matter what your stance on reduction/termination is, it is imperative that your intended parents feel the same way and that your contract is written accordingly. However, restrictions on reduction/termination are not common amongst intended parents so it may take longer to match you. In order to be accessible to all of our surrogates, we may need to limit the number of applicants that hold these beliefs. Please inquire about availability before applying to the program.
Yes! Our agency offers case management services that allow a surrogate to carry for a family member or a friend. By working with an agency, you will be able to provide this amazing gift without having additional legwork. These services cost less for intended parents while still helping protect both parties from legal and financial risk.
No. If you do not have insurance that covers surrogacy, the intended parents are required to purchase a policy for you.
If you meet our eligibility requirements and have not used hormone therapy for the past 6 months you may be eligible. We encourage you to fill out our application so we can chat more.
Journeys
At Heartland Surrogacy, creating great matches between surrogates and intended parents is one of our top priorities. We will help you find an individual or couple that matches your goals and preferences for the journey, as well as your views on the various aspects of surrogacy. Matching through Heartland Surrogacy is a mutual decision made by intended parents and surrogates. First, Heartland Surrogacy will review your profile and identify intended parents who may be a good match. We will present you with a profile to review and decide if you would like to move forward with a meeting; you are free to turn down the match and see profiles for other candidates.
If the IP(s) would also like to move forward after reviewing your profile, we will schedule a match meeting. It will be either in-person or virtually, and one of our staff members will attend to mediate the conversation. During this meeting you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know the other party.
We specialize in open matches with strong communication and solid relationships. Our hope is to have all matches meet in person, but the timing depends on specific circumstances. If an in-person meeting is not possible at first, we will arrange and mediate a video call.
We recommend a minimum base of $45,000, but you choose the specific amount. It should be fair compensation for the risk and hard work you undertake as a surrogate. You are entitled to a higher compensation if you carry multiples or have served as a surrogate in the past.
Base compensation is separate from surrogacy expenses and variable compensation amounts, all of which are the responsibility of the intended parents. You can learn more about surrogate compensation here.