Learn about surrogacy, one honest answer at a time.

• How does surrogacy work? The gestational surrogacy process, step by step In progress
• What is gestational surrogacy? In progress
• What happens at a surrogacy consultation, and what does signing with an agency involve? In progress
• How long does surrogacy take from signing to birth? In progress
• What does it mean to be matched with a surrogate? In progress
• What is in a gestational carrier agreement, and who writes it? In progress
• How is a gestational surrogate medically screened? In progress
• How does IVF work with a surrogate, and what happens at embryo transfer? In progress
• What happens during a surrogacy pregnancy, milestone by milestone? In progress
• What is a surrogacy birth plan and what should it include? In progress
• What happens at the hospital when your surrogate delivers? In progress
• What is a pre-birth order and how do intended parents get one? In progress
• How do you bring your baby home after a surrogacy birth? In progress
• How does a sibling surrogacy journey work? In progress
• How does cycle management work when you bring your own surrogate? In progress

• How much does surrogacy cost? An itemized breakdown In progress
• What is a surrogacy agency fee, and what is a fair one?
• What does the Private Label Surrogacy program fee cover?
• How much does a surrogate cost intended parents?
• What are the third-party costs in surrogacy, and who gets paid?
• How much does IVF cost when you use a surrogate?
• How does health insurance work for the surrogate and the newborn?
• How much does surrogacy cost with insurance versus without it?
• How does the cost of surrogacy compare with adoption?
• What is the average cost of surrogacy in the United States?
• How do people pay for surrogacy? Loans, financing and timing
• What surrogacy grants exist, and how do you apply?
• How do employer surrogacy benefits like Carrot, Progyny and Maven work?
• Is surrogacy tax deductible? What intended parents can and cannot claim
• How much does surrogacy cost in Illinois?
• What happens to your money if the surrogacy journey fails?
• What is a surrogacy agency's refund and rematch policy, and what is PLS's?
• Fixed-price or variable surrogacy: which costs less, and what is guaranteed?

• What is surrogacy escrow, and why does it matter who holds your money? In progress
• How does independent surrogacy escrow work, step by step? In progress
• How do you verify that your surrogacy escrow balance is real? In progress
• What happened at Surro Connections, and what does it mean for intended parents? In progress
• What happened at SEAM, and how does a surrogacy escrow company fail? In progress
• What are the financial red flags of a surrogacy agency? In progress
• What money questions should you ask a surrogacy agency before signing? In progress

• How do you choose a surrogacy agency? In progress
• What questions should you ask a surrogacy agency? In progress
• Agency surrogacy or independent surrogacy: what is the difference? In progress
• Boutique surrogacy agency or large agency: which is right for you? In progress
• What does 'nurse-led surrogacy agency' mean, and why does it matter? In progress
• What does physician review of a surrogate's medical records mean? In progress
• What is SEEDS, and what does membership mean for a surrogacy agency? In progress
• How long does it take to match with a surrogate, and how is wait time defined? In progress
• What are surrogacy success rates, and how should they be defined? In progress
• Are surrogacy agencies regulated, and does licensing exist? In progress

• How does surrogate matching work? In progress
• What do surrogates look for in intended parents? In progress
• What happens at a surrogacy match meeting, and what should you ask? In progress
• How often should intended parents communicate with their surrogate? In progress
• What boundaries should intended parents and surrogates set? In progress
• Should you invite your surrogate to your baby shower? In progress
• How do you tell family and friends you are having a baby through surrogacy? In progress
• What is the relationship with your surrogate like after the birth? In progress

• What does embryo quality mean for a surrogacy transfer? In progress
• Should you do PGT-A testing on embryos before a surrogacy transfer? In progress
• Should you transfer one embryo or two to your surrogate? In progress
• What happens if your surrogate is carrying twins? In progress
• What happens after a failed transfer or miscarriage in surrogacy? In progress
• What do termination and selective reduction clauses in a surrogacy contract mean? In progress
• What do vaccine and COVID clauses in a surrogacy contract cover? In progress

• How to become a surrogate In progress

• What are the requirements to become a surrogate? In progress
• What disqualifies you from being a surrogate? In progress
• How old do you have to be to be a surrogate? In progress
• What is the BMI requirement to be a surrogate? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you have never had a baby? In progress
• Do you have to be a US citizen to be a surrogate? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you receive government assistance? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you take antidepressants? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if your tubes are tied? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you have had a C-section? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate over 40? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate while breastfeeding? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate with an IUD? In progress
• How soon after giving birth can you become a surrogate? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you have tattoos? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you smoke weed? In progress
• Which states can you be a surrogate in? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you are single? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you have had a miscarriage? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate if you had pregnancy complications? In progress
• How do you become a surrogate for a friend or family member? In progress

• How much do surrogates get paid? In progress
• What is surrogate base compensation? In progress
• How and when do surrogates get paid? In progress
• What benefits and allowances do surrogates receive? In progress
• Do surrogates get paid for lost wages? In progress
• Do surrogates get paid more for twins? In progress
• Do surrogates get paid extra for a C-section? In progress
• Do surrogates get paid for bed rest? In progress
• Do surrogates get health insurance and life insurance? In progress
• Is surrogate compensation taxable? In progress
• Do surrogates get paid if they miscarry? In progress
• How much do experienced surrogates get paid? In progress
• Do independent surrogates get paid more than agency surrogates? In progress
• Surrogate compensation calculator In progress
• What happens if the intended parents stop paying a surrogate? In progress

• What is the surrogacy process for a surrogate, step by step? In progress
• Apply to become a surrogate In progress
• What happens in the surrogate intake interview? In progress
• Why does a physician review your records before you become a surrogate? In progress
• What is the surrogate psychological evaluation like? In progress
• What does the surrogate background check cover? In progress
• Does my insurance cover surrogacy as a surrogate? The insurance review In progress
• How are surrogates matched with intended parents? In progress
• Do surrogates need their own lawyer, and what is in the contract? In progress
• What happens at the surrogate medical screening? In progress
• What medications do surrogates take? In progress
• What is a mock cycle for a surrogate? In progress
• What happens on embryo transfer day for a surrogate? In progress
• When does a surrogate take a pregnancy test after transfer? In progress
• When is a surrogate released to her own OB? In progress
• What happens at the hospital when a surrogate gives birth? In progress
• What is postpartum like for a surrogate, and do surrogates pump? In progress
• How long does it take to become a surrogate? In progress

• What support do surrogates get, and who provides it? In progress
• What nutrition support do surrogates get? In progress
• What mental health support do surrogates get? In progress
• What does your partner have to do if you become a surrogate? In progress
• How do you tell your children and your employer that you are a surrogate? In progress
• Do surrogates have to travel, and who pays for it? In progress
• What happens to a surrogate if her agency goes out of business? In progress
• Can you be a surrogate more than once? In progress
• How does the PLS surrogate referral program work? In progress

• Surrogacy in Illinois: how it works in 2026
• Surrogacy agency in Chicago: what to expect from Private Label Surrogacy
• Surrogacy agency near me: Private Label Surrogacy in Northbrook, Illinois
• Surrogacy agency for Chicago's North Shore and western suburbs
• Surrogacy agency for Naperville, Illinois
• Surrogacy agency for Schaumburg and the northwest suburbs
• Illinois surrogacy law: what the Gestational Surrogacy Act requires
• Is surrogacy legal in Illinois?
• What the Equality for Every Family Act changed for Illinois surrogacy
• How does an Illinois pre-birth parentage order work?
• How much do surrogates get paid in Illinois?
• How to become a surrogate in Illinois
• Which Illinois fertility clinics does Private Label Surrogacy work with?
• Egg donation in Illinois: how it works for parents and donors

• Surrogacy in Wisconsin: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Wisconsin? In progress
• Surrogacy in Indiana: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Indiana? In progress
• Surrogacy in Michigan: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Michigan? In progress
• Surrogacy in Ohio: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Ohio? In progress
• Surrogacy in Minnesota: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Minnesota? In progress
• Surrogacy in Missouri: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Missouri? In progress
• Surrogacy in Iowa: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Iowa? In progress
• Surrogacy in Texas: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Texas? In progress
• Surrogacy in Florida: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Florida? In progress
• Surrogacy in California: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in California? In progress
• Surrogacy in Georgia: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Georgia? In progress
• Surrogacy in Colorado: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Colorado? In progress
• Surrogacy in Pennsylvania: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Pennsylvania? In progress
• Surrogacy in New Jersey: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in New Jersey? In progress
• Surrogacy in New York: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in New York? In progress
• Surrogacy in North Carolina: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in North Carolina? In progress
• Surrogacy in Tennessee: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Tennessee? In progress
• Surrogacy in Washington: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Washington? In progress
• Surrogacy in Oregon: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• How much do surrogates get paid in Oregon? In progress
• Surrogacy in Arizona: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress
• Surrogacy in Nevada: is it legal and how does parentage work? In progress

• Surrogacy laws by state: where compensated surrogacy is legal in 2026 In progress
• States where surrogacy is restricted or banned In progress
• Pre-birth vs post-birth parentage order: what is the difference? In progress
• What the August 2026 federal executive order means for surrogacy In progress
• New York surrogacy agency licensing: what it requires and why it matters In progress

• Illinois surrogacy agencies compared: fees, surrogate pay, escrow and model (2026) In progress
• Best surrogacy agencies in Illinois and Chicago: an honest list and how to judge it In progress
• Boutique vs national surrogacy agency: what actually differs In progress
• Private Label Surrogacy vs ConceiveAbilities: fees, surrogate pay, escrow and model In progress
• Private Label Surrogacy vs Family Source Consultants: fees, surrogate pay, escrow and model In progress
• Private Label Surrogacy vs Golden Surrogacy: fees, surrogate pay, escrow and model In progress
• Private Label Surrogacy vs Circle Surrogacy: fees, surrogate pay, escrow and model In progress
• Surrogacy agency vs a clinic-run surrogacy program In progress
• Surrogacy agency vs a matching platform like Nodal In progress
• How to vet a surrogacy agency's finances before you send a dollar In progress

• How does gay surrogacy work for LGBTQ+ intended parents? In progress
• How does surrogacy work for two dads, step by step? In progress
• Whose sperm is used in surrogacy for gay couples? In progress
• Pre-birth order or second-parent adoption: how do both dads become legal parents? In progress
• How does surrogacy work for a single man? In progress
• How does surrogacy work for a single woman? In progress
• Reciprocal IVF or surrogacy: which is right for a lesbian couple? In progress
• How does surrogacy work for transgender and non-binary parents? In progress
• How much does surrogacy cost for a gay couple? In progress
• How long does surrogacy take for a gay couple? In progress
• How do gay dads choose an egg donor? In progress
• Which fertility clinics and states are LGBTQ-friendly for surrogacy? In progress

• How does surrogacy in the USA work for international intended parents? In progress
• What does the August 2026 executive order mean for children born via surrogacy to foreign parents? In progress
• How does a baby born via surrogacy to foreign parents get US citizenship and a passport? In progress
• How do international parents leave the US with their surrogacy baby? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from China? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from France? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Spain? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from the United Kingdom? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Israel? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Germany? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Italy? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Australia? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Canada? In progress
• How does US surrogacy work for intended parents from Mexico? In progress
• How do international parents pay for US surrogacy, and how is the money protected? In progress
• When should international parents travel to the US for the birth, and how long do they stay? In progress
• What insurance does a surrogacy newborn need when the parents live abroad? In progress

• How does an egg donor program work for intended parents? In progress
• How do you choose an egg donor? In progress
• Fresh, frozen or egg bank: which donor egg option is right for you? In progress
• Known, anonymous or identity-release egg donor: what should you choose? In progress
• How are egg donors screened? In progress
• How much do egg donors get paid? In progress
• How do you become an egg donor in Illinois? In progress
• What are the requirements to become an egg donor? In progress
• What is the egg donor process, step by step? In progress
• What are the risks of egg donation, including OHSS? In progress
• Can an egg donor become a surrogate? Natalie's story In progress
• How does bundling an egg donor with surrogacy work, and what does it save? In progress

• How does IVF work in surrogacy? In progress
• What does embryo grading mean? In progress
• What is PGT-A, and should surrogacy embryos be tested? In progress
• What is the frozen embryo transfer protocol for a surrogate? In progress
• What are progesterone in oil injections, and how do surrogates manage them? In progress
• What is Lupron used for in IVF and surrogacy cycles? In progress
• What is a mock cycle, and why do surrogates do one before transfer? In progress
• What do beta hCG numbers mean after a surrogate's embryo transfer? In progress
• When are the early ultrasounds, and when is a surrogate released to her OB? In progress
• What are the gestational diabetes and anemia screenings in a surrogate pregnancy? In progress
• What happens if a surrogate needs a C-section, and what is recovery like? In progress
• What are a surrogate's options for lactation and milk donation after delivery? In progress
• What are the side effects of surrogacy medications? In progress
• What does a physician's medical summary of a surrogate candidate contain? In progress

• Surrogacy terms A to C: definitions In progress
• Surrogacy terms D to F: definitions In progress
• Surrogacy terms G to L: definitions In progress
• Surrogacy terms M to P: definitions In progress
• Surrogacy terms Q to Z: definitions In progress

From the PLS archive

• How much do surrogates make in 2026?
• Navigating roles in surrogacy: a town hall recap
• How do you prepare your pet for a new baby?