Your Guide to Surrogacy in Bakersfield

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Why Bakersfield Is an Ideal Location for Surrogacy for Both Surrogates and Intended Parents

Located in a very surrogacy-friendly state, diverse and vibrant Bakersfield is an ideal location to pursue surrogacy for aspiring parents and surrogates alike. With proximity to some of the most respected medical institutions in Southern California—including those in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego—Bakersfield offers the resources and community they need for a happy, healthy journey. With clear, comprehensive surrogacy laws in place and convenient access to airports and other transit hubs, Bakersfield is one of the best places to embark on the surrogacy journey in the state of California.

Surrogacy Law in Bakersfield, California

California has a clear legal framework in place for surrogacy, designed to protect all involved parties. Click the button below to explore California’s surrogacy laws in more detail.

Learn More About Surrogacy in California

Becoming a Surrogate in Bakersfield

Bakersfield offers surrogates a wide range of resources – a diverse community with access to top-tier doctors, surrogacy agencies, and fertility specialists.

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, many of the surrogates we work with are located in Bakersfield, and we’ve built a large network in the region, with surrogates as well as local clinics, OB doctors, delivery hospitals, and support providers. Many local surrogates return to us for second and third journeys and often refer their friends to join our program. Several of our team members also live in or around Bakersfield. Our Fresno office is just over an hour and a half away, allowing for easy access to the specialized care and support surrogates need.

Surrogacy Compensation in Bakersfield

We’re proud to offer competitive compensation for all surrogates we work with in Bakersfield. We understand the deep physical and emotional commitment involved in carrying a baby for aspiring parents who cannot do so on their own, and believe all surrogates should be paid generously for their time and effort.

  • First-time surrogates usually receive a base compensation of $60,000 to $65,000, as well as additional allowances for embryo transfer, medication start, heartbeat confirmation, maternity clothing, and more. In total, these allowances usually range from $8,000 to $15,000.
  • Estimated total: $70,000 to $80,000
  • Experienced Surrogates can earn $90,000 to $100,000, and our GSHC VIP Surrogates can earn over $100,000.

These estimates do not include reimbursed expenses such as travel, lost wages, and medical insurance, which are all covered separately. GSHC works hard to ensure each surrogate has the support and resources she needs for a smooth journey and healthy pregnancy.

Learn More About Surrogate Compensation

Surrogate Requirements in Bakersfield

We maintain strict requirements to help protect the health and well-being of all surrogates working with us in Bakersfield. Age, prior surrogacy and pregnancy experience, mental and physical health, financial and housing stability, and more will all be taken into account when reviewing surrogate applications. This helps ensure a good experience for surrogates, safeguards the health of the baby, and provides intended parents with a diverse, healthy pool of candidates to choose from.

Learn More About Surrogate Requirements

Become a Surrogate in Bakersfield

Do you live in Delano, Shafter, Oildale, or anywhere else in the area? Do you dream of helping someone grow their family? The path of surrogacy may be your calling. Connect today with GSHC and answer the call to become a surrogate.

Contact GSHC

Find a Surrogate in Bakersfield

If you’re an intended parent seeking a surrogate in Bakersfield or the surrounding area, the knowledgeable team at GSHC is here to help. As a surrogacy-friendly state, California is a very inclusive, welcoming place to embark on this special journey, with state laws protecting intended parents of all backgrounds, regardless of gender identity, marital status, or sexual orientation. In contrast to some states, California also does not require intended parents to have a genetic link to the child. No matter what your exact situation, GSHC will help you navigate every step of the way.

Surrogacy Costs in Bakersfield

Surrogacy costs in Bakersfield are determined on a case-by-case basis, with various factors being taken into account, including the specifics of the surrogacy contract, prior surrogate experience, unexpected medical circumstances, and more. In general, most intended parents pay at least $155,000 in total. We understand the meaningful financial commitment involved in working with a surrogate, and our team will work closely with you to go over all anticipated costs in detail and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Learn About Surrogacy Costs

Benefits of Working with a Surrogate in Bakersfield

Bakersfield offers unique benefits for intended parents from California, throughout the United States, and around the world. Some key benefits include:

  • Top-Tier Hospitals: Bakersfield is home to several renowned hospitals, including Adventist Health Bakersfield and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. In addition to providing advanced NICU care, these hospitals have years of experience working with surrogates and intended parents. With a deep understanding of the physical and mental complexities involved, their staff will help facilitate as seamless an experience as possible.
  • Convenient Transit Options: Bakersfield is home to the international Meadows Field Airport, and is about two hours from LAX. It is about 1.5 hours from the Burbank domestic airport. Bakersfield also has a convenient Amtrak train station and public transit options. Whether you’re coming from elsewhere in the state or country, or are flying in from overseas, Bakersfield is a convenient hub for your surrogacy needs.
  • Efficient Post-Birth Processes: The Kern County Vital Records Office is well-versed in handling surrogacy birth certificates, allowing for a smooth, stress-free process.
  • Local Support Network: In addition to a wide network of respected hospitals, medical specialists, and fertility centers, some of GSHC’s own team members live nearby, and we’ve worked with several surrogates from this area. Intended parents can rest assured that we’ll always stay in close communication.

Monitoring Clinics & Delivery Hospitals for Surrogates in Bakersfield

To facilitate convenient close monitoring during the surrogacy journey, GSHC partners with the following fertility clinics in the area:

We also work with several trusted delivery centers nearby:

Find a Surrogate in Bakersfield

Bakersfield is one of the best cities in the U.S. to find a surrogate, and GSHC is here to guide you every step of the way. Connect with us and let us help you find your ideal surrogate match.

Contact GSHC

The Surrogacy Process in Bakersfield

The surrogacy experience in Bakersfield usually entails three main steps:

Step 1. Matching

Creating a harmonious match between the surrogate and the intended parents is a crucial part of the surrogacy process, helping to ensure a happy, healthy experience for everyone involved. Both surrogates and intended parents will create full profiles detailing their preferences, expectations, and values; we’ll review these profiles to present aspiring parents with potential matches, and then facilitate a time for everyone to meet and get to know one another.

Step 2. Legal and Medical Procedures

Once both parties are pleased with an arrangement, medical and legal processes can get underway. First, the surrogate will undergo physical and mental screenings to evaluate overall health, well-being, and her capacity to undergo the unique process of surrogacy. This will include tests to check for any genetic conditions that could be passed on to the child.

The intended parents will choose an attorney who specializes in surrogacy and begin drafting a contract that clearly specifies all requirements and expectations. The surrogate will review this document with her own attorney and have the chance to request any changes or ask any questions she may have. Once everyone is in alignment, they will sign the contract.

After the contract is signed, the surrogate can begin fertility treatments to prepare her body to receive an embryo.

Step 3. Pregnancy and Birth

Once it’s confirmed that the surrogate is pregnant, she will continue seeing her fertility specialist and taking fertility medications for about two months. Eight weeks after the pregnancy is confirmed, she can begin tapering off the medications and start seeing an OB/GYN of her choosing.

The surrogate will be able to pick the hospital where she’ll give birth. Most intended parents choose to be at the hospital for delivery, with the contract clearly detailing the setup and expectations for the big day. The surrogate will have a little time with the baby before the new parents take their new child home.

Surrogacy in Bakersfield FAQs

  • All surrogates we work with in Bakersfield must meet stringent requirements to help ensure their safety and well-being, as well as that of the baby. As with most states, California sets its own basic surrogacy requirements, and GSHC maintains additional guidelines. We require that all surrogates:

    • Be ages of 21–38
    • Have had at least one child of her own
    • Have had no more than three C-sections
    • Have had no more than five previous pregnancies
    • Be in good physical and mental health
    • Not smoke or use drugs
    • Have stable housing and finances
    • Be a U.S. citizen

  • Surrogates and intended parents will each create detailed profiles outlining their overall values, lifestyles, and personalities, as well as their preferences and expectations around surrogacy. The experienced team at GSHC will review these profiles for possible matches. We’ll also meet with all surrogacy candidates to get to know them better, understand their goals, and discuss their reasons for pursuing surrogacy. When we’ve identified a potential pairing, we’ll reach out to both parties to set up a time for them to meet. Once everyone is happy with a match, medical and legal processes can begin.

  • Surrogacy costs in Bakersfield encompass several different elements. Base pay typically ranges from $60,000 to $80,000, and can reach upward of $100,000 depending on experience. Regular allowances are given for various necessities such as maternity clothing and important surrogacy milestones, such as embryo transfer. Lost wages, travel, and medical insurance are all covered separately. On average, most intended parents spend at least $155,000 in total.

  • State law permits both gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate does not use her own eggs (instead using donor eggs or an intended parent’s eggs) and is therefore not genetically linked to the child, as well as traditional surrogacy, in which she does use her own eggs and is genetically related to the child. Both options are available to intended parents in Bakersfield, but because of the emotional and legal complexity involved in traditional surrogacy, it is not very common and typically not recommended. At GSHC, we work solely with gestational surrogates.

    California does not require intended parents to be genetically related to the baby, and also does not discriminate based on marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The team at GSHC proudly works with LGBTQ+ parents and can provide specialized care for various situations.

  • Surrogacy involves a unique commitment from both the intended parents and the surrogate. The intended parents must set any specific requirements or preferences from the outset so the surrogate knows exactly what is expected of her, and the surrogate must feel comfortable and aligned with these guidelines. Special requests like lifestyle preferences, dietary restrictions based on religious values, and more can all be included in the contract.

    To ensure everything is clear for all involved parties and establish a legally binding agreement, a detailed surrogacy contract must be drafted by the intended parents and their attorney. This will be reviewed by the surrogate with her own attorney, and she will have the opportunity to request adjustments or ask clarifying questions before all parties sign.

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Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

GSHC Surrogacy Agency is an internationally recognized, full-service boutique agency dedicated to helping families grow through surrogacy and egg donation. With a core ethos centered on a passion for assisted reproduction and family building, we prioritize the highest level of service for both intended parents and surrogates. What sets us apart is our unique approach — 100% of our Case Managers are former surrogates themselves, providing unparalleled empathy and expertise. Our extensive pool of surrogates, close relationships with elite professionals, and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity ensure a seamless journey toward parenthood. With GSHC Surrogacy Agency, you're in safe hands every step of the way. Learn more about how we can help facilitate your surrogacy journey in Bakersfield.

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