10.2 What to Expect During and After a Surrogacy Delivery

A Supportive Guide for Surrogates and Intended Parents | GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation

Surrogacy delivery is a life-changing experience that brings together compassion, preparation, and teamwork. Whether you are a surrogate mother preparing for labor or intended parents getting ready to meet your baby, knowing what to expect can help ease nerves and ensure a smooth hospital experience.

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, we support every step of the surrogacy journey, working closely with both surrogates and parents to ensure the delivery is safe, respectful, and well-supported.

1. During Labor and Delivery in a Surrogacy Birth

When labor begins, the surrogate mother is admitted to the hospital and monitored in a private delivery room. Medical staff will track:

• Blood pressure
• Contractions
• Cervical dilation
• Baby’s heart rate

The hospital team—including OB doctors and nurses—ensures the safety of both the surrogate and the baby. If contractions are not strong enough, medications like Pitocin may be used. If complications arise, a C-section may be recommended, which is typically safe and well-coordinated.

Thanks to advance planning through GSHC, most surrogacy deliveries are smooth and carefully managed.

2. Can Intended Parents Be Present at the Birth?

In most surrogacy births, intended parents are welcome in the delivery room, as long as the surrogate is comfortable and hospital policy allows. This should be discussed in advance as part of your delivery plan.

For many surrogate mothers, sharing this moment with the intended parents is meaningful. For parents, seeing their child’s birth is often the most emotional part of the entire surrogacy process.

3. What Happens Immediately After Birth

Once the baby is born, the hospital team will:

• Gently clean and assess the baby
• Offer skin-to-skin contact with the intended parents
• Take the baby’s weight, length, and Apgar score
• Apply matching ID bands to the baby and parents

If previously arranged, parents may also cut the umbilical cord. Typically, the baby is handed to the parents soon after birth while the surrogate begins her recovery.

4. Postpartum Room Setup for Surrogates and Parents

After delivery:

• The surrogate mother moves to a postpartum room to rest and recover
• The baby and intended parents are given a separate room, often nearby, where they begin bonding and learning newborn care

This arrangement allows privacy and rest for all, with support from hospital staff and GSHC case managers.

5. What Happens Over the Next 2–3 Days

During the first few days after a surrogacy delivery, both the surrogate and the intended parents will receive support from the hospital team and GSHC. Here's what to expect:

(a) Surrogate Recovery

The surrogate mother is encouraged to rest. She may be discharged within 24 hours after a vaginal birth or 2–3 daysafter a C-section. GSHC case managers stay in contact to ensure she feels cared for and supported after delivery.

(b) Baby’s Hospital Stay

Healthy babies are typically discharged after 24–48 hours. During that time, nurses monitor feeding, conduct screenings, and help parents adjust to caring for their newborn.

(c) Pediatrician Check-In

The hospital pediatrician visits to evaluate the baby’s health, feeding patterns, and readiness for discharge.

(d) Meeting with the Social Worker

A hospital social worker may meet with the intended parents to confirm guardianship and surrogacy documentation—a standard part of the process.

(f) Birth Certificate Registration

A birth clerk collects legal details to register the birth and issue the birth certificate. This may require court orders or parentage documents, depending on your legal arrangement.

(g) Financial Counseling

A financial counselor will go over the baby’s insurance information and billing procedures. Intended parents should have their insurance card and payment details available.

6. Preparing for Discharge

If all is well, most intended parents and babies are discharged within 1–3 days after birth. Before leaving, nurses will review:

• Newborn care basics
• How to use a car seat (required for discharge)
• Feeding and sleep tips

GSHC remains available during this time to support both surrogate mothers and intended parents, helping coordinate logistics and providing emotional support as everyone transitions into their next chapter.