1.2 Understanding the Impact of Surrogacy

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, we deeply value and appreciate every woman who considers becoming a surrogate mother. As a leading surrogacy agency, we are honored to guide and support surrogates through this transformative journey while helping intended parents fulfill their dreams of having a child.

However, before taking this life-changing step, it’s important to fully understand what surrogacy entails. Becoming a surrogate mother requires commitment, preparation, and emotional readiness, and we want to ensure that every woman who joins our program does so with confidence and full awareness.

We encourage you to read through this information carefully—understand what surrogacy brings to your life, what it asks of you, and how it impacts both you and the intended parents. Being mentally prepared is just as crucial as meeting the medical and physical qualifications set by our surrogacy agency.

Surrogacy is a journey of compassion, strength, and dedication. When you choose to become a surrogate mother, you are giving hope, creating families, and making a life-changing impact.

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, we are here to guide, support, and empower you at every step of your surrogacy journey.

1. Physical Aspects of Surrogacy: Pregnancy, Medical Procedures & Potential Risks

Becoming a surrogate mother is a life-changing decision. It also comes with a series of medical steps designed to protect your health and ensure the best possible outcome for you and the intended parents. In many cases, this screening process can even help identify potential health issues early, giving you a clearer picture of your overall wellness.

Here’s what the medical screening typically includes:

Comprehensive blood tests to assess your general health
Ultrasounds to evaluate your uterus and confirm it’s ready for pregnancy
Vaccinations, if needed, to protect both you and the baby

Before the embryo transfer, you’ll begin a short course of hormone injections, usually estrogen and progesterone, to prepare your body for pregnancy. While the idea of daily injections may feel intimidating at first, most surrogates adjust to the routine with guidance and support from their care team.

As your pregnancy progresses, you can expect physical changes—such as fatigue, nausea, and body aches—just like with any pregnancy. With proper care and support, many surrogates describe it as a deeply rewarding experience.

That said, there are also potential medical risks to consider:

Failed embryo transfers
Miscarriages
Pregnancy termination if medically necessary

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, we work closely with experienced fertility clinics and trusted medical providers to ensure that every surrogate receives the best possible care throughout the entire process.

2. Time Commitment & Travel Limitations in Surrogacy

Becoming a gestational surrogate isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a commitment that usually spans 12 to 18 months from start to finish, depending on how things progress. Every stage plays an important role—starting with screening and matching, moving into medical preparation and pregnancy, and ending with recovery after delivery.

What the Timeline Looks Like

Before Pregnancy (3 to 6 months):

This early phase includes your application, pre-screening, and medical evaluations. During this time, you’ll also be matched with intended parents, review and sign legal contracts, and prepare for the embryo transfer with hormonal medications and clinic visits.

Pregnancy & Delivery (around 9 months):

Once you’re pregnant, the journey continues with regular check-ups, ongoing communication with the intended parents and your care team, and preparation for birth.

Postpartum Recovery (1 to 3 months):

After delivery, you’ll have time to rest, recover, and process the experience—physically and emotionally. We stay connected during this time to make sure you're feeling supported and cared for.

Travel Restrictions During Pregnancy

To keep you and the baby safe, there will be limits on how far you can travel once you reach a certain stage in pregnancy. Most clinics and agencies ask surrogates to avoid out-of-state travel and stay within a set distance from the delivery hospital.

These guidelines are in place to make sure:

You have quick access to medical care in case of an emergency
The delivery takes place in a hospital that meets legal and insurance standards
Everyone involved feels confident about the birth plan

Surrogacy is a big commitment, and it’s completely normal to take time to think it through. If you’re ready to move forward—or just want to talk more about what to expect—we’re here to help.

3. Emotional Aspects of Surrogacy: Bonding, Relationships & Psychological Readiness

One of the most common questions people have about surrogacy is, “How does a surrogate feel about the baby she’s carrying?” It’s a fair and important question. Carrying a child naturally creates a bond—but in surrogacy, that bond is shaped by something very different: intention.

Surrogates enter this journey with the clear understanding that the baby they carry isn’t theirs. They’re helping someone else—a couple or individual who may have spent years hoping and trying—finally become parents. That purpose makes all the difference.

Preparing Emotionally for the Journey

Surrogacy is not just physical—it’s emotional too. That’s why having support throughout the process is so important. At GSHC, we help surrogates feel confident and prepared before they even get matched. You’ll have:

A psychological screening to make sure you’re ready
Access to counseling and emotional support whenever you need it
Opportunities to connect with other surrogates
Case managers who’ve walked this path themselves and truly understand what you’re feeling

Every journey is personal, but most surrogates say the experience of giving someone a family far outweighs any emotional challenges.

What Kind of Relationship Will You Have With the Intended Parents?

This part varies. Some surrogates form close, lasting friendships with their intended parents—they stay in touch, share updates, even visit one another. Others prefer to keep things more private, with occasional check-ins or just updates during the pregnancy.

There’s no right or wrong way. What matters most is that the expectations are discussed early on, so everyone feels comfortable.

Is It Hard to Say Goodbye to the Baby?

Many first-time surrogates worry they’ll feel too attached to the baby. And it’s true—carrying a child for nine months is a powerful experience. But the intention behind surrogacy is what makes it different. You know from day one that this child belongs to someone else. You’re nurturing them, protecting them, and then handing them back to the family who’s been waiting so long to hold them.

Surrogates often describe the moment of delivery as one filled with joy—not sadness. They feel fulfilled, proud, and deeply moved when they see the parents meet their baby for the first time. Rather than feeling like they’re saying goodbye, they feel like they’re delivering a dream come true.

4. Financial Aspect of Surrogacy – Compensation, Expenses, and Financial Stability

In the United States, commercial surrogacy is well-established, meaning surrogates are compensated for helping intended parents carry their baby. Compensation is structured through a contract and managed by a third-party escrow account to ensure payments are made properly. However, how surrogates view this compensation varies—it’s not just about the money, but also about the opportunity to help a family while receiving financial benefits in return.

When you work with an agency, they will explain how compensation is structured, when and how you get paid, and what to expect throughout the process. While compensation may vary slightly between agencies, there are a few key points every surrogate should understand:

Payments Are Secure – All funds are held in an escrow account, ensuring your payments are guaranteed and made according to the contract. Payments do not come directly from the intended parents but are distributed through the escrow account based on agreed-upon terms.
Payments Follow the Contract – Before starting your journey, you sign a compensation agreement with the agency, which serves as the foundation for your payment schedule. However, the final contract with the intended parents will outline the exact terms, and the escrow manager ensures all payments are made accordingly.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Reimbursements – While surrogates don’t need to pay anything upfront for medical care or surrogacy-related expenses, there may be small costs that require temporary coverage. For example, you might pay for an Uber ride to an appointment or cover a minor medical expense and then submit receipts for reimbursement. It’s helpful to have some funds available for these situations, knowing you will be reimbursed.
Financial Stability Is Required – Surrogacy compensation is meant to acknowledge the time, effort, and physical demands of the process, but it should not be a surrogate’s primary source of income. We require surrogates to be financially stable before applying to ensure they are not relying on surrogacy as their main financial support.

5. Take Your Time – Make the Right Decision for You

Choosing to become a surrogate is a personal decision that touches every part of your life—your body, your time, your family, and even your future plans. It’s a journey that can last a year or more, and it’s okay if you’re not ready to decide right away.

You don’t need to rush. The best thing you can do is take your time, explore your options, and learn as much as you can before making any commitments.

Things to Consider Before You Begin

Start by reviewing the basic qualifications for surrogacy to see if you’re eligible. Read through the information on our website to understand the full picture—what’s involved, what support you’ll receive, and how the process unfolds.

Reach out to us if you have questions. No pressure, no judgment—just real answers. And be sure to talk to your partner, family, or support system so they understand your choice and are ready to stand with you through it.

Why Motivation Matters

At GSHC, we’re honored to work with strong, compassionate women who are ready to make a difference in someone else’s life. But we want to be honest—if the main reason you’re considering surrogacy is because of financial stress, this may not be the right path for you right now.

We say this not to discourage you, but to protect you. Surrogacy is a long process that requires physical and emotional energy. If your heart’s not in it for the right reasons, it can become overwhelming—and that affects not just you, but the intended parents who are counting on this journey.

You Don’t Have to Decide Today

Many women take weeks or even months before deciding they’re ready. Some reach out to us, take time to think, and come back later feeling more confident and prepared. That’s completely okay.

So, take the space you need. Ask questions. Learn more. And when the time feels right, we’ll be here—ready to walk this journey with you, every step of the way.

Start Your Surrogacy Journey Today!

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