The Ultimate Intended Parent FAQ: 50 Questions Intended Parents Want Answered.
SECTION 1: ABOUT ROOTS & OUR PHILOSOPHY
1. What makes Roots Surrogacy different from other agencies?
Roots is intentionally mid-sized, founder-led, and relationship-driven. We are not a private-equity-backed agency, and we are not a volume-based “matching service.” Every journey is managed by experienced professionals who know your case, your surrogate, and your clinic—personally.
2. Is Roots a concierge agency or a traditional agency?
Roots offers a concierge-level experience within a full-service agency model. That means high touch, proactive management, executive oversight when needed, and deep involvement throughout the journey, not just at matching. Roots intentionally currates every journey based on personalities, expectations, clinical expectations and needs.
3. How long has Roots been in operation?
Roots was founded in 2015 and has helped create over 500 families through gestational surrogacy.
4. Who runs Roots day to day?
Roots is led by experienced professionals with lived experience in surrogacy, both as parents and as surrogates. Our leadership remains actively involved in client journeys, especially in complex or emotionally sensitive moments. Brooke Kimbrough, founder and CEO still does every single parent introduction so that all Intended Parents have the opportunity to learn from an expert in our field and ask personal questions.
5. Do you work with all family types?
Yes. We proudly work with heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, single parents, and international families, provided the legal framework supports ethical and enforceable parentage.
SECTION 2: THE SURROGACY PROCESS
6. What does the surrogacy process look like with Roots?
The process includes: onboarding → waitlist → surrogate vetting → matching → medical screening → legal contracts → escrow → embryo transfer → pregnancy → birth → post-birth support. Roots manages coordination across every professional involved. We will never ask you to “google” anything. We can refer you to anicilary services in any sector to aid in a well rounded and safe journey.
7. How long does the process usually take?
Timelines vary, but from agency onboarding to birth is typically 18–30 months, depending on match timing, clinic protocols, and embryo outcomes.
8. Why do good agencies have waitlists?
There is a national surrogate shortage. Agencies claiming “no wait” often have more surrogates than parents or are not screening thoroughly. At Roots, waitlists protect surrogate quality and ethical matching. Any agency that has available surrogates likely has lowers standards or a poor reputation, or both.
9. Can Roots help expedite matching?
Yes. Certain Roots plans are designed to shorten wait times by prioritizing placement and executive-level coordination.
10. Will I see multiple surrogate profiles at once?
No. Roots does intentional, one-at-a-time matching. This protects surrogates from being “shopped” and helps parents make thoughtful, grounded decisions.
SECTION 3: SURROGATE SCREENING & ETHICS
11. How are surrogates vetted at Roots?
Surrogates undergo a 4-month screening process, including medical record review, labs, psychological testing, background investigations, driving records, and ongoing social media review.
12. What percentage of applicants become Roots surrogates?
Approximately 1%. We screen heavily for health, stability, motivation, and long-term reliability.
13. Why is surrogate screening so important?
Poor screening leads to failed cycles, canceled journeys, conflict, and heartbreak. Ethical screening protects parents, surrogates, and babies. We personally vet through background checks and psychological testing all of our PARENTS and SURROGATES.
14. Does Roots work with repeat or experienced surrogates?
Yes. Experienced carriers are welcome and often compensated accordingly, but first-time surrogates are equally valued when well screened. There is no statistical difference in live birth rates between first time and repeat carriers.
15. How does Roots support surrogates during the journey?
Surrogates receive education, consistent communication, advocacy, and emotional support—without being pressured or over-promised. We have continuous education, communication and resources available to both parents and surrogates.
SECTION 4: COSTS, FAILED TRANSFERS & FINANCIAL REALITY
16. What is the average cost of surrogacy with Roots?
Total journeys typically range from $200,000–$400,000, depending on plan selection, clinic costs, insurance, and pregnancy outcomes.
17. What happens if an embryo transfer fails?
Failed transfers are emotionally difficult. Additional costs may include medications, monitoring, surrogate compensation milestones, travel, and clinic fees but generally cost about $10k. Roots prepares families for this reality upfront.
18. Do some agencies hide the cost of failed transfers?
Yes. Some agencies market “low base fees” while downplaying the real cost of failed cycles. Roots believes informed consent includes financial transparency.
19. Are agency fees refundable if a transfer fails?
No. Agency fees are earned through work performed. However, certain Roots plans include rematch protections or bundled services that reduce financial uncertainty.
20. What is the Total Assurance Plan?
It is an all-inclusive plan designed to reduce financial unpredictability by bundling core surrogacy costs into a fixed investment, including multiple transfers and rematches.
SECTION 5: AGENCY COMPARISON & RED FLAGS
21. How should intended parents compare agencies?
Look beyond marketing. Evaluate:
Screening rigor
Surrogate retention
Transparency around costs
Who actually manages your case
Whether leadership is accessible
22. What are red flags when choosing an agency?
Red flags include:
No waitlist during a surrogate shortage
Large surrogate databases
Vague answers about failed transfers
High staff turnover
Private equity ownership with volume pressure
23. Are private-equity agencies bad?
Not inherently—but many are growth-driven, not relationship-driven. Families often become case numbers rather than clients.
24. How is Roots different from “big box” agencies?
Roots limits caseloads, prioritizes relationships, and avoids over-promising. We do not scale at the expense of outcomes.
25. Should I trust Facebook groups for agency research?
NO!!! Facebook groups are often biased, moderated by agencies, or influenced by paid promoters. Professional due diligence is the only way to truly “do research”.
SECTION 6: RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNICATION
26. How often will I hear from Roots during my journey?
Communication is proactive and consistent. Parents receive regular updates, not just milestone check-ins. We have a weekly 5-touch system that makes sure that every case is touched once a week through updates to both parents and surrogates along with connections to ancilary services and case notation.
27. What happens if conflict arises with a surrogate?
Roots actively manages expectations early and provides conflict resolution support before issues escalate.
28. Will I have a relationship with my surrogate?
Yes, all clients and surrogates have some sort of relationship. The level of that relationship depends on mutual preference. Roots helps facilitate healthy, respectful relationships with clear boundaries.
29. What if I want a more private journey?
Roots supports both deeply connected and more private journeys. Privacy preferences are discussed during matching.
30. Does Roots attend major milestones?
For certain plans, executive leadership may attend anatomy scans or births to support both parties.
SECTION 7: MEDICAL, LEGAL & LOGISTICS
31. Does Roots choose my clinic or attorney?
No—but we make vetted referrals and coordinate closely with your chosen professionals. If an agency uses in house attorneys or escrow, RUN! These are two very clear indications that the agency is not following best practices and exposes clients to additional risks.
32. What states does Roots work in?
We work only in surrogacy-friendly states that support enforceable pre-birth parentage orders. We also do not work in Texas and are not currently matching in FL given pending new legislation.
33. What is escrow and why is it required?
Escrow protects all parties by holding funds for surrogate compensation, medical costs, and reimbursements. THIS SHOULD ONLY BE MANAGED BY A THIRD PARTY ESCROW COMPANY and not within the agency.
34. How are insurance issues handled?
Roots assists in identifying, securing, and managing appropriate maternity coverage for surrogates.
35. What happens if complications arise during pregnancy?
Roots coordinates care, communication, and financial logistics while prioritizing the surrogate’s health and the baby’s well-being.
SECTION 8: ETHICS & LONG-TERM THINKING
36. What does “ethical surrogacy” mean to Roots?
Ethical surrogacy balances surrogate autonomy, informed consent, fair compensation, and realistic expectations for parents.
37. Does Roots ever say no to intended parents?
Yes. If expectations are unrealistic or misaligned with ethical practice, we will not proceed.
38. How does Roots avoid exploitation?
Through education, transparency, fair compensation, and ongoing advocacy for surrogates.
39. What role does long-term thinking play?
We consider not just pregnancy—but birth, parentage, and the child’s future access to information.Additionally, we think through the specific needs of the family… do they want multple children? What are their timelines and expectations? Are there potential legal risks in their state or pending legislation that could cause risks in the future?
40. Will my child be able to understand their story?
Roots encourages openness and ethical storytelling that centers the child’s future emotional well-being.
SECTION 9: FINAL QUESTIONS & NEXT STEPS
41. Is surrogacy ever guaranteed?
No ethical agency guarantees outcomes. Medicine is unpredictable and the science is not perfect.
42. How involved do I need to be?
As involved as you want to be. Roots adapts to your communication style and capacity.
43. What if I’ve had prior failed journeys?
Roots frequently works with families who have experienced loss, failed transfers, or agency trauma.
44. Can I pause my journey if needed?
Yes. Life happens. Roots supports thoughtful pauses without pressure.
45. What if I want a sibling journey later?
Many Roots families return for second and third journeys, sometimes with the same surrogate and other times matching with a new carrier.
46. How do I know if Roots is right for me?
If you value communication, transparency, ethics, and human connection, Roots is likely a strong fit. Roots is also a more expenisve agency than other potential partnerships so we will make sure that all of our clients have access to all of our plans, pricing and costs through early and transparent communication.
47. What if I’m still comparing agencies?
That’s encouraged. A confident agency welcomes comparison and we always encourage families to talk to at least 2-3 agencies so that you know what is out there.
48. What is the first step with Roots?
A one-on-one introductory call where we answer questions honestly and educate you about the process. Our CEO and founder, Brooke Kimbrough, still does every one of out parent calls ten years later.
49. Do you rush families into decisions?
Never. Informed, grounded decisions lead to better outcomes. We are here to follow your lead as it relates to budget and timeline.
50. What does Roots believe surrogacy should feel like?
Supported. Transparent. Human. Ethical.
Not transactional. Not rushed. Not confusing. Roots is a well established, white glove expereince for both Intended Parents, as well as surrogates. We are the agency we would want to use if we were in this space.