• Surrogacy is a beautiful journey that allows a woman to carry a baby that is not genetically related to her, for a family that can not have a child on their own. Surrogacy uses an embryo that is created by the parents through IVF and is then transferred into the surrogate. The surrogate is on IVF medications for the first trimester to allow her body to help carry the baby and then is transferred into the care of an Obstetrician. We do NOT use the eggs (ovum) of the surrogate so the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate in any way.

  • Applying is easy with Roots. Just click on this Initial Interest Form and that will kick off all the bells and whistles on our intake team to get you going!!!!

  • You can learn about every step of surrogacy on our What to Expect page!

    • Have delivered a child of their own and have at least 50% custody.

    • Are between the ages of 22-38 years of age

    • Do not participate in certain government aid programs including cash assistance, welfare, public housing or section 8

    • Typically have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of no higher than 30. (In some instances, BMI between 31-33 is acceptable.) Calculate My BMI.

    • Live in a surrogate-friendly state in the United States 

    • Have the support of family and friends and partner (should one exist) 

    • Do not use illegal drugs, smoke cigarettes, or abuse alcohol

    • Are not currently using any medications for mental health issues

    • No serious complications in pregnancy such as preeclampsia, hypertension, hemorrhage, IUGR, etc.

  • We only participate in gestational surrogacy which means that we never use the eggs of the surrogate. This also means that if you have had a tubal ligation (tubes tied), you can absolutely still become a surrogate.

  • BMI is your Body Mass Index and gives the doctors a generalized idea of health based on weight and height.  While each person's composition is unique, there is a guideline that women need to be under a BMI of 30 to be eligible for surrogacy.  To calculate your BMI,

    click here

    . 

  • If you have insurance that covers the surrogacy process, great! If not, Roots Surrogacy will work with your intended parents to find you a policy that  covers the cost of your maternity care and delivery. Your intended parents will cover all out of pocket maximums, deductibles and all costs associated with the pregnancy as well. 

  • Yes, absolutely! We do not use the gestational carriers eggs so we do not need your tubes. An embryo that is created by the Intended Parent is put into the carriers uterus in a process known as IVF.

  • We are unable to accept applicants who are enrolled in certain government programs, including cash assistance, welfare, public housing, and Section 8 housing. There are other government programs that are more lenient about income allowances.  With all government aid, it is likely that you will no longer be able to receive aid during surrogacy.  Roots Surrogacy  will consider any government programs in which you are enrolled when reviewing your application.

  • Partners often start out with hesitation. You are their everything – their wife, their partner, and the mother of their children.  They are concerned for your health and safety and we respect them for that. The only thing you can do is talk to your partner and give him/her time. It is an absolute requirement for all surrogates with partners (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife) to have their full support in order to move forward. 

  • You can and should start the process as soon as you are physically and emotionally ready! You do have to be done breastfeeding for two months in order to be matched and you can not transfer the embryo (become pregnant) sooner than 12 months post birth.

    Onboarding a surrogate can take months so it is better to start the process early and get all your ducks in a row so that when you're ready, things move smoothly and quickly!

  • Most people or couples want the ability to decide what is right for their family, even if that requires termination.  We do, on occasion, have parents that are not interested in termination.  Please apply but note that the wait time to find a parent who does not want the right to choose may be much longer and may be a disqualification.

  • Mental health and stability are two key factors in becoming a surrogate.  If your past required medication that you are no longer using, please share that information in your application.  Unfortunately, if you are currently using mental health medications, we are unable to accept you as a gestational carrier. Your mental health is IMPORTANT! Please do not consider coming off needed medication for surrogacy!

  • Yes.  Single moms often make great surrogates.  You do need to have a support team in place and your village surrounding you in case you need help during the pregnancy and beyond. We will happily chat through what your support system looks like and let you know all the ways Roots also supports our surrogates!

  • Some STIs/STDs will disqualify you. HIV and Hepatitis (or any others that could be communicated to a fetus/baby) would disqualify you, whereas others, such as genital warts and genital herpes, may not. Please note that if you are experiencing an outbreak of genital herpes close to delivery we would request that you have a C-section and follow the advice of your primary obstetrician.