Question 1

What is surrogacy?

Accepted Answer

Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries and delivers a baby for intended parents who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves.

At Roots Surrogacy, the surrogate becomes part of a carefully supported journey that helps another family grow. Surrogates carry the pregnancy while receiving guidance, medical care, and compensation throughout the process.

Many women choose surrogacy because they enjoy pregnancy and want to help someone experience parenthood while also supporting their own families financially.

Question 2

Is the baby biologically related to the surrogate?

Accepted Answer

No. At Roots Surrogacy, the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate.

Roots works exclusively with gestational surrogacy, which means the embryo is created using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm.

The embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus through a medical procedure called an embryo transfer. The surrogate carries the pregnancy, but she does not provide the egg and has no biological connection to the baby.

Question 3

How much do surrogates get paid?

Accepted Answer

Surrogates at Roots Surrogacy receive significant financial compensation for their time, commitment, and the pregnancy.

First-time surrogates typically receive:

$60,000+ base compensation

Monthly payments during pregnancy

Bonuses for major milestones such as signing legal contracts and beginning medications

Experienced surrogates can earn $75,000–$120,000 or more, depending on experience and individual circumstances.

Additional benefits and expense reimbursements are also included throughout the journey.

Question 4

What disqualifies someone from being a surrogate?

Accepted Answer

Certain medical, lifestyle, and legal factors may prevent someone from becoming a surrogate.

Common disqualifications include:

No previous healthy pregnancy

Major pregnancy complications such as severe preeclampsia

Smoking, drug use, or heavy alcohol consumption

Certain medical conditions or medications

BMI outside clinic guidelines

Lack of a stable support system

Living in a state where surrogacy laws are restrictive

Surrogacy programs use these requirements to protect the health of the surrogate, the baby, and the intended parents.

Question 5

What are the requirements to becoming a surrogate?

Accepted Answer

To become a surrogate with Roots Surrogacy, you must meet certain medical, lifestyle, and legal requirements to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Basic surrogate requirements include:

You have delivered at least one child of your own and have 50% custody

You are 22–40 years old

You have had healthy full-term pregnancies without serious complications

You have a BMI generally under 30 (sometimes up to 32 is acceptable)

You live in a surrogacy-friendly U.S. state

You do not smoke, use illegal drugs, or abuse alcohol

You have support from family, friends, or a partner

You are not currently taking medication for mental health conditions

You are not receiving certain government aid programs such as welfare, cash assistance, public housing, or Section 8

These guidelines help protect the health of the surrogate, the baby, and the intended parents.

Question 6

Do surrogates have a relationship with the intended parents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most surrogates develop a relationship with the intended parents.

At Roots Surrogacy, we prioritize thoughtful matching so that surrogates and parents feel comfortable with each other. Many journeys include regular communication, updates, and shared milestones throughout the pregnancy.

Some relationships remain friendly after birth, while others develop into long-term connections.

Question 7

How does an embryo transfer work?

Accepted Answer

An embryo transfer is the medical procedure used to begin a surrogate pregnancy.

During the procedure:

Doctors create an embryo using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm.

A fertility specialist places the embryo into the surrogate’s uterus using a thin catheter.

The procedure is quick and usually painless.

After the transfer, the surrogate takes medications and is monitored by the fertility clinic to confirm pregnancy.

Question 8

How long does the surrogacy process take?

Accepted Answer

The entire surrogacy journey usually takes 18–24 months from application to birth.

Typical timeline:

Screening (2–4 months) Medical records review, psychological screening, background checks, and education.

Matching (3–5 months) Meeting and matching with intended parents, legal agreements, and medical evaluations.

Medication & Transfer (1–2 months) Preparing the body for embryo transfer.

Pregnancy (about 10 months) From embryo transfer through delivery.

Every journey is different, but Roots guides surrogates through every stage so they always understand what happens next.

Question 9

Do surrogates have to take fertility medications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, surrogates take fertility medications to prepare their bodies for embryo transfer.

Some medications are injections that help the uterus support implantation and pregnancy.

The fertility clinic provides detailed instructions, and the Roots team supports surrogates throughout the medication process. Most surrogates find the routine manageable once they begin.

Question 10

Do surrogates have to agree to terminate a pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. At Roots Surrogacy, surrogates must be willing to follow the intended parents’ decision regarding pregnancy termination if serious medical circumstances arise.

Termination is rare but can occur if there are severe medical complications or significant fetal abnormalities.

Because the baby belongs to the intended parents, they ultimately make this decision with guidance from their doctors.

Question 11

Can the IPs tell a surrogate what to eat?

Accepted Answer

Surrogates follow the same health guidelines recommended for any healthy pregnancy.

Typical lifestyle expectations include:

Healthy Diet

Balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins

Avoiding raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and excessive caffeine

Drinking plenty of water

Healthy Habits

No smoking, alcohol, or recreational drugs

Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga

Following prenatal vitamin and medical recommendations

Sometimes intended parents request additional lifestyle adjustments, such as organic foods or certain household products. These requests are discussed during matching and paid for by the intended parents.

Question 12

What are the risks of becoming a surrogate?

Accepted Answer

Surrogacy carries the same medical risks as any pregnancy.

Possible risks include:

Physical risks

Gestational diabetes

Preeclampsia

Preterm labor

Delivery complications

Medication side effects

Headaches

Bloating

Mood changes

Emotional considerations

Emotional attachment during pregnancy

Disappointment if a transfer fails

Stress in personal relationships

Roots Surrogacy provides ongoing support, including access to medical experts, mental health professionals, and experienced case managers to ensure surrogates feel supported throughout the journey.

Question 13

Can you be a surrogate if you work full time?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many surrogates work full-time jobs while completing their surrogacy journey.

Most appointments occur during predictable phases of the process, and many clinics can schedule early morning appointments when possible. Outside of medical visits, surrogates usually continue their normal daily routines, so having a flexible employer can be helpful, but it is not required.

Roots also compensates surrogates for lost wages when medical appointments or procedures require time away from work.

Question 14

Can a surrogate keep the baby?

Accepted Answer

No. A surrogate cannot legally keep the baby.

In gestational surrogacy, the embryo belongs to the intended parents before pregnancy even begins. Legal agreements are signed before the embryo transfer that establish the intended parents as the child’s legal parents.

Courts in surrogacy-friendly states issue parentage orders confirming the intended parents’ rights either before or shortly after birth.

Surrogates enter the journey knowing they are helping another family grow, not becoming the baby’s parent.

Question 15

How many times can a woman be a surrogate?

Accepted Answer

Most clinics allow a woman to be a surrogate up to five times, though medical guidelines may vary slightly.

Doctors typically consider factors such as:

The number of previous pregnancies

Overall health

Pregnancy and delivery history

Age

Many surrogates complete one or two journeys, while some choose to carry for multiple families over several years.

Each potential journey requires medical approval to ensure the surrogate’s health and safety.

Question 16

Do surrogates have more C-sections?

Accepted Answer

No. Surrogates do not automatically have C-sections.

Surrogate pregnancies are managed medically the same way as any other pregnancy. The delivery method depends on standard medical factors such as the baby’s position, the surrogate’s health, and the doctor’s clinical recommendations.

Many surrogate pregnancies result in normal vaginal deliveries, especially when the surrogate has delivered vaginally in previous pregnancies.

Question 17

Is being a surrogate emotionally difficult?

Accepted Answer

Surrogacy can be emotional, but most surrogates describe the experience as deeply rewarding.

Because surrogates are not biologically related to the baby and enter the journey with clear expectations, they typically view the pregnancy as helping another family rather than parenting the child themselves.

Strong support systems—including family, intended parents, and the agency—help ensure surrogates feel supported throughout the journey.

Many surrogates say the most emotional moment is seeing the intended parents meet their baby for the first time.

Question 18

What medical tests do surrogates have to complete?

Accepted Answer

Surrogates complete several medical screenings before being approved for a journey.

Typical testing includes:

Full medical record review

Blood tests and lab work

Infectious disease screening

Ultrasound exams

Fertility clinic evaluations

These tests ensure the surrogate is healthy enough for pregnancy and that the embryo transfer has the best chance of success.

Question 19

What support do surrogates receive during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Surrogates receive medical, emotional, and logistical support throughout the entire journey.

Support often includes:

Case management from us (which includes lots of support!).

Fertility clinic care and pregnancy monitoring

Mental health support when needed

Legal guidance and financial coordination

Regular communication with the intended parents

At Roots Surrogacy, the goal is to ensure every surrogate feels supported from application through postpartum recovery.

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