The short answer
Surrogacy is when a woman — the surrogate — carries and delivers a baby for someone else, known as the intended parent or parents. Today, almost all surrogacy arrangements are gestational surrogacy, which means the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby at all.
"You're not giving up a baby. You're giving someone a child that was never genetically yours to begin with."
Gestational vs. traditional surrogacy
This distinction matters, because it answers the question most people ask first.
Gestational surrogacy (the modern standard)
An embryo is created in a lab using IVF — combining an egg and sperm from the intended parents, donors, or a combination of both. That embryo is then transferred into the surrogate's uterus. She carries the pregnancy, but she is not biologically related to the baby in any way.
Traditional surrogacy (rare today)
The surrogate's own egg is used, making her the biological mother of the child. This type is far less common now, carries more legal complexity, and isn't what most modern surrogacy programs — including ours — work with.
Who needs a surrogate?
Same-sex male couples
Building a family with a surrogate and an egg donor.
Women with medical conditions
Uterine issues, prior hysterectomy, or health risks that make pregnancy unsafe.
Single parents by choice
Individuals building a family on their own terms.
Couples after infertility struggles
Often after repeated unsuccessful IVF or pregnancy loss.
What you would actually do
As a surrogate, your role centers on the pregnancy itself — attending medical appointments, following your clinic's guidance, and carrying the baby to term. You won't be raising the child or making parenting decisions; those rest entirely with the intended parents, who are involved throughout in whatever way you both agree on.
Common questions
Is it legal?
Yes, in most U.S. states gestational surrogacy is fully legal and supported by a clear legal framework, including a pre-birth or post-birth parentage order that establishes the intended parents as the legal parents.
Will I have a relationship with the baby afterward?
That's entirely up to you and the intended parents. Many surrogates build lasting friendships with the families they help; others prefer a more private arrangement. You'll discuss and agree on this before matching.
What if something goes wrong medically?
You're covered by a dedicated medical insurance policy throughout the pregnancy, and your health and safety are always the first priority — for you and for the clinical team working with you.