What to Expect Postpartum as a Surrogate - 3 min read
1. Physical Recovery: Give Your Body Time Just like any new parent, your body will need time to recover—whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section. Expect changes like: Bleeding (lochia) that tapers off over 4–6 weeksAbdominal cramps, pelvic discomfort, and sore musclesBreast engorgement if milk builds up despite not nursing Allow yourself rest, gentle movement, and care for healing tissues your body just…
read moreTalking to Your Kids About Being a Surrogate - 3 min read
If you’re thinking about being a surrogate, one of the most important conversations you’ll have is with your own children. Explaining surrogacy to them can feel emotional and complex but with honesty, simplicity, and reassurance, it can become a powerful opportunity to teach empathy, kindness, and love. 1. Start the Conversation Early It’s best to begin the conversation as soon as you’ve decided to pursue…
read moreWhat Happens After a Surrogate Delivers - 4 min read
1. In the Delivery Room: Shared Joy & Care Often, intended parents are there for labor and delivery. They'll support you during this intense moment, and once the baby arrives, you’ll witness them hold their newborn for the first time, an emotional and joyous experience that many surrogates describe as magical. 2. Immediate Postpartum: Physical Recovery After delivery, you’ll enter the hospital recovery phase, which…
read moreWhy BMI Matters for Prospective Surrogates - 3 min read
1. What Is BMI and How Is It Calculated? BMI is a number based on your height and weight. It’s a quick, easy way for clinics and medical teams to screen for risk factors. While it’s not the full story, BMI gives healthcare providers an initial snapshot of your health status. 2. How BMI Impacts IVF Success and Pregnancy For gestational surrogacy, standard IVF medication…
read more5 Essential Steps to Take Before You Become a Surrogate - 3 min read
1. Check Your Eligibility & Health Readiness Before anything else, you’ll go through a thorough health and wellness screening—both physical and mental. Agencies and medical teams will review your medical history, reproductive health, and emotional resilience. It’s all about ensuring you’re in great shape, both body and mind, to carry a pregnancy safely. 2. Set Up a Strong Support System Surrogacy is a journey, but…
read moreA Surrogate’s Essential Checklist: How to Choose the Right Surrogacy Agency - 3 min read
At Expecting.Ai, we’re dedicated to empowering and educating surrogates so they feel confident every step of the way. Here’s a helpful checklist to consider when selecting an agency that truly aligns with your values and needs. 1. Prioritize Clear and Open Communication A trustworthy agency will communicate openly and honestly from your first interaction. You should feel comfortable asking questions and receiving clear, timely answers.…
read moreThe Complete Guide to the Surrogacy Journey in the US by Expecting.Ai - 135 min read
Introduction: Surrogacy Basics and Key Terms Embarking on a surrogacy journey is a courageous and hopeful step toward parenthood. Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproduction in which a woman (the surrogate) carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple (the intended parents) who will become the child’s parent(s) after birth. In gestational surrogacy – the most common type today – the surrogate (often called…
read moreNavigating the Emotional Journey of Surrogacy - 8 min read
Understanding the Journey Surrogacy is inherently challenging. It demands considerable effort, financial investment, time, and patience. You may find yourself in the role of a passenger for much of this journey, which can be frustrating. There will be ups and downs in this process, and knowing how to regulate your system can go a long way towards a successful experience for you and your loved…
read moreThe Surrogacy Process from a Surrogate’s Perspective - 5 min read
If you are considering becoming a surrogate, many questions may arise. The surrogacy journey is long and complex, and it’s important to understand its structure. While every surrogacy process is different, some milestones stay the same. Let’s go over them, one by one. The Process to Become a Surrogate Mother Involves Seven Main Steps: 1. Research Surrogacy, Agencies and Compensation Normally, before you match with…
read more10 Questions Intended Parents Should Ask Their Surrogate in the Match Call - 6 min read
Choosing the right surrogate for you can be an overwhelming process. Some intended parents make this decision easily, while others need more time to review profiles. If you are wondering how to find the right surrogate, this article is for you. When you are in the process of choosing a surrogate, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration: her health, her location,…
read morePope Francis’ Call for a Global Surrogacy Ban: A Different Perspective - 3 min read
Earlier this week, Pope Francis made headlines by calling for a worldwide ban on surrogacy, labeling it 'deplorable' and equating it to human trafficking, while expressing concerns over the exploitation of women who serve as surrogates. While the Pope's stance has ignited a passionate debate, we at Expecting.ai believe it's essential to provide a different perspective on surrogacy. The Reality of Surrogacy Surrogacy is a…
read moreDecreasing Stigmatization around Surrogacy and Egg Donation - 6 min read
Surrogacy and egg donation have emerged as increasingly common methods of family-building in our rapidly evolving society. However, despite their growing recognition, these practices continue to face misconceptions and stigmatization. It is essential for us to come together and address these barriers, fostering a society that truly understands and embraces the beauty of surrogacy and egg donation. One encouraging trend is the increasing openness displayed…
read moreIntroduction: Becoming a surrogate is a selfless act that requires a great deal of time, effort, and dedication. As a result, surrogacy agencies are often very selective when it comes to choosing the right candidate. Your meeting with the agency is your chance to make a good impression and make it through the first step of the screening process- the initial interview. Preparation: The first…
read more10 Essential Questions for Women Considering Surrogacy - 4 min read
Becoming a surrogate is a serious decision that requires a great deal of thought and reflection. Before committing to the process, it is essential to ask yourself a series of important questions to determine if surrogacy is the right path for you. This article covers key considerations such as emotional and mental readiness, motivations for surrogacy, availability to commit to a year-long process, and the…
read moreThe Screening Process for Potential Surrogates: A Step-by-Step Guide - 3 min read
This guide will walk you through the steps of the screening process, from the initial interview to the home visit, to help you understand what to expect and how to prepare. Remember that it's important to attend all meetings on time and respond to the agency's messages in a timely manner to increase your chances of becoming a surrogate. 1. Interview with the agency: The…
read more10 Questions Potential Surrogates Should Ask Before Choosing a Surrogacy Agency - 4 min read
This guide provides a list of key questions to ask in your first meeting with an agency to help you understand their qualifications, the type of support they provide, the compensation they offer, and their experience and success rate. By understanding the process and finding the right agency, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for the journey ahead. Becoming a surrogate is an incredibly…
read moreHow Much Do Surrogates Get Paid? - 4 min read
All the women who become surrogates do so to help others fulfill their dream of a family. And still, women who go through the effort of becoming surrogates, meet all the surrogacy requirements, invest a lot of their time and energy and make quite a few sacrifices to carry a baby to term, are completely deserving of getting properly compensated for it. However, the compensation…
read moreSurrogate Mother Requirements And Qualifications - 5 min read
Whether you’re an intended parent looking for a surrogate or a woman who wants to know how to become a surrogate - the following information will help you understand the screening process each potential surrogate is required to go through. What Are The Requirements To Becoming A Surrogate? Each screening process begins with an initial screening, which is basically a questionnaire that determines whether a…
read moreThe Different Types Of Surrogacy - 4 min read
Medically, there are two types of surrogacy - traditional and gestational, while the type of surrogacy is determined by two factors: 1. How the embryo is created, and 2. Whether the surrogate (carrier) is also the biological mother. However, technically, there are 3 more types of surrogacy available to intended parents. What Are The Different Types Of Surrogacy? 1. Traditional Surrogacy (TS) This type of…
read moreWhether your reasons are altruistic, financial or both - becoming a surrogate is one of the most selfless choices you can make, but it is also a very complicated process. That’s why it’s crucial you fully understand the commitment you’ll be making, the challenges you may face and the journey you are about to embark on. What is a surrogate mother? Surrogacy is a method…
read moreA Conversation with A Two-Time Surrogate About the Blessings & Challenges of Surrogacy - 1 min read
So far, Elsa Hensel had two surrogate journeys and when she sat down for an intimate conversation with our CMO and co-founder, Ronny Schwartz-Dgani, she spoke candidly about: - What are the common misconceptions surrounding surrogacy?- How do you explain your surrogacy pregnancy to family, friends and colleagues? - What are the non-financial rewards of surrogacy?- What are the benefits of maintaining a close relationship…
read moreWe asked Victoria Gelfand, a legal expert in the field of surrogacy law who’s law firm also functions as a fertility agency, to answer your questions about Covid, the surrogacy process and more: - How did Covid affect the surrogacy journey? - How did the pandemic affect the availability of qualified surrogates? - Are surrogates required to get vaccinated? - What’s the best way to…
read moreA Legal Expert Weighs In On The Serious Risks Involved In Twin Surrogacy - 7 min read
We spoke with Victoria Gelfand, a legal expert in the field of surrogacy law based in Israel, who explained why she believes a twin pregnancy via surrogacy is not a good idea. Victoria, thank you so much for being here. We would really like to talk to you about the legal aspects, but it seems that the first thing that comes to mind of many…
read moreWhat Can Disqualify You From Becoming A Surrogate in the US - 6 min read
In addition, it’s also crucial to make sure that the surrogate isn’t risking her physical or mental health and that all parties involved in the process, and especially the gestational surrogate, are protected. Although there are several factors that can automatically disqualify women from becoming surrogates, each agency and clinic has its own requirements. Think you can make it as a surrogate? Take our 2-minute…
read moreSurrogacy In The Time of COVID - 2 min read
The surrogates, egg donors, and intended parents have to adapt to the shifting regulations during the COVID era. If you are opting for gestational surrogacy, there is a risk of contracting the virus since the entire process involved visiting the clinic to donate the egg and then the embryo transfer procedure. It becomes pertinent to follow the Safety protocols to ensure that all parties involved…
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