Beginning a surrogacy journey is such an exciting time, but we also know it can feel like a lot to navigate. At Village Surrogacy, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way so you never feel alone or overwhelmed. Today, we’re sharing what the timeline looks like for gestational carriers (also called surrogates or GCs!)—from that first moment of curiosity all the way to matching and, eventually, delivery!
Application, Prescreening, and Matching: About Two Months
Once you complete our Village Surrogacy Intake Form, you’ll begin the prescreening phase. This step helps us make sure you’re all set to move forward on your surrogacy journey. During prescreening, you’ll chat with our team to learn more about the process, share your goals and expectations, and provide some basic information about yourself. From there, we’ll guide you through background checks, a review of your medical records, and a mental health evaluation. Most GCs will also need an updated appointment with their OB to get cleared for a surrogacy journey—so it’s a great idea to schedule that ahead of time if you haven’t already! If everything looks great and all requirements are met, we’ll send your file to a clinic for final medical screening. Once you’re officially approved, it’s time to schedule the removal of any semi-permanent birth control and start building your profile so we can begin the exciting process of matching you with Intended Parents (IPs)!
We’re usually able to find potential Intended Parents (IPs) for you within just a few weeks of completing your application and prescreening. Once we have a family we think would be a great fit, we’ll send you their profile to review. If you’re interested in learning more, we’ll help coordinate a few casual pre-match meetings so you can get to know each other and see if there’s a connection. If all goes well and you decide you’d like to move forward together, then we’ll begin phase two—matched screening!
Matched Medical and Psychological Screening: About Two Months
Congratulations! You’re now entering what we call the matched screening phase. During this time you’ll actually be visiting your Intended Parents’ fertility clinic to begin the physical medical screening. This includes getting you set up as a patient, starting any necessary medications, completing lab work for you and your partner (if applicable), an ultrasound, and possibly a few other routine procedures depending on your health history and the clinic’s protocols. As part of this phase, you’ll also complete psychological screenings to ensure you’re feeling mentally and emotionally prepared. This includes a joint session with your Intended Parents (and your partner, if you have one) to confirm that the match is a great fit and that everyone’s ready to move forward as a team!
Legal Clearance: About Two Months
Once you’ve successfully completed all your medical and psychological screenings, you’re ready to move on to the legal part of your journey. This stage is all about setting clear expectations and ensuring a smooth and successful surrogacy experience. Your legal teams will work together to draft a Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA), making any necessary revisions along the way until the document is just right. We’ll be here to help you find a highly qualified attorney to support and guide you throughout the process. Once your GSA is signed, you’ll be all set to start preparing for your embryo transfer!
Frozen Embryo Transfer: About One Month
The Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) process is an exciting next step and involves some medical preparation to give you the best chance for a successful transfer. This typically includes taking prescribed medications, monitoring your uterine lining, and scheduling the big day—your transfer appointment! Every body is different, so the timeline and specific steps may vary a bit from person to person. Some GCs may need a few extra appointments or procedures to make sure everything is just right and your body is fully ready for transfer day. We’re here to support you through each step of the process!
Post-Transfer and Pregnancy: About Nine Months
After your embryo transfer, the focus shifts to supporting a healthy and happy pregnancy. You’ll have several important appointments along the way that help check in on both you and the baby. About two weeks after transfer, blood tests will confirm the pregnancy—an exciting milestone! Around six weeks, you’ll have an ultrasound to check for the developing gestational sac, and by eight weeks, another ultrasound will confirm the baby’s heartbeat and healthy growth. Once everything looks great, you’ll “graduate” from the Intended Parents’ fertility clinic and begin regular prenatal care with your OB. This includes routine check-ups and a detailed anatomy scan around 20 weeks. From there, it’s all about continuing to care for yourself and prepare for delivery—ideally around 40 weeks—when you’ll reach the beautiful moment of helping bring a new life into the world and growing a family!
Your Support System
Throughout every stage, our team at Village Surrogacy is here to support you with resources, guidance, and care. By understanding the timeline, you can approach this incredible journey with confidence and excitement!
Ready to get started? Complete our Surrogate Intake Form today to apply!
