Surrogate Mother

Home / Surrogacy

You are a living vessel!

Surrogacy

Becoming a Surrogate Mother

As a Surrogate Mother you are the vessel that carries the dream. Without you and the support of your family, our Intended Parents simply cannot receive the wonderful gift of parenthood.

As an OSHUN Surrogate, you will become a member of an extended family. A part of a network of surrogate mothers that support and encourage each other.

Surrogate Registration

Programs

At OSHUN Fertility we offer you 3 Programs to choose from

Gestational Carrier

Is not genetically related to the child and acts only as a gestational carrier for the pregnancy.

Traditional Surrogate

The surrogate herself provides the eggs and is therefore genetically related to the child.

International Surrogacy

Sometines the best macth for you is abroad and we can set that up for you.

How to Apply

Learn if you qualify to be a Surrogate Mother or Gestational Carrier

You must be between the ages of 21 to 40 and in good health
Must be willing to participate with complete informed consent
Absence of any active sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, substance abuse, significant medication use, prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Most not have an obstetrical history of any medical (physical or psychiatric) complications.
A lifestyle conducive to healthy pregnancy and absence of any behavior potentially compromising to the normal growth and development of the fetus, including no exposure to hazardous substances, no use of illegal drugs, nicotine, or certain prescription medications, and abstention from any exercise routines that might place a pregnancy at risk

Must be a non-smoker for a minimum of 2-4 months prior to applying to the program and willing to commit contractually to continued abstinence from smoking.
Necessary emotional stability to withstand the normal stress of pregnancy compounded by the complications presented by a relationship with the intended parent(s) and the inevitable separation and surrender of the baby at birth.
Capacity to understand fully and comply with the contractual agreement with the intended parent(s).
Prior documented fertility including successful full-term pregnancies of 35 weeks or greater for Singleton and 32 weeks for twins or higher order multiple pregnancies.

Important Note:

Inability to meet any of the above criteria may disqualify the candidate from consideration for our carrier program.
In addition, unwillingness of either the carrier or the intended parent(s) to abide by the requirements of our program (including those defined in the contract between the carrier and the intended parents and between the carrier and the program) during any phase of application, treatment or pregnancy will result in immediate termination of any affiliation.

The Next Steps

After a Match

Step 1

Screening

Once you and your Intended Parents feel you have a match, the next step is for you to be screened and includes the following:

Background checks of you and your spouse/significant other;
STD screening labs for you and your spouse/significant other;
Review of your medical records by the fertility clinic;
You and your spouse or significant other will meet with a licensed psychologist. You will complete an MMPI/PAI personality assessment questionnaire. You will also have a conversation in which you explore further the process of surrogacy
Medical screening by the IVF clinic which includes a physical examination and an ultrasound.
We will guide you through each of these steps, assist you in making appointments and any travel arrangements that must be made. All of the expenses involved including any out of pocket expenses for you and your spouse or significant other are reimbursed.

Step 2

Finalizing the Agreement

Once the above steps have been successfully completed, you will be provided separate, independent legal counsel (at no cost to you) to represent you during the contracting phase with your Intended Parent(s). Once you and your intended parents sign the agreement, your compensation and other estimated reimbursements will be placed in escrow with an independent escrow company.
The medical process does not begin until this step is completed.
Once the above steps are complete, you are on your way to the most amazing and precious journey of your life!

The Medical Process

Stage 1

Getting Started

You will start taking birth control pill to synchronize your menstrual cycle with the Intended Mother’s or donor’s. In some instances, the Intended Parents use frozen embryos or frozen eggs in which case your cycle does not have to be synchronized. You are going to begin medications designed to prepare your endometrium lining and uterus for the transfer of the embryos into your uterus. This may also require the medication, Lupron.

These medications are usually well-tolerated, and most women do not have any side effects when taking these medications for a short time.

However, some side effects include: hot flashes, fatigue, headaches, irritability or nausea. You will take estrogen twice per week by injection – this is to thicken the lining of the uterus. You will be continually evaluated using blood tests and ultrasounds to determine when you are ready for the implantation.

Approximately 4 days before the transfer and until an ultrasound confirms pregnancy, you will take injections of progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone produced by the ovary after ovulation and it is administered to thicken the uterine lining.
Progesterone can be administered in a variety of ways including intravaginal suppository, oral capsule, or an intramuscular injection. Side effects can include bloating, irritability, and breast tenderness.

Stage 2

Egg Retrieval and Fertilization

If you are going to be undergoing a fresh cycle in which your cycle has been synchronized with that of an egg donor’s, the donor will have been undergoing treatment designed to stimulate her ovaries so that she produces multiple eggs. This process is happening in coordination with the preparation that you are undergoing in stage 1 above.

The embryologist at the fertility clinic will be identifying and assessing mature follicles and will set the date for the extraction of the eggs.

Once the eggs are retrieved, they are continually monitored and assessed by the embryologist to determine how well they are developing and each one is graded for maturity. Once the eggs have reached adequate maturity, the embryologist places the sperm together with each retrieved egg in a separate laboratory dish to allow the fertilization process to occur.

After a period of time, the eggs are examined under a microscope for the first signs of fertilization. When the embryos have reached the expected stage of development (usually in 3-6 days), the embryologist will choose the embryo/s to be transferred and will freeze any remaining embryos for future use.

In some cases, you will be undergoing what is known as a frozen embryo transfer and your cycle will not have to synchronized with that of the egg donor.

Stage 3

Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer procedure does not require anesthesia. While you are in a gynecological exam position, a very small plastic catheter is introduced into the uterus through the cervix and the embryos are transferred into the endometrial cavity.
You will be required to stay in this position for a short period of time.
Most physician’s recommend that you rest for a couple of days after the transfer.

Stage 4

Monitoring and Support

When you are released after the embryo transfer, you will be given instructions by the IVF Physician regarding rest, lifting restrictions, and travel and work restrictions. Some of the limitations are:

Complete Pelvic Rest
No douching or sexual intercourse
Showers only – no tub baths
No strenuous activities – no exercising, running, heavy lifting including children, groceries, luggage, etc. A pregnancy test will be performed approximately ten days following the embryo transfer.

Stage 5

After Confirmation of Pregnancy

If a pregnancy occurs, you will continue to be monitored by the IVF Physician for approximately eight to nine weeks. You will then be under the care of the ob/gyn whom you and the intended parents have selected.
We will be there for you every step of the way.
We will ensure that your compensation and reimbursements are handled correctly and timely by the independent escrow company.
We are there for you 24/7.

Stage 6

Planning for the Delivery

We will contact the hospital about three to four weeks prior to your delivery to set up the hospital plan. We will inform the case management staff that we are going to be having a delivery and that you are surrogate.
We will discuss hospital protocol. Once we have the hospital protocol, we will have a conversation with you and your intended parents on how everything will go at the hospital from delivery and after.
We then provide the hospital with a letter outlining the plan.

We continue to be there for you after the delivery just as we were there during the pregnancy.
There will be final payments, medical bills and settling back into life after this momentous experience.

Surrogate Gestational Mother Compensation

Surrogate Compensation

$25,000-$75,000

California, New Jersey, Illinois, Delaware & Maryland.

1st time $35,000-$45,000
2nd time $45,000-$55,000
3rd time $55,000-$75,000.

All other States

1st time $25,000-$35,000
2nd time $35,000-$45,000
and 3rd time $45,000-$65,000

Multiple Birth
(as applicable, per additional child)

$5,000.00

Monthly Expense Allowance

$200.00/monthly

Embryo Transfer Fee (per completed transfer)

$750

Dropped Cycle Fee (as applicable)

$500

Mock Cycle Fee (as applicable)

$250.00

Maternity Clothing Allowance

$500-$750

Housekeeping Allowance

up to $1,800.00

Restriction of Activity/Bedrest

(see next dispersement amounts)

Amniocentesis or CVS (as applicable)

$500.00

Fetal Reduction, Abortion/Termination and D & E (as applicable)

$1,000.00

Hysteroscopy (as applicable) a.

$500.00

Ectopic Pregnancy (as applicable)

$500.00

Cervical Cerclage (as applicable)

$500.00

D & C (as applicable)

$500.00

Caesarian Section (as required by OB)

$1,500.00

Life Insurance

($250,000.00 Benefit)

Gestational Surrogacy Disbursements

Disbursements:

Surrogate receives disbursement every 4 weeks as long as she is pregnant. Disbursements begin day one of the seventh week after the date of the embryo transfer.
Balance of compensation due within 2 weeks after delivery of a child.

If surrogate delivers child on or after 30 weeks from date of embryo transfer, all payments listed above will be made even if child is stillborn or does not survive prior to hospital discharge.

If surrogate delivers prior to 30 weeks from the date of transfer and child does not survive prior to hospital discharge, surrogate is entitled only to compensation received thus far, plus an additional prorated amount.

Monthly Allowance:

Non-accountable monthly expense allowance to cover expenses such as meals, telephone charges, postage and faxing charges, childcare services, non-prescription vitamins / supplements, notary services and other incidental expenses likely to be incurred by Surrogate in connection with her obligations under the Surrogacy Agreement.

Allowance shall be retroactive (and prorated) to the date of the legal clearance and shall be due on the first day of each month and ending 6 weeks after Surrogate delivers a Child.

Travel:

Intended Parents shall reimburse Surrogate for travel expenses only directly related to the following:

The screening process (including Spouse/Partner/Companion)
The matching process (including Spouse/Partner/Companion)
The embryo transfer procedure (including Spouse/Partner/Companion)
The invasive procedures (including Spouse/Partner or Companion)
Delivery/birth
Legal proceedings that Intended Parents have requested Surrogate and Spouse attend
Roundtrip travel exceeding 100 miles that is required by the designated IVF Physician or the Obstetrician or directly requested by Intended Parents.

Disbursements & Allowances

Surrogate will receive $825.00 every four weeks, as long as surrogate is pregnant, beginning the first day of the fifteenth week after the date of the embryo transfer.
If surrogate delivers additional child on or after 30 weeks from date of embryo transfer, all payments listed above will be made even if child is stillborn or does not survive prior to hospital discharge.
If surrogate delivers prior to 30 weeks from the date of transfer and child does not survive prior to hospital discharge, surrogate is entitled only to compensation received thus far, plus an additional prorated amount.

Additional Financial Provisions

Pumping Breast Milk:

Surrogate will receive a compensation of $250 per week during the time she is pumping breast milk for the Intended Parents and will be reimbursed for the following expenses directly relating to pumping breast milk: renting or purchasing a pump up to a max of $400, breast pads, cream, dry ice, storage bags, fed ex shipping expenses, and 2 bras up to $50 each. All other expenses must be pre-approved by the Agency.

Housekeeping Expenses:

Obstetrician or IVF Physician must confirm in writing that Surrogate is unable to perform normal housekeeping chores. Housekeeping Expenses shall not exceed $10 per hour up to $50 per day.

These Housekeeping Expenses shall be paid in lieu of the Housekeeping Allowance as previously referenced.

Childcare Expenses:

Surrogate will receive reimbursement for childcare expenses, not exceed $10 per hour up to $100 per day, if Obstetrician/IVF Physician confirms in writing that Surrogate is unable to care for the daily needs of her child(ren).

Reimbursement of Lost Wages:

Net Hourly: $11.00; Hourly/Salary: Hourly W-2 employee: Yes Non W-2 employee: No Hours per day: 8.00 Hours per week: 0.00 Days per week: 5.00 Paid how often: Every Two Weeks Estimated Range of Wages: - $ to 30,000.00 $ Occupation Teacher $11.00 Hourly $88.00 Daily $440.00 Weekly. Spouse/Partner or Companion Compensation $150/day.Based on Surrogate Mother Applicant working 5 days per week, 8 hours per day Monday – Friday and has provided DFS with her 4 most recent pay check stubs. Maximum net rate of reimbursement shall not exceed the following:

Stipulation:

Intended Parents shall compensate Surrogate for Spouse/Partner $150 per day for the following: (i) the screening process; (ii) the matching process (max 2 days); (iii) embryo transfer; (iv) invasive procedure (max 3 days) (v) court appearance requested by Intended Parents (max 1 day); and (vi) delivery/birth (2 days max). If the Spouse/Partner cannot attend the embryo transfer or any invasive procedure (if applicable), the Surrogate can take a Companion in place of the Spouse/Partner and they will receive $150 per day. The $150 per day compensation is intended to cover things such as lost wages, childcare, etc. during the time they are required to travel.

Stipulation II:

Intended Parents shall compensate Surrogate for lost wages only for: (i) the screening process; (ii) the matching process (max 2 days); (iii) the embryo transfer; (iv) medical appts as required by the IVF Physician/Obstetrician or requested by Intended Parents; (v) restriction of activities/bed rest in accordance with doctor orders; (vi) maternity leave (up to 6 weeks after birth for vaginal delivery, 8 weeks for c-C-section delivery); and (vii) court appearance requested by Intended Parents (max 1 day). In any case, lost wage reimbursement to surrogate shall never exceed a cumulative total of $30,000 over the entire surrogacy process, including pre-pregnancy events and post-delivery maternity leave.

Loss of Tube:

Surrogate will be entitled to receive $1,000 if she lost a tube due to the IVF transfer or pregnancy. $1,000.00 b. $1,000.00 c. $5,000.00

Restriction of Activities:

In the event that the Obstetrician (or the IVF Physician if Surrogate is still under the IVF Physician's care) orders in writing the restriction of Surrogate's activities or bed rest during pregnancy or after a miscarriage (including a "D&C"), abortion or delivery of the Child, and the Obstetrician/IVF Physician further confirms in writing that such restriction of activities is the direct result of the pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion or delivery of the Child, Intended Parents shall reimburse Surrogate (if she is not in breach of this Agreement) for the related childcare and housekeeping expenses during the period determined by Obstetrician/IVF Physician. Stipulation: A $500 non-accountable allowance will be due at the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, and the remaining $250 will be due at the beginning of the 3rd trimester, for a total of $750. For a multiple pregnancy, allowance will be $500 due at beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, and the remaining $500 will be due at the beginning of the 3rd trimester, for a total of $1,000.

Optional weekly allowance,

not to exceed $100 per week beginning on the 1st day of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (26 weeks) and ending 3 weeks after delivery of a child. For a multiple pregnancy, you will be entitled to receive this allowance one month earlier (22 weeks) and ending 3 weeks after delivery of a child.

Loss of Ovary:

Surrogate will be entitled to receive $1,000 if she lost an ovary due to the IVF transfer or pregnancy.

Loss of Uterus:

Surrogate will be entitled to receive $5,000 if she must undergo a hysterectomy, resulting in the loss of her uterus, as a result of the delivery of the Child, as long as such procedure(s) are performed within 3 months of the delivery. Stipulation: If the surrogate is required to have a Hysteroscopy done (not part of the screening process or a part of any other invasive procedure) she will be entitled to a $500 fee.

Cervical Cerclage (as applicable):

$500.00

D & C (as applicable):

$500.00

Caesarian Section (as required by OB):

$1,500.00