Educational materials

“For a Surrogate, education is more than information. It’s the art of understanding her own power, her path, and the beauty of the life she’s helping create.”

This collection of resources was created with one goal in mind: to empower you with knowledge, clarity, and confidence throughout your surrogacy journey.

Surrogate Guide

01

Access Guide 1

Medication Guide

02

Access guide 2

Pumping Guide

03

Access Guide 3

Subchrorionic Hematoma Informational Sheet

04

Access Guide 4

Hospital Bag Checklist

05

Access Guide 5

Surrogate Compensation Guide

06

Access Guide 6

I've completed onboarding, now what?

At Family Makers, you’re never just checking boxes. You’re stepping into a deeply impactful role, and we are here to walk beside you every step of the way. Let these answers be your companion as we prepare to introduce you to the family whose story you’ll help write.

  • You’re officially ready to match! Our team will begin sharing Intended Parent profiles with you whose values, expectations, and communication style align with yours.

  • Most Surrogates match within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your preferences and the availability of Intended Parents who are a good fit for your journey.

  • Absolutely. You will always see an Intended Parent profile first and have a chance to say yes, no, or ask questions before moving forward.

  • There is zero pressure to accept any match. A healthy connection is essential, and we only proceed when it feels genuinely right for you.

  • You’ll be guided by our team through every conversation, video call, and next step. We help facilitate communication, set expectations, and ensure you feel informed and empowered.

  • Once both sides agree, you move into the screening phase, which includes medical record review by the fertility clinic, psychological evaluation, medical screening at the fertility clinic, and finalizing your personalized compensation package.

  • We’ll schedule a guided video call as soon as both sides express mutual interest. This call helps everyone confirm compatibility before officially matching.

  • No. We share your profile one match opportunity at a time to ensure their attention is focused on you. No one ever feels rushed or overwhelmed.

  • Yes, please! Anything that might affect your readiness should be shared quickly so we can support you and ensure everything stays on track.

  • We will notify you personally, usually by text message from your dedicated surrogacy case manager, followed by next steps, timelines, and expectations.

Surrogacy journey timeline

With Family Makers, Surrogates receive personalized support, advocacy, and education at every milestone to ensure a safe, ethical, and meaningful experience. Let's review those milestones:

Total journey: 18–20 months

  • 3 minutes

    Helps Family Makers identify who is ready, who needs more information, and who may need support before moving forward.

  • 1–6 weeks

    Onboarding includes:

    • Ensures safety, readiness, and eligibility by reviewing medical history, lifestyle factors, and emotional preparedness to confirm you can move forward confidently and responsibly.

    • Builds a strong foundation of education and expectations, giving you the knowledge, tools, and understanding you need for a smooth, empowered, and ethical journey.

    • Creates a personalized, surrogate experience by learning your preferences, communication style, support system, and compensation needs so matching and every next step feels aligned, supported, and tailored to you.

  • 1–2 weeks

    Things that happen during the matching process include:

    • We present intended parent profiles to you that we believe would be a great match. You are able to ask questions and discuss with your support system prior to making a decision.

    • Your profile is then shared with those specific Intended Parents who align with your values, preferences, and communication style, ensuring a thoughtful, compatibility-driven match.

    • A mutual “yes” finalizes the match, and you officially move into records review, medical screening, psychological evaluation, and preparation for next steps in your surrogacy journey.

  • 1–6 weeks

    Medical record review by the fertility includes:

    The Intended Parents’ fertility clinic reviews your medical records to ensure you are medically safe and truly qualified to carry a healthy pregnancy for someone else. Some clinics are fast, some are slow. We will request updates regularly so that you always know what’s happening.

  • 2–8 Weeks (depends on current menstrual cycle)

    Medical screening includes:

    • Psychological consultation for you and your partner, and the Intended Parents you match with

    • Consultation with the fertility doctor

    • Full physical exam

    • Uterine evaluation

    • Blood work for you and your partner

    • Drug and nicotine screening for you and your partner

  • 4–6 weeks

    The legal process includes:

    • Once you’ve been medically cleared, each party is connected with their own independent attorney, ensuring your rights and interests are fully represented.

    • During negotiations, your attorney reviews the contract with you line by line, covering important topics such as compensation, medical decision making, communication expectations, travel guidelines, insurance, and what happens during key moments of the journey.

    • Once both sides agree and all revisions are finalized, everyone signs the contract, officially clearing the way for the embryo transfer to be scheduled

  • 4–6 weeks

    Embryo transfer includes:

    • Medication protocol and cycle preparation

    • Monitoring appointments

    • Embryo selection and final approval by the Intended Parents

    • Embryo transfer takes place

    • Post transfer guidance by the fertility clinic

    • The two week wait, and pregnancy testing

  • 37–40 weeks

    Pregnancy includes:

    A surrogacy agency supports you through pregnancy by providing ongoing emotional care, clear communication, and hands-on coordination so you never feel alone or overwhelmed. Throughout each trimester, the agency checks in regularly, guides you through medical appointments, manages all compensation and reimbursements, and handles insurance, billing, and paperwork to keep everything stress free. Family Makers serves as the bridge between you, the Intended Parents, and the medical team, protecting boundaries, preventing miscommunication, and advocating for your comfort, well-being, and safety at every stage. In short, the agency becomes your steady support system, ensuring you feel valued, informed, and fully cared for from positive pregnancy test to delivery and beyond.

  • 6 Months

    After delivery:

    Family Makers guides and supports you through delivery and the postpartum period by coordinating the hospital plan, ensuring your comfort, and facilitating smooth communication between your medical team and the Intended Parents. After delivery, we continue to check in on your physical recovery and emotional well-being, managing all final compensation and reimbursements, and making sure you feel appreciated, supported, and honored for the incredible gift you have given.

    The Family Makers team remains your steady partner even after the journey ends, ensuring you transition back into normal life feeling cared for and celebrated!