How Is a Surrogate Match Made?

Surrogacy gives those unable to bear children the chance to experience the joys of parenting. Though there are many steps in the surrogacy process, one of the most important is choosing the surrogate — the woman who carries and delivers the baby for the intended parent. 

Though it’s common to ask a family member or friend to serve as a surrogate, that doesn’t work for everyone. And that’s where we come in.

At Great Beginnings Surrogacy Services (GBSS) in San Diego, California, we specialize in matching intended parents with their perfect surrogates, providing support and guidance throughout the process.

Here, we want to explain how we match our surrogates and intended parents.

Selecting surrogates

Not all women of childbearing age make ideal surrogate candidates. Even if you have a friend or family member who has volunteered to serve as your surrogate, they must meet specific criteria set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to be a surrogate. 

Our potential candidates undergo a thorough screening process before we proceed with the matching. We look for healthy women between the ages of 21 and 37 (ASRM says up to age 45) with a history of at least one uncomplicated full-term pregnancy and delivery, no more than five deliveries, and a stable home life. 

Our surrogates start the process by filling out an online pre-screening form, followed by a prequalification interview we do over the phone. If they pass the screening, we perform a background check and a medical screening and review their medical records. 

Consultation with intended parents

Surrogacy is a complex process, not one an intended parent should enter blindly. Before making any match, we meet with you to explain how surrogacy works and what you and your surrogate can expect.

We also ask about your expectations and what you want in a surrogate. Our surrogates volunteer because they truly want to help others grow their family. And, because we only use gestational carriers, the surrogate has no genetic ties to the baby, reducing the risk of potential legal complications. 

Making a match

Once we understand your goals, we gather our resources to find your ideal surrogate. We provide you with the surrogate’s profile to review and schedule a video call so you can see if the surrogate looks like a good fit on paper. 

Though some matches happen immediately, connecting the right surrogate with the right intended parent can take time. However, finding the right match is a crucial part of the process. You and your surrogate are embarking on a medically, emotionally, and legally complex journey. 

After making the connection, your surrogate goes through a psychological screening and medical screening at your fertility center. If all goes well, then the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process starts. 

Finding the right surrogate is important, which is why it’s best to work with a surrogacy agency like ours to find your perfect match. Call our office or book an appointment online today to learn more about surrogacy and how we help.