What is a surrogate? 
A complete FAQ for your surrogacy questions

Please think about the answers to these initial questions to see if you might qualify:

• Are you between the ages of 21 and 37?

• Have you had at least 1 full-term, healthy, successful pregnancy and delivery, but no more than 5?

• Have you had fewer than 4 C-sections?

• Do you have a healthy BMI?

• Are you financially stable? (You must not be receiving government assistance.)

• Do you live in a surrogacy-friendly state? (Check our US surrogacy law map.)

Depending on your answers to these preliminary questions, you may meet our basic requirements to be a surrogate. We invite you to take the first step today toward making a dream come true for someone who’s ready to bring a child into their life and just needs a little help.

Register your interest here.

There are two types of surrogacy: gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy.

Traditional surrogates use their own eggs and become pregnant through artificial insemination using either the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm. Since the surrogate’s egg is used, the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby.

Gestational surrogates, also known as gestational carriers, are not related to the child they carry. Instead, an egg from the intended mother or an egg donor is used, then implanted in the surrogate’s womb via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Egg donation or a sperm donor is often necessary if the intended parents are a same-sex couple or individual, or if either member of a heterosexual couple is experiencing infertility, or if the intended mother has had a hysterectomy.

Whether you’re an experienced surrogate or you’re newly interested in becoming a surrogate mother, your beautiful gift of surrogacy is equally valuable. If you meet the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines and IMA ART Fertility’s requirements to be a surrogate, you could be essential to helping someone’s family building dreams come true.

Unlike many fertility and surrogacy agencies, at IMA ART we believe that all surrogate mothers, no matter whether they are experienced surrogates or recently decided to become surrogates, and no matter where they live in the New York City or Charleston, West Virginia, deserve the same high base compensation for their sacrificial and precious gift of surrogacy.

There is a high likelihood that your matched parents will reside in a different state or live internationally. But, don’t worry — there is no need to relocate. Many of our parents would love to visit and attend some of your Obstetrician (OB) appointments.

Depending upon where you reside, some travel may be required to the IVF Clinic for the pre-screening process, pre-transfer monitoring, and embryo implantation.

During the pregnancy, you may be monitored by an OBGYN in your area. If agreed upon with the IVF Clinic, your appointments for cycle monitoring appointments for the injections that will prepare your body for the embryo transfer may be done with your personal OB and with the oversight of the IVF Clinic and Fertility Specialist.

However, it’s important to note that IMA ART Fertility only accepts surrogate mothers who live in surrogacy-friendly states. This is to ensure there are no state laws against commercial surrogacy and no issues following the birth of the child, such as questions about legal parentage or unenforceable Surrogacy Agreements. The only states where surrogacy is illegal are Louisiana, Michigan, and Nebraska.

See our complete US Surrogacy Law map.

Before the embryo is implanted, there will be a pre-birth agreement in place that will automatically award full legal parental rights to the intended parents upon the birth of the child. At IMA ART Fertility, our Reproductive Law specialists are committed to helping our intended parents draft their surrogacy contract in accordance with Surrogacy Law.

This Surrogacy Agreement will be negotiated with you and your lawyer to help ensure that all parties are satisfied and that there is no unnecessary stress for you or the legal parents following childbirth. The cost of the lawyer representing you will be fully paid for by the intended parents.

Read more about Reproductive Law and the legal issues surrounding assisted reproductive technology (ART) here.

Absolutely yes. Our matching process allows potential surrogates to have preferences for the intended parents. At IMA ART Fertility, we want you to have a fulfilling journey and build meaningful relationships with the parents. We help parents of different religions, cultures, nationalities, geographic locations, and sexual orientations, as well as parents with their own ideas concerning termination and selective reduction to have families.

Please think about your preferences and discuss them with IMA ART Fertility CEO & Co-Founder Michelle Tang. We want to ensure you’re matched with intended parents who make you excited for the surrogacy journey ahead.

Yes — a recent visit to the IVF Clinic is required for your health and the health of the baby. The Fertility Doctor will run a number of tests and review your past OBGYN medical records before approving you to become a surrogate mother. Certain tests to rule out medical conditions, a pap smear, and a medical screening may also be required before the Fertility Doctor agrees to approve you for a surrogate pregnancy.

Subsequently, a thorough background check conducted by our surrogacy professionals is an important pre-approval step and is done prior to a full medical and psychological evaluation.

Parents may be present for the embryo transfer and will position themselves near your head. Some parents may only be able to join via Zoom or FaceTime or IMA ART’s proprietary app. By the time of the embryo transfer, you and the parents will have spoken with each other multiple times, and it’s natural for both parties to want to be there for the special day.

All remote psychological assessments conducted by the Clinical Psychologist must be performed on HIPAA-compliant platforms. The Clinical Psychologist will communicate directly with you to set a convenient time and date, and a platform which meets HIPAA rules. 

No. Federal privacy laws (HIPAA) prohibit our Clinical Psychologist from sharing all but the very necessary information. IMA ART Fertility wants you to have a trustworthy, comfortable, open, and candid discussion with the Clinical Psychologist.

Absolutely. In addition to prioritizing the surrogate’s physical health care, we also prioritize the surrogate’s mental health. Psychological support is included throughout the pregnancy and is part of the medical expenses that are paid for by the parents.

The Clinical Psychologist who will interview you at the beginning of the journey will check in to see how you’re doing. Your comfort and journey are top priorities for us. We understand that the surrogacy process is a committed and involved journey, and we want to provide you with all the support you need to feel relaxed and excited to help someone start their family.

IMA ART Fertility and most parents ask that surrogates do not breastfeed the baby due to concerns about attachment. However, with the prior written agreement of the parties in the surrogacy contract with the parents, you can pump breast milk.

Some of our parents prefer baby formula, while others would appreciate natural breastmilk. If breastmilk is preferred, it should be discussed and entered into the Surrogacy Agreement with the parents. In the case of breast milk, there is compensation for your dedication.

At IMA ART Fertility, we set the expectation for base compensation up to $85,000. With other financial allowances and benefits, the cost of surrogacy, and total payments received by the surrogate, up to $97,920. 

Depending on your personal surrogacy agreement with the intended parents, these other financial benefits and allowances include other services like maternity clothes, bed rest, housekeeping, childcare, monthly expenses, travel expenses for fertility clinic and doctor’s appointments, and compensation in the event of complications, may be covered by the intended parents. However, this is subject to individual agreement.

Read more about surrogate compensation.

Please discuss this important question with a CPA in the state where you reside. It’s important that you fully understand the tax implications of any compensation received as a result of the Surrogacy Agreement.

Many health insurance providers won’t cover the surrogacy process. However, complete coverage is essential for the health and well-being of the surrogate, newborn, and the surrogate’s family. More worrisome is that at other surrogacy agencies, some health insurance companies place liens on all or part of the surrogate’s compensation! 

At IMA ART Fertility, we work completely differently than other agencies, and with your peace of mind as a top priority. We will set up a meeting with our Surrogate Insurance Specialist to ensure you’re covered by Loss of Reproductive Organs and Total Disability Insurance, Medical Insurance for the newborn baby, and Surrogate Accidental Death Insurance to protect your family — just in case.

Read more about surrogacy insurance.

The CEO and Co-Founder of IMA ART, Michelle Tang, struggled for years with her own challenges with infertility. In overcoming adversity, Michelle decided to channel her emotions and experiences into helping others through their IVF and surrogacy journeys.

Fertility Governance: Michelle’s background in the financial industry has defined her seasoned guidance and leadership at IMA ART. She developed and championed Fertility Governance as a new discipline and innovative management system to streamline the fertility journey. Good risk management — an integral part of Fertility Governance — ensures that Senior Management at IMA ART are prepared and responsive for whatever needs may arise.

Mental Health Support for Surrogates: IMA ART Fertility's luxury surrogacy program exceeds the usual norms of surrogacy agencies in taking care of and looking out for the medical and psychological well-being of our surrogates. This includes not only the customary psychological evaluation by an experienced Clinical Psychologist but also regular calls to you during the pregnancy and postpartum.

A Bridge Between You and Intended Parents: Because IMA ART’s Co-Founders are internationalists, we understand the cultures and expectations of foreigners and are best suited to help bridge challenges, as unlikely as they may be.

Round the Clock Communication: Surrogacy is a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging and comes with health risks. It’s more than a 9-5 job, so it’s important that you’re able to communicate with our Senior Management 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. As a surrogate mother, you won’t get nights, weekends, or holidays off — so neither do we. Our surrogates can contact and communicate with our Co-Founders, Michelle Tang and Ron Sonnenberg, directly through the IMA ART app at any time of day or night. Our day does not end at 5pm.

Privacy: Additionally, your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. Your photo will never be shared, and neither will any information you provide us with be shared beyond legally agreed-upon parties, such as with the intended parents or among medical providers.

Your Rights Protected: You will also be provided with access to our network of experts working at the forefront of surrogacy laws to assist you in the nuances of the surrogacy legal contract.

Comprehensive Care: We are concerned not only for your well-being but also the well-being of your family members — your partner and your own biological children. At no time and under no circumstances will IMA ART Fertility cut corners to save money. Our aim is a safe, secure, stress-free and healthy pregnancy.