Surrogacy Timeline
Embarking on a surrogacy journey is an emotional and life-changing experience. One of the best ways to prepare for this process is to understand every step of the surrogacy process so you can set realistic expectations from the very beginning. In this post, I’m dedicating time to walk you through the Surrogacy Timeline, from initial consultations to final legal parentage. By knowing what’s ahead, intended parents can feel more confident and supported throughout their surrogacy journey.
If you are an intended parent, this article will be especially helpful to you. Here, I will break down the surrogacy process timeline in detail. We’ll discuss the matching process, pre-screening, medical and psychological screening, the legal agreement, and milestones like embryo transfer and pre-birth order. My goal is to give you a realistic picture of how long surrogacy process takes, what is required at each stage, and how you can prepare. At the end of this post, you’ll also find a downloadable graphic version of the Surrogacy Process Timeline that you can save, pin, or share on social media.
Surrogacy Timeline
Every surrogacy journey is unique, but there are common steps that nearly every intended parent will experience. While exact timing varies, understanding the general Surrogacy Timeline can help you plan emotionally, financially, and logistically. The timeline includes several key phases: initial consultations, screening processes, the matching process, contracts, embryo transfer, pregnancy, and establishing legal parentage. Each phase builds on the previous one, and together they form the foundation for a successful and supportive surrogacy process.
What Happens in the Surrogacy Process For Intended Parents
Initial Consultations
The first stage of the surrogacy process involves initial consultations with your reproductive endocrinologist, surrogacy agencies, surrogacy concierge (reach out here!), and legal and medical professionals. This is where intended parents learn about the process, discuss costs, and ask questions. This step usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Pre-Screening & Psychological Screening
Next comes pre-screening and psychological screening for intended parents and potential surrogates. These screening processes are essential to ensure that all parties are emotionally ready and medically prepared for the surrogacy journey. This phase generally takes about 2–4 weeks.
Matching Process
Finding the right surrogate is one of the most exciting steps. The matching process involves reviewing profiles, connecting with potential surrogates, and ensuring compatibility. Depending on availability and personal preferences, this stage can take anywhere from 1–12 months.
Medical Screening & Medication Protocol
Once matched, the surrogate undergoes medical screening at a fertility clinic or IVF clinic. If cleared, she begins the medication protocol to prepare for embryo transfer. This process typically takes 1–4 months.
Legal Agreements
Legal contracts protect everyone involved. This stage covers financial arrangements, roles and responsibilities, and the steps required to establish legal parentage. On average, contracts can take about 1–3 months.
Embryo Transfer
This is the milestone everyone anticipates. The embryo transfer takes place at the IVF clinic after the surrogate’s body is ready. The goal is to achieve a successful embryo implantation. This step may take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on cycles and readiness.
Pregnancy & Surrogacy Journey
Once pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate will carry a child for the intended parents. Throughout this stage, parents remain engaged through updates, appointments, and shared milestones. Like any pregnancy, this phase lasts approximately nine months.
Legal Parentage & Pre-Birth Order
During pregnancy, attorneys begin the process of securing legal parentage for intended parents. A pre-birth order is often obtained, ensuring the intended parents’ names appear on the birth certificate at delivery. Timelines vary, but this usually begins in the second trimester.
Surrogacy Process Timeline
To make this process easier to visualize, I’ve created a clear, step-by-step Surrogacy Process Timeline. You can save it as a pinnable graphic to share on social media. It highlights each stage, from initial consultations to the final pre-birth order. For an even deeper explanation of the steps, check out my post on what is gestational surrogacy process.
Every surrogacy journey is different, and while timelines can shift, knowing the typical path can help you feel prepared and supported. From the early screening processes to the joy of holding your baby after a successful embryo transfer and finalized legal parentage, each step is meaningful. The Surrogacy Timeline provides a helpful roadmap for intended parents, offering clarity and reassurance as you move toward your dream of growing your family.