Surogate Truths
Why Become a Surrogate
(The Pros and Cons)
If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering whether surrogacy might be right for you. Maybe you’ve thought about it for years, or perhaps the idea just recently sparked your curiosity. Either way, you’re asking an important question – one that deserves thoughtful consideration and honest answers.
Becoming a surrogate is one of the most profound gifts one person can give another. It’s also a significant commitment that will touch every part of your life for about a year. So let’s explore this journey together with warmth, honesty, and care.
Is This Even for Me? A Quick Self-Check
Before we dive deeper, ask yourself these questions:
- Have you had at least one healthy pregnancy?
- Do you have a supportive partner or friend who will be there throughout this journey?
- Are you comfortable with medical appointments and procedures?
- Does the idea of helping someone become a parent feel meaningful to you?
- Are you in good physical and emotional health?
If you’re nodding along to most of these, you might be a wonderful candidate for surrogacy. But let’s explore what this journey really looks like – the beautiful parts and the challenging ones.
The Beautiful Rewards of Surrogacy
You’ll Give the Ultimate Gift
There’s simply no comparison to what you’ll be doing. Somewhere, there’s a person or couple lying awake at night, aching to hold their baby. They’ve likely been on a long, painful journey—failed IVF cycles, pregnancy losses, medical diagnoses that broke their hearts. You have the power to change their entire story.
Many surrogates describe the moment they hand that baby to the intended parents as one of the most profound experiences of their lives. You’re not just giving them a child—you’re giving them their dreams, their future, their family. That’s extraordinary.
Financial Compensation That Can Change Your Life
Let’s be practical: surrogacy compensation is substantial and meaningful. Most surrogates receive between $45,000 and $80,000 or more in base compensation, plus additional benefits and expense coverage. For many families, this compensation can:
- Pay off debt or student loans
- Create a college fund for your children
- Make a down payment on a home
- Provide financial breathing room and security
- Fund that dream you’ve been putting off
This isn’t just “extra money” – it’s life-changing income for doing something incredibly meaningful. You’re being honored and compensated for the physical, emotional, and time commitment you’re making.
You’ll Grow in Ways You Never Expected
Ask any surrogate, and they’ll tell you: this journey changes you. You’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had. You’ll learn to advocate for yourself, navigate complex medical processes, and communicate across different backgrounds and experiences.
Many surrogates talk about the confidence they gained, the sense of purpose they found, and how proud they feel of what they accomplished. It’s not often in life we get to do something that feels this important, this special.
You’ll Build Meaningful Relationships
The bond between a surrogate and her intended parents can be incredibly special. You’re sharing one of life’s most intimate experiences together. Many surrogates stay in touch with their intended parents for years, watching birthday photos and holiday cards roll in, knowing they played a part in creating that family.
You’ll also join a community of surrogates—women who understand this unique experience in a way no one else can. These friendships often last a lifetime, built on shared purpose and mutual respect.
Comprehensive Medical Care
Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll receive excellent medical care—all covered by the intended parents. You’ll work with top fertility clinics and OB/GYNs, and any pregnancy-related medical needs will be taken care of. For many surrogates, this is some of the best healthcare they’ve ever received.
The Pride That Stays With You Forever
Long after the journey ends, you’ll carry the pride of what you did. When life gets hard, you can think back and say, “I helped create a family. I did something most people never get to do. I made an impossible dream come true.”
That’s powerful. That stays with you.
The Realities to Consider
We want to be honest with you about the challenges too, because this decision deserves your full understanding.
It’s a Significant Time Commitment
From your first application to holding that baby, you’re looking at 12-18 months. There are medical screenings, legal processes, IVF procedures, and then pregnancy itself. You’ll have more doctor’s appointments than a typical pregnancy, especially in the early stages.
That said, most surrogates find that with good planning and a supportive agency, it fits into their lives more easily than they expected. And remember—you’re not doing this alone. We’ll be there to coordinate, schedule, and support you every step of the way.
Pregnancy Has Its Challenges
Even when pregnancy goes smoothly, it comes with physical demands morning sickness, fatigue, body changes, and the general discomforts of carrying a baby. You’ll also need to follow certain lifestyle guidelines: no alcohol, limited caffeine, careful attention to medications and activities.
But here’s the thing: you’ve been pregnant before. You know what to expect – and this time, you have a whole team of people supporting you, checking in on you, and making sure you have everything you need.
It’s Emotionally Complex (In Mostly Good Ways)
Some people worry about becoming attached to the baby. In reality, most surrogates report that knowing from day one that this baby belongs to someone else makes it emotionally clear. You’re helping grow their family, not yours. That clarity is surprisingly powerful.
You might also experience a range of emotions after delivery—everything from joy to a sense of completion to perhaps some sadness that this special chapter is over. These feelings are normal and valid, and we’ll be here to provide emotional support both during and after your journey.
Your Family Will Be Part of This
Your partner and children will experience this journey with you. Your partner needs to be supportive and on board. Your children will see you pregnant with a baby that’s not their sibling. These are important conversations to have as a family.
The beautiful part? Many surrogates say their children learned incredible lessons about compassion, generosity, and helping others. It becomes part of your family’s story in a meaningful way.
There Are Medical Considerations
Like any pregnancy, surrogacy carries medical risks—though they’re carefully managed and monitored. You’ll undergo hormone treatments for the IVF process, and pregnancy always carries some level of risk. Some surrogates experience complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
However, you’ll be closely monitored by medical professionals throughout, and any complications will be addressed promptly with excellent care. Most surrogate pregnancies proceed smoothly and result in healthy deliveries.
So, Is It Worth It?
We can’t answer that for you—but we can tell you what surrogates tell us.
Time and again, we hear: “It was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” “I would do it again in a heartbeat.” “Seeing them hold their baby for the first time made every single moment worth it.”
Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, it requires sacrifice. But most surrogates say the rewards—emotional, financial, and personal—far outweigh the temporary difficulties.
Your Next Step
If your heart is stirring as you read this, that might be telling you something. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. You don’t have to be 100% certain.
What you can do is take the next small step: learn more about the requirements and what the journey fully looks like. From there you should ask questions, talk to your family, and explore whether this might be the right journey for you.
At New Dawn Surrogacy, we’re here to answer your questions honestly, walk you through every detail, and support you in making the decision that’s right for you – whether that’s moving forward or deciding it’s not the right time.
Becoming a surrogate isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But if it’s for you? It might just be the most beautiful, meaningful thing you ever do.
Ready to explore further? Email us at Hello@newdawnsurrogacy.com to ask questions, or click “Get Started” below to begin your journey in becoming a surrogate!
Become a Parent
Become a Surrogate
New Dawn Surrogacy is a full-service surrogacy agency helping to build families across the Ohio Valley and beyond. We seek to offer hope and guidance to those looking to form or expand their families.
©2025 New Dawn Surrogacy LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.