What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy (gestational) is a beautiful journey where a surrogate carries a child for intended parents through IVF, without any genetic connection to the baby. For many families, this path means hope—offering the chance for a biological bond, the reassurance of thorough health screenings, and the joy of being part of the process from the very beginning. At Luxe, we know this experience is life-changing. That’s why we walk beside you every step of the way, with a dedicated case manager supporting you from your first match to the moment a family’s dream comes true.
Types of Surrogacy Journeys
When beginning your surrogacy journey, one of the first choices you’ll make is which path feels right for your family—whether that means needing only a surrogate, working with an egg or sperm donor, providing your own surrogate, or even exploring a dual surrogate arrangement. Each option offers unique benefits, and understanding the differences will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
This path is ideal for intended parents who already have embryos created—whether with their own eggs and sperm or ones that have been frozen—and are now looking for the right surrogate to help grow their family. It’s a wonderful option for those who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves due to medical reasons, prior health challenges, or for same-sex couples who are ready to move forward with embryos they’ve prepared.
Through our Surrogacy-Only option, we’ll guide you from start to finish. Our team works closely with your IVF clinic, carefully matches you with a surrogate who fits your needs, and manages the details so your focus stays on the joy of becoming parents. With personalized care and ongoing support, we’re here to make your journey as smooth and reassuring as possible.
Need an Egg Donor? This program is designed for intended parents who need the gift of egg donation to create embryos, along with the support of a surrogate to carry their child. Through our Surrogacy + Egg Donation option, you’ll be carefully matched with an egg donor. You’ll have the option to choose between frozen eggs or a fresh egg donation cycle. Once the eggs are retrieved or thawed, your IVF clinic will create embryos in the lab. The healthiest embryos are then frozen, and when the time is right, one or two are transferred to your surrogate’s uterus to begin the journey toward pregnancy.
> Learn more about finding an egg donor
Need a Sperm Donor? This program is designed for intended parents who need the help of a sperm donor to create embryos, along with the support of a surrogate to carry their child. Through our Surrogacy + Sperm Donation option, you’ll be thoughtfully matched with a qualified sperm donor whose health, background, and characteristics align with your preferences. Once sperm is secured, your IVF clinic will fertilize either your own eggs or those of a chosen donor to create embryos in the lab. The healthiest embryos will be frozen, and when the time is right, one or two will be transferred into your surrogate’s uterus—marking the beginning of your path to parenthood.
> Learn more about finding a sperm donor
Need both an egg and sperm donor? For some families, the path to parenthood requires the combined support of both an egg donor and a sperm donor, along with a surrogate. In this journey, you’ll have the opportunity to select donors who reflect the qualities most important to you.
Sometimes intended parents already have someone in their life—whether a close friend, relative, or a connection made through surrogacy networks—who is ready to step in as their surrogate.
If this is your situation, you have two options:
- Some families choose to move forward on their own, managing the journey without agency involvement.
- Others still prefer the structure and peace of mind that comes with an agency guiding the process—coordinating medical details, overseeing legal protections, and providing ongoing support along the way.
At Luxe, we offer flexible levels of guidance tailored to your circumstances, so whether you’ve found your surrogate independently or need full-service management, you’ll have the resources and reassurance you need every step of the way.
For intended parents hoping to grow their family with more than one child, a Dual Journey may be the right path. This option allows two surrogates to carry babies in separate, staggered pregnancies—an approach that is often safer and more medically recommended than having one surrogate carry twins.
Parents can pursue this journey using their own embryos or with the help of an egg/sperm donor, depending on their needs. Whether you’re considering surrogacy alone or surrogacy combined with egg/sperm donation, our programs are designed to give families the flexibility and support they need.
Our dedicated team is here to walk you through your options and help you choose the best path to parenthood. No matter which journey you decide on, you’ll have the guidance and expertise of our team every step of the way.
Types of Surrogacy Journeys
When beginning your surrogacy journey, one of the first choices you’ll make is which path feels right for your family—whether that means needing only a surrogate, working with an egg or sperm donor, providing your own surrogate, or even exploring a dual surrogate arrangement. Each option offers unique benefits, and understanding the differences will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
The Surrogacy Process
At Luxe, we know that the journey to parenthood through surrogacy is both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. That’s why we are committed to providing expert guidance and thoughtful support, helping every decision feel informed, confident, and perfectly aligned with your family’s vision.
To make the process clear and reassuring, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to the surrogate matching and pregnancy journey, so you know exactly what to expect at each stage when partnering with Luxe.
We invite you to explore this process with us, and our team is always available to answer questions, clarify details, and provide personalized guidance. Our goal is to ensure your surrogacy experience is seamless, empowering, and filled with confidence from start to finish.
Timeline:Â Â 1-3 months
During the consultation phase, you, the intended parent(s), will meet with our agency team and go through service agreements. Once signed on, the you will be introduced to our Matching team member who will work with you on finding the perfect surrogate for you.
This is also when you will choose if you want to work with one of our trusted partner clinics or your own fertility clinic.
One parent must fill out an Intended Parent Application
If you require an egg donor, we will start that process during this time. You can learn more about finding an egg donor here!
If you require a sperm donor, we will start that process during this time as well. You can learn more about finding a sperm donor here!
Consultation and Sign-On
Timeline:Â 1-3 months
During the consultation phase, you, the intended parent(s), will meet with our agency team and go through service agreements. Once signed on, the you will be introduced to our Matching team member who will work with you on finding the perfect surrogate for you.
This is also when you will choose if you want to work with one of our trusted partner clinics or your own fertility clinic.
One parent must fill out the Intended Parent Application
If you require an egg donor, we will start that process during this time. You can learn more about finding an egg donor here!
If you require a sperm donor, we will start that process during this time as well. You can learn more about finding a sperm donor here!
Matching with Surrogate
Timeline:Â varies
After your initial consultation with a Luxe team member, you’ll fill out a matching questionnaire. This comprehensive form collects key data points to help us understand your preferences, expectations, and priorities. All surrogates complete a similar questionnaire, ensuring we can find the most compatible match.
The questionnaire is your opportunity to share your vision for the surrogacy experience. Who would you like to carry for you? What kind of relationship do you hope to have with the surrogate? What are your expectations around pricing, pregnancy terms, or multiples? Your responses are analyzed through our LuxeMatch software, which cross references your preferences with our current surrogates.
Once you are matched with a surrogate, Luxe will introduce you to your surrogacy coordination team who will take the time to explain the upcoming surrogacy steps and process in detail so you fully understand what to expect at each milestone. This will also be the team who manages your journey and supports you every step of the way.
Medical Screening and Contracts
Timeline:Â 2-3 months
Screening: During the medical phase, the surrogate will travel to your fertility clinic of choice for her medical screenings. This is when she will complete a series of evaluations such as bloodwork, ultrasounds, and other important health checks to ensure she is fully prepared for the journey ahead.
For some intended parents, this is a special part of the process as this is the perfect opportunity to meet their surrogate in person for the first time!
Contracts/Agreements:Â This phase is also when the legal process begins. Both parties will work with their own lawyers to create a Surrogate Contract that ensure they both have full representation and guidance throughout the process. This can take weeks, but details need to be carefully reviewed so that everyone is confident and protected before moving forward.
Monitoring and Transfer
Timeline:Â Â 3-4 weeks
Medications & Monitoring: Once your surrogate has successfully completed her medical screening and is approved by your IVF doctor, she’ll begin her treatment protocol. This includes starting prescribed medications and attending regular monitoring appointments. To make the process as smooth as possible, these visits take place at a trusted clinic near her home. Our team, together with your IVF clinic, will coordinate all of these details to ensure your surrogate is fully supported every step of the way.
Transfer: Once your surrogate has been medically cleared for her embryo transfer, she’ll travel to your IVF clinic for the procedure.
Many intended parents choose to be present for this special moment, spending meaningful time with their surrogate and her support person.
After the transfer, she’ll return home and continue monitoring at her local clinic, beginning with beta tests about 10–14 days later to confirm pregnancy. Around the six-week mark, she’ll have her first ultrasound—an exciting milestone where the heartbeat can often be seen and heard!
Surrogate Pregnancy
Timeline:Â Â 9 months
For the duration of the pregnancy, the surrogate will shift from her local fertility clinic to her personal OB/GYN who will oversee the rest of her pregnancy and provide regular ultrasounds and monitor the baby's development. Some intended parents choose to attend these visits whenever possible.
As the pregnancy moves into its later stages, intended parents begin preparing for two key milestones: creating a birth plan and finalizing parental rights. The birth plan is crafted in collaboration with your surrogate, outlining everyone’s preferences and expectations for delivery day—helping ensure the experience is thoughtful, respectful, and aligned with everyone’s wishes. At the same time, your legal team, along with counsel in your surrogate’s state, will begin the process of securing parental rights so that all is in place well before your baby’s arrival. Our team is here to guide and support you through both steps, making sure you feel prepared, protected, and excited for the big day!
Â
Pregnancy and Post-Birth
Timeline:Â Â birth & after
Once the doctor clears your newborn for discharge, you’ll finally get to take your baby home. It’s a moment filled with wonder—and sometimes disbelief—that this tiny life is now in your arms. The Luxe team will continue to stand beside you through these first days, offering guidance, reminding you of important next steps, and answering any questions that may come up. You’re never alone on this journey—we’re here to make sure your transition into parenthood feels supported every step of the way.
What we require of our surrogates:
- Age: must be between 21-40 years old
- BMI: must be within the healthy range of 32 or below
- Reproductive Health & History: must have given birth at least once, no more than 3 c-section births, and a history of healthy pregnancies and deliveries
- Non-smoker/Non-drug User:Â must be tobacco, nicotine, and drug-free (marijuana included)
- Addiction History:Â must have no history of alcoholism, substance abuse, or other addictions
- Financial: must be financially independent and not participate in government aid programs such as welfare, public housing, or section 8
- Stability/Support: must be mentally and emotionally stable as to handle the surrogacy process, and also have a support system of friends and family
- Transportation:Â must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel to intended parent(s) fertility clinic for IVF process
- Flexibility:Â must be able to make the medical appointments during the surrogacy process
- Residency:Â must permanently reside in the U.S. in a surrogacy-friendly state
Have more questions? Check out our Intended Parents FAQ
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Luxe?
Financial considerations are an important part of turning your dream of parenthood into reality through surrogacy. Costs can vary based on your individual circumstances, such as using donor eggs or other unique factors that may affect the total investment. Because every family’s journey is different, our team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and help you plan with confidence.
More on Surrogacy
Learn more about surrogacy through these articles, including how the process works, what to expect, and how Luxe IVF supports you every step of the way.
Embryo Transfer: An Important Milestone in Surrogacy
A Parent’s Guide to Legal Protections During Surrogacy
Fertility Medications 101: Most Commonly Used Fertility Drugs for Women
How to Find the Right Surrogate for Your Family
What President Trump’s Latest IVF Announcement Means for Intended Parents
Gestational Surrogacy: What is it? How Does it Work? What to Expect?
More on Surrogacy
Learn more about surrogacy through these articles, including how the process works, what to expect, and how Luxe IVF supports you every step of the way.