How To Make Money As A Surrogate In 2026
Some income opportunities find you when you’re not even looking for them.
That’s exactly how it happened for Megan. After having her second child, she started following a friend’s surrogacy journey on Facebook, and she became interested. She loved being pregnant. Her pregnancies had been easy. And she knew she was done having kids of her own.
So she started researching.
What she found was an opportunity she never expected; one that paid her around $60,000, and connected her with a family she’s still close with today.
We sat down with Megan to get the full picture, including the process, the money, the emotions, and everything she wishes she’d known before starting.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what first led you to consider surrogacy? Was it something you always knew about, or did you discover it later and feel pulled toward it?
My name is Megan and I am a two time surrogate.
I live in Tennessee with my husband and two boys. After the birth of my second child I was donating breast milk to a local mom who had been a surrogate twice. She went on to do a third surrogacy and I followed her story on Facebook. I was genuinely amazed at what an incredible thing she was doing.
When I was sure I did not want more kids I started asking her questions about it all. I knew I loved being pregnant and had very easy pregnancies and deliveries. Once I started down the rabbit hole and talked to my husband we decided to see if I would even qualify.
What was the timeline like from “I’m interested” to actually being matched with intended parents? What surprised you most in that early stage?
I initially applied with an agency in March of 2022, and had my first match meeting in July. I went to their fertility clinic in September for medical clearance and then back in January 2023 for the embryo transfer. I did not realize how much hurry up and wait there could be between each step, with appointments and legal clearances, etc. At times we were simply just waiting.
For someone who’s never heard how surrogacy works, can you explain it in simple terms? What are the main steps, and who are all the people involved (agency, clinic, lawyers, intended parents, etc.)?
In its simplest forms, surrogacy is simply carrying a baby for someone else. There is no genetic link between the surrogate and the baby.
Usually an agency screens the surrogate to make sure she is medically qualified to carry an IVF pregnancy because many people turn to surrogacy as a medical reason prevents them from carrying themselves.
Then, they match you with Intended Parents (IP’s). There are a lot of factors considered when matching, including any particular preferences the surrogate or IP’s may have, personality traits, and preferences on things like termination.
There is also a mental health screening required early on as well.
After being medically cleared you move on to a legal phase. Each party has a lawyer to represent them during this part. All the what ifs, hypotheticals, and big decisions are outlined in the contract, as well as compensation breakdown, travel restrictions, etc.
Surrogacy laws are vastly different state to state, so at some point in the pregnancy it is required you stay in your home state in case of spontaneous labor. It could be a legal and financial nightmare if the baby were delivered outside of where their contracts and insurance were written.
After legal is completed, the surrogate will start the IVF medications and prep her body for the embryo transfer.
She then travels back to the IP’s fertility clinic for the embryo transfer. After that, she is hopefully pregnant!
Can you walk us through what a typical month looked like during the process, appointments, medications, travel, communication, all of it. What was the real day-to-day like?
Early on, there are more appointments especially in the days leading up to embryo transfer. There are several checks to be sure the surrogate’s body is responding to the IVF medications, and hormone levels and uterine level are getting ready for the embryo transfer.
Travel is generally required twice. This includes once for medical clearance at the IP’s fertility clinic, and once for embryo transfer. Aside from that, the surrogate does things local to her and with her own doctor.
Medications differ from person to person, as each fertility doctor has their own regimen they prefer. However, this is usually some combination of shots and pills or suppositories of different hormones like progesterone and estrogen. The surrogate is usually on the medication until about 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Communication preferences vary based on the relationship the surrogate and IP’s want. There is no wrong way as long as both parties are on the same page. Some people prefer a more transactional relationship while some prefer a very close relationship.
My IP’s came for a lot of my appointments, and were both in the room for delivery. We were very close during and after the pregnancy. I went on to be a surrogate for them a second time, and my family has vacationed to visit. We’ve stayed really close.
People are always curious about the money part. Can you share how compensation typically works (base pay, extras, reimbursements), and what someone can realistically expect?
Compensation can vary, but first timers can expect to earn around $60,000. There are usually milestone payments for things like medical clearance, finalizing legal, starting meds, and embryo transfer.
Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the larger payments start and are paid out monthly throughout the duration of the pregnancy.
These details can vary from agency to agency, but any reputable agency should easily be able to give you a breakdown of the compensation plan or have it on their website.
My passion for surrogacy led to a wonderful career working for ConceiveAbilities, an agency that has been in business for nearly 30 years.
If you are interested in seeing if you qualify, you can apply by clicking here. You will receive a $50 gift card for applying, $100 gift card if you have an approved phone screen, and a $500 giftcard if you make it to matching.
>> Just be sure to use this link when you apply!
What were the biggest “yes” requirements to qualify, and what are common reasons people get told no? What should someone do before applying to improve their chances?
A history of healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries is one of the main qualifications.
Women can qualify much later in life than most realize; some agencies work with women up until age 44. It does not matter if you have had your tubes tied or a c-section, you can still qualify!
A healthy BMI, a clean background check, being financially stable, and having had a child of your own are all factors considered as well.
What were the hardest parts physically and emotionally, and what helped you handle them? What do you wish you had known before you started?
There are a lot of emotions involved in surrogacy. It can feel like a lot of pressure when someone has trusted you with something as intimate as carrying their child.
An unsuccessful embryo transfer, broken match, or a delay in the timeline can also feel really defeating. But once you get to the end and see those parents with their baby for the first time, you know everything was absolutely worth it.
What are common misconceptions or mistakes people make when they first look into surrogacy (choosing the wrong agency, not understanding legal steps, underestimating time/appointments, not planning childcare/work time, etc.)?
There are a lot of misconceptions about surrogacy. People often say things like “what if they decide they don’t want the baby?” Surrogacy can cost intended parents upwards of $200,000 and potentially could not even end up with the end goal of a child. So they absolutely do want the baby.
There are also a lot of really good agencies, and really bad agencies out there. It is important to do some research on them, and take the time to chat with a few as some have different requirements and match times that may not be ideal.
You can’t ask too many questions!
How much time does surrogacy realistically take, and how demanding is it week-to-week? What did you need in place at home (support system, childcare, work flexibility)?
Surrogacy takes around 18 months from start to finish and it is a commitment, so it’s not something to do if that timeline does not fit for you.
It can feel demanding in the beginning as there are more appointments early on, but once you get to around 10 weeks of pregnancy, you generally will go through like a normal pregnancy.
A strong support system is definitely important to have as every pregnancy is different and you never know how you will feel.
With having to travel a few times, as well as lots of appointments, it is important to have reliable childcare and job flexibility. Lost wages from work and childcare expenses are generally something that are reimbursed to the surrogate.
What would you say to someone who feels called to it but is scared, overwhelmed, or worried it’s “too much”? How do you know if surrogacy is the right fit for you?
If it feels scary or overwhelming but you are remotely drawn to the idea, just look into it. Talk to some agencies and see if you would even qualify. Like most things, the big picture can seem overwhelming but when broken into smaller pieces it is a lot more digestible.
Can you give a step-by-step breakdown of the surrogacy process from start to finish, in the simplest terms possible, including the medical and legal milestones?
It can vary depending on each agency but most will have a similar timeline. You start by simply applying.
If your initial application is approved someone from the agency will contact you to get more information and continue the screening process. There will be a review of your pregnancy and delivery records, and background check as well.
Then you are likely off to matching and get to start meeting potential IP’s. After a successful match meeting, you will go to their clinic for medical clearance, and there is a mental health screening to pass as well.
Once you are medically cleared and your psych-eval is good, you move on to the legal phase. After legal is complete, the clinic will get a medication schedule together. The surrogate will start meds and travel back to the fertility clinic for the embryo transfer. There are blood draws about 10 days later to confirm pregnancy.
