Becoming a Surrogate
10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Before Becoming a Surrogate
January 20, 2026 · 10 min read · On Fertility Ground Surrogacy
Becoming a gestational surrogate is one of the most significant decisions a woman can make. Here are ten questions every woman should ask — and what strong, honest answers look like.
1. Who sets my base compensation?
At OFG, you do. A strong agency will never negotiate your base rate down or tell you what you are worth.
2. When does the escrow account get funded?
At OFG, the escrow account is fully funded after contract signing — before any medical procedures begin. Your base compensation, all projected expenses, and a 15% contingency buffer are secured in a neutral third-party escrow account.
3. Do I get my own attorney?
In California, yes — required by law. California Family Code Section 7962 mandates every gestational carrier have an independent attorney, paid for by the Intended Parents.
4. What happens if I change my mind before signing?
Before the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement is signed, you can withdraw for any reason — no penalty, no pressure.
5. What happens if the match falls apart?
At OFG: a surrogate welfare check within 48 hours, financial settlement within five business days, and a compassionate exit process.
6. Who is my point of contact?
You should have a dedicated coordinator. At OFG, caseloads are deliberately kept small so you always reach someone who knows who you are.
7. What mental health support is available?
At OFG, post-birth check-ins are mandatory at one week, one month, three months, and six months. Access to BIPOC-affirming counselors is available throughout.
8. Can I choose my own OB?
Yes — and at OFG, we actively encourage it.
9. What are my rights if something goes wrong?
Your bodily autonomy is legally protected under California law. Medical decisions are made by you and your physicians — not by the agency or Intended Parents.
10. Does the agency have experience with surrogates who look like me?
At OFG, this is the reason the agency exists. Our matching process, counselor network, and coordinator training are built with diverse surrogates at the center.
From Our Founder
Bree — Founder & CEO, On Fertility Ground
I wrote these ten questions because I have watched women sign agreements they did not fully understand. Not because they were not smart — but because no one had given them a framework for evaluating what they were agreeing to.
Question 2 — when is the escrow account funded — is the one that matters most to me personally. Full escrow funding after contract signing is not a policy we invented because it sounds good. It is a policy we built because the alternative — a pregnant woman waiting on money that has not yet been secured — is a situation we refuse to allow. Your compensation is fully secured before anything medical begins.
Before becoming a surrogate anywhere, ask every one of these questions. Ask them out loud. Ask for the answers in writing. A good agency will welcome it.
— Bree | info@onfertilityground.com
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