Your Surrogacy Timeline: What Happens When
Surrogacy is a 14-22 month journey from initial inquiry to bringing your baby home. Knowing the rhythm of each phase helps you plan your life, your finances, and your travel. This timeline reflects a realistic, healthy journey — the typical case, not the best case. Faster is possible; this is what to expect.
Month 0-1: Inquiry, Consultation & Application
Your journey begins with a free 30-minute consultation (Zoom, WeChat, or in-person in Southern California) where we discuss your situation, answer questions, and assess whether we're the right fit. If you decide to proceed, you complete a detailed application: basic information, family composition, IVF clinic preferences, and any specific surrogate preferences. Our team reviews your application within 5-7 days and confirms enrollment. You'll sign the CBS service agreement and make the initial deposit — typically $20,000 — which goes into your independent escrow account.
Month 1-3: Matching & Medical Clearance
Now we begin the matching process. We present surrogate profiles based on your criteria — typically 2-5 profiles within the first 30 days. You review profiles, attend match meetings (Zoom or WeChat first; many turn into in-person Southern California meetings), and select your surrogate. Matching can be as fast as 24 hours or take up to 60 days depending on your specific criteria. Once matched, your surrogate begins medical clearance at your IVF clinic: blood tests, urine, ultrasound, physical exam, psychological screening. This takes 4-8 weeks. Background check runs in parallel.
Month 3-5: Legal Contracts & Pre-Cycle
With medical clearance complete, both parties' attorneys begin contract negotiation. Per ADR-029, you and your surrogate have SEPARATE counsel — no conflicts of interest. The Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA) covers compensation, medical decisions, contact frequency, post-birth coordination, and contingencies. This typically takes 3-4 weeks. Once signed, your attorney files the pre-birth order petition with California Family Court (pre-birth parentage orders are routine in California per Family Code §7960-7962). The surrogate then begins her IVF medication protocol (~2-3 weeks before transfer).
Month 5-7: Embryo Transfer & Pregnancy Confirmation
Embryo transfer happens at your IVF clinic — typically a 3-day trip for you. The procedure itself takes 15 minutes; the surrogate is on bed rest for 24-48 hours. Approximately 9-12 days post-transfer, the surrogate takes a beta hCG blood test to confirm pregnancy. Around 6 weeks (4 weeks post-transfer), the IVF clinic confirms fetal heartbeat — a moment we celebrate with you. Around 8-10 weeks, your surrogate 'graduates' from the IVF clinic to her local OB-GYN for routine prenatal care. If the first transfer doesn't take (~30% of first attempts), we schedule a re-transfer 2-3 months later.
Month 7-15: Pregnancy (1st through 3rd Trimester)
Pregnancy proceeds normally with your local OB-GYN. Throughout, CBS provides 24/7 support: a coordinator on call, regular check-ins with your surrogate, photos and updates shared with you (frequency per your contract — typically every 2-4 weeks), travel reimbursement for appointments, and childcare reimbursement when needed. We coordinate communication between you and your surrogate per your agreed cadence. Many intended parents fly in for the 20-week anatomy ultrasound to learn the baby's sex (in person or via video). Around week 30, we begin coordinating delivery logistics: hospital pre-registration, your travel plans, post-birth documentation.
Month 15-16: Delivery, Post-Birth & the Rest of Your Life
Your baby is born around month 15-16 of your journey. Thanks to your pre-birth order, you are the legal parents from the moment of birth — your name goes directly on the birth certificate, not the surrogate's. CBS coordinates hospital paperwork, baby passport application (for international IPs, we coordinate apostille and consular appointments), and pediatric coordination. International parents typically stay in California 4-8 weeks post-birth; we arrange babysitter support, hotel/apartment logistics, and pediatric appointments. Many surrogates and intended parents stay in touch — Christmas cards, photo updates, sometimes lifelong friendships. Then: home with your baby. Welcome to the rest of your life.
by
California Baby Surrogacy Team
Our team of coordinators, legal advisors, and care specialists brings 10+ years of surrogacy expertise.
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