Exploring the Surrogacy Journey Is It Right for You?
- Pamela Sauls, CMT, CCE, YBHD
- Apr 15
- 12 min read
Have you ever considered a surrogacy journey? For many people facing challenges with traditional conception or pregnancy, surrogacy offers a path to parenthood that might otherwise seem out of reach. This process involves a woman carrying a pregnancy for someone else, often when medical or personal reasons prevent the intended parents from carrying a child themselves. But surrogacy is a complex and deeply personal decision. Understanding what it involves, the emotional and legal aspects, and the potential challenges can help you decide if this journey fits your family’s needs.
What Is Surrogacy and How Does It Work?
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman, called the surrogate, agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple, known as the intended parents. There are two main types:
Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child. Fertilization usually happens through artificial insemination.
Gestational Surrogacy: The surrogate carries an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors. The surrogate has no genetic link to the child.
Gestational surrogacy is more common today because it separates the genetic and birth mother roles, which can simplify legal and emotional issues.
Steps in the Surrogacy Process
Initial Consultation
Intended parents meet with fertility specialists and surrogacy agencies to discuss options and expectations.
Matching with a Surrogate
Agencies or independent searches help find a surrogate who meets medical and psychological criteria.
Legal Agreements
Contracts outline the rights and responsibilities of all parties, including parental rights, medical care, and financial arrangements.
Medical Procedures
IVF or insemination is performed, followed by pregnancy monitoring.
Birth and Parental Rights Transfer
After birth, legal steps ensure the intended parents are recognized as the child’s legal parents.
Who Should Consider Surrogacy?
Surrogacy can be an option for various people, including:
Individuals or couples with medical conditions preventing pregnancy
Same-sex couples wanting to have a biological child
Women with uterine issues or repeated pregnancy loss
Single individuals desiring to become parents
Each situation is unique, so surrogacy may not be the right choice for everyone. It requires emotional readiness, financial resources, and a willingness to navigate complex legal and medical systems.
Emotional and Psychological Aspects
The surrogacy journey involves many emotions for both intended parents and surrogates. Intended parents may feel excitement mixed with anxiety about the process and outcome. Surrogates often experience a strong bond with the baby they carry, even if they understand the child will belong to someone else.
Counseling is highly recommended for all parties to prepare for the emotional challenges. Open communication and clear expectations help build trust and reduce misunderstandings.
Legal Considerations in Surrogacy
Surrogacy laws vary widely by country and even by state or region. Some places have clear legal frameworks supporting surrogacy agreements, while others restrict or ban the practice.
Key legal issues include:
Establishing parental rights before or after birth
Enforcing surrogacy contracts
Handling custody disputes
Managing financial compensation and expenses
Some may consider hiring a lawyer experienced in reproductive law to protect everyone’s interests and ensure a smooth process.
Financial Aspects of Surrogacy
Surrogacy can be expensive. Costs may include:
Medical treatments such as IVF
Surrogate compensation and expenses
Legal fees
Agency fees if using a surrogacy agency
Psychological counseling
The total cost can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on location and services. Some insurance plans may cover parts of the process, but many sadly do not.
Organizations such as The Surrogacy Foundation
Practical Tips for a Successful Surrogacy Journey
Research thoroughly: Understand medical, legal, and emotional aspects before starting.
Choose the right surrogate: Look for someone healthy, reliable, and emotionally prepared.
Get legal advice early: Draft clear contracts to avoid future conflicts.
Communicate openly: Maintain honest and respectful communication with your surrogate.
Prepare emotionally: Use counseling to manage expectations and feelings.
Plan finances carefully: Budget for all potential costs and unexpected expenses.
Real-Life Example with Your Birth Helper® Birth Family
I had the distinct pleasure to support my birth family mom, Charlotte Ramberg, through her recent Gestational Surrogacy (official press release shared below). As Charlotte and Kevin's childbirth educator and birth doula, I truly enjoyed training and supporting the couple through their own biological drug-free labor and births. Charlotte, a graduate of UGA, later became a licensed counselor and began her own practice, Cherokee Rose Counseling & Consulting, LLC. She holds numerous credentials including LPC, NCC, PMH-C and CPCS. She is dedicated to supporting women and even leads a postpartum support group in Cumming, Georgia. Therefore, I was not surprised when Charlotte shared hers and Kevin's plan to try to help other couples in need.
I recently met Shannon over Thai food on February 14th, 2026. Charlotte had asked to meet for lunch and labor prep work. Shannon shared details of how she came to be in need of a surrogate to grow her family. Sadly, we did not know each other when she carried her own first baby. At that time, she was unaware of how YBH® childbirth education and doula support could have increased her chances of a successful vaginal birth, decreased her chances of failed induction and c-section, and possibly even prevented her entire first outcome. Sometimes, what we don't know does hurt us. Shannon and her husband Patrick, initially did not initially see the necessity in childbirth education. After experiencing her devastating outcome, like most in such situations, she certainly did not want to share a negative birth story, nor all the negative outcomes she had endured after consenting to the suggested care of her medical team. Her routine induction turned into what the medical world often deems as "failure to progress" when an induction is slower than they had hoped. They will gladly offer to end the early induction with an elective cesarean for issues like a slow to dilate cervix, cervical swelling, etc., seems like a valid evidence based option until the worse case scenario plays out. Which sadly in Shannon's case led to a post surgical complication in recovery that turned into an emergent second surgery to stop internal bleeding. The surgeon insisted they had to remove her "shredded uterus" to save her life. The medical reason given to her, "These things sometimes just happen." It is called practicing medicine after all, but interestingly, Shannon's medical records also showed multiple drugs that both slowed and prolonged her labor, all while using other pharmaceuticals to attempt in speeding the labor back up. For example, the use of Cytotec is known to increase uterine rupture. Readers should know and be made aware, despite its common use, the FDA has NEVER approved Cytotec for induction of labor, or abortion, noting risks of uterine tearing, severe bleeding, and death. Although rare, rupture can even occur in an unscarred uterus, especially with high-dose.
In summary, what should have been her first born's "birth" celebration was stolen from her through what we often refer to in childbirth class as "the domino effect." One routine intervention can often snowball into even more interventions. Every medical intervention carries both increased risks, as well as, benefits. And, for some in worse case scenarios like Shannon's, could end both traumatic and terribly sad. Shannon's "elective induction and ultimately elective surgery," recommended by her providers ended up costing her in immeasurable ways. Not only would she never be able to grow her family organically again, she also received a hefty bill. It is disheartening to acknowledge we often give medical providers consent to create these sort of unfavorable outcomes especially when induction was not medically necessary to start with, simply because we were not willing to wait for spontaneous labor. We think, inductions happen every day, whats the big deal? Until, however unlikely, yet sadly the routine induction turns traumatic or deadly.
Shannon definitely could have greatly benefited from our YBH® childbirth training. It is imperative women and couples understand "Informed Consent" and how to discern medical options. Each must decide for themselves what they feel is the right decision and own their decision making. We get one chance to get a baby into the world. There are no re-do's. Shannon would highly recommend you invest in quality birth training and doula support.
In fact, Shannon and Patrick were in awe seeing how very different their previous induction experience was compared to the spontaneous labor and natural progression of Charlotte's labor with their surrogate baby. They also came to value and understand the role of a good doula starts long before the labor ever does. In preparing Shannon for labor, I asked her if she or Patrick were interested in helping catch their own baby? This is a conversation I typically have with all my doula clients. She excitedly answered, "YES!" Little did any of us know what was in store for us. The day of baby Lenni's arrival, she "the baby" decided she was not going to wait on the arrival of the hospital midwife and had plans to surprise us all.
After the initial admission paperwork and monitoring was completed, I had Charlotte stand to help ease discomfort with a technique we call hip squeeze. After that contraction ended, Charlotte took maybe two steps, and another contraction quickly began. All the medical staff had left the room. While supporting Charlotte's hips again, I heard a sound very familiar to me and I called out to Shannon, and Kevin (Charlotte's husband) to get gloves on (just in case this baby was trying to sneak out). I had Shannon come quickly and be standing close by just in case. Charlotte was not pushing, but the contractions were back to back. Patrick (Shannon's husband) ran out to get their nurse. It was my pleasure to help support Charlotte and guide Shannon with calm clear instruction, along with nurse Keri who acted quickly upon returning to the room checking to see if there was a nuchal cord once the head popped out. Dad had just enough time to run out to the nurse's station, and run back into the room grabbing his cell phone to quickly capture the birth of their baby that was born directly into Shannon's arms and hands!
Through the excitement of it all, adrenaline rush and with her entire body trembling, well.... it turns out Mom Shannon was quite a good catch too! (Special thanks to nurse Keri @NSForyth hospital for rushing in to assist in the absence of the midwife).
Even with the passing of the baby (between the legs), getting Charlotte safely into the bed, and arranging a place for Shannon to sit in bed holding her baby (cord still attached), I could not have been more proud! Both moms handled all the unpredictability of the speedy entrance of baby Lenni into the world like CHAMPS! They saw teamwork matters.
Shannon and Patrick's dream of being surrogate grant winners and their dream of experiencing a happier "BIRTH" day had both come true! Natural childbirth is just that, "way more natural." When women know what they should be doing in response to a contraction that is!
The unknowns of childbirth can be scary, but they don't have to be. Having a basis of knowledge before labor is imperative to reduce fear based decision making. Women have too much to lose to go into childbirth blindly and much of which is completely avoidable with preparedness. Women need to know how to stay healthy and low risk during pregnancy to lessen their own risks prior to labor, advocate for their wishes during labor, "is this medically necessary or not?" And, save medical interventions for those who truly need them.
Quality education like our four segment YBH® Symbiotic Birth course can bring reassurance to moms that they do have the ability to both lessen pain and lower their own risks. The course can be taught in four segments, virtually or in-person and even in a weekend or 2-3 day retreat at M2b Family Farm in NE Athens, GA as illustrated in the video above. Pregnancy is not an illness, it's a condition. Anything is made easier with knowledge! Childbirth will come regardless of preparation. Will you consider investing in your own birth experience, or like Shannon and Patrick with their first, just be led through one intervention after another blindly? The logic that skipping investing in quality childbirth preparation will serve you in the long run is simply not rational. Medical expenses and out of pocket costs alone will add up extremely fast. Keep as much money in your pockets as possible with preparation and lessen your own risks and negative outcomes while keeping your uterus intact too! Shannon would tell you there is no comparison between her first birth and her second birth experience. Despite the circumstances of not being able to physically give birth again, this birth was full of normality and free from nearly all the medical interventions Shannon endured. For the safety of mom and baby, Charotte waited for spontaneous labor, she avoided all drugs, and had only one cervical check. This was a MUCH HAPPIER "BIRTH" EXPERIENCE!
Pregnant moms and their spouse/ partner/ support person(s) learn how to stay healthy and low risk, how to prep their bodies for labor, to understand and utilize true informed consent and lessen poor outcomes. Our YBH® course emphasis is "symbiotic" in that we empower students to consider both normality (can this be normal - is mom and baby ok, what are the other evidence based options like waiting) in combination with, any medically necessary interventions that can benefit mom and baby (not routine interventions such as elective induction without medical cause which carries additional risks - focusing on use of medical interventions that remedy a problem, help moms overcome hurdles during pregnancy, labor or birth). The number goal of both medical staff and normality/ wellness experts is healthy mom - healthy baby! Working together, we can improve outcomes and further lessen risks for women bringing forth life. That is my YBH® Symbiotic Birth mission.
The Surrogacy Foundation Celebrates First Baby Born Through Its $100,000 Grant Program
Baby girl McGill marks a historic milestone for Atlanta nonprofit expanding access to surrogacy
ATLANTA, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Surrogacy Foundation, an Atlanta nonprofit expanding access to surrogacy, announced today the birth of the first baby born through its grant program.
Baby girl McGill was born on February 24, 2026, to Shannon and Patrick McGill of Canton, Georgia, the intended parents, marking a defining milestone for the organization and a moment the family once feared might not be possible.
In May 2022, Shannon McGill experienced life-threatening complications during the birth of her son. After an emergency cesarean section and severe hemorrhage, doctors performed a hysterectomy to save her life. She later learned that while she could no longer carry a pregnancy, her viable eggs meant surrogacy could still allow them to grow their family.
"After everything we endured, we knew our story wasn't over," said Shannon McGill. "Being told I needed a hysterectomy was devastating, but hearing that surrogacy was still possible gave us hope. The truth is, we could only move forward because of The Surrogacy Foundation's grant. Without their support, it likely would have been years before we held our baby girl. Now that she's here, it's hard to imagine having to wait any longer."
The McGills were awarded The Surrogacy Foundation's second $100,000 grant in October 2024 following a rigorous, multi-stage application and review process. The funding was made possible through proceeds raised at the Foundation's annual Surrogacy Soirée in February 2024.
At the following year's Soirée, Shannon and Patrick met Charlotte Ramberg of Cumming, Georgia, an experienced gestational carrier. Ramberg is also a licensed professional counselor specializing in maternal and reproductive mental health, reflecting her long-standing commitment to supporting families. She was supported throughout her journeys by her husband, Kevin Ramberg.
What followed was a journey marked by medical and psychological screenings, legal coordination, embryo transfer, months of waiting, and ultimately hearing their daughter's first heartbeat.
"For me, surrogacy is an act of trust, hope, and responsibility," said Ramberg. "Every journey is unique, but the goal is the same. It is about helping a family welcome their child into the world. Watching Shannon participate in her daughter's delivery, then seeing her and Patrick hold her for the first time, was unforgettable. Outside of delivering my own children, it is one of the greatest honors of my life."
The birth of baby girl McGill marks the first child born through The Surrogacy Foundation's grant program.
"We talk a lot about access to family building in theory. This is what it looks like in practice," said Zach French, Executive Director of The Surrogacy Foundation. "A family who once heard 'you can't' is now holding their daughter because a community decided to step in."
Gestational surrogacy in the United States can cost well over $150,000, placing it out of reach for many families. Through grants and partnerships, The Surrogacy Foundation works to reduce that barrier while promoting ethical surrogacy practices.
The McGill surrogacy journey was made possible through a network of partners, many of whom provided pro bono or discounted services, including:
Family Makers Surrogacy — agency support
Claiborne, Fox, Bradley & Goldman, with Holland Goldman — legal counsel
Sherriann Hicks Law Firm — legal representation
Thallo Health — mental health support
SeedTrust Escrow — escrow management
International Fertility Insurance — insurance services
Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine with Dr. Ashley Tiegs — fertility services
Scarlet Oak Photography — photography
Additional partners included:
Northside Hospital Forsyth — delivery hospital
OB-GYN of Atlanta — obstetric care
Your Birth Helper — doula support
A maternity photo featuring both families and a photo of baby girl McGill are available for media use. Additional images and video assets are available upon request. More behind-the-scenes moments from the journey are available on Instagram at @TheSurrogacyFoundation. For media inquiries, please contact Mariam Shahab, 469-441-8388, 409966@email4pr.com.
This milestone reflects the growing impact of The Surrogacy Foundation's work. By the end of Surrogacy Awareness Month in March 2026, the organization will announce two additional national grant recipients and surpass $500,000 in lifetime direct financial support to families.
About The Surrogacy Foundation
The Surrogacy Foundation is an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to making surrogacy more accessible through financial grants, education, and advocacy. By partnering with medical, legal, and mental health professionals, the Foundation supports intended parents and gestational carriers throughout their journeys. To date, the organization has raised more than $1 million to help families pursue surrogacy and continues to work toward normalizing ethical surrogacy and expanding access to family building.
For more information, visit thesurrogacyfoundation.org.
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