How long does it take to become a surrogate in Utah? The complete surrogacy journey typically takes 18-24 months from your initial application to delivery, though individual timelines can vary significantly. This includes 2-6 months for approval and matching, 2-4 months for legal and medical preparation, and 9-10 months for pregnancy and delivery.
Understanding the surrogacy process timeline helps you plan for this incredible journey and set realistic expectations for each phase. While every journey is unique, knowing what to expect at each stage can reduce anxiety and help you prepare both practically and emotionally for the road ahead.
Contact us today to speak with a specialist who can guide you through each phase and help you understand your specific timeline.
Phase 1: Your Application and Initial Steps (2-4 weeks)
The beginning of your Utah surrogacy process starts with taking that first brave step: submitting your application. This phase moves relatively quickly once you commit to the process, but it sets the foundation for everything that follows.
What Happens in Phase 1:
- Complete comprehensive application
- Agency review and approval
- Initial phone interview with specialist
- Basic requirements verification
- Medical records request from previous pregnancies
- Preliminary background checks
Application Submission and Review
You’ll complete a comprehensive application covering your health history, pregnancy experiences, family situation, and motivation for becoming a surrogate. Most applications take 45-90 minutes to complete thoroughly, and agencies typically review them within 3-5 business days.
By the end of Phase 1, you’ll know whether you’re approved to move forward with the detailed screening process. This is also when you’ll receive more specific information about timelines, compensation, and what to expect in the coming phases.
Phase 2: The Comprehensive Screening Process (4-8 weeks)
Phase 2 involves the most comprehensive screening you’ll experience during your surrogacy journey. While this phase can feel intensive, remember that these evaluations protect both you and the intended parents.
Complete Evaluation Checklist:
- Thorough physical exam and reproductive health assessment
- Comprehensive blood work and infectious disease testing
- Psychological evaluation with reproductive specialist
- Detailed background and reference checks
- Partner/spouse screening (if applicable)
- Family support system assessment
Your medical screening includes a thorough physical exam, blood work, infectious disease testing, and reproductive health assessment. You’ll also undergo psychological evaluation with a licensed professional who specializes in reproductive psychology. These appointments are typically scheduled within 2-3 weeks of approval.
During this phase, agencies compile all your screening results into a comprehensive profile that will eventually be shared with potential intended parents (with your permission, of course).
Phase 3: Finding Your Perfect Match (2-12 weeks)
The matching process represents one of the most exciting yet unpredictable phases of your journey. The surrogacy matching timeline in Utah varies dramatically based on your preferences and the intended parents available.
To start the matching process, your agency creates a detailed profile highlighting your personality, communication style, and surrogacy preferences. You’ll also review intended parent profiles to understand your options. Once potential matches are identified, you’ll typically have phone or video calls before meeting in person. These conversations help determine compatibility and comfort levels on both sides.
Meeting the Intended Parents
Successful phone conversations often lead to in-person meetings (or extended video calls if distance is a factor). These meetings help everyone determine if the relationship feels right for the journey ahead. Once you and the intended parents feel comfortable moving forward together, you’ll officially confirm your match and begin preparing for the legal phase. Your matching timeline depends heavily on your flexibility regarding intended parent preferences. Surrogates with very specific requirements may wait longer, while those with broader preferences often match more quickly.
Phase 4: Legal Framework and Medical Protocols (3-6 weeks)
Phase 4 involves important legal and medical preparations that ensure everyone’s rights are protected and medical protocols are clearly established.
Key Milestones During this Phase:
- Contract development by reproductive attorneys
- Independent legal review and negotiations
- Medical protocol establishment at fertility clinic
- Insurance coordination and verification
- Final contract signing and legal execution
- Pre-cycle medical preparation scheduling
Reproductive attorneys draft your surrogacy agreement based on discussions between you and the intended parents. Your independent attorney (paid for by the intended parents) reviews the contract and negotiates any necessary changes to protect your interests.
Medical Protocol Establishment
The intended parents’ fertility clinic develops your specific medical protocol for embryo transfer preparation. This includes medication schedules, appointment timelines, and monitoring requirements.
Phase 5: Medical Preparation and Transfer (6-10 weeks)
The medical phase brings you closer to pregnancy as your body prepares for embryo transfer through carefully monitored hormone treatments. This phase requires dedication to medication schedules and frequent appointments, but it’s also when your surrogacy journey becomes very real.
Medication Protocol and Monitoring
You’ll begin taking hormones to prepare your uterus for embryo transfer, typically including estrogen and progesterone supplements. This involves daily medications (pills, patches, or injections) and frequent monitoring appointments to track your body’s response. Your fertility clinic will adjust medication dosages based on how your body responds, ensuring optimal conditions for embryo implantation.
- Understanding Your Medication Schedule: Most surrogates take medications for 4-6 weeks before transfer. You’ll need to take some medications at exact times each day, so setting phone alarms becomes essential. The clinic provides detailed instructions and 24/7 support for any medication questions that arise.
- Cycle Synchronization: If the intended mother is providing fresh eggs; your cycles may need to be synchronized through medication timing. If using frozen embryos or donor eggs, the timing is more flexible but still requires careful coordination between your body’s preparation and the embryo thawing schedule.
- Embryo Transfer Procedure: The actual embryo transfer is a relatively simple procedure similar to a routine gynecological exam, taking about 15-30 minutes. Most surrogates describe it as painless and straightforward. You’ll typically rest for 30-60 minutes afterward, then return to normal activities within 24-48 hours. Many intended parents are present for this momentous occasion.
- Early Pregnancy Monitoring: Following transfer, you’ll have frequent blood tests (usually every 2-3 days initially) to monitor hormone levels and confirm pregnancy. The first ultrasound typically occurs around 6-7 weeks to confirm heartbeat and proper development. This monitoring period feels intensive but provides crucial early pregnancy support and reassurance for everyone involved.
Phase 6: The Pregnancy Journey and Beyond (9-12 months)
The pregnancy phase represents the longest portion of your surrogacy timeline, filled with milestone moments and growing relationships.
- First Trimester Monitoring: Early pregnancy involves frequent medical appointments to monitor the baby’s development and manage your medication schedule. Most surrogates transition from fertility clinic care to regular OB care around 10-12 weeks.
- Relationship Building and Communication: Throughout pregnancy, you’ll build your relationship with the intended parents through regular communication, shared appointments, and milestone celebrations. The level of involvement varies based on everyone’s preferences.
- Delivery and Hospital Experience: Your delivery experience will be planned in advance, including who is present, decision-making protocols, and immediate postpartum arrangements. Most surrogates feel proud and fulfilled watching intended parents meet their baby.
- Postpartum Recovery and Relationship Continuation: After delivery, you’ll focus on physical recovery while potentially maintaining ongoing relationships with the family you helped create. Many surrogates describe this phase as emotionally rewarding as they see the impact of their gift.
What Could Delay Your Timeline in Utah
Understanding potential delays helps you maintain realistic expectations and plan accordingly for your Utah surrogate process.
Common Timeline Delays:
- Failed embryo transfers requiring additional cycles (2-3 months)
- Extended matching due to specific preferences (3-6+ months)
- Complex contract negotiations or legal complications
- Medical issues or unexpected health concerns
- Scheduling conflicts with clinics or intended parents
- Insurance authorization delays
Unexpected medical issues, medication responses, or transfer complications can extend timelines. Failed embryo transfers may require additional cycles, potentially adding 2-3 months to your journey. Working with experienced agencies, maintaining flexible scheduling when possible, and staying committed to the process helps minimize delays and keeps your timeline moving forward.
Ready to Turn This Timeline Into Your Reality?
Understanding the surrogacy timeline in Utah helps you approach this incredible experience with confidence and realistic expectations. While 18-24 months might seem like a long time, most surrogates find the journey passes quickly as they focus on each phase’s unique rewards and milestones.
Remember that your timeline is unique to your situation, preferences, and circumstances. Working with experienced professionals who understand Utah’s surrogacy landscape helps ensure your journey progresses smoothly while protecting your interests every step of the way.
Have more questions about the surrogacy timeline in Utah? We can connect you to a specialist who’ll discuss your specific situation and help you understand exactly what to expect. Get started today and take the first step toward this extraordinary journey.