If you’re struggling with infertility or unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term, gestational surrogacy may be the life-changing path to parenthood you’ve been searching for.
Whether due to a medical condition, repeated pregnancy loss, or for same-sex couples looking to expand their family, surrogacy can help bring your dream to life.
Los Angeles is a global hub for gestational surrogacy, known for its favorable surrogacy laws, elite fertility clinics, and experienced surrogacy agencies. Here, intended parents find not only access to top-tier medical care, but also a welcoming and legally secure environment.
Understanding Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is a form of third-party reproduction in which a gestational carrier (also known as a gestational surrogate) carries a pregnancy created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors. This surrogate has no genetic link to the child.
In contrast, traditional surrogacy involves a surrogate who is genetically related to the baby, as her own egg is used for fertilization. Because of its emotional and legal complexities, traditional surrogacy is rarely practiced today in California.
According to the CDC, there were approximately 5,800 gestational carrier cycles reported in the United States in 2021, and these resulted in over 3,000 live births.
This reflects a steady increase in the use of gestational carriers over the past decade, especially among couples and individuals facing infertility or other medical challenges.
Gestational surrogacy provides greater clarity for intended parents in terms of parental rights and legal protections, making it the preferred route in modern fertility care.
Ideal Candidates for Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is often the best solution for:
- Women with uterine abnormalities or who have undergone a hysterectomy
- Those with medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe
- Individuals or couples who have experienced multiple failed IVF cycles or recurrent pregnancy loss
- Same-sex male couples and single men who wish to have a genetic link to the child via an egg donor
At IVFLA Fertility, our team assesses each case to determine if surrogacy is the most effective treatment.
The Gestational Surrogacy Process at IVFLA Fertility
Each stage of the gestational surrogacy process at IVFLA Fertility is designed to ensure clarity, comfort, and success for both the intended parents and the surrogate.
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Your surrogacy journey begins with an in-depth consultation with a fertility specialist. We conduct comprehensive medical exams and review your reproductive history to tailor a fertility treatment plan that fits your needs.
Psychological screenings are also conducted to ensure that all parties (intended parents and the surrogate) are emotionally prepared for the surrogacy experience. This step is essential to promote a healthy, transparent relationship.
Legal Agreements and Counseling
A crucial step in the surrogacy process is establishing a legal contract. This agreement protects the rights of both the surrogate and the intended parents, outlining expectations, responsibilities, and financial terms. California surrogacy law allows intended parents to establish parentage before the baby is born.
Our surrogacy center partners with experienced legal experts in California family law to ensure everything complies with state regulations and prioritizes the well-being of all parties.
IVF and Embryo Transfer
Once the legal foundation is in place, the IVF process begins. Eggs may come from the intended mother or an egg donor, and sperm from the intended father or a donor. After fertilization in the lab, embryos are cultured and the healthiest embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.
At IVFLA Fertility, we use advanced embryo screening and transfer techniques to maximize your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Delivery
The gestational surrogate is closely monitored throughout pregnancy with ultrasounds, lab tests, and checkups. Intended parents are encouraged to be involved in prenatal appointments and milestones.
As delivery nears, our team helps coordinate the birth plan, legal documents, and hospital arrangements to ensure a seamless handoff and joyful transition into parenthood.
Legal Landscape of Surrogacy in California
California is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S., with pre-birth parentage orders legally recognized and enforceable. This offers a high level of protection and clarity for intended parents and surrogates, making it one of the most reliable locations for surrogacy arrangements.
Understanding the legal framework is essential to navigating a successful surrogacy journey, and California offers one of the most supportive environments in the nation.
Surrogacy-Friendly Laws
California is one of the most progressive and surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S. The law recognizes both compensated surrogacy and the rights of intended parents regardless of marital status, gender, or sexual orientation.
Legal parentage can often be established before the baby is born, reducing uncertainty and ensuring a smooth process.
Rights and Protections
Surrogacy laws in California ensure that contracts are legally enforceable and protect all parties involved. The surrogate must voluntarily agree to carry the pregnancy, and she is fully informed of her rights and responsibilities.
Our team collaborates with trusted surrogacy agencies to help you choose a surrogate who meets stringent medical, psychological, and legal criteria.
Financial Considerations
Before beginning the surrogacy journey, it’s important to understand the financial commitments involved and the resources available to help manage them.
Cost Breakdown
Surrogacy in California can cost between $100,000–$150,000. This includes compensation for the gestational carrier, IVF and medical procedures, legal fees, agency services, and insurance.
Gestational carriers are typically compensated between $45,000–$65,000, depending on experience, location, and individual arrangements.
Insurance and Financial Assistance
Insurance coverage for surrogacy varies. Intended parents should confirm whether their insurance or the surrogate’s policy covers IVF, embryo transfer, or pregnancy-related care.
At IVFLA Fertility, qualifying patients may access investigational clinical trials, which can defray a portion of IVF-related costs. We also offer flexible financing options.
Emotional and Psychological Support
Emotional well-being is just as important as medical and legal preparation, which is why we provide comprehensive psychological support for everyone involved.
Support for Intended Parents
Becoming a parent through surrogacy can be both exciting and emotionally intense. We offer counseling services to help you process feelings of loss, anxiety, or fear that may arise during the journey.
We also guide intended parents in forming healthy, respectful relationships with their surrogate mother.
Support for Gestational Carriers
Gestational surrogates receive ongoing mental health support throughout the pregnancy. Peer support groups and one-on-one counseling help ensure emotional well-being.
Surrogates are never alone. They are part of a supportive network of professionals and fellow carriers.
Advantages of Choosing IVFLA Fertility
When choosing a surrogacy provider, the quality of care, expertise, and success rates make all the difference, and IVFLA Fertility stands out on all fronts.
Personalized Care
We develop tailored treatment plans based on your reproductive needs. From egg donor selection to the embryo transfer protocol, everything is customized.
We also integrate holistic therapies, including nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and stress reduction to enhance your chances of success.
Experienced Team
Led by Dr. Steven C. Presser and Dr. Arjun Kadam, our fertility doctors bring decades of experience in gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. Our multilingual team serves families in Los Angeles and Orange counties, as well as international patients.
High Success Rates
Our state-of-the-art IVF lab is recognized nationwide for outstanding success rates. With advanced embryo culture methods and precise lab techniques, we help families achieve their dreams faster.
We also welcome patients to our Encino and Bakersfield offices for greater convenience and access to quality care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy involves no genetic link between the surrogate and the child. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother.
2. How are gestational carriers selected and screened?
Surrogates undergo extensive screening including medical exams, psychological evaluations, and background checks. We partner with top surrogacy agencies to ensure high standards.
3. Can international intended parents pursue surrogacy in Los Angeles?
Yes. California welcomes international intended parents and offers a legally secure path to parenthood.
4. What success rates does IVFLA Fertility have with gestational surrogacy?
Our IVF lab consistently ranks among the top in the nation, with success rates that exceed national averages.
5. Are there financing options or clinical trials available to assist with costs?
Yes. Eligible patients may access clinical trials or payment plans to ease the financial burden of fertility treatments.
Conclusion: Realizing Parenthood Through Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy in Los Angeles offers hope for individuals and couples who thought parenthood was out of reach. From medical advancements to surrogacy laws, California provides one of the safest and most supportive environments for the entire surrogacy process.
At IVFLA Fertility, we are honored to guide you on this journey, from selecting a screened surrogate to witnessing the miracle of your child’s birth.
If you’re considering surrogacy in California, schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Encino, Bakersfield, or Beverly Hills and begin your surrogacy journey with a compassionate team that understands what’s at stake.