Frequently Asked Questions
about becoming a surrogate in Canada
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction, where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another family.
This is possible through advancements in reproductive technology using in-vitro fertilization (IVF). People who would not otherwise be able to have children are now able to do so through surrogacy and IVF.
Surrogacy is a beautiful gift. Many of our surrogates tell us they loved being pregnant and had easy pregnancies. Or, they could not imagine their life without their children. Or, they've seen infertility within their circle of friends and want to pay it forward.
It is a selfless act that feels truly rewarding to witness someone becoming a parent.
To become a surrogate you must:
- be a parent yourself who has had an easy pregnancy and birth.
- be between the ages of 21 and 42 years.
- have a healthy BMI with regular menstrual cycles.
- not smoke or use recreational drugs.
- be willing to undergo a background check for yourself and spouse.
It is essential that you are fully committed to the surrogacy process.
A genetic or traditional surrogate is a woman who also donated her egg and therefore has a biological link to the child she is carrying for the intended parents. In a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated (usually artificially) with the intended father’s sperm.
A gestational surrogate, which is the most common, is a woman who is not genetically connected to the child she is carrying. The egg is harvested from the intended mother or an egg donor, fertilized with the prospective father’s sperm or sperm donor, and then transferred into the surrogate through in-vitro fertilization.
Canadian Fertility Consulting only works with gestational surrogates.
There are many reasons that our clients require the generosity of a gestational carrier to have a child. Some reasons include:
- It is not medically safe for the intended mother to carry a pregnancy.
- Medication that the mother is taking would interfere with her becoming pregnant or carrying a healthy pregnancy and baby.
- Loss of fertility due to cancer.
- Same-sex couples.
- Unexplained infertility.
- Endometriosis, PCOS or another gynecological issue.
- Women born without a uterus or reproductive organs.
Regardless of the specific reason, all of our hopeful parents have a genuine desire to have a child, and are committed to sharing this journey with you.
Yes. Canadian Fertility Consulting works with all types of couples and individuals who wish to become parents. We do not discriminate against age, ethnic background, marital status or sexual orientation.
We aim to match our clients with a fertility clinic that suits their individual needs—ensuring they receive the best patient-centered care throughout their journey.
Potential surrogates are booked in for a one hour information call. On this call our Surrogate Case Specialist will answer all of your questions, provide you with information on the process, and fill out the application form should you wish to proceed.
The next step is a counselling assessment to ensure you have all your questions answered, and that surrogacy would be a good fit for your family.
From there we will ask you to complete a criminal record check.
The next step is finding your intended parents!
The surrogacy medical screening process involves several medical tests and procedures to help the IVF physicians determine that you’re in good health and that it’s safe for you to proceed as a surrogate. Each physician may have a different protocol for screenings, but they perform any number of these tests:
- blood work for various diseases
- vaginal ultrasound
- hysterosalpingogram/HSG
- hysteroscopy/HCG
- a gynecological exam
Your spouse or partner may also be required to undergo blood tests to ensure that there are no infectious diseases that could be transmitted to you.
Surrogacy Basics
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction, where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another family.
This is possible through advancements in reproductive technology using in-vitro fertilization (IVF). People who would not otherwise be able to have children are now able to do so through surrogacy and IVF.
Surrogacy is a beautiful gift. Many of our surrogates tell us they loved being pregnant and had easy pregnancies. Or, they could not imagine their life without their children. Or, they've seen infertility within their circle of friends and want to pay it forward.
It is a selfless act that feels truly rewarding to witness someone becoming a parent.
To become a surrogate you must:
- be a parent yourself who has had an easy pregnancy and birth.
- be between the ages of 21 and 42 years.
- have a healthy BMI with regular menstrual cycles.
- not smoke or use recreational drugs.
- be willing to undergo a background check for yourself and spouse.
It is essential that you are fully committed to the surrogacy process.
A genetic or traditional surrogate is a woman who also donated her egg and therefore has a biological link to the child she is carrying for the intended parents. In a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated (usually artificially) with the intended father’s sperm.
A gestational surrogate, which is the most common, is a woman who is not genetically connected to the child she is carrying. The egg is harvested from the intended mother or an egg donor, fertilized with the prospective father’s sperm or sperm donor, and then transferred into the surrogate through in-vitro fertilization.
Canadian Fertility Consulting only works with gestational surrogates.
The Hopeful Parents You Can Help
There are many reasons that our clients require the generosity of a gestational carrier to have a child. Some reasons include:
- It is not medically safe for the intended mother to carry a pregnancy.
- Medication that the mother is taking would interfere with her becoming pregnant or carrying a healthy pregnancy and baby.
- Loss of fertility due to cancer.
- Same-sex couples.
- Unexplained infertility.
- Endometriosis, PCOS or another gynecological issue.
- Women born without a uterus or reproductive organs.
Regardless of the specific reason, all of our hopeful parents have a genuine desire to have a child, and are committed to sharing this journey with you.
Yes. Canadian Fertility Consulting works with all types of couples and individuals who wish to become parents. We do not discriminate against age, ethnic background, marital status or sexual orientation.
We aim to match our clients with a fertility clinic that suits their individual needs—ensuring they receive the best patient-centered care throughout their journey.
The Surrogacy Process
Potential surrogates are booked in for a one hour information call. On this call our Surrogate Case Specialist will answer all of your questions, provide you with information on the process, and fill out the application form should you wish to proceed.
The next step is a counselling assessment to ensure you have all your questions answered, and that surrogacy would be a good fit for your family.
From there we will ask you to complete a criminal record check.
The next step is finding your intended parents!
The surrogacy medical screening process involves several medical tests and procedures to help the IVF physicians determine that you’re in good health and that it’s safe for you to proceed as a surrogate. Each physician may have a different protocol for screenings, but they perform any number of these tests:
- blood work for various diseases
- vaginal ultrasound
- hysterosalpingogram/HSG
- hysteroscopy/HCG
- a gynecological exam
Your spouse or partner may also be required to undergo blood tests to ensure that there are no infectious diseases that could be transmitted to you.