Each March, Surrogacy Awareness Month shines a light on the people and stories behind surrogacy: the surrogates who carry, the intended parents who hope and the professionals who support them.
Surrogacy is a family‑building path where a carefully screened surrogate carries a pregnancy for intended parents, with medical, legal and emotional safeguards in place to protect everyone involved.
This guide explains what Surrogacy Awareness Month is, who surrogacy helps, how the surrogacy journey typically unfolds and how you can honor it in a way that centers ethics, clarity and compassion.
TL;DR: What Is Surrogacy Awareness Month?
- Surrogacy Awareness Month is observed each March to recognize surrogates, intended parents and the professionals who support them.
- It raises awareness that surrogacy is a structured, ethical path to parenthood — not just for celebrities, but for everyday families.
- The month shines a light on the surrogacy journey: matching, screening, legal protections, IVF, pregnancy and birth.
- It highlights who surrogacy helps, including people facing infertility, medical complications, same‑sex couples and single parents.
- It’s also a time to debunk myths, celebrate generosity, and point people toward trusted, ethical surrogacy agencies like Joy of Life that protect surrogates and intended parents every step of the way.
What Is Surrogacy Awareness Month?
Surrogacy Awareness Month is an annual observance in March that:
- Honors people who build families through surrogacy.
- Recognizes surrogates for their generosity, courage and emotional labor.
- Highlights the professionals — fertility specialists, nurses, coordinators, lawyers, counselors — who support the process.
- Educates the public about what modern, ethical surrogacy actually looks like.
It’s not a sales campaign or a single holiday. It’s a chance to share accurate information, uplift real stories and make it easier for people to find trustworthy support if surrogacy might be part of their own path.
What Surrogacy Is (and How the Surrogacy Journey Unfolds)
At its core, gestational surrogacy means: A surrogate (gestational carrier) carries a pregnancy for intended parents, using an embryo created through IVF. The surrogate is not genetically related to the baby.
From there, the surrogacy journey unfolds in stages. While every journey is unique, many follow a similar arc:
- Exploration and Decision
Surrogates and intended parents each spend time learning about surrogacy: What it involves medically, legally, emotionally and financially, before deciding whether it’s right for them.
- Initial Inquiry and Application
Surrogates complete an initial application and share basic background and pregnancy history. Intended parents may fill out intake forms or schedule a consultation to talk through their goals and questions.
- Interview and Pre-Screening
The agency reviews applications, conducts interviews and does early checks to make sure everyone meets basic criteria. This is where motivations, expectations and high-level readiness are discussed before moving forward.
- Matching
Once pre-screening looks promising, the agency reviews goals, values, logistics and communication preferences on both sides to recommend a possible match. Surrogates and intended parents meet (often virtually), ask questions and decide together whether it feels right.
- Medical and Psychological Screening
After a match is confirmed, the surrogate completes full medical testing at the fertility clinic and a formal psychological evaluation. Intended parents may also have additional consultations to confirm everyone is medically and emotionally ready to proceed.
- Legal Agreements
Each party works with independent legal counsel to review and sign a gestational carrier agreement. This contract outlines rights, responsibilities, compensation, medical decisions and what happens if circumstances change.
- IVF and Embryo Transfer
The fertility clinic prepares the surrogate’s body for pregnancy and transfers an embryo to the surrogate’s uterus. This step can sometimes be repeated if needed.
- Pregnancy and Ongoing Support
If pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate receives prenatal care while staying in regular contact with the intended parents. Coordinators, attorneys and counselors remain involved as needed.
- Birth and Postpartum
The baby is born, legal parentage steps are completed, and the surrogate begins physical and emotional recovery with continued support. Many surrogates and intended parents maintain a relationship long after the journey “officially” ends.
Who Is Involved in the Surrogacy Journey?
Surrogacy is a team effort. A typical journey involves:
- Surrogates (gestational carriers) – People who choose to carry a pregnancy for others, after careful medical and psychological screening.
- Intended parents – Individuals or couples who will become the baby’s legal parents. They may be facing infertility, medical risks or family‑building barriers as LGBTQ+ parents or single parents.
- Fertility / IVF specialists – Doctors who handle egg retrieval, embryo creation and embryo transfer.
- OB‑GYNs and maternal‑fetal medicine specialists – Medical providers who manage prenatal care and delivery.
- Surrogacy agencies – Teams that coordinate matching, screening, legal connections, escrow management and emotional support.
- Attorneys – Reproductive law specialists who draft and review contracts and help secure parentage orders.
- Mental health professionals, coaches and coordinators – People who support emotional well‑being, facilitate communication and help keep everyone informed.
When these roles are clear and well‑coordinated, the journey feels organized, safer and more emotionally supported for everyone involved.
Who Does Surrogacy Help Most?
Surrogacy is one of several ways to build a family, and it tends to serve people whose path to pregnancy is blocked or made unsafe by factors they can’t change on their own. It’s especially helpful for:
- Individuals and couples facing infertility who have embryos but can’t carry a pregnancy to term.
- People with health conditions or past surgeries (like severe heart disease, hysterectomy or uterine scarring) that make pregnancy risky or impossible.
- LGBTQ+ couples and single parents who need medical support, an egg source, a gestational carrier — or a combination of these — to welcome a child.
- People who have tried other family‑building paths without success and are looking for a structured, well‑supported next step.
Common Myths About Surrogacy
Surrogacy Awareness Month is a good time to clear up some of the most common misconceptions:
| Myth | Reality |
| “The surrogate is the baby’s biological mother.” | In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby. |
| “Surrogacy is only for celebrities or the ultra‑rich.” | Surrogacy is used by many everyday families; it is an investment, but not celebrity‑only. |
| “Intended parents aren’t involved during pregnancy.” | Most intended parents are closely involved, attending appointments (when possible) and staying in regular contact. |
| “Surrogates are doing this only for the money.” | Compensation matters, but most surrogates also talk about the joy of helping create a family. |
| “Surrogacy is always legally risky.” | Laws vary by location, but with a reputable surrogacy agency and experienced attorneys, arrangements can be well‑protected. |
How Surrogacy Changes Lives
Surrogacy reshapes lives, relationships and futures on both sides of the journey. When it’s handled with care and strong safeguards, the impact is deeply positive and long‑lasting.
- Intended parents often describe a mix of relief, gratitude, and awe when they finally hold the child they’ve been dreaming about.
- Surrogates often experience immense pride and fulfillment, knowing they helped another family experience parenthood.
- Many form ongoing relationships, sharing updates, birthdays and milestones long after the journey “officially” ends.
Surrogacy Awareness Month is about honoring these real journeys and the courage it takes to begin, the support required to continue and the relationships that can last a lifetime.
How To Celebrate Surrogacy Awareness Month (and Support Surrogacy Year‑Round)
You don’t have to be in a surrogacy journey yourself to participate meaningfully in Surrogacy Awareness Month. Here are some thoughtful ways to honor it:
- Listen to and share real stories. Read or share surrogate and intended parent stories that highlight the emotional and ethical realities of surrogacy (with consent and privacy in mind).
- Learn how ethical surrogacy works. Explore resources from reputable agencies and clinics about screening, legal standards and protections. You might start with Joy of Life’s guides on surrogacy compensation and surrogacy costs breakdown.
- Offer support to someone in a surrogacy journey. This could be a kind message, practical help with meals or childcare, or simply making space to listen.
- Use your voice thoughtfully online. Share accurate information, avoid sensationalized content and focus on centering surrogates’ and intended parents’ experiences.
- Explore whether surrogacy is part of your own path. If you’re curious about becoming a surrogate or intended parent, Surrogacy Awareness Month can be a good time to schedule a no‑pressure conversation with a trusted agency like Joy of Life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy and Surrogacy Awareness Month
1. Is there a national surrogacy day?
There isn’t one single, officially recognized “National Surrogacy Day” in every country, but many organizations and communities mark specific days or weeks to honor surrogates and intended parents.
Surrogacy Awareness Month in March is one of the most widely used moments to share stories, express gratitude and increase understanding about how surrogacy works.
If you’d like to take part, simply learning more, listening to real experiences and sharing accurate resources is a meaningful way to start.
2. What are the two types of surrogacy?
- Traditional surrogacy – The surrogate’s own egg is used, so she is genetically related to the baby.
- Gestational surrogacy – An embryo created via IVF (using intended parents’ or donor eggs/sperm) is transferred to the surrogate; she is not genetically related to the baby.
Joy of Life works with agency‑guided gestational surrogacy, which is the most common and legally supported model used by fertility clinics and reputable agencies today.
3. What is the process of surrogacy?
While every journey is unique, most surrogacy processes follow a similar structure:
- Learning and decision‑making – Surrogates and intended parents explore what surrogacy involves medically, legally and emotionally.
- Screening and matching – Medical and psychological evaluations, then matching based on goals, values and expectations.
- Legal agreements and insurance review – Each party works with independent attorneys to finalize a gestational carrier agreement.
- IVF and embryo transfer – The clinic prepares the surrogate’s body and transfers an embryo.
- Pregnancy, birth and parentage steps – Prenatal care, delivery and legal steps to confirm parentage.
4. How much is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a significant financial commitment. Total costs vary based on location, clinic, legal needs and how many IVF cycles are required, but they often include:
- Agency fees
- Medical and IVF procedures
- Legal work and court filings
- Surrogate compensation and pregnancy‑related expenses
- Insurance and travel (when needed)
Joy of Life provides a transparent breakdown of typical ranges in our surrogacy cost breakdown and surrogacy compensation guide, so you can plan with open eyes.
5. Where is surrogacy illegal?
Surrogacy is not legal everywhere.
Laws vary widely by country, and even within the United States, they are state‑specific. Some states clearly allow compensated gestational surrogacy, while others restrict or prohibit it. In the U.S., surrogacy is currently prohibited in Nebraska and Louisiana, meaning compensated surrogacy contracts are not recognized there.
Because laws can change, it’s important to confirm current rules with an experienced reproductive attorney or a reputable surrogacy agency before starting the process in any state or country.
6. Why do people choose surrogacy?
People choose surrogacy for many reasons, including:
- Infertility or medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe or unlikely.
- A history of pregnancy loss or unsuccessful fertility treatments.
- Being a same‑sex couple or a single parent who needs help to make pregnancy possible.
- Wanting a family‑building path that can allow for a biological connection, when possible.
For many, surrogacy comes after other paths have been tried or ruled out. Surrogacy Awareness Month helps highlight that this option exists, and that it can be ethical, structured and well‑supported.
7. How long does the surrogacy journey take?
Timelines vary, but many journeys from first inquiry to birth take about 15–24 months. That can include time for application, screening, matching, legal steps, IVF cycles, pregnancy and birth.
Factors such as medical readiness, embryo availability, local legal requirements and personal preferences can shorten or lengthen this window. During an initial consultation, your surrogacy agency can talk through what timing might realistically look like for you.
8. Is surrogacy legal in the United States?
Yes, but not in the same way everywhere. Surrogacy law in the U.S. is made at the state level.
- Some states clearly support compensated gestational surrogacy with established court processes.
- Others have restrictions, gray areas, or bans on certain types of surrogacy or compensation.
- In states like Nebraska and Louisiana, surrogacy is currently prohibited because compensated surrogacy contracts are not recognized.
This is why working with a reputable surrogacy agency and experienced reproductive attorneys is so important. Joy of Life only operates in surrogacy‑friendly states and helps coordinate with attorneys who understand local laws and how to secure parentage.
9. Can anyone become a surrogate?
No. Agencies and clinics follow clear eligibility criteria to protect surrogates, babies and intended parents. Common requirements include:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident who lives outside Louisiana and Nebraska (these states prohibit surrogacy)
- Be a female between 21 and 38 years old
- Have a good pregnancy history
- Have a body mass index (BMI) under 30
- Lead a healthy and stable lifestyle
If you’re curious whether you might qualify, Joy of Life can walk you through the details when you start a surrogate application.
10. What is the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy?
The main difference is the genetic connection:
- In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is used, so she is the baby’s genetic mother.
- In gestational surrogacy, an embryo created via IVF — using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm — is transferred to the surrogate, who has no genetic link to the baby.
Joy of Life works exclusively with gestational surrogacy, which is now the most common and legally supported approach used by agencies and fertility clinics.
Start Your Surrogacy Journey
If Surrogacy Awareness Month has you thinking more seriously about surrogacy — either as a surrogate or an intended parent — your next step doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Taking time to learn, ask questions and hear from others who’ve walked this path can make everything feel more grounded and real.
At Joy of Life, we’re here as a trusted resource to help you understand how surrogacy works, what ethical, well‑supported journeys look like and what this path could mean for you and your family.
