The base compensation for Magic Journeys surrogates is $55,000 minimum. Depending on parents’ requirements and expectations, surrogates may receive up to $70,000 with additional benefits. We are one of the highest paying surrogacy agencies in the U.S., and offer even more to experienced surrogates. Learn more detail at Compensation for Surrogates. Contact our admission team to learn more about Magic Journeys benefit packages.

There is no “required” or “preferred” time to tell friends and family about your decision to become a surrogate. Please keep in mind that it is important to consider how this decision will impact those around you and think about when and how to best share the news. It is especially important to discuss it with those you hope to have as your support system during your journey. There are many articles and resources online that offer advice on how to announce your surrogacy.

No, Magic Journeys only facilitates gestational surrogacy — the surrogate will not be providing her egg for the embryo. The parents will either find an egg donor or use the intended mother’s egg.

There are various reasons for intended parents (IPs) to choose parenthood through surrogacy. Oftentimes, the IPs are not able to have any children on their own. Surrogacy is a safe and legal option that appeals to many parents.

Yes. Because Magic Journeys only facilitates gestational surrogacy, a tubal ligation does not affect a surrogate’s chances of conception. The fertilized embryo will be implanted into the uterus.

The length of the surrogacy process can vary greatly depending on how long it takes to find a match between surrogates and IPs, and how many embryo transfers are required to start the pregnancy. Typically, the surrogacy process is 18 months — from initial application to delivery.

We will carefully review every application once it’s received. And then, a consultation will be scheduled for you. During the consultation, an admission specialist will talk about the Magic Journeys surrogacy process and answer any questions you may have.

Yes, most likely. For surrogates not living in Southern California, Magic Journeys will cover the costs of travel to complete the medical and psychological screening. Travel may also be required for each embryo transfer. Speak to your case manager to learn more about travel requirements for surrogates.

Typically, Surrogates will give birth at a local hospital.

Yes. Surrogates can choose their own OB-GYN; however, IPs have the rights to seek a second opinion about pregnancy decisions. IPs are normally willing to accept the surrogate’s choice.

Magic Journeys is legally responsible for making sure the surrogate and her family are financially stable before beginning the program. We also do this to make sure surrogates are not choosing surrogacy primarily for financial gain. Surrogates should keep in mind that receiving compensation for surrogacy may disqualify them from government benefits.

Magic Journeys’ surrogates are not employees or contractors. Neither the IPs nor Magic Journeys will issue a W-2 or 1099. We command that you speak to your tax preparer about reporting this income on your tax return.

Yes. Magic Journeys expects surrogates to wean their baby before starting the surrogacy process. This is to ensure the surrogate’s own child is not affected by the hormone medications that will be administered during the surrogacy process.

No. Magic Journeys Surrogates are not required to have their own insurance plan before beginning surrogacy. Speak to your case manager to learn more about health insurance options for surrogates.

Yes. Surrogates typically have an online video conference with the IPs after the match is accepted. On some occasions, the first meeting can be held in-person.

The Magic Journeys team will carefully review the preferences and expectations of surrogates and parents before recommending a match. Surrogates and parents have the rights to decline a match and request a different one.

We encourage surrogates to start looking at IP profiles during the surrogacy admissions process. It will help speed up the matching process if surrogates start thinking about their preferences early on.

We value the preferences and expectations from both the surrogates and IPs. Our admissions team will work with IPs and surrogates extensively to clarify expectations. We will then recommend matches based on the shared insights.

We hold consultation sessions with each Intended Parent to make sure their expectations can be fulfilled. We keep the needs of IPs and surrogates in mind when deciding who to admit into the program. We don’t work with every applicant, but we do our best to assist those eager IPs. Each IP is required to undergo a medical screening and a criminal background check.

Magic Journeys surrogates are not required to carry multiples but it does simplify the matching process. If recommended by the embryologist, IPs may agree to the transfer of multiple embryos to increase the odds of conception. However, most IPs don’t specifically try for twins.

Prior to embryo transfer, the surrogate will receive hormone therapy to help prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Once it’s time for the embryo transfer, a catheter will be inserted through the cervix and the embryos will be placed in the uterus. The surrogate may take bed rest for 24 to 72 hours. The first pregnancy test will be taken two weeks after the transfer. If pregnancy is confirmed, hormone therapy will continue for the next 10 to 12 weeks. Near the end of the first trimester, the surrogate will be released to her obstetrician for normal pregnancy care.

Most IPs will be there during the transfer. If they won’t be there for any reason, you will know either during the matching process or before the actual transfer date. Surrogates may also have a friend or family member present for support.

To ensure the safety of the child and surrogate, Magic Journeys surrogates are required to plan on giving birth in a hospital. An obstetrician must be present if a midwife is handling the delivery — midwives must work alongside OBs.

Regular moderate exercise is recommended for a healthy surrogacy pregnancy. But we don’t recommend heavy lifting or other strenuous exercise. We ask surrogates to speak with their OB about what kinds of exercise they should be doing and what to avoid. Magic Journeys surrogates should be willing to modify their workouts as directed by their doctor.

You will receive a personalized Benefit Package, payment plan during the application process as well as a handbook detailing the payment structure and optional benefits. Surrogates receive payments after reaching milestones, such as beginning hormone therapy or successfully completing the screening process. Additional payments are made on a monthly basis during the pregnancy. Payments are made via mailed check.

Yes and no. During pregnancy, surrogates are expected to eat a healthy diet and avoid things like alcohol, caffeine and raw meat. If IPs have specific dietary preferences or restrictions that they would like the surrogate to comply with, then it has to be done during the matching process and be mutually agreed upon before moving forward.

No. This decision can only be made by the surrogate. However, this also can be discussed during the matching stage. If IPs or surrogates feel strongly about a medicated delivery, we will make sure that this is agreed upon before the embryo transfer.

No. Surrogates are not required to have a C-section. Decision on a C-section is based on two factors: if there is a medical reason requiring a C-section or if the previous delivery was done via C-section. VBAC deliveries are not guaranteed and will require doctor approval. If IPs or surrogates prefer a C-section, this will need to be discussed during the matching stage.

Most IPs treasure the moment their baby is born and would like to be there. Surrogates may also have their partner or a support person present. However, in the case of C-section, most hospitals only allow one individual to be present. IPs and surrogates should discuss beforehand — during the matching stage — who will be in the room in case a C-section is required.

Prior to delivery, we encourage IPs and their surrogate to attend a hospital tour and become familiar with the facility. Your IPs will get access to our birth plan creation tool through their online account to create the birth plan together with your input. Most IPs want to be present at the birth and do their absolute best to be present; however, we all know that babies have a mind of their own and sometimes arrive earlier than expected, so be prepared for anything. Speak to your case manager to learn more about how deliveries are typically handled.

Though never happened with Magic Journeys, this is a common concern of many surrogates but completely unfounded. Many IPs actually ask what will happen if the surrogate wants to keep the baby. If in case the IPs decide against keeping the baby, the Magic Journeys legal team will work with an attorney to locate an adoptive family.

No. During the matching process, the Magic Journeys team communicates with surrogates and IPs to make sure preferences regarding breastfeeding are aligned. If you are interested in pumping, we will try to match you with the IPs that think the same. Otherwise, the decision on pump or breastfeed is jointly made by the IPs and the surrogate.

Yes. We treat our surrogates as our most precious treasure. Once a Magic Journeys surrogate, forever Magic Family member. Magic Journeys is here to support every surrogate postpartum. We will always be there to answer any questions and be a resource to you.

This is decided jointly by the IPs and the surrogate during the match meeting and is specified in the contact.