To become a surrogate with Patriot Conceptions, start with the surrogate application and expect a step-by-step review rather than one instant approval. The process usually includes prescreening, records collection, medical review, psychological evaluation, matching, independent legal counsel, clinic clearance, embryo transfer, pregnancy care, and postpartum support.
Step 1: Initial prescreening
Prescreening helps determine whether it makes sense to continue. Common early questions include age, pregnancy history, delivery history, current health, BMI, medications, insurance, state of residence, support system, and motivation for becoming a gestational carrier.
ASRM recommends that gestational carriers be legal adults, preferably within a defined age range, and ideally have had at least one prior term uncomplicated pregnancy. Program and clinic policies may be more specific.
Step 2: Application and records
If prescreening looks promising, the team may ask for a detailed application and records. Records can include pregnancy and delivery notes, OB/GYN information, insurance details, medication history, and sometimes partner or household information depending on the program.
Give accurate answers even if a detail feels inconvenient. Pregnancy complications, cesarean history, postpartum timing, medication changes, or location restrictions are easier to evaluate early than after matching.
Step 3: Screening and counseling
Gestational carrier review can include medical evaluation, infectious-disease screening and testing, psychosocial evaluation, counseling, preconception testing, uterine evaluation, and legal counseling. ASRM also emphasizes that psychological evaluation and counseling should occur before legal contracts are signed.
This phase protects the surrogate, intended parents, future child, and clinical team. It may feel detailed, but it is not just paperwork.
Step 4: Matching and legal clearance
Matching should consider values, communication preferences, location, clinic needs, decision-making expectations, and whether everyone understands the responsibilities of the arrangement. After a match, legal clearance should happen before medication and embryo transfer planning.
ASRM's ethics opinion emphasizes informed consent, independent legal representation, and the gestational carrier's authority over her own medical care.
Step 5: Clinic cycle and pregnancy support
The clinic sets the medication and transfer calendar. After transfer, pregnancy testing and ultrasound timing are clinic-directed. SART patient resources describe pregnancy follow-up after embryo transfer and transition to obstetric care after ultrasound confirmation of a viable pregnancy.
How to prepare before submitting
Before applying, write down your pregnancy dates, delivery types, any pregnancy complications, current medications, current insurance, and whether you are breastfeeding or recently postpartum. Also think through practical support: childcare for appointments, transportation, work flexibility, partner or household support, and how you would want communication with intended parents to feel.
You do not need to have every record in hand before asking questions, but gathering the basics early helps the coordinator tell you whether the next step is an application, a records request, or a timing pause.
Questions to ask before applying
- Am I in a state where Patriot Conceptions is actively recruiting surrogates?
- Which pregnancy records will be needed?
- What timing is expected after delivery or breastfeeding?
- How does matching work?
- When do I get independent legal counsel?
- What happens if screening finds a concern?
- Who supports me during pregnancy and after delivery?
Next steps
This page is educational information only and is not medical or legal advice. Final eligibility, clinic clearance, and legal clearance depend on individual review.