MICHELLE TANG
IMA ART FOUNDER
The surrogacy process is more complicated. IMA ART starts searching for surrogate candidates after there is a viable embryo. There are two trips for surrogacy and all steps are closely followed by IMA ART:
Surrogacy timeline
High base compensation and benefits supporting your luxury surrogacy journey
When deciding to become a surrogate mother, you may experience a mix of excitement and trepidation. This is entirely natural, as it is a long-term, involved, and intimate commitment. But it is also one of the most profoundly rewarding and fulfilling gifts you can provide for couples and individuals unable to conceive on their own.
As a surrogate mother, you'll carry and deliver a baby, or twins, that you are not biologically related to. This is known as gestational surrogacy.
To ensure a deeply rewarding experience, we'll work to match you with parents you feel a real connection with, and who make you excited to help their dreams of having a child come true. Through your surrogate pregnancy, you’ll give a couple or individual the beautiful gift of building their own family. Apply to be a surrogate and work with the best surrogacy agency in Los Angeles.
IMA ART's comprehensive insurance coverage, protecting you and your family
Once matched, you'll receive world-class medical and psychological support from implantation through delivery. Throughout that time, you will be protected by our robust fertility governance policies and legal contracts which safeguard your privacy and rights.
Safeguarding
surrogates and their families…
Surrogacy aftercare and support
Most people believe the surrogacy journey ends upon delivery. And in most cases, they're right. But at IMA ART Fertility, your support doesn't end there. We understand that carrying a child as a surrogate is an incredibly personal and intimate experience, and your well-being is our top priority.
From prenatal care to postpartum care, our surrogacy compensation package is all-encompassing, making sure that you are well cared for.
Unlike most surrogacy programs, IMA ART Fertility provides you with access to a top-rated Clinical Psychologist to support your psychological well-being from the very beginning to the end and after delivery.
Luxury surrogacy timeline
While the surrogacy process can be complicated, we at IMA ART Fertility are here to help you every step of the way.
Your surrogacy journey can take anywhere from 12-20 months, but don't worry — you'll be supported with expert legal guidance, medical support, and insurance coverage to make your experience as comfortable and rewarding as possible.
The below timeline is an estimate - each surrogate journey is a little different and we will tailor ourselves to your needs.
Become a surrogate mother — FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about how to become a surrogate mother. If you don’t see an answer to your question here, please see our main Surrogate FAQ or Parent FAQ, or contact us.
What are the two types of surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy are the two types of surrogacy. A gestational carrier is not biologically related to the fetus because both the gametes come from the intended parents or sperm or egg donors. On the other hand, a traditional surrogate is genetically related to the baby because her egg is used for insemination of sperm during implantation.
How does a surrogate register her interest?
Follow this link to register your interest to become a surrogate mother. The application form will ask you for basic details and contact information. Once you register your interest, Co-Founders Michelle & Ron will personally contact you. After the personal call, our Co-Founder will send you the surrogate application.
How much is a surrogate mother paid?
While the exact amount a surrogate mother is paid depends upon the negotiations between her and the intended parents, for IMA ART Fertility surrogates we set expectations for base compensation at $85,000.
Additionally, the surrogate mother receives other benefits and reimbursements. This includes a $460 monthly expense allowance for 12 months, $500 legal confirmation and injectable medical allowances, an $800 embryo transfer allowance each time an embryo is transferred, a $100 weekly housekeeping allowance, and a $1,100 maternity clothing allowance.
In addition, IMA ART Fertility surrogates are generously covered by surrogate-specific Maternity Care Insurance that provides coverage of up to $250,000 at in-network providers. Not to mention our luxurious concierge services you’ll be able to enjoy during your stay in Beverly Hills.
Read more about surrogacy insurance here, and read more about our surrogate concierge services here, subject to the Surrogacy Agreement.
Surrogates are in high demand, and carrying a baby for a couple or individual is a beautiful and sacrificial gift. Being a gestational carrier is hard work, and it comes with risks. For these reasons, at IMA ART Fertility surrogate mothers receive the same high base compensation, no matter where they live in the U.S., and no matter whether they are an experienced surrogate or this is their first time carrying a child for someone else.
It’s our priority that each surrogacy experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. This is why we set strict requirements to be a surrogate — and set a high base pay and generous compensation packages for every surrogate mother.
Read more about surrogate compensation.
What are the surrogate requirements?
At IMA ART Fertility, our surrogate mother requirements are in accordance with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommendations. Our pre-screening process looks at physical, psychological and demographic requirements. This includes consideration of your medical records and mental health, and it involves a psychological screening and background check.
For a surrogate candidate to be accepted, she must be within the ages of 21 and 37 when she applies. However, in certain cases a surrogate mother may be older when the embryo implantation takes place.
To meet other basic physical requirements, you must have:
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Had at least one previous healthy pregnancy and delivery (full-term and free of complications), but no more than five previous pregnancies.
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Body mass index (BMI) of 18-32.
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No previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes (unless you were able to manage it solely with dietary restrictions) or hypertension in previous pregnancies.
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No previous diagnosis of serious psychological conditions, and must have been off antidepressants for at least 3 to 6 months (depending on the IVF clinic) with prescriber approval.
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No previous drug or alcohol abuse.
A surrogacy applicant must also agree to carry a twin pregnancy if the embryo splits in two, and they must be willing to terminate the pregnancy in the event that medical professionals detect a condition that would eliminate the chance for the desired quality of life. The parameters of this will vary among intended parents, and at IMA ART Fertility we prioritize matching surrogates with intended parents who share similar values.
To become a surrogate mother with IMA ART, you must also be financially stable and pass a credit check, as well as reside in a surrogacy-friendly state and have no criminal record.
Read more about IMA ART Fertility’s requirements to be a surrogate.
Will I meet the intended parents?
Absolutely yes! Not only will you meet the intended parents, but at IMA ART Fertility we want you to have a connection with them too. This first meetup most often happens on a Zoom call or through IMA ART’s exclusive app.
Surrogate mothers will meet the intended parent(s) usually 4 weeks or more after the medical screening process. This is to initiate a social bond and connection, and it allows both parties to discuss surrogacy specifics and expectations.
What’s a Surrogacy Agreement?
A Surrogacy Agreement is a surrogacy contract that contains the roles and rights of parties involved in the surrogacy process, including surrogate compensation. The details of this contract will be agreed upon by the surrogate as well as the intended parents or individual before transplantation of the embryo.
The Surrogacy Agreement will be drafted by the lawyer representing the intended parent(s) and reviewed by the lawyer representing the surrogate mother. And IMA ART Fertility will work with all the parties ensuring everyone’s expectations and requirements are met.
Why should I choose IMA ART Fertility?
We are a luxury boutique surrogacy agency and concierge — not just for the parents who want to build a family, but also for the surrogate mothers who make that possible. We show this not only through our competitive base compensation and generous financial benefits, but also through our commitment and attentiveness to you and especially your family throughout the surrogacy process.
Rather than being handed off to a subordinate case manager, you will work and communicate directly with Co-Founder and CEO Michelle Tang and Co-Founder Ron Sonnenberg. We understand that carrying a child is not a 9-5 job. You may have a question or need at any time of day or night, on weekends, or on holidays.
At other agencies, a case worker may get around to returning your Saturday night call on the following Monday afternoon. But at IMA ART Fertility, you can use our app to communicate with Michelle and Ron directly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At IMA ART Fertility, you are a VIP. We maintain the highest ethical standards throughout the entire surrogacy journey, and we employ the latest advancements in infertility treatments and reproductive medicine to ensure both the surrogate and the intended parents receive the best care.
Discover more about becoming a surrogate
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Surrogate candidate submits an application and previous OBGYN medical records. This includes assessing BMI and previous pregnancies, to be considered on IMA ART's secure database of surrogates.
Parents, including the intended mother, undergo FDA and Carrier screening to ensure embryos to be implanted to the surrogate are free of genetic disease that could be transferred to the surrogate.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory fertilizes the eggs to create embryos and performs pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT).
The embryos are frozen under cryopreservation in the IVF laboratory in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
After viable embryo(s) are confirmed (approximately 2-3 weeks after PGT), IMA ART Fertility begins searching through our secure database to find a surrogate.
IMA ART Fertility pre-screens surrogates' criminal record, financial and medical condition (medical history, including a history of successful pregnancies), and creates a profile.
Surrogates and the intended parents meet. This is most often done online via FaceTime or Zoom or using IMA ART’s propriety app.
Once matched, the surrogate candidate will be further examined by our Fertility Specialist and Clinical Psychologist on her medical and psychological suitability to be a surrogacy professional. Other assessments include talking with friends or family members to make sure potential surrogates have a strong support system. IMA ART will also conduct a home visit to the surrogate’s house.
Once confirmed, both the surrogate and legal parents engage attorneys to draft the Surrogate Agreement. IMA ART Fertility will coordinate and introduce attorneys to each of the parties.
IMA ART’s luxury surrogacy program includes insurance especially written for surrogates. This is done to give our surrogates peace of mind during the surrogate journey, as stress may lead to premature birth and changes to a child’s gut microbiome that can last years.
The surrogacy contract is executed by both parties, represented by their reproductive lawyers. The gestational surrogate starts taking IVF medication, and embryo transfer occurs at an IVF clinic selected by IMA ART Fertility.
Once pregnancy is confirmed through detection of the fetus’s heartbeat, parents and attorneys evaluate the need for newborn insurance and pay the premium.
During the pregnancy, the surrogate is monitored by her OB/GYN and Clinical Psychologist.
At around 28 weeks into the pregnancy, IMA ART Fertility works with our Reproductive and Surrogacy Law attorney to obtain the Parental Order from court.
At 36 weeks into the pregnancy, clients will travel to the birth city to pick up the newborn baby and go back to their home state or country as a family. (This trip may take upwards of 4-5 weeks.)
