Understanding Social Surrogacy: Building Families with Conceptual Options

Social surrogacy is transforming the way people build families, offering a compassionate and collaborative path to parenthood for those who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves. At Conceptual Options, we’re proud to lead the way in social surrogacy, providing personalized support, rigorous screening, and expert guidance to intended parents and surrogates. Based in San Diego, California, our agency has facilitated over 1,100 surrogacy journeys since 1999, making dreams of parenthood a reality. In this blog post, we’ll explore what social surrogacy is, its benefits, and why Conceptual Options is the trusted choice for this life-changing process.

What is Social Surrogacy?

Social surrogacy, also known as gestational surrogacy, involves a surrogate carrying a pregnancy for intended parents using an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Unlike traditional surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child, as the embryo is typically created using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm. This modern approach to family-building is ideal for:

• Same-sex couples seeking to start a family.
• Individuals or couples facing medical challenges, such as infertility or health conditions preventing pregnancy.
• Single parents pursuing their dream of parenthood.
• International intended parents navigating surrogacy-friendly jurisdictions like California.

Social surrogacy emphasizes collaboration, mutual respect, and shared goals between surrogates and intended parents. It’s a journey rooted in trust, supported by legal agreements, medical expertise, and emotional care.

Why Choose Social Surrogacy with Conceptual Options?

At Conceptual Options, we believe social surrogacy is more than a process—it’s a partnership. Here’s why our agency stands out as a leader in social surrogacy:

1. Rigorous Surrogate Screening for Safety and Trust

Our surrogates are carefully selected, with only 3-4% of applicants approved. To qualify, surrogates must:

• Be 20-39 years old with a BMI of 18-29.
• Have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies.
• Pass extensive medical, psychological, and background checks.
• Be non-smokers with no criminal history.

This thorough process ensures surrogates are physically and emotionally prepared, giving intended parents peace of mind.

2. Personalized Matching for Meaningful Connections

Social surrogacy thrives on compatibility. Our team, including in-house mental health professionals, works closely with intended parents and surrogates to create matches based on shared values, communication preferences, and expectations. Whether you want an open relationship with your surrogate or a more private journey, we tailor the experience to your needs.

3. California’s Surrogacy-Friendly Laws

Based in San Diego, Conceptual Options leverages California’s progressive surrogacy laws, which allow intended parents’ names to be placed directly on the birth certificate without adoption proceedings. This is especially beneficial for same-sex couples and international clients, ensuring a streamlined legal process.

4. Comprehensive Support Every Step of the Way

From initial consultation to post-birth support, our full-service staff is available 24/7. We provide:

• Legal coordination to secure clear contracts.
• Medical partnerships with top fertility clinics.
• Psychological counseling to support emotional well-being.
• Community-building events, like surrogate meetups and raffles, to foster connection.

5. Competitive Compensation for Surrogates

We value our surrogates’ incredible commitment. Surrogates receive $40,000-$80,000+ (depending on experience), plus a $1,000 signing bonus and additional benefits like travel reimbursements and referral bonuses. Our surrogate community is built on respect, support, and appreciation.

The Benefits of Social Surrogacy

Social surrogacy offers unique advantages for building families:

• Inclusivity: Welcomes diverse families, including LGBTQ+ and single parents.
• Control and Clarity: Legal agreements outline expectations, protecting all parties.
• Emotional Fulfillment: Surrogates and intended parents often form meaningful bonds.
• Medical Expertise: IVF ensures no genetic link between the surrogate and child, providing clarity for intended parents.
• Flexibility: Ideal for international clients, with California’s laws simplifying legal processes.

Why Trust Conceptual Options for Social Surrogacy?

With over 25 years of experience, Conceptual Options has earned a reputation for excellence in social surrogacy. Our San Diego-based team is dedicated to making your journey smooth, transparent, and rewarding. We don’t charge fees until a surrogate match is made, reducing financial risk, and our estimated costs ($100,000-$200,000) are clearly outlined to help you plan. Whether you’re an intended parent dreaming of a child or a surrogate ready to make a difference, we’re here to guide you.

Start Your Social Surrogacy Journey Today

Social surrogacy is a powerful way to build a family, and Conceptual Options is your trusted partner in this life-changing process. Ready to learn more about Surrogacy, including Social Surrogacy, Egg Freezing, IVF, and Egg Donation? Please contact us today at www.ConceptualOptions.com or by calling 858-748-4222 to learn more about how surrogacy can be right for you.

You can also read about Social Surrogacy on our previous Conceptual Options’ blog posts here, here,  and here.