GSHC Surrogacy School is in session! Read our in-house guide on the ins-and-outs of the journey.
GSHC Surrogacy School is in session! Read our in-house guide on the ins-and-outs of the journey.
Surrogates in Riverside have access to many valuable resources in the area, from fertility specialists and surrogacy agencies to mental health professionals and pregnancy-focused wellness providers.
The team at GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation has worked closely with surrogates throughout Southern California, including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Corona, Perris, Beaumont, Banning, and Eastvale. Many of these surrogates end up returning for second or third journeys with GSHC, and often refer others to our team.
Many of our own coordinators and case managers have also served as surrogates themselves and therefore have a personal understanding of the unique commitment involved. Our caring and knowledgeable team will guide you through every step of this journey with care and compassion.
Surrogacy can be both physically and emotionally demanding, involving a deep commitment of time and energy. At GSHC pride ourselves on offering generous, industry-leading compensation to all surrogates working with us.
These estimates do not include reimbursed expenses such as lost wages, medical insurance, and travel, which will be covered separately. The team at GSHC will work closely with all surrogates to go over exactly how compensation and allowances will work, and will make sure they have everything they need for a healthy and rewarding journey.
All surrogates in Riverside must meet stringent requirements to help safeguard their health and well-being, as well as that of the baby. California maintains basic requirements around age and legal representation, and agencies will also set their own stricter guidelines. At GSHC, we have requirements around age, housing and financial stability, physical and mental health, pregnancy history, citizenship status, and more to facilitate a smooth process for all involved parties.
GSHC has helped many aspiring parents find surrogates in Riverside and throughout Southern California. California is a very surrogacy-friendly state, with clearly defined laws in place to protect surrogates and intended parents alike. As a diverse and inclusive city, Riverside is also an ideal location for LGBTQ+ families and intended parents, and state surrogacy law does not discriminate against people based on marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. There is also no requirement in California that intended parents be genetically related to the baby.
Surrogacy expenses in Riverside will depend on the specifics of the case, with various factors being taken into account, including the specifics of the surrogacy contract, prior surrogacy experience, and any specialized or unexpected medical needs. Less common circumstances, such as a pregnancy resulting in multiples (i.e., twins), can also affect total costs. On average, most intended parents pay at least $155,000. We know working with a surrogate involves a significant financial commitment, and our team will go over all aspects with you in detail, including base pay, additional surrogate allowances, legal fees, and more.
Working with a surrogate in Riverside can offer a range of benefits, including:
We partner with the following top fertility clinics in and around Riverside to allow for close monitoring throughout pregnancy and the entire surrogacy journey:
There are also several well-respected delivery hospitals for surrogates in the Riverside area, including:
Riverside Community Hospital – Level 3 NICU
Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta – Level 2 NICU
Kaiser Permanente Riverside – Level 3 NICU
Parkview Community Hospital – Level 3 NICU
Temecula Valley Hospital – Level 2 NICU
GSHC will help coordinate all medical care and travel to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
The surrogacy process in Riverside will involve a few key steps:
Establishing a good match between surrogates and intended parents is a critical aspect of the surrogacy journey. To start, both parties will create detailed profiles outlining their requirements, preferences, and expectations. The team at GSHC will review these carefully to identify potential pairings. We’ll then set up time for intended parents to meet potential matches and get to know one another.
Once a surrogate and intended parents are aligned on a match, medical and legal processes will begin, starting with initial screenings for physical and mental health. This will involve blood panels, physical exams, urine tests, and more. These are necessary to ensure surrogates are capable of undertaking the unique demands involved in the process, and also to screen for any genetic diseases that could be passed on to the baby.
Meanwhile, the intended parents will choose an attorney to work with throughout the surrogacy journey; Riverside is home to many respected attorneys with experience in surrogacy law. They’ll work together to draft a legally binding, comprehensive document that clearly lays out the rights and responsibilities of both the surrogate and the intended parents. Compensation, medical requirements, lifestyle restrictions during pregnancy, communication mode and cadence, and more will all be covered in detail.
The surrogate will review the contract with her own attorney and have the chance to request changes and ask clarifying questions. Once any agreed-upon adjustments are made and everyone is in alignment, the surrogate can begin fertility treatments.
The surrogate will take a test to confirm pregnancy and continue seeing her fertility doctor for a couple of months. After several more weeks, she’ll no longer need to take fertility medications and will be able to choose her own OB/GYN.
The surrogate will also decide on the delivery hospital. Most intended parents choose to be there on the big day to meet the new baby and provide support to the surrogate. After delivery, the surrogate will get to spend a little time with the child before the new family goes home together. Some surrogates and parents decide to stay in touch after the birth of the baby; communication preferences and expectations are typically outlined beforehand in the surrogacy contract.
Anyone hoping to become a surrogate in Riverside must meet the specific requirements set forth by the state of California, as well as those set by the specific surrogacy agency she partners with. At GSHC, we require all surrogate candidates:
At GSHC, we welcome applications from surrogate candidates living in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Corona, Perris, Beaumont, Banning, San Jacinto, Wildomar, Eastvale, Norco, Coachella, Indio, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and La Quinta.
Gestational surrogacy — in which the surrogate does not use her own eggs and therefore is not related to the baby — is specifically permitted by law in California. The laws around gestational surrogacy are well-defined and protect both the surrogate and the intended parents. Because there is no law prohibiting traditional surrogacy — in which the surrogate uses her own eggs and is genetically related to the baby — it is also permitted in California.
Traditional surrogacy tends to be much more legally and emotionally complex, and therefore is not very common and not recommended in most cases. At GSHC, we work with gestational surrogates only.
GSHC is proud to have helped many LGBTQ+ intended parents fulfill their dreams of parenthood. California law does not discriminate against intended parents based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, and also does not require intended parents to be genetically related to the baby. We provide all LGBTQ+ intended parents with individualized care and aim to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.
