For many intended parents, cultural and religious heritage is a vital part of family building. In Jewish tradition, heritage is typically passed through the maternal line, which can add layers of complexity when searching for an egg donor, especially for those who want their child to be recognized as Jewish  by their community or movement.  At Donor Concierge, we understand these nuances. With decades of experience helping families navigate egg donation  and surrogacy, our case managers  are deeply knowledgeable and culturally informed. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process with sensitivity and expertise.  Understanding How Jewish Heritage Is Passed Down  One of the first questions to explore is how your particular Jewish movement or tradition defines Jewish identity through egg donation. While most rabbinic authorities agree that egg donation and surrogacy are permissible under Jewish law, they often differ on whether the donor must be Jewish.  Orthodox and Conservative movements  generally require that the egg donor be fully Jewish (born to a Jewish mother or converted according to Jewish law) for the child to be recognized as Jewish.  Reform and other progressive movements  may hold that a child is Jewish if the intended parent is Jewish and commits to raising the child in the Jewish faith.  Clarifying your religious values early on can help shape your search. Your case manager will honor your beliefs and preferences, helping you find a donor whose background aligns with your needs.  Consulting With Your Rabbi or Trusted Advisors  Speaking with your rabbi or trusted family members can bring valuable clarity to your decision-making process. Your rabbi may help you interpret how Jewish law applies to egg donation and surrogacy, particularly in your specific movement.  These conversations can also help you prioritize your donor criteria. For example, is Jewish heritage your top concern, or are there other characteristics—such as education, personality, or appearance—you’d like to consider? Your Donor Concierge case manager can help translate these insights into a practical, focused search strategy.  Defining What “Jewish” Means to You in a Donor  Once you’ve gathered as much information as possible from external sources, it’s okay to take a beat to ask yourself and your partner what is important to you. Your preferences may align perfectly with your rabbi’s instructions or your movement’s teachings, or they may differ on a case-to-case basis. The more you understand the boundaries of your search, the easier it will be to communicate those boundaries to your case manager.   Preparing for a Potentially Longer Search  It’s important to acknowledge that finding a Jewish egg donor can take longer than a typical donor search. Jewish egg donors are relatively rare, especially those who meet additional criteria like a specific denomination or level of religious observance.  At Donor Concierge, we offer a private client program  and work closely with all the agencies to search on your behalf. Your case manager is committed to finding the right donor and/or surrogate. In pursuing your search, your case manager may share that your search may be more extended since the pool of options may be limited to Jewish egg donors only. Your case manager will do their best to push your search forward, even if it is longer.  You're Not Alone in This Journey  Choosing an egg donor who shares your Jewish heritage is a deeply personal and sometimes emotional process. Many families before you have asked the same questions, wrestled with similar decisions, and found a path that honors their faith and family goals.  Donor Concierge supports you with compassion, expertise, and dedication. Our case managers are ready to tap into all available resources to help you find a Jewish egg donor who feels like the right fit for your values, future child, and growing family.  Ready to Find a Donor Who Fits Your Needs?  At Donor Concierge, we guide you through every step of the egg donor search process with compassion, transparency, and expertise. Our experienced case managers help navigate what can be a complex search when looking for a Jewish egg donor. Request a private consultation today  or call us at (415) 663-6097 and take the first step toward building the family of your dreams.

Finding the right egg donor  is a deeply personal process, especially when cultural heritage and ethnicity are central to your family-building journey. If you’re beginning the search for an Asian egg donor—whether Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or from another Asian background—Donor Concierge is here to support you every step of the way.  Our  expert case managers  are not only knowledgeable about the complexities of egg donation, but also culturally attuned and deeply respectful of the role heritage plays in your decision. From understanding your values to providing access to an unmatched network of egg donor databases, we tailor your experience to help you find the right match.  Understand the Trade-Offs in a Specific Egg Donor Search  One of the first things to know is that the more specific your donor criteria, the more focused—and sometimes more time-intensive—your search may be. Asian egg donors are in high demand, and finding a match who meets your exact preferences may require patience and flexibility.  At Donor Concierge, we begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your background, goals, and ideal donor characteristics. From there, we’ll develop a customized search strategy that reflects your priorities, including ethnicity, education, health history, and more. Our extensive database access means we can move quickly, even for specialized searches like Chinese egg donors or Korean egg donors. We work with hundreds of trusted agencies and donor banks, giving you the broadest reach possible.  Define Your Priorities: How Granular Should Your Search Be?  Asian heritage is diverse, and your preferences matter. During your consultation, your case manager will ask thoughtful questions to help you clarify what matters most—whether that’s a donor’s country of origin, language spoken, family background, or regional ancestry.  If you're nervous about what information to share, don't worry, your case manager will guide you. We will ask whether a donor's country of origin (or even a region her family is from) will be important to you. Whether you're seeking a Japanese egg donor with a strong academic background or a Chinese egg donor with specific health history traits, we'll help you explore what's essential—and what's flexible.  How We Support You Throughout Your Asian Egg Donor Search  Many egg donor databases lack detailed ethnic information, making it hard to find a suitable cultural match. That’s where Donor Concierge stands out. With over 25 years of leading donor searches, Donor Concierge case managers strive to ensure you feel supported, listened to, and championed throughout your search. Our case managers speak various languages, including Mandarin Chinese and Tagalog, and understand the cultural context of an Asian egg donor search. We also leave no stone unturned, tapping into over 150 trusted agencies and donor banks to find the largest pool of potential donors who match your preferences.    A Personalized Egg Donor Search, Tailored to You  Your search is an investment—not just financially, but emotionally. We recognize the weight of this decision and treat it with the respect it deserves. After your consultation, your dedicated case manager will guide you through each step of the journey, presenting you with qualified donor profiles that meet your unique criteria.  With four service tiers  to choose from, we offer flexibility and support no matter where you are in your family-building journey. You can also consider our  Private Client Program .   You’re Not Alone in This Search  Finding an Asian egg donor—especially a Chinese egg donor or Korean egg donor—can feel daunting, You deserve to feel supported throughout this journey. At Donor Concierge, we are committed to helping you find a donor who reflects your values, honors your cultural background, and gives you the confidence to take the next step. If you're ready to take that next step to finding your ideal egg donor , contact us online  or call us at (415) 663-6097.

You want to find the right surrogate to carry your baby. Of course you do! Our Surrogate Concierge team meets with hundreds of intended parents who all have one thing in common — they want to match with a surrogate who feels like the right fit for their family-building journey.   For some, that person is someone who lives close by, while for others (and possibly for you), she is someone who also checks a few other boxes. While finding a surrogate  who lives in the same city or state can be important, it is also helpful to keep an open mind because the right surrogate for you may be a little farther than expected.   Rest assured that during your search, our Surrogate Concierge case managers understand that there is so much to consider during your fertility journey, so they want to help you make this journey as seamless as possible for you.    Here’s some added context on 4 things to consider when working with Surrogate Concierge to find a surrogate.  1.    Your State’s Surrogacy Laws While your Surrogate Concierge team will do everything in its power to match you with the right surrogate for you, you may encounter certain restraints that are difficult to navigate. For instance, if you live in a state that doesn’t have the friendliest surrogacy laws or the best access to fertility clinics, your surrogate may live farther than you had initially hoped. In the long run, it may be a change you appreciate because of how much easier it will be to bring your baby home at the end of pregnancy. On Surrogate Concierge, you’ll find key state laws outlined clearly.  2.    Your Specific Needs The more clarity you have about who you would like your surrogate to be, the easier it will be for your Surrogate Concierge team to tap into their vast network of surrogacy agencies to find you the right match. Try to take some time before your first meeting to decide why you want to live close to your surrogate and what you’re hoping to get out of the relationship.  3.    How Technology Can Support Your Relationship Some families want a close relationship with their surrogates but are open to compromise on how to arrive at that end goal. In some cases, certain families are open to achieving that level of closeness thanks to technology, like video chats or text messaging. Every surrogate and family has different expectations of contact and involvement during a pregnancy. Throughout your search, your case manager will ensure that their process aligns with your expectations and a future surrogate’s wants.    Read how intended mom Shilpa built a close relationship with her surrogate , even though they were more than 2,000 miles apart.  4. Your Openness With Your Surrogate Concierge Team  The best way to find a surrogate who lives near you is to openly discuss your preferences with your Surrogate Concierge case manager . The more information you equip your case manager with, the easier it will be for them to find you the right surrogate. In addition to finding the right match based on your preferred criteria, your Surrogate Concierge case manager will ensure you have all the tools and resources you need to establish a healthy, open relationship with your surrogate. No matter where they end up living. You will never feel alone at any step of your journey.    Remember, while physical distance may limit your options, your case manager may find surrogates who match another aspect of your preferences. The best thing you can do during your surrogate search is to stay open, curious, and excited about what lies ahead!    Ready To Find Your Surrogate? Your Surrogate Concierge team is ready to help you find the right surrogate for you, whatever your needs. If you want to take the next step in finding your surrogate, get in touch  with us using our online form or call us at (415) 663-6097.

Your desire to match with an egg or sperm donor  who physically resembles your family is not out of this world. In fact, our Donor Concierge case managers are well-versed in walking families through the process of finding egg and sperm donors who are available and aligned with many of their preferences. So, if you walk in with questions like, “Can we find a blonde, tall, and beautiful egg donor?” or “Is there a way to find a sperm donor who is tall, handsome, and brunette?” rest assured that our case managers know which direction to point your search.    But, the path to getting there? It starts with having one-on-one conversations with yourself and your own family. Doing the work before you even step into a meeting with your case manager will give you the upper hand as you start your donor search.    Here’s how to start that self-discovery process and what comes next in your journey to finding a donor with specific physical traits from height to eye color to skin tone.  Think about all the different physical traits that run in your family. Take a few minutes to think about your family and potentially your partner’s family. What physical traits does everyone share? Are there any physical traits that your sibling, cousin, or aunt has that make them unique? Maybe one family member is taller than the rest, or someone has curly hair while everyone else has straight? Maybe you want a petite egg donor because everyone in your family is petite. Your ideal egg donor type  may be blonde, beautiful, or even athletic.   Jotting down these shared and unique physical characteristics helps set the tone for a simple truth—family members come in all shapes and sizes, and ultimately, you want to find a donor who looks like they could fit into your family. While your case manager will try their best to find someone who matches your preferences, there’s freedom in allowing for unique qualities to surface in your search.   List your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves . Before meeting with your case manager, collecting all your thoughts in a single place can be helpful. Try to make your must-haves shorter than your nice-to-haves. Throughout your search, your case manager will encourage you to be open to various physical characteristics to widen the choice of egg and sperm donors they may present to you. The narrower your search criteria are, the fewer egg or sperm donors will fit the bill. There are very few tall, blonde, genius, professional model egg donors. The more you know about the kind of donor you want, the easier it is for your case manager to send you a list of attractive donors who match some or most of your preferences.   Understand the criteria Donor Concierge uses to lead searches.  Each family’s search is different. You may be looking for a petite egg donor, while another family is searching for an athletic sperm donor. Your case manager will bring not only the decades of experience that come with working at Donor Concierge, but also an open mind—understanding that your path and search are uniquely your own. Throughout the process, they can help narrow your options based on criteria like body type, height, and even blood type .   While there is no guarantee the search will yield a donor who meets every preference, your case manager will always be honest and forthcoming with information and insight.    Share your preferences with your donor case manager.  During your initial meeting, you will complete an intake outlining your desired physical characteristics in a donor. At Donor Concierge, we encourage you to find someone who looks like they would fit into your family. That may mean that they find a tall egg donor or a donor with the same skin tone or hair color as you or your partner. Your donor might look like they could be your sister, your cousin, or your uncle. Your case manager can’t find someone who looks exactly like you or your family, but they can come close. Your case manager will also ask to see photographs of you, your spouse, and other family members to help get a sense of the physical traits that run in your family. Consider your case manager a third set of eyes who can draw lines between the characteristics that pull your family together and the traits that help your family members stand out individually while still knowing they belong.  Starting your donor search is such an exciting (and admittedly overwhelming) time. You can trust that your case manager will be there every step of the way, even as you think through what donor physical characteristics and personality traits are most important to you.    Ready To Find a Donor Who Feels Like Family? At Donor Concierge, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process with compassion, transparency, and expertise. Whether you’re hoping to find a donor who shares your family’s defining features or simply want help navigating your options, our experienced case managers are here to support you. Request a private consultation today  or call us at (415) 663-6097 and take the first step toward building the family you’ve been dreaming of.

While everyone’s fertility journey is different, we’ve found that the one constant in helping families find more peace of mind is equipping them with the right information at the right time. We keep this in mind whether we’re presenting you with a list of ideal donors or helping you navigate your sperm donation cost or egg donation cost .    Third-party fertility options and assisted reproductive technology treatments do indeed come with specific associated costs that you can’t really get around. Still, the more you know, the easier it will be to understand what you can afford, how many rounds will fit into your budget, or even if grants are available to support your family-building dreams.     How much does sperm donation cost?  Donor sperm costs can range from under $1,000 for at-home insemination to more than $50,000 if sperm is tied to an additional assisted reproductive technology like IUI or IVF, which come with their own associated costs. Your unique fertility treatment costs will vary depending on what your fertility doctor suggests your treatment plan should include.   During your Donor Concierge sperm search , your case manager will curate a short list of options across 30+ sperm banks and agencies. After you’ve made your selection, your team will also walk you through how many vials to purchase and any other questions you need answered.    How much does egg donation cost?  On average, egg donation costs can range from $24,800 to $63,000. However, like sperm donor costs, egg donation costs vary based on the associated assisted reproductive technologies (ART) or other third-party costs. For instance, even if a family member is donating eggs, intended parents may still incur expenses for medical evaluations, lawyer fees, and more.    Another potential factor that can influence the cost of donor eggs is whether you use fresh eggs or previously frozen eggs, since the costs and accessibility for each type vary.   How do you finance egg or sperm donations?  Doing the math on the cost of egg or sperm donation can lead to overwhelming anxiety or fear. It's our job to make sure our clients understand the potential costs and introduce them to some financing options.   Existing Health Insurance and Company Benefits Your first step to financing your fertility treatments is to check your existing insurance coverage in your state or your company benefits. You can ask your HR department to outline your company’s fertility benefits, if any. In our work, we’ve seen that many larger companies now offer generous fertility benefits through companies like Carrot Fertility , hoping to attract people who understand the value of preserving their fertility.    On a state level, California and Texas have laws that require insurance companies to offer coverage for infertility treatment. The following states have infertility diagnosis and treatment coverage laws: Arkansas Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Illinois Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Montana New Jersey New York Ohio Rhode Island West Virginia You can also turn to advocacy organizations like Resolve: The National Infertility Association ,  which has family-building financial resource s  to help you ask for fertility benefits and insurance coverage. Fertility Financing Loans In addition to baked-in coverage through your health insurance or company benefits, specific lenders can help finance your fertility journey. Some examples of organizations offering these loans include:  Sunfish   Prosper Healthcare Lending New Life Fertility Finance CapexMD EggFund EmBorrow   In navigating the borrowing process, you may find that these plans depend on estimated costs provided by doctors or agencies and offer access to loans up to $100,000. Fertility Grants With the growing awareness of surrogacy and egg donation needs, more options are becoming available to intended parents. Aside from insurance coverage and fertility loans, fertility and surrogacy grants are an increasingly common option.    The following organizations offer grants to intended parents who are unable to cover IVF or surrogacy costs often associated with egg or sperm donation:  Tinina Q. Cade Foundation  Baby Quest Foundation Pay it Forward Fertility  Journey to Parenthood Grant  Parental Hope    Every family is different, and every intended parent’s situation is unique—some may save money by opting to “DIY” aspects of their journey, while others may save money by finding an agency or organization that can do the work more quickly.   Additionally, some grants and foundations specifically cater to certain regions, religious groups, and communities. You can see an expanded list of fertility grants and loans  in our related blog post.   Start Your Journey With Trusted Experts by Your Side The best thing to do throughout your fertility journey is to communicate with doctors, professionals, and your support system so that you can begin this process with as much information as possible. Luckily, Donor Concierge is here to serve as that bridge for you. Our job isn’t to overwhelm you; it’s to give you as much information as you need to make the best decision for you and your family.  If you’re ready to learn more, request a private consultation  using our online form.

If you’re curious about surrogacy, you've probably already asked yourself a million questions on the topic. While you may not be short on questions, you may be unsure about the right questions to ask or how to ask the right questions at the right time.    For instance, now isn’t the time to stress over how you will feed your baby once your surrogate gives birth. But it is the perfect time to know the answer to questions about where your surrogate should live and what type of relationship you want with them.   We pulled together 5 of the most common questions intended parents ask at the beginning of their surrogate search  so you have a head start on your quest. These 5 questions can help you explore whether this is the right time to pursue surrogacy, set your expectations, and guide you on how to find the right surrogate for your family. 1. Does the surrogate have to be near me?  Or, put simply, does location matter for surrogacy? The answer has a few moving parts. You and your surrogate do not have to live in the same city or state, but your surrogate does have to live in a state where surrogacy is legal. At Donor Concierge, we vet all of our agency partners so your future surrogate meets all the legal requirements before you even get the chance to say hello.    All potential surrogates are also prepped to expect some travel during their journey, most likely to your fertility clinic for one or two appointments, including your embryo transfer!  2. What type of relationship do I want with a surrogate? This is one of the more personal questions intended parents contend with before they start their surrogate search. Every surrogate (and every intended parent) is different. There is no “right” way to have a relationship with your surrogate . The goal of asking (and answering) this question is to determine what you feel is the best relationship for you.   Do you want a surrogate who is open to constant updates and communication? Are you okay with a surrogate who may want limited contact? Once you land on an answer to this question, you can discuss your preference with your Donor Concierge case manager so they vet each surrogate with your needs in mind.   3. Do I have the support of my family and friends?  Bringing a baby into the world is a beautiful, emotional rollercoaster, no matter how you choose to grow your family. Our Donor Concierge team is here to support you  every step of the way, but we’re not offended to know that your nuclear support team is full of loving family and friends. The more love and support you get during this journey, the better! Take some time early in your surrogacy search to list out the loved ones you feel most comfortable sharing the joys and hard times with.  4. Am I ready to invest in my surrogate search?  Partnering with a surrogate search service like Donor Concierge is a financial investment , and, as we mentioned above, the surrogate search as a whole is also an emotional investment. It’s helpful to set aside time to ask yourself if you have the time, energy, and finances to support your ideal surrogate experience.    We have a slew of resources that can help you navigate the financial ins and outs  of surrogacy, but before you even get there, asking yourself, "Am I ready to invest in surrogacy?” can help you set the right foundation.  5. What’s most important to me in a surrogate match?  Your surrogate criteria list is the surrogate wish list you will share with your Donor Concierge case manager. Since everyone’s journey is different, what is most important to you isn’t something your surrogate support team can guess. You can be as specific as you would like when creating your list.   You may want to consider some short list topics such as your ideal surrogate’s: ·         Wellness habits, like whether they work out regularly ·         Views about termination or other pregnancy realities that may pop up along the way ·         Health concerns   Other intended parents may also focus on location, why someone wanted to become a surrogate in the first place or their preferred level of communication with a surrogate, as we mentioned above. Remember, no ask or want is too nuanced to mention!     Build the family of your dreams Your time is precious, and this journey can be as beautiful and meaningful as you want it to be. These 5 questions can help you set the stage for the surrogacy search that’s best for you. Donor Concierge is ready to help you find the right surrogate for you and your family, so get in touch with us  to find out how we can ease your family-building journey.

Whether you are contemplating working with Donor Concierge's surrogate search service  or you’ve already partnered with us to begin your search, it’s important that we ensure our service really is the best fit for you and we properly manage expectations. We want you to have a great experience working with us and ultimately match with a quality candidate in a much faster time than if you worked directly with an agency. There are stories of Donor Concierge matching intended parents with gestational carriers in as little as a week or even a day. Are those stories true? Yes! It happens. Sometimes it takes 2 to 3 months, but even that is a fraction of the time an agency will quote you. Could it happen as quickly for you? Read on to find out! What Our Surrogate Search Service Can Do for You Let’s start with how a surrogate search with Donor Concierge can benefit you. Find a qualified candidate . She has been pre-approved by our internal medical team, meets ASRM guidelines , and has been reviewed to meet your clinic’s gestational carrier requirements. Provide an expedited path . We source surrogates from dozens of agencies rather than leaving you to rely on the candidate pool of one agency. Ensure your surrogate resides in and gives birth in a surrogacy-friendly state . We match you with a candidate based on your specific circumstances and legal considerations. Partner with a trusted surrogacy agency . We vet all our agency partners to ensure that they thoroughly screen their GCs, uphold the highest ethical standards, and efficiently coordinate the journey and support you from match through your baby’s birth. A Few Caveats for a Speedy Surrogate Search And now for a few limitations you should be aware of. Custom Requirements Will Increase Search Time Donor Concierge isn't an opportunity to “custom order” a GC while still expecting the record match time that other Donor Concierge clients have enjoyed. Generally speaking, the longer your wish list, the longer it will take our team of case managers to match you. Think of this as a balancing act of speed versus your criteria. Even one requirement can drastically reduce the candidate pool. Want a CA surrogate? You will eliminate 80% or more of candidates. Need her to be COVID vaccinated ? The pool just shrunk by another 50%. With every additional criterion, you can see how quickly your options will be reduced, and the match time will increase. Imagine how that time continues to go up if you have a long list of preferences! Rejecting Qualified Surrogates Will Impede Your Search Donor Concierge also doesn't take a quantity approach that allows you to pass on numerous qualified candidates. We are always your best chance of finding what you’re looking for in a surrogate, simply because we have access to so many more candidates than any individual agency. Having said that, we can’t control the candidates we see, and we will always be limited by the women who choose to become surrogates. Rest assured, we will do our part to match you with a qualified candidate as quickly as possible, but this only works if you do your part, which is to move forward with a match when a suitable candidate is presented to you. It is not uncommon for intended parents to get in their own way of matching, rejecting surrogates who will go on to have healthy babies for other hopeful parents. Looking for Perfection Can Be a Barrier Our many years of experience have taught us that there is no such thing as a perfect surrogate; after all, no person is perfect. However, there is one thing that’s inherently wonderful about all surrogates, which is that they’ve already done the one thing you need them to do—carry and deliver a healthy baby! Because of this, it’s never our recommendation to reinvent the wheel. For example, some intended parents want to revamp the gestational carrier’s diet or lifestyle. This could dramatically impact her body but not necessarily in a way that’s beneficial to her or your baby. Again, whatever she previously did to have a healthy baby or babies has worked. Trust that she’ll do what’s best to care for herself and your child during pregnancy. Trust That Donor Concierge Has Your Best Interests at Heart Speaking of trust, we presume that you selected your fertility clinic because you like them and trust them. So, trust that they have your back when it comes to your surrogate. At Donor Concierge, we present surrogate candidates with your clinic’s criteria in view, but we see many intended parents impose stricter medical criteria on their GC than their clinic does. It is your clinic’s role to determine whether a surrogate is medically suitable to carry your child. If you have any questions or concerns about your particular GC preferences and how they may impact your search with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at (415) 663-6097 . We understand that trusting another human to carry your child requires a tremendous leap of faith. Donor Concierge exists to support you and advocate for you in this endeavor. It takes a village (as they say), which includes our case managers, agency partners, surrogates, attorneys, fertility clinics, and you, our valued intended parents. We ask that you place your trust in us and our nearly 20 years of experience and expertise in surrogate matching. We will help you bring your baby home faster; you just have to let us. If you haven't yet decided on a surrogacy search service, we invite you schedule a one-on-one conversation with us. It's simple with our online form .

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the details of a surrogacy journey. Our job at Donor Concierge is to streamline the process for you and add calm and clarity where possible. Our surrogate search service is well positioned to find you the best surrogate and to do so by empowering you with the right information along the way.  One of the top (and most important questions) our case managers field from intended parents revolves around surrogacy cost.   While the surrogacy cost framework is layered and unique to each family’s circumstances, our answers include many of the same moving parts. Here’s what you need to know about surrogacy costs you may find in your journey.  Surrogate Search Service Cost Parents who choose to work with Donor Concierge are investing in a surrogate search service  instead of working one on one with surrogacy agencies. They often tell us that they choose to invest with us because our model allows us to simultaneously lead an exhaustive search of more than 80+ surrogacy agencies. Our expert case managers understand how to take an intended parent's wishlist for the perfect surrogate and turn it into a shortlist of viable surrogates, all within 0 to 3 months.   Learn more about these surrogate search program options and costs . A Surrogate’s Compensation  A surrogate search is the first cost investment parents make into their surrogacy journey. Once they meet their perfect match, each family works with their new surrogacy agency to establish everything from a surrogate’s compensation to insurance packages. While the legal agreement between the intended parents and the surrogate will help outline a surrogate’s payment structure, the intended parents must add all funds to a frozen escrow account to set the agreement into motion. A surrogate’s compensation can range from $45,000 to $80,000, depending on location and experience.  Insurance Cost  It is not guaranteed that a surrogate will have insurance before meeting with the intended parents. Since insurance is explored on a case-by-case basis, it is not a given that the intended parents will incur the cost. For intended parents who are responsible for surrogate health and life insurance , the cost can range from $5,000 to $30,000.  Medical Expenses  Some families who choose a surrogate already have a donor egg and sperm they intend to use, while others are searching for a surrogate and donor eggs and sperm simultaneously. Each family’s unique circumstances and needs account for various emotional, financial, and time expenses. On average, intended parents may have to fund an IVF cycle and medications for a surrogate. This expense can start at $7,000 and vary based on location, medications, and procedures.  Additional Expenses  While surrogacy is well known to involve many medical touchpoints, it is also full of legal and relationship-based milestones. Intended parents will invest time and energy into building the relationship they envision with the surrogate of their choice. They will also have a village of experts—from doctors to lawyers—ready to ensure that the intended parents and the surrogate’s experiences are as seamless as possible. These additional fees can start at $15,000.  Connecting You With the Perfect Surrogate Match While looking at the line items of a surrogacy journey may feel overwhelming, it’s important to know exactly what you’re agreeing to when you fold a surrogate into your life. Our job at Donor Concierge is to help you find the perfect surrogate within your budget who will often exceed your expectations. We know that this investment is one our clients save for and hope for endlessly. We work diligently to ensure that we get it right as soon as possible so that you can move into the rest of your surrogacy journey with ease.  If you’re considering surrogacy to build your family, take time to review these important questions every intended parent should  ask before beginning the search for a surrogate. When you’re ready to move forward, our team is here to help. Request a private consultation  today and take the first step toward building your family through surrogacy.

Your surrogate search has probably led you down many rabbit holes. You’re learning new terminology and about new resources every chance you get. At this point in your research, you're likely wondering whether there is a big difference between a surrogate agency and a surrogate search service  like Donor Concierge.    The short answer is: Yes, there’s a very big difference between a surrogate agency and a surrogate search service. One of the biggest differences is rooted in the kind of experience you can have—one shifts most of the research and legwork to you, while the other takes on the job of making your surrogate search as manageable as possible.  Differences Between a Surrogate Search Service & an Agency Here’s what you need to know about how a surrogate search service stands out next to a surrogate agency. 1.    Your Support Team  First and foremost, your surrogate search doesn’t need to be a lonely one. You don’t have to manage all of the search-related logistics while navigating the emotional ins and outs of choosing who will carry the newest member of your family.   A surrogate search service, like Donor Concierge, ensures you have a dedicated and experienced case worker  just for you. They are the ones who will take on the responsibility of finding the right match for you. While your case manager will work with surrogacy agencies to find you the right match, the benefit of a dedicated case manager means you have a middle person to navigate all the logistics.    2.    Surrogate Options  Through a surrogate search service, you’re guaranteed a more personalized surrogate search. Your case manager prioritizes your specific surrogate criteria, which means any potential surrogate options you sift through will be ones that closely match your dream list.   ·         A surrogate agency is also usually limited to showing you surrogates that are on their own agency’s list.   ·         A surrogate search service casts the net far and wide for you. A Donor Concierge case manager starts your search by looking through their highly vetted list of 80+ surrogacy agencies, and that alone increases your chance of finding your right match!    You can learn about the questions you should ask   as you and your Donor Concierge case worker search for the right surrogate in our related blog post. 3.    Match Times Talking about a perfect match—Donor Concierge’s proven model as a surrogate search service has a match time of 0 to 3 months. This is a fraction of the time it could take for a family to find a surrogate match with a one-by-one surrogate agency approach. And because your surrogate search service case manager is working personally with you and your family, we can help you find a match that closely aligns with what you’re looking for in a surrogate.  4.    Your Experience  Finding a surrogate isn’t a decision you make lightly. You probably had thoughtful conversations with loved ones about why this path is right for you. You deserve an experience that helps you feel supported along the way. Because most surrogate agencies are smaller, there is less opportunity to ensure you feel seen, heard, and understood at every step of your surrogacy process. A surrogate search service like Donor Concierge guarantees that your experience is one you will cherish and be proud of every step of the way.   Regardless of your path forward, the surrogacy process will come with its ups and downs. But remember, it doesn’t have to be harder than it already is. A surrogate search service is an opportunity to choose a more personalized, experienced, and supportive path. If you'd like to talk with us about easing your surrogate search, get in touch with us  using our online form or call us at (415) 663-6097 .

To honor World Embryology Day , we talked with Erica Paganetti, Senior Embryologist and Embryology Lab Manager for Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut. Erica shares what a Day in the Life of an Embryologist is all about and why she chose this important line of work. Help us celebrate the scientists who bring life into the world. Why did you become an embryologist? I have been an embryologist since June 19, 2006. As with most embryologists, it was a happy accident. Following graduation with my BS, I was looking for a laboratory position while I worked on applying to medical school. I thought the job sounded cool and rewarding, especially with the knowledge that my aunt had struggled with fertility issues in the past. Fortunately for me, I was extremely lucky to be hired as a junior embryologist by my first laboratory director. She must have seen something special in me and I thank her every day for giving me such an amazing opportunity. I fell in love with the job and never looked back. Where did you study and for how many years? I originally studied biology and chemistry at Springfield College in MA. Funny enough, I originally went to school for physical therapy. But I decided to make a change junior year with the intention of attending medical school. In between graduation with my BS in Biology and applying to medical school, I was lucky enough to get my first embryology position. Since becoming an embryologist, I have obtained my MS in Reproductive Clinical Science from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and I am now working toward my PhD at the same institution. As far as embryology skills are concerned, you can only learn to become an embryologist through on-the-job training. It takes many years of observation, training, and practice to develop into a fully trained embryologist. Even after 14 years, I am still learning new tips and tricks to perfect my own skills. What does a typical day look like for you? Our day starts out by checking all equipment for appropriate performance: incubators, microscopes, refrigerators, freezers, etc. Once everything has been checked, calibrated, and determine safe for use, we are able to begin embryo assessments. In the morning, we evaluate embryos for fertilization, cleavage, eligibility for transfer and/or cryopreservation, etc. Following embryo grading, additional morning procedures begin such as vaginal oocyte retrieval (VOR), semen preparation, embryo thawing, biopsy, embryo cryopreservation, and oocyte assessment. As we approach the afternoon, we prepare for embryo transfers and insemination procedures. The oocytes we collected during VOR in the morning, now need to be fertilized. This can occur through conventional insemination, where we add a small amount of sperm to drops containing oocytes which allows for interaction between the gametes and hopefully fertilization. The other method is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where we inject one sperm into one egg individually with the same hope of fertilization. Embryo transfers are also taking place simultaneously, in which we place the embryo(s) back into the uterus for implantation. Sprinkled into this afternoon workload is additional biopsy and cryopreservation of embryos, oocyte cryopreservation, and culture dish preparation for patients coming up the following day. I know it sounds like a lot to accomplish in one day. But we have a wonderful team of embryologists each day that shares these responsibilities, with specific assignments to keep the workflow moving efficiently. After many years of doing this, it becomes second nature. I am sure many of my colleagues would say the same thing, but I can feel when it is time for something to happen. Our work consumes us because we all know it is beyond important. We double-check, triple-check, and quadruple-check everything throughout the day, and then do a final check once everything is done. What is your favorite part of your job? Over the past 14 years I have come to love every aspect of our job. I truly enjoy the benchwork, with my absolute favorite procedures being cryopreservation and embryo transfer. But as I have progressed in my career, and had a family of my own, this has evolved into a more emotional answer. I have had the amazing opportunity to help my very own friends build their families. This means I am now able to meet these amazing little babies and watch them grow up before my very eyes. I cannot describe how wonderful this is, and for this reason, I am truly honored to be an embryologist. All jobs are important, but mine feels truly special. What are some of the biggest changes to the world of IVF in your career? The world of IVF is one of the fastest paced areas in medicine. Changes are constant, with more and more technical advances being incorporated into treatment every year. But I must say the evolution of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has significantly impacted our jobs as embryologists. When I was a brand-new embryologist in 2006, we only performed biopsy on about 1-2 patients per month. It was all hands-on deck. Every embryologist came in at 4:00-5:00am to prepare and assist in this special procedure. Now ~70% of our patients utilize this technology during their cycles, and the process has become very routine. Cryopreservation has also changed immensely, making a huge impact for our patients. Slow freezing was used in the past and often took hours to complete per patient, with reasonable survival rates and clinical outcomes. The addition of vitrification has reduced the time to ~15-30min per patient (depending on the number of embryos) and provided excellent survival rates with the potential for better clinical outcomes in a frozen embryo transfer cycle. How do you reassure patients that their eggs, sperm, or embryos are safely stored? ( safety of the lab ).Every IVF laboratory has very strict equipment monitoring protocols. We spend hours each day measuring our equipment to confirm that each device is safe for use. In addition to physical monitoring by staff, alarm systems are used to continuously monitor equipment 24hrs per day, 7 days per week. These alarm systems call, text, and e-mail staff members if any piece of equipment is out of range: cryo tanks, incubators, refrigerators/freezers, etc. When this happens, staff immediately performs a physical check to determine if there is an issue. Any equipment of concern is removed from use until service is performed to fix the problem.

One of our clients' more common requests is their desire to find an Ivy League egg donor . Our first question is, ‘Why is this important to you.’   The answers usually vary but share one common thread: Many of our intended parents are highly accomplished, driven people with advanced degrees from impressive universities, including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, and MIT. We fully understand that it’s human instinct to hope to find an egg donor who reminds you of yourself, your background, and your ambitions.   This deep-seated desire is one of the reasons we ask intended parents to create a list of donor characteristics that matter to them. If education is at the top of your list, this is understandable and a quality our case managers know how to build searches around, as long as intended parents are on the same page.    Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re starting a donor search with an Ivy League donor in mind.  Ivy League donors are hard to find. We are experts in finding the best candidates for our clients, but we caution that finding an Ivy League donor isn't always easy .   Our case managers often note that the pool of potential donors expands when intended parents become open to finding a ‘smart donor’ or someone who matches their level of education or schooling, no matter the school they attended.  Be honest about all your expectations.  The more honest you are about your short list, the better! There is no such thing as being too blunt in saying, “I want a smart donor” or “We want someone who matches an Ivy League donor.” This context can help your case manager better understand what you’re looking for in a donor and what you’re hoping for in a future child.    We have found that egg donation is time-consuming, and many individuals pursuing advanced degrees at an Ivy League school may not have the bandwidth to donate eggs. However, this does not mean that we cannot get as close as possible to what you are looking for.  Remain open to a new, shared 'true north.'  Being honest with your case manager can help you find your way toward an exciting and realistic new goal. At Donor Concierge, when intended parents come to us with specific criteria, we listen, but we also interpret. Most parents simply want an egg donor whose looks and background fit well into their family. Through our extensive search, we can help you find your ideal donor.    Knowing that, regardless of its complexity, you want an Ivy League donor helps us set a new, shared expectation with your case manager. It comes with its own amendments to your donor process . For instance, the necessary tailored approach will require a deeper commitment of time and resources.   In addition, egg donors set their own compensation, and it’s not unusual for women with an Ivy League degree to request upward of $15,000 or substantially more for their donor egg cycle. Women with impressive academic achievements tend to do extensive research on the egg donation process and what other young women similar to themselves have received. On top of the compensation, many Ivy League-educated young women are interested in an additional benefit such as egg freezing for themselves or a donation to a charity.   Trust Donor Concierge to find the right egg donor for you. Each donor search involves a give and take, but it’s our job to make that process as seamless as possible. Searching for an Ivy League donor involves added layers and investments, but we are willing to push forward or forge a new path together, depending on what makes the most sense for you and your growing family.   If you're ready to take that next step to finding your ideal egg donor, contact us online  or call us at (415) 663-6097 .

Over the last few decades, many factors have made it easier to understand your rights as a parent if you’re an LGBTQIA+ individual or in an LGBTQIA+ relationship. For instance, thanks to the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage, parental rights also became less murky. With the advent and rise of social media and community platforms, there is more access to information and personal stories from individuals or families who have already walked the path to parenthood that you envision for yourself.    At Donor Concierge, we have served countless LGBTQIA individuals and couples committed to growing their families. They come to us with a good understanding of what their family planning journey may look like, and it’s then our job to fill the gap and explain the nuances. Our expert teams know the ins and outs of egg donation costs, how to find an egg donor as a gay couple , and which states allow surrogacy.    Below is what you need to know if you want to find an egg donor as a gay couple and start your family planning journey.  Finding LGBTQIA community for egg donation During your egg donor search as an LGBTQIA+ couple, you’ll find support and guidance in many different ways. While you’re learning more below about how Donor Concierge’s expert team can guide you, there’s also a lot of community insight you can find online. On Instagram alone, a community of LGBTQIA+ parents is excitedly sharing their parenting journey. For instance, Burton and Dustin Buffaloe ( @BBBuffaloe  on Instagram) are two dads sharing an inside look at how they parent their twins to their over 186k followers. These personal stories can help you learn more about how they got to where they are and offer inspiration for what is possible for you, too!    In our Donor Concierge community, you’ll also find individuals and families excited to share how their experience finding an egg donor led to their babies. You can ask your Donor Concierge case manager to connect you with any past clients who are willing to share their stories.  The egg donor search process Once you’ve booked your consultation session with our expert Donor Concierge team, you’ll be matched with a case manager ready to create a customized plan that meets your family-building needs. You’ll outline your preferred egg donor traits (everything from hair color to educational attributes) so that your case manager knows exactly what to look for during your customized egg donor search. They’ll then curate a short list of potential egg donors that meet your criteria by using all the resources at their disposal, including their extensive network of egg donor agencies and connections from the decades of doing this work for all the families who came before you. Remember, your process of finding an egg donor does not have to be a stressful path that you travel alone. Our team is here to guide you and make it as easy as possible.  Things to consider during your egg donor search In working with Donor Concierge as a gay couple or an LGBTQIA+ individual, you are trusting in experts with decades of experience navigating the legal ins and outs of egg donation (and surrogacy) across the U.S. State Parental Rights While gay marriage is the law of the land, parentage rights vary from state to state and become particularly nuanced when surrogacy and other assisted reproductive technologies come into play. On our website, you’ll find breakdowns of how states like California  and Texas  handle egg donation. Your Donor Concierge case manager will also walk you through your preferred state’s approach during your intake session.   Mental, Social & Financial Health As you start your egg donor search, other things to consider include your mental health, financial health , support system, and available time commitment. While each journey is unique, we have noticed through our hundreds of clients that starting an egg donor search, pregnancy, or surrogacy journey can take a toll on everything from a person’s mental health to their finances. Auditing your starting point will ensure that you are prepared for the road ahead and will know when to ask your case manager for help (and what kind of support you may be looking for).  Egg Donation Cost Each egg donor search is different, so at Donor Concierge, we’ve created four ways to work together to meet your ultimate goal. Our team can support your egg donor journey either through a: 1-month program 6-month program Custom Donor Search  experience Private client journey Each program varies in cost, but on average, a Donor Concierge family can spend anywhere from $22,000 to $65,000 on their search for the ideal egg donor to meet their customized egg donation criteria. You can learn more about our full list of program offerings and cost information on our Egg Donor Search Services  page.    While you’ll learn a lot about the egg donor search journey (and yourself) as you decide to grow your family, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you don’t have to be an expert in all this right now. Your Donor Concierge team is here to lead you through and answer all questions you may still have about egg donation costs or finding an egg donor as a gay couple. You are far from alone. We are here every step of the way! Reach out to us online  or call us at (415) 663-6097 .