Interested in surrogacy but unsure where to start? How Medical Centers and Maternity Care Centers Work Together

More and more families, single individuals, and same-sex couples are choosing U.S. surrogacy to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. But for first-timers, one of the most common questions is:
“Should I contact a medical center first, or a maternity care center?”
“What’s the difference between the two?”

In fact, medical centers and maternity care centers are two essential and interconnected parts of the surrogacy journey. Understanding their roles and division of responsibilities makes the entire process smoother and more reassuring.

Medical Center: Professional Execution of Reproductive Medicine and Embryo Transfer

The surrogacy journey begins with the medical side.
A U.S. reproductive medical center (Fertility Clinic) handles all medical and technical procedures, including:

1. Consultation and Physical Evaluation by Reproductive Specialists

Doctors assess the intended parents’ physical condition, ovarian function, semen quality, and formulate the most suitable IVF treatment plan.

2. Egg Donation / Sperm Donation and Embryo Culture

If donor eggs or sperm are needed, the clinic helps arrange matching donors.
Embryos are cultured in the laboratory and screened with PGT-A to ensure health and confirm gender.

3. Surrogate Matching and Medical Screening

Surrogates are recruited by medical institutions or partner agencies and must pass strict physical, psychological, and genetic examinations to ensure pregnancy safety.

4. Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Monitoring

Under a doctor’s supervision, embryos are transferred to the surrogate.
Pregnancy can be confirmed about 10–12 days later.
After confirmation, the medical team continues to monitor the surrogate’s condition during early pregnancy.

Role of the Medical Center: To provide the most advanced IVF and embryo technology, ensure success rates and safety, and serve as the “medical core” of the entire surrogacy journey.

Maternity Care Center: The Most Important Support for Cross-Border Care and Full-Service Assistance

After medical procedures are completed, the next focus is daily living care and logistical support—this is where the maternity care center becomes essential.

1. Communication Support During the Surrogate’s Pregnancy

For intended parents living overseas, the maternity care center can assist with communication, monitor medical progress, coordinate living allowances, and help arrange prenatal visits.

2. Newborn Care After Birth

Once the baby is born, the maternity care center provides:

• 24-hour newborn care
   
• Medical checkup arrangements
   
• Vaccination and insurance assistance
   

Ensuring the baby is safe and healthy from day one.

3. Document and Paperwork Assistance

The maternity care center can help apply for:

• Birth certificate
   
• Passport
   
• Return-to-Taiwan or return-to-Hong Kong documents
   

They also coordinate with lawyers and hospitals, allowing parents to avoid overwhelming administrative tasks.

4. Accommodation and Airport Pickup Arrangements

For parents able to travel to the U.S. to welcome their baby, the maternity care center can arrange:

• Airport pickup
   
• Housing
   
• Postpartum care
   
• Chinese-style meals
   

Providing  support while staying in the United States.

Role of the Maternity Care Center: Not only caring for the baby, but also serving as a bridge between parents and the medical team, helping complete postpartum procedures and ensuring smooth cross-border coordination.

How Do Medical Centers and Maternity Care Centers Work Together?

Ideally, the two should maintain a close, well-coordinated relationship with seamless communication.

Division of Responsibilities

Through this division of labor, families can rely on professional teams at every stage, ensuring smooth transitions from conception → pregnancy → birth → returning home, saving time and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1: Should I contact the medical center first or the maternity care center?

We recommend contacting both at the same time. If the maternity care center partners with medical institutions, they can help coordinate doctor evaluations and matching processes, saving time and communication costs.

Q2: Can a maternity care center arrange a surrogate for me?

No.Maternity care centers do not recruit surrogates themselves. However, they can collaborate with licensed medical institutions to help with data confirmation and communication, ensuring legal compliance.

Q3: I live in Asia—can I pursue surrogacy remotely?

Yes.Most medical centers and maternity care centers support:

• Online consultations
   
• Electronic contracts
   
• Video meetings

You can complete the entire process without long-term travel to the U.S. 

Q4: How soon can the baby return home after birth?

Typically within 2–4 weeks, depending on:

• Birth certificate processing
   
• Passport issuance
   
• Travel document approval
   

The maternity care center can assist with all procedures.
However, for the baby’s health, it is recommended to return after one month of age, as newborns are not suited for air travel earlier. 

Q5: If parents cannot travel to the U.S., who takes care of the baby?

You can entrust the maternity care center with full-time newborn care, including:

• Medical follow-ups
   
• Feeding and sleep care
   
• Document processing
   
• Return-home arrangements
   

Ensuring the baby grows safely and healthily.

Professional Collaboration Makes Every Step More Secure

Surrogacy is not only a medical process, but also a cross-border journey.
Choosing an experienced team with strong collaboration between the medical center and the maternity care center ensures:

• Clear procedures
   
• Legal compliance
   
• Thoughtful newborn care
   
• Seamless international coordination
   

BLC works with multiple leading U.S. reproductive medical centers and high-end maternity care centers, providing Chinese-speaking consultants, professional nursing services, surrogate communication, and newborn care. We help every family welcome new life with confidence—even from across the world.