Gestational Surrogacy in Houston, Texas
Surrogacy has a 75% success rate for couples struggling with fertility, LGBTQ couples and women with uterine medical conditions caused by genetics or illnesses like cancer or endometriosis. As more people turn to surrogacy for help building their family, more surrogates are needed. You, as a surrogate mother, have the power to help hopeful parents’ dreams of a family come true!
ConceiveAbilities is comprised of genuinely caring and helpful individuals. They make a seemingly daunting and multifaceted process go by smoothly and provide support for their surrogates every step of the way. They provide match managers that help navigate you throughout the whole journey. Their matching process between surrogate and intended parents is phenomenal. For me, there was an immediate connection and I feel like our personalities/interests were used as guiding factors to further enable a smooth journey. Overall, I am very much impressed and am grateful to have found such a wonderful organization.
Leigh-Anne Cooey, Texas Surrogate
About ConceiveAbilities: Choosing a Houston Surrogacy Agency
Our agency has been matching intended parents with Texas surrogates across the South Central region and all of the United States for 25 years, providing the greatest support for surrogate mothers throughout their surrogacy journey.
As a surrogate, you sit at the heart of our program, which is why we have a first-of-its-kind, innovative program built just for surrogates so we can care, compensate and protect you every step of the way. You can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to focus on the job of helping another family through surrogacy without worrying about anything else.
We have social workers, nursers, lawyers and insurance experts on staff and available at your fingertips, ready to help you throughout the process.
We also provide a local, personalized experience for each surrogate in or near Houston with personalized matches, local office availability at The Great Jones building and connections to the best doctors and fertility clinics in the area. Because of our earned reputation, Houston hospital systems like Houston Methodist and Willowbrook Hospital, OB-GYNs, and fertility clinics turn to us for highly qualified surrogates. We partner with the best IVF clinics in Texas, including CCRM-Houston and Houston Fertility Institute that are readily accessible for surrogates from all parts of Texas and the Houston area alike.
Learn more about our process and its many benefits below:
How We Match
How do we match you, as a surrogate, with the intended family of your choice? Our proprietary matching process pairs you with the family you were meant to help who has shared values and expectations. Matching Matters® has a 97% success rate at first introduction, expediting your journey.
Throughout the screening process, we will have gotten to know you well; toward the end of that process, we will interview you in detail to learn more about your values and expectations for your surrogacy journey. The principles we prioritize in Matching Matters are based on relationship compatibility, medical criteria of the intended parents’ clinic, reproductive choices, legal considerations and other specifics requested by you as a surrogate and the intended parents. Our experts take into account all aspects of the surrogacy process to thoroughly vet compatibility.
Unlike other surrogacy agencies in Texas who don’t show you parent profiles, we will present you with a curated, carefully vetted profile of potential intended parent matches, so you can learn about the family you choose to help. The result? The right match the first time, helping you move closer to your dream of helping grow a family.
What We Require
We have worked hard for our stellar reputation and we intend to keep it. Our surrogates are known for being exceptional by both intended parents and medical professionals. The proof is in our well-established networks and in the numbers:
- 95% of our surrogates are medically cleared by IVF clinics
- 56% of our surrogates do a repeat surrogacy journey
- 78% of our surrogates want to refer a friend
Our surrogacy requirements are meant to make your surrogacy journey as healthy and successful as possible. In addition to being physically and emotionally healthy, you will have to meet set criteria to be a surrogate. Review these basic qualifications to find out if you qualify as a Texas surrogate candidate:
- A long-term resident of the United States
- Between the ages of 21 and 43 at time of matching
- At least one healthy, uncomplicated full-term birth
How We Support
We offer a comprehensive All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program designed just for you. Our program includes full partum care from the beginning of your surrogacy journey through your fourth trimester recovery. Because everything is bigger in Texas, we help you tap into all of the amazing resources that can play a role in your experience, including:
- Pregnancy support and doula groups like Houston Pregnancy Massage & Doula Care, Marley & Moo Maternity and Motherhood Center
- Breast pumping support and breast milk donor groups like Bayou City Breastfeeding
- Volunteer groups like Houston Pets Alive
- Fitness groups like FIT4MOM Houston
- LGBTQ+ parenting and surrogacy resources like Houston Gay and Lesbian Parents
- Many great mom communities like Houston Moms, Moms of Houston, Our Family Lifestyle, The Simple Parent, and Austin Moms, just to name a few.
When you work with our team at ConceiveAbilities, you will be surrounded by a complete in-house support team that includes your match manager and financial, insurance and legal experts to guide you through the process. We are fully invested in your emotional and physical health to ensure you have the best surrogacy journey possible. You can expect monthly care packages that remind you how much you’re valued by us.
And we offer great pay, too. We know surrogacy is motivated by the desire to help another family, but compensation is also important.
What We Pay
Our pay package for you is the highest of any Texas surrogacy agency. We are not shy about compensation. We encourage you to share your priorities with us so we can make sure you have a great package. We value your labor of love and want to make sure your custom, financial package has no bumps in the road that might take you away from your dream to help another family.
Learn more about surrogate mother compensation in Texas. Use our surrogate salary calculator below to get your estimated base pay. Then take this survey and our Surrogate Engagement Coordinator will work with you to get you your personalized surrogate compensation package.
How to Get Started with ConceiveAbilities’ Surrogate Mother Program in Houston, Texas
We know timing, matching and surrogate pay are priorities for you and your family. We have dozens of hopeful parents in the Southwest, ready to immediately match with a Texas surrogate like you. Texas surrogates are in high demand and you will find many options to consider.
Not quite ready to get pregnant? We can wait until you are. We customize our qualification process to work at your pace, with no timing pressure. We are on your timeline and you are in control.
The process for getting started is easy, confidential and secure. Our team will expertly guide you through the surrogacy process, so go ahead and take the first step with ConceiveAbilities. We look forward to getting to know you!
What to Expect from Surrogacy in Houston
Excellent maternity care
If you are a surrogate in Texas, you know you have many top maternity hospitals for your surrogacy care. Four area Houston hospitals earned a spot on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2021. Newsweek partnered with The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that reports on the safety and quality performance of U.S. health care facilities, to highlight the Best Maternity Hospitals. Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Southeast, and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital all made the list for meeting Leapfrog's high standards for safety and quality of the maternity care they provide. Houston Methodist Hospital earned a spot on US News & World Report Best Hospitals for Maternity 2021. And Kev’s Best listed their top five best maternity hospitals in Houston: Houston Methodist, Memorial, Hermann, St. Joseph Medical Center, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, And Texas Children’s Hospital.
Everything you need in one place
As a full service Texas surrogacy agency, we work to keep all aspects of your surrogacy journey in-house to ensure the most efficient and smooth experience as possible. Some agencies outsource matching, escrow and other parts, but because we have highly qualified personnel including lawyers, accountants, insurance experts, nurses and mental health care professionals, we are able to provide each individual surrogate very focused attention because we are all familiar with your case. To boot, many of our staff are experienced surrogates, egg donors or intended parents themselves, so not only do we have the professional experience, we have the personal experience as well.
Community of Texan surrogates
We are happy to answer all of your surrogacy questions, but we also know how valuable it is to speak with someone who has had a shared experience. We have a rich resource group of past Texas surrogates who have volunteered to speak with you about the process.
Leigh-Anne Cooey lives in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, with her boyfriend, toddler son and Great Dane fur-baby. She has called Texas home for the past three years but has lived in various states throughout the U.S. over the course of her life. She has a busy lifestyle—working at an audiology clinic, picking up shifts at the hospital as a CNA and attending school part-time.
Leigh-Anne wanted to become a surrogate in the Houston area because she had several friends who had experienced infertility and needed to use IVF and surrogacy to build their families. She says her life is so much more fulfilling and joyful with her son and that she wanted to help another family bring new life into the world and experience that joy. Leigh-Anne is the type of person who has "never met a stranger" and would love to connect with other moms answering any questions they have regarding surrogacy.
Kim Foy and her hubby of 17 years have four children, two biological and two adopted, and reside in Fulshear, Texas. Kim grew up on a farm/ranch in the Lone Star State and still spends many weekends there with her family. Kim’s family has been very supportive of her three surrogacy journeys and she considers surrogacy one of the “best choices” she has ever made. Kim went to college to become a teacher and did so for five years before starting her family. Since then she has been a stay-at-home mom and would not trade a minute of her life for anything. Kim looks forward to the opportunity to visit with others interested in embarking on the one-of-a-kind journey that is surrogacy.
Melanie Wright is a native Texan who lives in Spring, Texas, but has family all over the United States. She is happily married, has a six-year-old daughter, a two-year-old son and works part-time as a Registered Nurse. Melanie feels she has been blessed with healthy pregnancies and wanted to help others wanting to make their families complete! Melanie has been a part of the gestational surrogacy community since becoming an Advocate Surrogate in 2018. She is proud of her surrogacy advocacy and is happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Click here to learn more about ConceiveAbilities' surrogate advocate program and, more specifically, how to contact Leigh-Anne, Kim or Melanie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Surrogate in Texas
What Is Included in the All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program?
It’s not just about the base pay, we are deeply invested in your physical and emotional health. ConceiveAbilities is proud to offer our first-of-its-kind All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program.
Fourth Trimester Partum Care: A comprehensive plan to ensure a successful Fourth Trimester recovery, from the start of your pregnancy and based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists standard of care, including
- A personalized intake session covering the facts behind, and options for, doula care and birth preparation, physical therapy, nutrition, and fitness / movement
- Monthly Q&A sessions with rotating experts throughout your pregnancy
- A dedicated program of postpartum emotional support, with a trusted network of knowledgeable and caring surrogates
- Monthly Care Packages, because we love to let you know how much we appreciate you, with items that are hand-selected based on what is most appealing to you.
What Other Support Does ConceiveAbilities Provide Surrogates?
A surrogacy journey is a big undertaking. We understand that and want to support our Texas surrogates through every step, so you can focus on the joy of helping another family build their family and get paid well for doing so. In addition to your dedicated ConceiveAbilities Match Manager who will serve as your primary point of contact throughout your entire surrogacy journey, you will also receive the following:
- Legal Support: The comprehensive ‘Pregnancy on Paper’ is one of the most reassuring parts of the surrogacy process to have small details and ‘what-ifs’ predetermined so that you can feel secure and legally protected. Your own lawyer who represents you, but is paid for by your intended parents, ensures that the comprehensive agreement between you and your intended parents covers everything having to do with your surrogacy including obstetrical care, payments to you, communication between you and your intended parents, “What Ifs” like what happens if you go on bed rest and need additional support, and parentage.
- Insurance Support: Insurance coverage? Money negotiations? Payment disputes? Handled. Not your problem. We work closely with an insurance specialist to manage all the details of your insurance coverage including billing and coverage.
- Emotional Support: Continuing through your full recovery from the pregnancy, we provide dedicated support, with mental health professionals on staff, to guide and help you through this demanding time in your life. We help you build your relationship with your intended parents, using our decades of experience across 100s of surrogacy journeys to guide you through tough conversations and potential conflicts. You, your voice and your choices are at the forefront of your surrogacy journey. Additionally, we introduce you to the Surrogate Sisterhood, a private community of women who are actively engaged with us on a surrogacy journey. You will have routine opportunities to connect with this incredible network of supporters that totally “get it” and are available to answer any question you may have.
- Educational Support: Learn more about surrogacy and collaborate with others in our one-of-a-kind community, the Surrogacy Learning Center.
Is Surrogacy in Texas Legal?
Yes. Texas authorizes gestational surrogacy by statute (Tex.Fam.Code § 160-751 through § 160-763) for married couples. Courts have commonly granted pre-birth orders for married couples regardless of their sexual orientation or genetic relationship to the child, provided that the Gestational Carrier Agreement is validated by a court prior to the child's birth. Some judges have allowed single individuals and unmarried couples to obtain pre-birth orders. With ConceiveAbilities’ long track record of working successfully with surrogates in Texas, you can be confident about a successful surrogacy journey.
Will I Be Related To The Baby?
No. A ConceiveAbilities surrogate does not share any genetics with the baby they are carrying for another family. Learn more about the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy from Dr. Shapiro of Reproductive Biology Associates
How Much Do Texas Surrogates Get Paid?
Texas surrogates earn top compensation for being gestational surrogates. With ConceiveAbilities, we cover your needs upfront including your wage replenishment and qualifications that can increase your financial package. Use our surrogate pay calculator to get your estimated base pay, knowing your detailed personal surrogate compensation can be more depending on your situation.
How Do I Choose The Best Texas Surrogacy Agency For Me?
As the nation’s most experienced surrogacy agency, ConceiveAbilities is ready to help you navigate your surrogacy journey in Texas. For years, we have been helping hopeful Texas parents build their families through surrogacy. We have the experience, surrogacy professional network and legal knowledge to help you fulfill your dream of becoming a surrogate.
How Do I Start My Surrogacy Journey in Texas?
As a potential Texas surrogate, we have made it easy and fast for you to find out if you meet basic requirements. Learn more about how to take our survey here to qualify to be a ConceiveAbilities surrogate.
Can I Be A Surrogate If I Don’t Live in the Houston Metropolitan Area?
Yes! If you live anywhere in Texas, you can fulfill your dream of being a paid surrogate for a hopeful family. We have surrogates applying from everywhere including Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Galveston, Corpus Christi and all of Texas. We also work with ease through our own online platform to ensure surrogacy is efficient and safe for you anywhere in the Lone Star State. And since Texas is a great state to be a surrogate, women from all over the country choose to start their surrogacy journeys here in Texas.
How Long Does A Surrogacy Journey in Texas Take?
Once you are qualified to become a Texas surrogate, we may be able to match you immediately. A surrogacy journey takes approximately 1-2 years to complete.
Can My Surrogacy Agency Help Me Navigate the Legal Aspects of Surrogacy?
Yes, ConceiveAbilities will assist you with finding qualified legal representation for the state of Texas who is specialized in surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology law. Your intended parents pay for your legal work and ConceiveAbilities works closely with your attorney to coordinate all of the legal aspects of your match.
Does ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency Have An Office in Texas?
Yes, we have an office conveniently located in the Great Jones Building right in Houston, and you can call us at (713) 280-7992, as well as in Dallas, where you can call us at (469) 779-4656.
Will I Be Matched With Intended Parents From Texas?
We know being close to your intended parents and fertility clinic throughout your surrogacy journey might be important to you - for convenience, relationship building and peace of mind. Houston has some of the best IVF clinics in the world and families who are seeking local Texans surrogates like you. If matching with a local Texas family is important to you, we will prioritize matching you as close to home as possible. You may find, in your matching process, that factors other than geographic proximity become more important to you. We see great success in both local and long distance surrogacy journeys.
Do Texas Courts Grant Pre-birth Orders?
Yes, however, if unmarried, a non-genetic parent may need to complete a second parent adoption.
Is A Hearing Required To Obtain A Pre-birth Order In Texas?
Typically no, but this can vary by judge.
Do You Have More Information About The LGBTQ Community in Texas interested in becoming Gay Parents?
We are proud to be an LGBTQ+ friendly surrogacy agency in Texas. Men Having Babies is a great resource for gay dads. It is an international organization dedicated to providing gay men with educational and financial support to achieve parenthood through surrogacy. You can learn more about how hopeful Texas gay parents and men all over the world become parents at their website. You can also check out our podcast with single gay dad Joseph Tito, The Dad Diaries, and his surrogacy journey experience.
How Do I Learn More About Infertility and Surrogacy?
You can get more information about surrogacy and fertility at American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Resolve: The National Infertility Association.
Related Blog Posts
Everything You Need To Know About Surrogacy
November 3rd, 2021
Surrogacy is rapidly growing as a way to grow families. In 2019, surrogates were part of 5.4% of all in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in 2019. Why? It is the most successful treatment for infertility, with a 75% success rate. That number can increase as high as 95% for a birth once the gestational carrier is pregnant.
Our surrogates tell you in their own words why they became a surrogate. And, if you have been thinking about becoming a surrogate, today may be the right time to begin your surrogacy journey. Post pandemic, intended parents, who have dreamt of building their family through surrogacy, are ready to take the next step. Now more than ever, surrogates are needed. If surrogacy is something that might fuel your purpose, we are here to help you learn about and answer that calling.
Does a Surrogate Mother Share DNA with the Baby?
May 28th, 2018
Dr. Anate Brauer of Shady Grove Fertility addresses your questions: what is a surrogate and is she related to the baby she carries?