Medical risks
Gestational surrogacy carries the same medical risks as any pregnancy — including rare but serious complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or the need for a C-section. This is exactly why medical screening exists: to identify anyone for whom these risks are elevated before the journey begins, and why you're covered by dedicated insurance throughout.
The embryo transfer might not work the first time
Not every transfer results in pregnancy. If this happens, it isn't a reflection of anything you did — your clinic will review the cycle, and in most cases, another transfer attempt is possible if more embryos are available.
Emotional risk
Surrogacy is a significant emotional commitment. Most surrogates describe the experience positively, but it's real work — managing your own feelings, your family's reactions, and building a relationship with people you may not have known before. Psychological screening and ongoing support exist specifically to help you navigate this well.
"The honest answer is: most journeys go well, but 'most' isn't 'all' — and a good program prepares you for both."
Legal risk
Surrogacy law varies by state, and a poorly written contract or working with an agency outside a clear legal framework can create real complications. See our state-by-state legal guide for a closer look at how this plays out where you live. This is precisely why independent legal counsel and a state with clear surrogacy statutes both matter so much.
Financial risk
If an intended parent were to default on payment, you could be left in a difficult position — which is why escrow accounts and a properly funded contract from day one exist as protection.
How these risks are minimized
- Thorough medical and psychological screening before you're ever matched
- Independent legal representation, paid for by the intended parents
- Dedicated medical insurance throughout the pregnancy
- Compensation held in escrow, not paid directly by the intended parents
- Ongoing case management support throughout the journey
None of this eliminates risk entirely — nothing does, in life or in pregnancy. But a well-structured program addresses each of these areas directly, rather than leaving you to navigate them alone.