The guidance & support you need on your surrogacy journey
Why we're so passionate about surrogacy
Carried with Love founder, Ariel Taylor is a 5x gestational carrier who has dedicated not only years of her life to surrogacy but years of her academic career to surrogacy research and best practices as well. She has worked hard to become an expert in the field and believes that surrogacy deserves to be done properly and with care. Ariel works hard every day to help make independent surrogacy more accessible.
It is vitally important that both intended parents and surrogates have access to mental health support during their surrogacy experience. This process, while wonderful, can be emotionally charged and not everything goes according to plan. A dedicated therapist throughout your experience can make all the difference.
Independent Surrogacy Program
Surrogacy & Donor Counselling
Ariel has had an incredible impact on my healing. Her knowledge on fertility and surrogacy is refreshing. She has helped me find ways to heal from past loss and experiences before becoming a mom through surrogacy. Finding her will always leave a positive impact on my well being.
After losing my boys I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. I didn’t know what to do and a friend suggested Carried With Love. Ariel changed my life. Strategies and understanding that allowed me to come back to life again for my family. I do not know what I would have done if it wasn’t for Ariel. I can never thank her enough for helping me find myself again.
After going through my first failed transfer as a surrogate in the middle of COVID, I was overwhelmed with all the emotions of a pregnancy loss but also a loss for my intended parents. I reached out to Carried with Love (CWL) and Ariel helped me work through what I was feeling and why. I am so grateful I came across CWL because without, I don’t think I would have continued. Getting the right support is key. I never felt alone, I felt heard and supported. Ariel’s experience and knowledge is like no others and I’m so grateful I had her by my side throughout my surrogacy journey.
FAQs for surrogates
No, surrogates in Canada cannot be paid. They can however, be reimbursed for all of their pregnancy related expenses up to a cap. Typically, this cap is between $25,000-$35,000 for the duration of the pregnancy.
Below is a list of the most common qualifications to become a surrogate:
- Over the age of 21
- At least one term pregnancy
- Healthy pregnancy history with no major complications
- Recommended to not have more than 5 previous pregnancies and 3 previous c-sections
- Non smoker/non-drug user
- Healthy BMI
- Strong support system (if partnered, they must be on board and willing to undergo medical and psychological testing)
- Not taking mental health medication (may be approved on pregnancy safe medications)
- Recommended to be finished with your own family
Please schedule a consultation if you have any questions.
A surrogacy contract is what protects both the surrogate and the intended parents throughout the process. It is also required in order to complete the parentage paperwork after the birth. Your contract should be drafted by a fertility lawyer and both parties should have separate legal counsel. A contract is arguably the most important step of the surrogacy process and should never be skipped or rushed.
It is important to understand the surrogacy process thoroughly before jumping in and research is important. This can be done through various channels like google, Facebook groups, clinic resources, academic studies, legal advice or other forms of education.
For intended parents wishing to pursue independent surrogacy, we have made the process seamless with all of the credited research in one convenient place. Please see our Independent Surrogacy Program to learn more.
FAQs for intended parents
The average wait time in Canada to be matched with a surrogate is 12-18 months through an agency. That being said, Intended Parents can greatly decrease the matching time by searching for a surrogate independently as well.
Learn more about Independent Surrogacy by checking out our Independent Surrogacy Program.
Independent surrogacy costs ~$60-$80,000.
This takes into account clinic fees, out of pocket medical fees, legal fees, and reimbursements to the surrogate. It may or may not include embryo creation.
If you decide to work with an agency you should factor in an extra $10,000 – $30,000.
Yes! Surrogacy in Canada is governed by the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA) and is legal across Canada.* It is however not legal to pay someone acting as a surrogate.
* C0nsider consulting a lawyer before pursuing surrogacy in Quebec as the process for parentage is not as simple as other provinces in Canada.
No, as long as the law is followed, a Canadian surrogate does not have any legal rights to keep your baby.