#58 The 3 Essential First Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey (Beginner’s Guide for Intended Parents)
Surrogacy Made SimpleShow Notes
Ever wonder what your fertility clinic is really using to determine if a surrogate is a “yes” or a “no”? In this essential episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne breaks down the official ASRM guidelines—the very framework most U.S. fertility clinics use to decide what’s acceptable, what’s risky, and what’s required in surrogacy. These aren’t laws, but they shape everything from who qualifies as a surrogate to how many embryos can be transferred. This episode will help you understand red flags, ask smarter questions, and save yourself time, money, and heartbreak—especially if you're going independent or have already matched.
What You’ll Learn: 03:15 — What the ASRM guidelines are (and why they matter)
04:50 — How understanding them can protect you from losing tens of thousands of dollars
06:32 — Who qualifies as an intended parent (it’s more inclusive than you think)
09:48 — Who can be a surrogate and which health guidelines are non-negotiable
12:35 — Medical tests surrogates must pass before approval
14:37 — Why vaccination status matters in contract agreements
15:16 — The emotional side of surrogacy: what ASRM says about mental health support
18:14 — Legal must-haves before embryo transfer can begin
20:14 — Embryo transfer guidelines (spoiler: single embryo is strongly recommended)
21:57 — When two embryos might be considered and why nuance matters
Resources Mentioned: BloomBridge
Surrogacy BluePrint Course
Surrogacy Starter Kit
Key Takeaways: The ASRM guidelines aren’t laws, but they shape most clinical and agency decisions
Not every disqualified surrogate is a “bad match”—context matters
You don’t need to be infertile to qualify for surrogacy, just have a documented medical need
Contracts, mental health screening, and single embryo transfer are all non-optional steps
Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? Download the BloomBridge app and grab the Surrogate Vetting Essentials Guide to get clarity before matching or submitting records to a clinic.
“Surrogacy isn’t simple—but with the ASRM guidelines in your back pocket, you’re not walking in blind.”
More from Surrogacy Made Simple
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