Frequently Asked Questions

MIRACLE Surrogacy understands that starting the surrogacy process can be a little overwhelming.  We have been right where you are…wondering where to begin, what to do next, and not knowing where to turn for help.  Don’t worry….we will be there for you.  Let’s start with a look at some frequently asked questions.

Why Choose MIRACLE Surrogacy for our Surrogacy Journey?

MIRACLE Surrogacy was started in 2014 by Brian and Henry Yaden who had their own child through surrogacy that same year. Since that time, they have helped more than 300 families with their surrogacy programs in Cancun, Mexico and have become the largest surrogacy agency and surrogacy clinic owner in Mexico. MIRACLE Surrogacy is based in the USA and has full-service surrogacy programs at its clinic in Cancun, Mexico that are legal, open to LGBTQ clients, as well as heterosexual couples and singles and HIV+ clients as well. MIRACLE Surrogacy’s success rates exceed 70 percent for the first embryo transfer, which is on par with—or exceeds—even the best surrogacy clinics in California. Anyone can open a surrogacy agency or fertility clinic, but Brian and Henry know how a surrogacy journey feels. They look forward to sharing their own surrogacy journey experiences with you and to help hold your hand throughout the process.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Mexico?

The answer is 100% yes, in that the federal government does not regulate nor prohibit surrogacy. In fact, the courts have fully supported the granting of full parental rights to the biological fathers and honoring and enforcing surrogacy contracts. The state government of Tabasco prohibited commercial surrogacy in January 2016, but this has no impact on surrogacy performed elsewhere in Mexico. MIRACLE Surrogacy’s lawyers have confirmed there are no restrictions on doing surrogacy in Mexico outside of Tabasco.

Exit Procedure (Getting back home with your baby.)

After your baby is born, it takes about 3 to 5 business days to obtain the birth certificate; our staff at the clinic will help you with this; you have the option to pay for an expedited service so you don’t have to wait in any lines and to make the whole process very easy. Your baby will automatically be a Mexican citizen and you are welcome to obtain a Mexican passport if you choose to get one. But more important is to secure citizenship for the baby from your home country.

The exit procedures for obtaining your baby’s passport and returning home with your baby depend on your country of citizenship. For most countries, it is very easy and requires obtaining a passport for your baby from your country’s consulate near Cancun or embassy in Mexico City. Some countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia have a requirement to do a DNA test to make sure you are indeed the biological parent of your new baby. For citizens of the United States and Canada, it takes only 3 weeks on average to complete the process, obtain your baby’s passport and return home with your baby. For other countries, it may or may not be more complicated.

Feel free to ask us about the exit process for your country of citizenship. While it is ultimately your responsibility to determine the steps required by your country and any legal implications with respect to obtaining citizenship for your baby, we are more than pleased to share our guidance with you based on our experience. You as the intended parent have the sole legal responsibility for working with your government through its embassy or immigration bureau to determine the procedures and obtain citizenship for your baby but we will help in any way we can.

What names appear on the birth certificate?

The biological father and the surrogate’s names will appear on the Mexican birth certificate.  This is very helpful and important when going through the exit process and procedures for obtaining citizenship for your baby from your country.

For U.S. citizens, the U.S. embassy will also issue a document called the Consular Report of a Birth Abroad (CRBA) with only the name of the biological parent who is a U.S. citizen.  When you get back to the U.S., many jurisdictions will permit you to petition your local family court to allow the biological father’s partner (whether your husband/wife or unmarried partner) to become the other legal guardian/parent of the child having all the same legal rights and responsibilities as the biological father.  Once you obtain this court order, you will ask the U.S. State Department to issue an amended CRBA with both names (the biological father and his husband/wife/partner).  This is very important legally and emotionally.  You will have no need for the Mexican passport ever again after returning home, as the CRBA is an official identification document and serves as a de facto international birth certificate.

What if the surrogate “changes her mind?” Can she keep the baby?

Our surrogates sign contracts directly with our clinic and another contract directly with the intended parent, which clearly state that they have no genetic/biological connection to the baby and clearly state they give up all parental rights to the child. As part of the surrogate screening process, we spent a great deal of time educating the surrogate about the entire process and make sure they fully understand this is not their baby and there is no way they can “change their mind.” We have never had a single instance of a surrogate changing her mind, or causing any problems whatsoever. They are very loving and humble and respectable young women who are very special, and truly want to help another person or couple have a baby who cannot through traditional means. They do not simply do this for the economic assistance gained through the program. They really want to help you have a baby. This is a critical part of our screening process and we make sure this is in their heart to help you. As for the economic assistance gained, they do not receive their final payment—which is the most significant amount—until after your baby has been born, turned over to you and the surrogate has signed all documents needed for you to obtain the baby’s passport/citizenship.

I am from Australia. Can I do surrogacy in Mexico?

Absolutely you can!  Surrogacy is legal for Australians in Mexico.  Our surrogates receive economic assistance throughout the program for medical expenses, lost wages, food/sustenance, clothing, and other items.  We have successfully helped Australian citizens have babies through our surrogacy program in Cancun.  The timeframe to complete the exit process and obtain your baby’s “citizenship by descent” and Australian passport varies, but is currently around 57 days.

Does MIRACLE Surrogacy help people have babies from other countries?

We sure do!  We have clients from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, China and many more countries.

Financial Questions

How much does Surrogacy Cost in Mexico?

Surrogacy in the USA can be as much as $150,000 USD to over $200,000.  Surrogacy in Mexico with MIRACLE Surrogacy costs around $46,900 for full-service programs in Cancun. MIRACLE Surrogacy also has a surrogacy program for clients who wish to use their own eggs.

All payments are made via wire transfer to our clinic’s USA bank account in US Dollars and are paid in the following stages:

• Stage 1 payable at contract signing/egg donor selection: $23,900 USD plus $1,500 USD for sperm freezing for 6 months plus the cost of your egg donor (~$9,500 USD or less for Mexican/local egg donor) plus a fully refundable $4,000 USD medical escrow payment for any medical emergencies that might arise.
• Stage 2 payable at positive pregnancy (defined by ultrasound revealing “heartbeat”): $5,500 USD for 9 months of prenatal / antenatal care payable to our clinic’s USA bank account plus $400 per month payable directly to your surrogate’s bank account or via Western Union etc
• Stage 3 payable at Week 24 of pregnancy: $14,900 USD (includes surrogate’s final economic assistance payment of $9,400 USD plus $5,500 USD baby delivery credit at local, private hospital (if the delivery charges exceed this amount, the client is responsible for the difference; but this is currently sufficient for a non-complicated, vaginal delivery of a baby at one of our private hospitals in Cancun). We hold the final surrogate payment of $9,400 USD in escrow until the baby is born and turned over to the intended parents and after the surrogate has accompanied you to the consulate or embassy to help assist with the citizenship/passport application process.

HIV+ clients have to pay $5,300 USD for “sperm washing” at the outset of the program as well as $1,200 USD in lab work; there is also an extra $5,000 USD payment to the surrogate when the Stage 3 payment is made.

For clients who already have their own embryos, the Stage 1 payment is $5,000 USD less than what is noted above; however, they must pay $1,950 USD (pre-Stage 1) for the Mexican Health Department genetic materials importation permit process plus the cost of international shipment of the embryos using our contracted shipping company, licensed to ship genetic material in a special cryo-tank.  Please ask us for more details.  Stages 2 and 3 are the same as what is listed above.

Are there financing or payment options?

Unfortunately, there are no financing options available.  Payments are made in stages throughout the pregnancy via wire transfer.

Are there any hidden costs or fees or other charges?

The cost is the same, about $46,900 but you must also pay $5,300 USD for “sperm washing” and $1,200 USD for lab work; there is also an extra $5,000 USD payment to the surrogate when the Stage 3 payment is made.

The cost is the same, about $46,900 but you do not have to pay for one of our egg donors.

We have a shipped embryo program that is about $41,900, plus the cost of the Mexican health department importation permit and the shipping costs, which vary.

Unfortunately, all of our programs require the use of one of our surrogates at this time.

What happens if my first embryo transfer is not successful? How much do I have to pay for another embryo transfer?

Our success rate is around 70% for the first embryo transfer, which is among the highest in the world and is a direct result of our embryology protocols; our egg donor and surrogate screening; and our use of “backup surrogates” to ensure your surrogate has an endometrium (uterine lining) that is very optimal.  But if you fall into the 30% category of those who aren’t successful with the first embryo transfer which is included in your program, each additional embryo transfer has a cost of $6,600 USD.

Egg Donor Questions

What medical screening is conducted for egg donors and surrogates?

Our egg donors go through a rigorous screening process including complete medical testing, drug/tobacco and alcohol screening, STD/STI screening, psychological testing and counseling and full background checks.  Additionally, extensive fertility screening is conducted.

How do I select my egg donor?

The selection of your egg donor is a very important aspect of your surrogacy journey.  Our clinic’s egg donation program gives clients many options, from inexpensive local Mexican egg donors, to international donors from around the world using our company-managed global egg donor network.  All of our egg donors are fully screened, both medically and psychologically, as well as for drugs, tobacco and alcohol and STDs/STIs.

The first decision you should make is whether to select a local Mexican egg donor, or an international donor.  They are all screened the same, so it is a matter of preference, but also cost.  It is very inexpensive to use one of our local Mexican egg donors (between $1,500 USD and $3,000 USD).  Our international donors are more expensive (between $16,500 USD and $17,500 USD).  The reason the international egg donors are so much more expensive is because we must physically bring them to Cancun for the egg stimulation preparation which takes approximately three weeks, and they usually come with the egg donor coordinator from their home country.  Whereas with the local Mexican egg donors, these travel costs are not a factor, so we can keep the costs very low.

Steps to Selecting your Egg Donor

1. Visit our web-based Egg Donor Database by going to miraclesurrogacy.com/donors and entering your email address. You will then be sent a passcode to enter the database.

2. Choose 5 egg donors you like. Be sure to tell us the country they are from and their Egg Donor Code and put them in priority order.
3. We will then check on the egg donors’ availability and get back to you so you can make your final selection.

What “locks in” or “holds/reserves” my egg donor?

Once you give final confirmation about your egg donor selection, you must sign your contract and make your Stage 1 payment in order to reserve/hold your egg donor.  The reason for this is, a woman can only donate eggs every 60-90 days on average, and must be approved by the doctor to donate again after each donation.  For this reason, we cannot reserve/hold egg donors without a signed contract and Stage 1 payment.  It would not be fair to the egg donors otherwise.

What happens after my egg donor has been finalized, “locked in” and reserved?

Once you have signed your contract and made the Stage 1 payment, your egg donor will be reserved for you for the time period you are starting your surrogacy journey.  No one else will be able to reserve her for that same time period.  She will then undergo final screening.  Remember, all egg donors are “prescreened” before entry into the program, but a woman’s fertility can change over time, so although egg donors are prescreened, after selection, more comprehensive medical screening/preparation may reveal specific conditions (e.g. follicle issues) that may result in the doctor requiring you to select a different egg donor. This is normal, and although it may be frustrating having to make another selection, this ensures the final egg donor selection creates the best chance for a pregnancy.  Our doctor has your best interests at heart and wants you to have a successful journey with a successful pregnancy the very first try!  So, if this occurs, we will simply move on to your second or third choice in your list of egg donors, or you can select another one acceptable to you.

We are excited about sharing this amazing journey with you and look forward to your egg donor list of 5 choices in priority order soon!

I don’t need an egg donor.  Can I use my own eggs (Self-Cycle)?

We look forward to beginning your surrogacy journey with you.  For our Intended Parent Mothers wishing to use their own eggs, the following fertility tests must be conducted before we get started.  Please obtain the results of these tests, scan and email to us so we can obtain our doctor’s approval for you to begin your program.

1. Vaginal ultrasound (in order to see the follicles) done on the 2nd or 3rd day of menstrual cycle:
2. FSH, LSH, ESTRADIOL (blood test) on the 2nd or 3rd day of menstrual cycle; and
3. Antimüllerian Hormone (blood test) done at anytime

When does the egg donor being prepping for the program and how long does it take?

The whole process might take a month and a half. First the egg donor needs to start taking birth control pills for about 21 days; then she stops and her menstrual cycle starts and on the second day of her period, we start the egg stimulation protocol (injections), which takes from 10-15 days for her to be ready for the egg retrieval.

What is the average number of eggs harvested from an IVF egg collection cycle from one of your egg donors? 

​We can’t guarantee how many eggs the egg donor will have, but we set the medical conditions as optimal as possible to have as many healthy/mature eggs as possible in a safe manner.

Surrogate Questions

Our surrogates go through a rigorous screening process including complete medical testing, drug/tobacco and alcohol screening, STD/STI screening, psychological testing and counseling and full background checks.  Additionally, extensive fertility screening is conducted.

We also conduct complete medical testing, drug/tobacco, and alcohol screening, STD/STI screening, psychological testing and counseling and full background check.  Additionally, ongoing counseling and support are provided to them throughout the pregnancy.  The surrogates continue to live in their homes, with the full support of their families.  Additionally, our clinic makes routine visits to the surrogates’ homes for wellness checks and to show them the entire staff cares about them.  While egg donors remain anonymous, our intended parents will know the identities of their surrogates and may maintain contact through the clinic coordinator during pregnancy and on their own after pregnancy if they wish.

After your baby is born, your surrogate continues to receive counseling and regular medical checkups during her rest and recovery period.

Is there a “waiting period” to get a surrogate?  How long does it take to be “matched?”

We have a very successful surrogate recruitment program.  About 90 percent of all our surrogates come to us as referrals from current or former surrogates.  We are very proud of this.  It means we are treating our surrogates well and they are very happy with the program; that’s why they refer their friends and family to us.  There is never a wait for a surrogate and there is no “matching” process.  We have lots of surrogates ready to get started now.  There is no waiting period.

How do I select my surrogate?

MIRACLE Surrogacy has a full cadre of fully screened surrogates who are ready to get started right away.  There is no “wait time” or “matching” process that takes place.  We assign your surrogate and you will receive the surrogate’s full name, photograph, profile with medical information and other family details such as the number of children she has and their ages.

All of our surrogates are required to live in Cancun and they must have their own children and must be legally single.  They are fully screened medically, for general health, STD/STIs, drugs/tobacco/alcohol, psychological screening, background check and must also pass our in-clinic screening/education program and also we inspect their homes to ensure everything is ideal for a stress-free pregnancy.

Will my surrogate remain in her home?

Yes, all our surrogates live in their homes, often with parents, grandparents, siblings etc.  Our psychologists have advised us that leaving the surrogate in her home throughout the pregnancy is better, so she can have the support and assistance of her family.

We really care a lot about the wellness of the surrogate, how she is treated and her overall care.  How does MIRACLE Surrogacy feel about this?

MIRACLE Surrogacy places significant emphasis on the medical and psychological wellbeing of its surrogates.  We truly believe in our hearts that these very special women are the most important component of our programs and once they pass our rigorous medical and psychological screening, we ensure our surrogates feel like they are part of our family.  We also do something really helpful, which is to visit them in their homes, unannounced, throughout their pregnancies.  We do this in a very kind/gentle way that is not oppressive; we drop by with some maternity clothes or other gifts or vitamins/supplements and make sure everything looks great in their homes and at the same time show them how much we love and care about them.   And we really do.

Can I have contact with my surrogate?  May I visit her? 

You are welcome to meet your assigned surrogate once anytime you wish.  Most intended parents choose to wait until the middle of the second trimester to come for an in-person visit at our clinic.  We will make these arrangements for you on a day your surrogate has a medical appointment/checkup.  We also will make arrangements during any of your surrogate’s scans/ultrasounds for you to briefly see/chat with your surrogate via Whatsapp video or Skype.  MIRACLE Surrogacy’s founders, Brian and Henry Yaden met their own surrogate when she was pregnant with their daughter, while she was in her second trimester.  They both have said how important this meeting was for them—and for their surrogate.  They have all commented how this mid-pregnancy meeting “took the edge off” and any awkwardness once it was time for their baby to be delivered.  The recommend the same for all their clients.

Will my surrogate have her own child/children?  How do I know she won’t “change her mind” about turning my baby over to me?

Our surrogates all have their own biological children and are legally single and live in Cancun, close to the clinic.

Our surrogates sign contracts directly with our clinic and another contract directly with the intended parent, which clearly state that they have no genetic/biological connection to the baby and clearly state they give up all parental rights to the child.  As part of the surrogate screening process, we spent a great deal of time educating the surrogate about the entire process and make sure they fully understand this is not their baby and there is no way they can “change their mind.”  We have never had a single instance of a surrogate changing her mind, or causing any problems whatsoever.  They are very loving and humble and respectable young women who are very special, and truly want to help another person or couple have a baby who cannot through traditional means.  They do not simply do this for the economic assistance gained through the program.  They really want to help you have a baby.  This is a critical part of our screening process and we make sure this is in their heart to help you.  As for the economic assistance gained, they do not receive their final payment—which is the most significant amount—until after your baby has been born, turned over to you and the surrogate has signed all documents needed for you to obtain the baby’s passport/citizenship.

Questions About Twins

Can we have twins?

It is such a blessing and a real MIRACLE to have a baby, so having two little MIRACLES is double the blessing.  We are very proud of our twin birth rate.  While there is no way to increase the odds of having twins other than implanting two embryos versus one, the fact is that 20-25 percent of the time, our pregnancies result in twins using two embryos.  This is on par with any other fertility clinic in the world.  To increase this chance, intended parents can have two surrogates at the same time, using embryos that come from the same egg donor and biological father (the cost is approximately double for having two surrogates, but we eliminate the egg donor charge for one of the surrogate programs because you will be using the same egg donor).

What is the cost of twins?

A charge of $7,000 USD is paid when you enter your third trimester on week 24 of pregnancy.  We provide additional economic assistance to your surrogate and there are other medical costs we incur, and that is why we charge this $7,000 USD.

Can we have twins using embryos created from the same egg donor, but sperm from two different biological fathers?  How many embryos are transferred?

It is a very common dream of a gay couple to have two children, one genetically linked to one partner and the other baby genetically linked to the other partner, but BOTH from the same egg donor.  In Mexico, because of laws and the way birth certificates are issued, the ONLY way to do this is by having two surrogates.  We cannot legally transfer embryos made from two different biological fathers into the same surrogate.  So the cost is essentially double, but you only pay for the egg donor compensation one time because you will be sharing her eggs.

Getting Started/Next Steps

How long does it take to start the process?

From the time a client submits to us their semen analysis and STD/STI tests, passport copy and Client Information Form, it only takes one week to finalize the client’s egg donor selection (usually) and for the client to sign their contract and make their Stage 1 payment.  After this, it only takes about 6 weeks to schedule your semen deposit at our clinic in Cancun and to prepare your egg donor and surrogate for the embryo transfer.

How long do I have to stay in Cancun for the semen deposit?

Clients only need to stay two business days for their semen deposit (in case two deposits are needed); three business days are required for our HIV+ clients to be able to leave additional samples due to the sperm washing process.

How do I get started?  What are the next steps?

It’s easy to start your surrogacy journey with us.  You just need to do a semen analysis and standard STD/STI testing.  You will need to complete our Client Information Form and submit a copy of the photo page of your passport.  We will then secure doctor approval for you to get started, and it will then be time for you to select your egg donor and sign your contract and make your first payment.

When should I do my semen analysis?

A semen analysis is a required part of our program. The semen analysis should be done within 6 months of the sperm deposit at our clinic.

What medical tests are needed to participate in the surrogacy program?

STD/STI tests and semen analysis are required in order to participate in our program. The tests should be completed within 6 months before you make your sperm deposit at our clinic.

What are the specific STD/STI tests required and any other medical tests?

1. HIV
2. Syphilis
3. Hepatitis C
4. Hepatitis B tests: it is important for you to do all of the following:
   1. HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen): when this test is positive, it means you are currently infected with HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and can pass the infection to others
   2. Anti-HBc (antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen): When this is positive or reactive, it means that you have HBV infection or had it at some time in the past
   3. Anti-HBs (antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen): When this is positive, it means that you are immune to HBV infection, either from vaccination or from past infection and cannot pass the disease on to others.
5. Seminogram (semen analysis).

How does a semen analysis (and semen deposit) work?  Tips for Semen Analysis / Semen Deposit

Semen deposits and semen analyses are collected via masturbation and depositing the semen into a plastic cup.  When you go to do your semen analysis and eventually your semen deposit at our clinic, we advise you to follow the following “rules” (semen analysis and semen deposit tips):

1. Don’t ejaculate for 2 to 5 days before your test/deposit: your testicles are constantly producing sperm. During an ejaculation, the sperm stored in your epididymis are shot out and fresh sperm then replace the sperm ejaculated.  It takes 2 to 3 days to completely refill the epididymis.  Testing too soon after an ejaculation can show a result of lower sperm count than your average.  So is it better to “save it up” and wait longer?  Absolutely Not!  Your sperm start to die inside you after time, so it is a good idea to “clean out the pipes” with more frequent ejaculations, then wait 2-5 days and then go for your semen analysis/deposit.
2. No lube and no condoms: many lubes/condoms contain spermicides designed to kill sperm and it’s also important that your sample be “pure” which also means no saliva.
3. Avoid high heat such as hot tubs, saunas, hot baths/showers, laptop resting on your lap, etc. in the week leading up to the test/deposit.
4. Smoking has long been known to reduce sperm health. So cut it out if possible.  This applies to cigarettes and marijuana too.
5. Avoid excessive alcohol.
6. Increase intake of anti-oxidant-rich foods: e.g. selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, I-carnitine

Miscellaneous Questions

How many embryos are transferred?

We always transfer two, which is the industry standard, unless you want one embryo transferred. We discuss this with the client before any decision is made and with our doctor, who ultimately approves the decision.

I am a single woman. Can I do surrogacy in Mexico?

As a single woman, you can absolutely do surrogacy in Mexico. However, because all birth certificates are issued using the biological father’s name and the surrogate’s name, you will need a trusted friend or relative to be your sperm donor and to sign all contracts.  He will be the one responsible for retrieving the baby upon birth and completing the baby’s exit process to return to your home country. Later, you can have him relinquish all legal rights to the child and give you full legal rights.

Is it possible to have fetal reduction or to terminate the pregnancy, if needed?

A pregnancy can only be terminated if there is a life-threatening condition which could affect the life of the surrogate or if there is a severely debilitating medical condition present in the child.