Choosing a Successful Surrogacy Agency
August 22, 2025 by Frank Golden
Why Baby Count Doesn’t Reflect Surrogacy Agency Success
When you’re starting your surrogacy journey, it’s natural to want some solid numbers. A lot of Intended Parents ask questions like, “How many babies are born through your agency each year?” or “How many couples end up with a baby?” We totally get it. You want to know if the surrogacy agency has a strong track record. But here’s the thing: those numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Let’s dive into why.
Surrogacy Isn’t a Numbers Game
Life is full of choices, and while numbers can guide us, they don’t always give the whole picture. Take choosing a restaurant: knowing how many dishes are on the menu doesn’t tell you if the food is actually good. It just means they’ve invested in a fancy printer. Similarly, asking how many awards a movie has won doesn’t guarantee you’ll like it, especially if it’s a three-hour long silent film that’s not your style. The same goes for choosing a surrogacy agency. Asking “How many babies are born each year?” might seem important, but this number alone doesn’t reveal the full picture. It’s just one small part of a much bigger story.
Surrogacy Success Rate Explained
At Golden, we’ve had the privilege of supporting Intended Parents from all walks of life, each with their own unique journey. Some come to us with several genetically tested embryos, which tend to have a higher chance of success. But not all stories are the same. Some Intended Parents might have only one embryo left, and that can make the chances of success less predictable. That’s why asking an agency how many babies they help bring into the world each year doesn’t tell you the whole story, it overlooks important factors that affect success rates.
The Questions That Matter
To truly understand how a surrogacy agency works, it’s essential to focus on the questions that get to the heart of their process. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding how the agency approaches each match and supports its Surrogates and Intended Parents. Here are some key questions to ask:
1. “What percent of matches move forward?”
At Golden, we’re proud to have a 99% success rate in matching Intended Parents and Surrogates. That number matters because it reflects something more than just paperwork. A good match should feel right, not just look right on paper. One question to ask is how often Intended Parents say yes when a Surrogate is introduced. That kind of response says a lot about how thoughtful the agency is when creating those matches.
2. “What percent of Surrogates receive clinical approval?”
This question gives insight into how carefully an agency screens its Surrogates. It is not just about meeting medical standards. It is about ensuring that each Surrogate is truly prepared, both physically and emotionally, for the journey. A high approval rate suggests that the agency is skilled at identifying strong candidates early, which helps avoid delays or issues down the road. At Golden, 99% of our Surrogates receive clinical approval.
3. “What percent of Surrogates have a successful, uncomplicated birth?”
The percentage of successful, uncomplicated births says a lot about how the agency selects and supports its Surrogates. A high rate, like ours at 98%, means the agency isn’t just finding qualified candidates, but also providing the care and support needed for a healthy, smooth pregnancy. It shows they’re truly dedicated to making sure both the Surrogate and Intended Parents have the best possible outcome.
Success in People, Not Stats
When you’re going through a surrogacy journey, you deserve more than just “babies born.” You deserve to feel like you’re being cared for, like your feelings and your needs matter. Surrogacy is such a deeply personal experience, and the agency you choose should be there for you, guiding and supporting you every step of the way. The best way to find that out? Ask the questions that really matter, the ones that show how much they truly care about your journey and your family.
Differences that Matter
At Golden, we’ve always believed that success is found in the people we help. Every journey is different, and every family is built in its own way. So, if you’re in the process of finding the right agency, we hope you’ll look past the showy numbers and into the heart of how they support you. We’re here for that kind of surrogacy.