Choosing the right surrogate mother is one of the most sensitive and important steps in any surrogacy program. It’s not only about medical compatibility – it’s also about reliability, legal clarity, and logistical planning. At SILK Medical, the matching process is designed to give international couples confidence and stability at every stage.
Where Our Surrogates Come From
Typically, we do not recruit surrogate mothers from Georgia due to a smaller pool. Instead, we work with women from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and various countries in Central Asia. These candidates are referred through trusted agents and clinics that operate under clear screening guidelines.
For international surrogacy programs conducted in Armenia, local Armenian surrogate mothers are not used. This restriction is based on legal and regulatory reasons, and applies regardless of the patient’s nationality or embryo origin.
Two Program Setups: Full Relocation or Monitored Return
There are two ways a surrogacy program can be structured.
The first is the relocation model, where the surrogate lives in Georgia or Armenia for the entire duration of the pregnancy. This option allows for consistent in-person monitoring by our team and simplifies logistics for the birth.
The second model begins with embryo transfer at our clinic, after which the surrogate returns to her home country – typically Russia – where she is monitored in one of our partner clinics. Around week 28 of pregnancy, she returns to Georgia or Armenia and stays until delivery. This arrangement provides flexibility while maintaining medical oversight throughout.
Medical Screening and Eligibility
Every surrogate candidate undergoes a multi-step evaluation process. Medical assessments include:
- General health and gynecological exams
- Transvaginal ultrasound between day 8–11 of the cycle
- Hormonal panel
- Infectious disease testing (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C)
- Blood type and Rh factor (we do not accept Rh-negative candidates)
The candidate must have given birth to at least one healthy child and have no major complications in past pregnancies. Only one previous C-section is acceptable.
In parallel, each candidate is interviewed and evaluated by our team to confirm her emotional stability, family support, and understanding of the program responsibilities.
Legal and Financial Structure
Surrogacy contracts are signed in advance and reviewed by legal professionals. These agreements outline the roles and rights of all parties and confirm that the surrogate has no legal claim over the child. Under Georgian law, the intended parents are recognized as the legal parents from the moment of birth, without the need for a court decision.
Compensation to the surrogate is divided into several stages, including regular monthly payments, a final payment after delivery, and additional support for housing and transport where applicable. If a surrogate must be replaced for medical or logistical reasons, that is arranged at no additional cost to the intended parents.
Can You Choose Your Surrogate?
In many cases, yes. Patients can request specific characteristics such as age range, experience, language, or religion. While preferences like physical appearance or education level may be accommodated when possible, our first priority is always medical suitability and program stability.
If the match is urgent, a priority search can be arranged for an additional $3,000. This reduces the typical matching timeline from up to three months to around four weeks.
Communication After Transfer
Once pregnancy is confirmed, intended parents receive regular updates. This includes:
- Blood test results (hCG)
- Ultrasound images
- Reports from surrogate monitoring visits
For surrogates staying abroad during the first two trimesters, our partner clinics share medical results and communicate with SILK Medical’s team weekly. Patients are notified promptly of any developments.
In many cases, we also facilitate video calls with the surrogate mother later in pregnancy if both sides are comfortable with that option.
How This Differs from Traditional Agency Matching
Unlike many agencies that outsource most steps, SILK Medical oversees both the medical and coordination side of the program. That means surrogate screening, medical records, legal contracts, and communication all run through a single accountable team.
This direct model lowers the chance of delays, miscommunication, or mismatched expectations – something that can happen when legal, clinical, and matching functions are split between multiple organizations.
Why It Matters
Not every surrogate is a good match for every couple. That’s why our selection process balances medical screening with legal safeguards and human oversight. The goal is not to move fast, but to move correctly—with people you can trust.
To discuss your options or learn what kind of surrogate profiles may be available for your case, reach out to SILK Medical for a confidential consultation.
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