Surrogacy in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Surrogacy is a medically, emotionally, financially, and legally complex process. For many people in Grand Rapids who are unable to carry a pregnancy—including women with medical conditions, same-sex male couples, and some single men—surrogacy can offer a path to having a biological child.

This guide provides general information about surrogacy in Grand Rapids, MI and throughout the United States. Always seek personalized medical, legal, and psychological advice before moving forward.

What Is Surrogacy?

A surrogate (also called a gestational carrier) is a woman who becomes pregnant, carries, and gives birth to a child for another person or couple (the intended parent/s). The surrogate agrees that, after the birth, the child will be raised by the intended parent/s.

In most parts of the United States, including Michigan, a gestational surrogate:

  • Does not use her own eggs
  • Is not the genetic mother of the child

Instead, eggs and sperm are provided by the intended parents or donors. An embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and transferred to the surrogate’s uterus, usually at a fertility clinic.

Surrogacy Laws in Michigan and Grand Rapids

Michigan has historically had some of the strictest surrogacy laws in the country. The legal landscape is evolving, so it is critical to get up-to-date legal advice from a Michigan attorney experienced in reproductive and family law.

Key legal points to understand:

  • Commercial surrogacy (paying a surrogate beyond reasonable expenses) has been heavily restricted or prohibited in Michigan.
  • Altruistic surrogacy—where the surrogate is not paid beyond reimbursement for medical and other reasonable pregnancy-related expenses—is generally the only acceptable framework.
  • Parentage (who is legally recognized as the child’s parent/s) often requires court involvement, and the process can vary by county.

Because of these complexities, intended parents and surrogates in Grand Rapids and Kent County should:

  • Consult a Michigan reproductive law attorney early in the process
  • Confirm the current legal status of surrogacy and any recent legislative changes
  • Understand how birth certificates and parental rights are established in Michigan

Where Surrogacy Care Happens in Grand Rapids

Many steps in a surrogacy journey—fertility evaluation, IVF, embryo creation, and pregnancy care—take place at local clinics and hospitals. In the Grand Rapids, MI area, you may work with:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) fertility and OB/GYN services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids (formerly Mercy Health) for obstetric and maternal-fetal medicine care
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health for reproductive and prenatal care
  • Local IVF and fertility clinics that coordinate with surrogacy agencies and legal teams

For public health information and support:

  • Kent County Health Department – reproductive health resources, STI testing, immunizations
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – general health services, counseling referrals, and social support

Who Might Consider Surrogacy?

Surrogacy may be considered in situations such as:

  • A woman has had a hysterectomy or is missing part of her uterus, ovaries, or reproductive tract
  • A woman has a serious health condition (for example, severe heart disease, some autoimmune disorders, or high-risk clotting conditions) that makes pregnancy dangerous
  • A woman has experienced repeated pregnancy loss or failed IVF cycles where carrying a pregnancy is not recommended
  • A same-sex male couple wishes to have a child using the sperm of one partner (and sometimes an egg donor)
  • A single man wishes to have a child using his sperm and an egg donor
  • A couple or individual has frozen embryos and the woman is no longer able to safely carry a pregnancy

In all cases, both the intended parents and the surrogate must be carefully evaluated from medical, psychological, and legal perspectives.

Medical Requirements and Screening

While specific criteria vary by clinic, typical expectations in the United States (and commonly applied in Michigan) include:

Intended Parents (Commissioning Parent/s)

Intended parents usually must show that:

  • They are infertile or medically unable to carry a pregnancy, or
  • Pregnancy would pose a significant medical risk to the intended mother or baby

They must also:

  • Undergo fertility testing and medical evaluation
  • Receive counseling about the emotional, relational, and ethical aspects of surrogacy
  • Obtain independent legal advice about contracts, parentage, and Michigan law

The Surrogate (Gestational Carrier)

Common requirements for surrogates include:

  • Must not use her own eggs in the surrogacy arrangement (gestational surrogacy)
  • Preferably has already completed her own family (has had at least one healthy pregnancy and live birth)
  • Is typically at least 21–25 years old (exact age requirements vary by clinic and agency)
  • Is in good physical and mental health
  • Has a stable living situation and support system, especially important during Michigan’s long winter months when stress and seasonal mood changes can occur

The surrogate and her partner (if she has one) must:

  • Receive independent legal advice
  • Participate in professional counseling to discuss expectations, boundaries, and emotional impact
  • Undergo a full medical evaluation, including infectious disease screening, OB/GYN exam, and sometimes psychological testing

Some clinics also require any egg or sperm donor involved to undergo counseling and legal review.

Medical Risks of Surrogacy

Surrogacy involves many of the same medical risks as other assisted reproductive treatments (ART) and pregnancy in general.

For the Egg Provider

If eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or an egg donor:

  • Fertility drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs
  • There is a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can cause:
    • Abdominal pain and bloating
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • In rare, severe cases: blood clots, fluid in the chest or abdomen, kidney problems, and (very rarely) death

For the Surrogate

The surrogate faces the usual risks of pregnancy and birth, including:

  • Gestational diabetes (which can be more common in colder climates with less winter activity, like West Michigan)
  • High blood pressure or preeclampsia
  • Bleeding during pregnancy or delivery
  • Preterm labor
  • The possibility of needing a cesarean section (C-section)
  • Emotional and psychological stress, especially around birth and the planned transfer of the baby to the intended parents

For the Child

Risks to the baby are similar to other IVF pregnancies:

  • If more than one embryo is transferred, the risk of multiple pregnancy (twins or more) increases
  • Multiple pregnancies are associated with:
    • Premature birth
    • Low birth weight
    • Higher rates of breathing problems and other health issues in newborns

To reduce risks, many Grand Rapids fertility specialists recommend single embryo transfer whenever appropriate.

Always discuss these risks in detail with a fertility specialist at a local clinic such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or a dedicated IVF center.

Emotional and Financial Considerations

Surrogacy is not only a medical process—it is a profound emotional and financial commitment for everyone involved.

Emotional Considerations

Key emotional factors to prepare for include:

  • The surrogate’s feelings about carrying a baby for someone else
  • The intended parents’ anxiety about:
    • The health of the surrogate and baby
    • The legal process
    • The birth and early bonding period
  • The impact on partners, children, and extended family on both sides
  • Possible emotional challenges during long West Michigan winters, when limited sunlight and cold weather can affect mood

All parties should:

  • Engage in pre-surrogacy counseling with a mental health professional experienced in reproductive issues
  • Maintain clear and open communication throughout the process
  • Have a plan for support during pregnancy and after birth

Financial Considerations

Even when surrogacy is altruistic (no payment beyond reasonable expenses), it can be costly. Potential expenses include:

  • Fertility clinic and IVF costs
  • Prenatal care and delivery (hospital and physician fees)
  • Health insurance coverage and gaps
  • Legal fees for contracts and parentage proceedings
  • Counseling and psychological evaluations
  • Reimbursement of the surrogate’s reasonable expenses, such as:
    • Travel to appointments (especially during winter in Grand Rapids when travel can be more difficult)
    • Maternity clothing
    • Lost wages if bed rest or reduced work is required
    • Childcare during medical visits

A clear, written agreement—reviewed by attorneys for both the surrogate and intended parents—is essential.

Key Factors for a Positive Surrogacy Experience

Factors that can contribute to a successful surrogacy arrangement in Grand Rapids include:

  • Good mental and physical health for all parties
  • Clear, open, and honest communication from the beginning
  • Realistic expectations about:
    • The chances of success
    • The timeline (it can take a year or longer before embryo transfer occurs)
  • A solid understanding of the medical process, including IVF, embryo transfer, and pregnancy care
  • Agreement on:
    • Pregnancy management (testing, activity levels, work, travel)
    • Birth plan (who will be present, hospital choice—e.g., Butterworth Hospital, Metro Health Hospital, or Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
    • Post-birth contact and relationship between surrogate and family
  • Being prepared for emotional responses before, during, and after birth
  • Being fully informed about and prepared for the financial costs

Local and National Resources for Surrogacy Support

If you are considering surrogacy in Grand Rapids, MI, helpful starting points include:

  • Your primary care provider (GP/family doctor) – for initial counseling and referrals
  • Local IVF and fertility clinics – for medical evaluation, IVF, and embryo transfer
  • Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health – for OB/GYN and high-risk pregnancy care
  • Kent County Health Department – for public health information, immunizations, and community resources
  • Licensed mental health professionals in Grand Rapids – especially those specializing in infertility, pregnancy, and family building
  • Michigan reproductive law attorneys – to explain current Michigan surrogacy laws, draft contracts, and manage parentage proceedings
  • National surrogacy organizations and support groups – for education and peer support (online and sometimes with regional Michigan meetups)

Next Steps if You Are Considering Surrogacy in Grand Rapids

  1. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or OB/GYN to discuss whether surrogacy is medically appropriate in your situation.
  2. Consult a fertility specialist at a Grand Rapids or West Michigan IVF clinic to review medical options, testing, and success rates.
  3. Meet with a Michigan attorney who focuses on assisted reproduction and family law to understand the legal framework and risks.
  4. Engage in counseling (you, your partner if applicable, and any potential surrogate) to explore expectations, boundaries, and emotional readiness.
  5. Review your insurance coverage and talk with a financial counselor at your clinic about expected costs.
  6. Connect with local or online support groups for intended parents and surrogates to hear real-life experiences.

Surrogacy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can be a meaningful way to build a family, but it requires careful planning, strong professional guidance, and a clear understanding of Michigan’s legal and medical landscape. Always work with qualified medical, legal, and mental health professionals as you consider this path.