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Whittier & Southeast LA County · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Whittierand Southeast LA County
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. What the research really looks like.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving Whittier, Southeast LA County, and all of California.
“She was matched within her first quarter at MUSA.”
— Intended parent, Whittier area
Whittier sits at a quiet intersection in Southeast Los Angeles County, close enough to world-class LA fertility clinics that monitoring appointments don't require a full day off work, but rooted enough in its own community that surrogates deliver at hospitals where the staff already knows their name.
PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, right here in Whittier, operates a Level III NICU staffed around the clock by neonatologists—the highest level of neonatal care available. That means intended parents never have to wonder whether their surrogate has access to advanced medical support if anything unexpected happens.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is a Sacramento-based, California-focused agency founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate who built the agency she wished she'd had. Every surrogate in our program is a California resident, which means proximity to Whittier-area fertility clinics, legal protection under the strongest surrogacy in California framework in the United States, and a team that knows this state because we live and work here.
Local Resources
Why Whittier for Surrogacy
Whittier has been a family-oriented community since Quaker settlers founded it in 1898. With roughly 87,000 residents and the kind of multi-generational stability that comes from people choosing to stay, this is a city where family building is what the community is built around. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics Near Whittier
RMA Southern California
Downey (~7 miles)
One of the closest fertility clinics to Whittier, serving Southeast LA County.
HRC Fertility
Fullerton (~10 miles)
Established fertility practice in Southern California with full IVF and surrogacy coordination.
Reproductive Fertility Center
LA and Irvine locations (15–25 miles)
Board-certified reproductive endocrinologists with full IVF and surrogacy services.
Pacific Fertility Center LA and Southern California Reproductive Center are also accessible within 20–30 minutes from Whittier.
Delivery Hospitals in Whittier
PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital
Level III NICU staffed around the clock by neonatologists—the highest level of neonatal care available. A concrete differentiator for surrogates delivering in Whittier, equipped for any scenario from routine births to those requiring immediate neonatal intervention.
Whittier Hospital Medical Center
Private labor, delivery, and recovery rooms with full maternity services. These aren't hospitals an hour away—they're in your community.
California Legal Framework
Pre-birth parentage orders mean both parents are on the birth certificate before the baby is born, regardless of marital status or genetic connection. No post-birth adoption. No waiting period. No uncertainty.
Whittier families and surrogates benefit from California's strongest-in-the-nation legal protections under Family Code Sections 7960–7962. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
What Makes MUSA Different for Whittier Families and Surrogates
Most surrogacy agencies describe their screening as “comprehensive” and leave it at that. We publish what comprehensive actually means. Because vague language doesn't protect anyone.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Protects Everyone Involved
Every surrogate in our program completes a medical evaluation that goes beyond standard ASRM guidelines. An independent, third-party IVF nurse reviews the complete OB/GYN records for all of her pregnancies—not just the most recent one. She also undergoes psychological assessment by a licensed mental health professional, financial stability verification, background screening, and undisclosed nicotine testing.
Surrogates deserve an agency that invests in them thoroughly. Intended parents deserve confidence that their surrogate has been evaluated with the rigor this process requires. And the baby at the center of every journey deserves both.
California-Resident Surrogates
Every surrogate in our program lives in California. That means proximity to your Whittier-area fertility clinic, no cross-state legal coordination, and a surrogacy journey that stays within the strongest legal framework in the United States.
For surrogates, it means local support, familiar hospitals like PIH Health and Whittier Hospital Medical Center, and a team that understands California-specific insurance, legal, and medical systems.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
Many agencies quote 6–12 months or longer for matching. Our matching timeline is typically 3–6 months. That's a function of our compensation ($65,000+ base attracts a deep applicant pool), our screening (thorough evaluation means we match with confidence), and our California-only focus.
One intended parent who came to us had been waiting 18 months with another agency. She was matched within her first quarter at MUSA.
Founded by a Former Surrogate
Samantha Giermek didn't study surrogacy from a boardroom. She carried a baby for another family, experienced every step of the process firsthand, and then built an agency based on what she learned: what worked, what didn't, and what surrogates actually need to feel supported through one of the most significant commitments a person can make. Read more about our story.
“That experience informs how we screen, how we match, and how we support surrogates and families throughout the journey.”
— Samantha Giermek, Founder
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in Whittier
If you've been thinking about becoming a surrogate—maybe you've seen other surrogates share their stories online, or a friend mentioned it, or you've just been quietly Googling between school pickups and work shifts in Whittier—here's what you should know about working with MUSA.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$100,000+. MUSA surrogates receive $65,000+ in base compensation for a first journey, with experienced surrogates earning $70,000 or more. Additional support includes $8,000 for multiples, $350/month personal allowance, $1,500 embryo transfer bonus, $1,500 medical procedures bonus, $1,000 maternity clothing allowance, and $2,000 housekeeping allowance. All payments are managed through a dedicated escrow account.
Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate
Full health insurance coverage
All pregnancy-related medical care, paid by the intended parents.
Monthly allowances
Maternity clothing, housekeeping, and childcare during appointments.
Independent legal representation
Paid for by intended parents, to protect your rights throughout the process.
Dedicated case manager support
From application through postpartum, including a direct line to someone who understands what you're going through.
The experience itself
Most MUSA surrogates describe it as one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives, and the relationships built during the journey often last well beyond delivery.
What the Process Looks Like
Application
Takes about 10 minutes online. You'll share basic health history and personal information.
Screening
Medical evaluation, psychological assessment, pregnancy history review, and background check. This isn't a gatekeeping exercise—it's how we make sure you're set up for a healthy, supported journey.
Matching
We introduce you to intended parents based on preferences, values, and what kind of relationship you're looking for during the journey. You have a say in who you carry for.
Legal
You'll work with your own independent attorney (paid for by the intended parents) to review and sign the surrogacy agreement. California law protects your rights at every stage.
Medical
Embryo transfer at your fertility clinic, likely RMA Southern California in Downey, HRC Fertility in Fullerton, or another clinic within easy reach of Whittier, followed by pregnancy confirmation and ongoing prenatal care.
Pregnancy and delivery
Regular check-ins with your MUSA case manager, monthly support, and coordination with your medical team through delivery at a local hospital like PIH Health Good Samaritan.
The entire journey takes roughly 12–14 months from matching to delivery. It's not easy. The injections are uncomfortable, the early weeks can be anxious, and the emotional weight is real. But most MUSA surrogates describe it as one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives.
Review the full surrogate requirements to see if the journey is right for you.
For Intended Parents
Find a Surrogate in Whittier
If you're an intended parent researching surrogacy in the Whittier area, here's what working with MUSA looks like—and why the agency you choose matters as much as the clinic.
Your fertility clinic manages the medical procedure. Your attorney handles the legal framework. But the agency is the thread that holds the entire journey together—screening surrogates, facilitating the match, managing communication, navigating complications, and supporting everyone through a process that is simultaneously clinical, emotional, legal, and deeply personal.
MUSA maintains a 99.3%–99.5% success rate because our screening goes beyond ASRM guidelines and because we've seen what happens when agencies cut corners. Our surrogacy process is built on the principle that rigor up front prevents heartbreak later.
How the Process Works for Intended Parents
Consultation
A free, no-pressure conversation about your situation, timeline, and questions. No commitment required.
Matching
We present surrogate profiles based on your preferences, location, and values. Our typical match happens in 3–6 months.
Medical clearance
Your surrogate completes additional medical evaluation at your chosen fertility clinic.
Legal
Both parties work with independent attorneys to finalize the surrogacy agreement and file for a pre-birth parentage order.
Embryo transfer
Coordinated with your fertility clinic—RMA Southern California in Downey, HRC Fertility in Fullerton, or whichever clinic you select.
Pregnancy and birth
9 months of regular updates, surrogate support, and coordination. Both parents named on the birth certificate. No adoption. No waiting period.
The total journey typically takes 18–24 months from your initial consultation to bringing your baby home. Our step-by-step surrogacy process page has the complete breakdown.
Investment
Whittier Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy is a significant financial investment. The total cost of a surrogacy journey in the Whittier area typically ranges from $160,000 to $250,000+, depending on your fertility clinic, legal needs, insurance situation, and surrogate compensation.
Total Estimated Investment
$160,000–$250,000+
California's clear legal framework can simplify, and sometimes reduce, legal costs compared to states where surrogacy agreements face more scrutiny. And higher surrogate compensation isn't just an expense—it attracts more qualified candidates, which means better matches, fewer complications, and a smoother journey overall.
For a detailed breakdown of what to expect, see our full surrogacy cost guide.
Southeast LA County Coverage
Surrogacy in Southeast Los Angeles County
We also serve families and surrogates in Norwalk, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, La Habra, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Cerritos, and surrounding communities.
Long Beach
South Bay
Explore our full California surrogacy program.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Whittier Surrogacy
How do I become a surrogate in Whittier, California?
Start with a 10-minute online application at MUSA. You’ll need to be between 23 and 38 years old, have delivered at least one full-term pregnancy, be currently raising a child, maintain a healthy BMI, have no major pregnancy complications, be a non-smoker, and be a legal U.S. resident living in California. Learn more about surrogate requirements.
How much does surrogacy cost in Whittier?
Total surrogacy costs in the Whittier area typically range from $160,000 to $250,000+. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF and medical costs, legal fees, and insurance. The wide range depends on your fertility clinic, the number of embryo transfers needed, and your specific insurance situation. Learn more about detailed cost breakdown.
Are there surrogacy agencies serving Whittier?
Yes. Made in the USA Surrogacy serves Whittier and all of Southeast Los Angeles County with California-resident surrogates. MUSA’s California-only focus means our surrogates have direct access to nearby fertility clinics like RMA Southern California in Downey and HRC Fertility in Fullerton, and deliver at local hospitals like PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital with its Level III NICU.
How much do surrogates earn in Whittier, California?
MUSA surrogates receive $65,000+ in base compensation for a first journey, with total compensation reaching $100,000+ when bonuses and allowances are included. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+ base. All payments are managed through a dedicated escrow account. Learn more about compensation breakdown.
What fertility clinics near Whittier work with surrogacy agencies?
Several respected fertility clinics are within easy driving distance of Whittier. RMA Southern California in Downey (~7 miles), HRC Fertility in Fullerton (~10 miles), and Reproductive Fertility Center in LA and Irvine (15–25 miles) are among the closest. Pacific Fertility Center LA and Southern California Reproductive Center are also accessible within 20–30 minutes.
Is surrogacy legal in Whittier, California?
Yes. California has one of the most surrogacy-friendly legal frameworks in the United States. Gestational surrogacy agreements are fully enforceable under California Family Code Sections 7960–7962. Both intended parents are named on the birth certificate through a pre-birth parentage order—no post-birth adoption required. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
How long does the surrogacy process take?
From initial consultation to bringing your baby home, most surrogacy journeys take 18–24 months. Matching typically takes 3–6 months at MUSA, medical clearance and legal takes 2–3 months, and pregnancy is approximately 9 months. The timeline varies depending on factors like embryo availability and the number of transfer cycles needed.
Start Your Whittier Surrogacy Journey
Whether you're a woman in the Whittier area considering surrogacy for the first time, or an intended parent searching for an agency you can genuinely trust—the next step is the same. A conversation. No pressure, no pitch, just honest information about what this process really looks like.
Made in the USA Surrogacy. Sacramento-based. California-focused. Founded by a surrogate.
For Surrogates
The application takes about 10 minutes. No commitment. It's the first step in finding out if surrogacy is right for you.
See If You QualifyFor Intended Parents
A free consultation is a conversation, not a sales call. We'll walk through your situation and answer your questions, even if next steps aren't with us.
Free ConsultationMade in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout Whittier, Southeast Los Angeles County, and all of California.
