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An epic journey begins here
Folkstory is a full-service surrogacy agency.
And a small one. Our brand is simple: Folkstory is a boutique agency, with a very limited case load and a caring and competent coordinator. Our approach is process-oriented. The goal here is not just to make a baby, but to guide you through a journey—one that can be long and challenging and healing and, often, transformative.
Anxious to get this new life started? We want to help make it happen as efficiently as possible.
Folkstory is proud to have the lowest wait time in the industry—0 days.
We don't accept new parents into the program unless we have a carrier available and you're happy with the match.
Our process
A free consultation
If you live near Indy, come on down to the property for a latte and a homemade cookie. We'll sit on the deck of my riverside office and talk about your journey toward parenthood thus far, your hopes for this process, and what the next steps will look like. Live far away? No problem. Zoom works just as well. I don't put any time limit on this meeting. I want to hear your story and get all your questions answered.
Match with a gestational carrier
Before we get started, I'll ask for a $500 application fee, which can be applied toward the first installation of the agency fee. If you're using Folkstory for matching, you'll check out some GC candidate profiles, and if there's mutual desire to meet up, you'll have your first meeting (most likely on Zoom). I can moderate—or not!—your choice. But either way, I'll make sure to provide an agenda for your chat.
Sign with FOLKSTORY
If you and your chosen gestational carrier want to proceed, you'll sign the agency contract and the remaining $9,500 of the first agency installment will be due. Your screening (if using a known carrier) or agency fee ($2,250/$5,500) will also be due at this time.
Screening for everyone
While we get started with the gestational carrier's screening (including a review of her medical records at your chosen fertility clinic, in-person medical testing, and [sometimes] a mock cycle), you'll consult with a psychologist and do your FDA screening (if not already completed). When the surrogate is medically cleared, the second agency installment ($5,000) will be due.
Legal and escrow
You and the gestational carrier will consult with different reproductive lawyers to negotiate and finalize the contract. Once it's signed, you'll fully fund the escrow account for the next step: pregnancy!
Embryo transfer
Once the contract is signed, we'll schedule the frozen embryo transfer cycle. If all goes well, we'll know within 10 days whether a pregnancy has been established. At 6-7 weeks, there's an ultrasound to confirm heartbeat. The final installment of the agency fee ($5,000) is due upon heartbeat confirmation.
Pregnancy
During the 40-week journey, you'll attend prenatal care visits and/or receive updates from your gestational carrier. I do regular check-ins with both IPs and GCs to see how you're doing and make sure all logistical, in addition to personal, needs are met. I'll also help you find ways to connect with the baby and plan for their homecoming!
Birth
​The birthing process is a very special and intense part of this journey—for you and the gestational carrier. I'll be in contact with the hospital to make sure they're aware of the surrogacy arrangement, that the nurses know to call you "Mom" or "Dad," that there's a room available to you for family bonding immediately postpartum, and that the gestational carrier is receiving the best care possible as she helps you bring this sacred gift into the world.
Parenthood
The support doesn't end when the baby comes! The next few months will be some of the most memorable of your life, and I'm here to help with any concerns or coordination needs, from baby books to sleep to shipping breastmilk. I'll also be following up regularly with the GC to make sure she and her family have everything they need during this recovery period.
Before you meet with a SURROGATE:
She's gone through an extensive workup to assess physical, psychological, financial, and social well-being, including:
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Initial record review
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An in-depth interview and education session
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Questionnaires to assess personality and preferences
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Criminal and financial background checks
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Psychological evaluation with a licensed clinical psychologist
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An OB/midwife visit with PAP smear and surrogacy counseling
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Professional health insurance review
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Midwife review of medical records
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A remote "home visit"
Many surrogacy agencies hedge their financial risk by completing only the first three or four of the nine procedures above before matching. Our goal at Folkstory is to match you with a qualified and thoroughly vetted candidate so that when you find the right person, you can be as certain as reasonably possible that this partnership will work out.
Now, let's talk about cost.
Folkstory charges a flat $20K fee to coordinate the entire 15- to 24-month journey. (Compare that with the industry-standard $25K-$65K+.)
There's a $5,500 fee for matching, if you need it. So: $20K for those using their own gestational carrier, $25.5K for those who need matching services.
That's it. No surprise coordination fees. No "journey guarantee" expenses. For all other surrogacy-associated costs, your out-of-pocket through Folkstory will be roughly the same as the other guys'. Click here for a detailed cost worksheet.
Pricing our services affordably is not just a sales tactic. It's part of Folkstory's mission statement.
Put simply, we want to save you money. Folkstory is committed to making surrogacy more affordable for real folks. And we know that the cost of family building doesn't end when the baby comes. Let's save some of that dough for college or real life...or surro-baby number 2. :)
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why Folkstory over other agencies?
One contact for
everything
Mary Kate is your surrogacy navigator, from budget to procedures to bonding.
Fast, caring responses
Have a question? Shoot MK a text. Chances are, you'll hear back within a couple hours—even on the weekend.
GC selection process
Our GCs go through substantial pre-screening to check for financial, psychological, and physical well-being.
Affordability
Because we're small, with fewer overhead costs than the big agencies, our rates are substantially lower than the $25k-$65k you'll see elsewhere.
Not to mention
Digital Storytelling
Do you have a fertility story you'd like to share? Join us for a weekend workshop. (IPs and GCs who've signed with Folkstory can take the course for free! A $500 value.)
We gather in groups of 6 or 7 on MK's riverside property to share stories, eat some food, walk the grounds, and learn the technology to create short videos about our family-building experiences.
