Single Parent Surrogacy: Embracing Your Journey to Solo Parenthood

patriotconception
Jun 13
6 min read

Published by Patriot Conceptions | June 13, 2025

The landscape of American families continues to evolve, and one of the most significant trends is the rise of single parents by choice. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center last year, 78% of Americans find single parenting acceptable, reflecting a cultural shift toward embracing diverse family structures. For single individuals who dream of parenthood but face fertility challenges or medical conditions that prevent them from carrying a pregnancy, surrogacy offers a powerful pathway to building their family.

At Patriot Conceptions, we're proud to support single intended parents from all walks of life, including our military community members who may be navigating unique circumstances that make single parenthood their chosen path.

The Growing Trend of Single Parents by Choice

Single parenthood by choice is no longer an uncommon decision. In fact, 26 percent of American children in 2015 lived with a single parent, and this number continues to grow as societal attitudes shift and reproductive options expand. The reasons people choose single parenthood are as diverse as the individuals themselves.

For many, the decision comes after:

Not finding the right partner but feeling ready for parenthood
Experiencing relationship changes that don't align with family goals
Military service members whose careers and lifestyle make traditional partnerships challenging
Medical conditions that create urgency around family planning
Personal circumstances that make solo parenting the preferred choice

Research shows that solo motherhood, in itself, does not result in psychological problems for children, helping to dispel outdated concerns about single-parent families and reinforcing that love, stability, and commitment matter more than family structure.

Understanding Single Parent Surrogacy

Single parent surrogacy involves the same medical and legal processes as traditional surrogacy, but with some unique considerations. Whether you're a single woman who cannot carry a pregnancy or a single man seeking to have a biological child through egg donation and surrogacy, the process requires careful planning and the right support team.

For Single Women

Single women may choose surrogacy due to:

Medical conditions affecting their ability to carry a pregnancy
Previous pregnancy complications or loss
Cancer treatments that impacted fertility
Congenital conditions affecting the uterus
Age-related pregnancy risks

For Single Men

Single men using egg donation and surrogacy as a route to parenthood mainly have a positive relationship with the surrogate and simultaneously exercise agency, and experience challenges, during the process. Single fathers by choice often pursue surrogacy because they feel strongly about having a biological connection to their child and are ready to embrace fatherhood independently.

Special Considerations for Military Single Parents

As a veteran-founded agency, Patriot Conceptions understands the unique circumstances that military service members face when considering single parenthood through surrogacy:

Career Demands and Timing

Military careers often involve unpredictable schedules, deployments, and relocations. These factors can make traditional relationship building challenging while creating urgency around family planning decisions, especially for female service members whose biological clocks may not align with career advancement opportunities.

Financial Stability

Military service provides stable income and comprehensive benefits, making single parenthood financially viable. Many service members have the economic security to support surrogacy costs and single parenthood while maintaining their career commitments.

Support Networks

Military communities often provide strong support systems that can be invaluable for single parents. The military family culture understands sacrifice and commitment, making it easier to build the village that single parents need.

Healthcare Benefits

Military healthcare benefits can help cover some aspects of fertility treatment and prenatal care, though surrogacy-specific coverage varies and requires careful coordination with your benefits coordinator.

Navigating the Emotional Journey

Single parent surrogacy brings unique emotional considerations that differ from couples' experiences:

Independence vs. Isolation

While many single intended parents appreciate having full control over decisions, the journey can sometimes feel isolating. Building a strong support network of friends, family, and other single parents by choice becomes crucial.

Decision-Making Authority

One advantage of single parent surrogacy is unified decision-making. You won't need to navigate disagreements with a partner about surrogate selection, pregnancy decisions, or parenting approaches.

Future Family Dynamics

Consider how you'll discuss your child's origin story and the role of their surrogate in your family's narrative. Many single parents find that having clear, age-appropriate explanations ready helps them feel confident about future conversations.

Building Your Support Village

For over 40 years, SMC has been providing a welcoming community for guidance and exceptional support to single mothers, and similar resources exist for single fathers. Connecting with others on similar journeys provides invaluable emotional support and practical advice.

Practical Considerations for Success

Financial Planning

Pursuing surrogacy as a single parent can be expensive and exhausting. You will need to be able to afford the surrogacy costs on one salary. At Patriot Conceptions, we work with single intended parents to understand all costs upfront and explore financing options when appropriate.

Typical costs include:

Agency fees and case management
Surrogate compensation and expenses
Medical procedures and monitoring
Legal representation for all parties
Insurance considerations
Unexpected medical expenses

Legal Protections

Single parent surrogacy requires the same legal protections as any surrogacy arrangement, but with some unique considerations:

Clear establishment of parental rights
Comprehensive surrogate agreements
Understanding state laws regarding single parent surrogacy
Estate planning considerations for single parents

Choosing the Right Surrogate

The relationship between a single intended parent and surrogate often develops differently than in couples' arrangements. Many single intended parents find that:

Communication feels more direct and streamlined
Decision-making happens more quickly
The emotional bond can be particularly strong
Boundaries may need extra attention to prevent over-dependence

Success Stories: Single Parents Through Surrogacy

Maria, Army Veteran: "After my military service left me unable to carry a pregnancy due to injuries sustained overseas, I thought my dreams of motherhood were over. Patriot Conceptions helped me realize that my family could still happen—just differently than I'd imagined. My daughter is now two, and I can't imagine our life any other way."

David, Single Father: "As a career military officer, I never found the right partner, but I always knew I wanted to be a dad. Working with Patriot Conceptions and our amazing surrogate gave me the family I'd always dreamed of. Being a single dad has its challenges, but watching my son grow up is worth every moment."

Building Your Support Network

Successful single parent surrogacy relies heavily on having strong support systems:

Professional Support Team

Experienced surrogacy agency (like Patriot Conceptions)
Reproductive endocrinologist
Mental health counselor specializing in third-party reproduction
Attorney experienced in reproductive law
Financial advisor or accountant

Personal Support Network

Family members who support your decision
Friends willing to provide practical and emotional support
Other single parents by choice
Online communities and support groups
Childcare providers and backup support

Preparing for Single Parenthood

Beyond the surrogacy process itself, preparing for single parenthood requires additional considerations:

Practical Preparations

Establishing childcare arrangements
Building emergency contact networks
Financial planning for single-income households
Creating wills and custody arrangements
Preparing your home for a baby

Emotional Preparations

Counseling to process the journey and prepare for parenthood
Connecting with other single parents
Developing confidence in your parenting abilities
Creating plans for discussing your child's origin story
Building resilience for the unique challenges of single parenthood

The Role of Your Surrogacy Agency

At Patriot Conceptions, we understand that single intended parents need specialized support throughout their surrogacy journey. Our services for single parents include:

Careful matching with surrogates who are comfortable working with single intended parents
Enhanced communication support to ensure all parties feel connected and informed
Flexible scheduling to accommodate single parents' work and personal commitments
Additional emotional support resources tailored to single parents' unique needs
Military-friendly services for our service members and veterans

Looking Forward: Your Family's Future

Single parent surrogacy represents hope, determination, and the unwavering belief that love makes a family. Whether you're a military service member whose career path led to this choice, someone who hasn't found the right partner but knows you're ready for parenthood, or an individual facing medical challenges that make surrogacy your best option, your journey to parenthood is valid and beautiful.

The path may look different from traditional family building, but the destination—holding your child in your arms—is just as precious. With the right support, preparation, and agency partnership, single parent surrogacy can be the bridge between your dreams of parenthood and your reality as a parent.

At Patriot Conceptions, we're honored to support single intended parents as they create their families. Your courage to pursue parenthood on your own terms inspires us, and we're committed to providing the comprehensive support you need for success.

Ready to explore single parent surrogacy? Contact Patriot Conceptions today to speak with our team about how we can support your unique journey to parenthood. Every family begins with a dream—let us help make yours a reality.

References and Citations

CBS News. (2024, May 9). A look at the growing trend of women becoming single parents by choice. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/growing-trend-women-single-parents-by-choice/
American Surrogacy. Single Parent Surrogacy | Surrogacy for Single Man or Woman. https://www.americansurrogacy.com/parents/single-parent-surrogacy
Single Mothers by Choice. (2023, November 10). Home - Single Mothers by Choice. https://www.singlemothersbychoice.org/
PMC. Single fathers' experiences of using egg donation and surrogacy to start a family. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10546079/
PMC. Single Mothers by Choice: Mother–Child Relationships and Children's Psychological Adjustment. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4886836/
SurrogateFirst. (2024, January 17). Future Trends in Surrogacy 2024 & Beyond. https://surrogatefirst.com/report/future-trends-in-surrogacy-2024-beyond/