Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering IVF, surrogacy, or becoming a parent with the help of an egg donor in the United States, you may already have many questions. That is completely normal.

You will find here short answers to the questions intended parents often ask at the beginning. Every situation is different, so please treat this page as a starting point — not as individual advice or a ready-made plan.

  • My name is Ola Zasepa. I became a mother through surrogacy and with the help of an egg donor, so I know this path from a deeply personal place as well.

    I also have professional experience supporting international intended parents in the world of US IVF, surrogacy and egg donor programs — both from the clinic side and the agency side.

    I combine personal experience with practical knowledge of the process. I am not a doctor, lawyer or financial advisor, but I help intended parents better understand the steps ahead, prepare for conversations and make decisions with more clarity.

    • 3+ Years of Professional experience coordinating surrogacy journeys in Canada and the US

    • 3+ Years of Personal Experience as a mom through egg donation and surrogacy

    • A 15 years journey to parenthood

  • The best place to start is by organizing the basics: your expectations, your budget, possible first steps and the decisions that matter most at the beginning.

    That is what the first conversation is for — to understand where you are now and what path may make sense.

  • You will often hear estimates of around 18–24 months, but this should be treated as a cautious reference point, not a guarantee.

    The process may be shorter or longer depending on whether you already have embryos, whether you are starting from the beginning, the clinic, the agency, the matching process and other decisions along the way.

  • At the moment, a full, ethically managed surrogacy journey in the United States most often requires a budget of around 200,000 USD. In practice, going significantly below 180,000 USD is difficult today.

    The final cost depends on the clinic, agency, egg donor, insurance and your individual situation. During a consultation, we can discuss what may be relevant in your case.

  • Not always. The process usually happens in stages, and costs appear at different points.

    How much you need to have prepared at the beginning depends on the path you choose and on your expectations for the process. This is a good topic for the first conversation, because cash flow is often less obvious than the total budget.

  • I offer independent, practical guidance for intended parents considering IVF, surrogacy or becoming parents with the help of an egg donor in the United States.

    I help you understand the process, prepare for conversations with clinics or agencies, and organize the first decisions. I do not replace professionals — I help you know what to ask and what may need to be clarified before the next step.

  • Yes. I can help you prepare for the conversation, organize your questions and better understand what may be worth clarifying.

    The details are best discussed during a consultation.

  • No. The first conversation is free and lasts 45 minutes.

    Its purpose is to understand your situation, expectations and possible first steps. If further support makes sense, we can discuss what form of cooperation would be most helpful.

  • Yes, absolutely! I can help you approach this stage more calmly and organize the most important questions and criteria.

    I do not choose for you — I help you prepare for a more informed decision. I’m like a human folder: I help you organize your thoughts and approach.

  • No. I do not replace your clinic, agency, doctor or legal team.

    I do not provide medical, legal or financial advice. My role is different: I help you better understand the process, organize your questions and prepare for conversations with the right professionals.

  • Yes. YourSJO is an inclusive and non-judgmental space.

    I support gay couples as well as heterosexual couples, and single people regardless of their private lives, thinking about IVF, surrogacy or becoming parents with the help of an egg donor for medical, personal or family reasons.

    I do not assume there is only one “right” family story. I help you understand your options and prepare for conversations with professionals.

  • We can speak in English, Polish, French or Spanish.

    This can be especially helpful if you live in Europe but are considering a process in the US and need someone to help you move more calmly between languages, systems and different providers.

  • No. You can contact me at a very early stage of your journey to parenthood, but also if you have already had first conversations with a clinic, agency or egg donor program.

    Sometimes the biggest relief comes from calmly organizing what has already happened and seeing what may need to be clarified before the next step.