Compassionate Beginnings, LLC is a for-profit egg donation and surrogacy agency based in the Cincinnati area of Ohio. It was established in 2007 and operates as a small, owner-run practice; Celia McNeil is listed as the owner and writes the agency's About Us page in the first person, describing the agency as having been created with a registered nurse who was her business partner for twelve years, after which she continued running it on her own.
According to its website, the agency serves intended and recipient parents across Ohio, including Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton, as well as Kentucky and Indiana, including Indianapolis. It says it works primarily with fertility clinics in those markets to match intended parents with egg donors and gestational carriers, which places it alongside a family's chosen clinic rather than in place of one.
Compassionate Beginnings offers both egg donation and gestational surrogacy matching under one roof. In its Recipient Parent FAQ, the agency describes its surrogacy fee as covering carrier screening, national background checks for the carrier and her partner, psychological screening, an accidental life insurance policy with a loss-of-organ rider, attorney referrals and a review of insurance coverage. Legal work itself is handled through referral rather than in-house.
The agency publishes its fee structure, and its surrogate eligibility requirements — including age range, prior pregnancy history and limits on previous cesarean deliveries — are set out in the tables further down this page. Compassionate Beginnings holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited; those details also appear below. Contact is by phone or email through the agency's website, which does not list a street address.
AI summary of 24 reviews · can make mistakes
Reviews of Compassionate Beginnings are uniformly positive and come from surrogates, intended parents, egg donors and families who used donor eggs. Reviewers consistently describe warm, personal support that feels far from clinical, with staff who explain each step, answer questions quickly and check in often. Many mention returning for more than one journey or donation.
24 reviews match these filters.
I just finished my first journey as a gestational carrier. From start to finish and beyond Celia was there with me every step of the way! She matched me with an amazing couple who now have a beautiful baby boy! I can’t say enough good things about Compassionate Beginnings! :)
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I am a 2025 surrogate and it was the journey of a lifetime. Working with compassionate beginnings and Celia made the process nearly flawless. I would recommend this agency a million times over! The ‘compassionate’ care received by Celia was/is wonderful. She drove 5+ hours just to be there for my med clearance appt and checked in frequently. Celia was always quick to get back to me with all of my concerns and went above and beyond to help me with things outside of the surrogacy and even postpartum. Compassionate beginnings stands by their name and again I could not recommend them enough!
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I am a slow decision maker. When I finished my all my research and made sure surrogacy lined up with my morals, I started the process of finding an agency. Compassionate Beginnings was the place for me and every single step since my first has been full of love, good energy, and green flags. Celia is communicative and loving with her carriers; she is thoughtful and intentional with her matches. The family I am carrying for is exactly what I needed in my village. The process is so so dependent on everyone showing up and being honest so it’s refreshing that I was set up to be loved for my honesty instead of for my people pleasing. If you’re considering becoming a gestational carrier and crave a relationship with your intended parents, Compassionate Beginnings is the best space for you to be.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)We have worked with Celia at Compassionate Beginnings for years. When our IVF journey didn't go the way we thought, they were there to provide support and encouragement. We have used them for an anonymous egg donor and for surrogacy. Celia is amazing and honestly can't say enough about her support. Our journey has had many twists and turns and Celia has been there all the way. I wouldn't entrust my journey to any other agency. The service we received has been outstanding and filled with compassion and guidance every step of the way.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)Google reviews are shown as written and link to the original. Reviewer type is inferred from what each reviewer wrote.
Base compensation
$35,000 – $50,000
Published by the agency. Benefits and allowances are usually on top of this.
Requirements change — confirm with the agency before applying.
See which agencies fit youCompassionate Beginnings accepts gestational surrogates between 21 and 38 years old.
Yes. Compassionate Beginnings requires surrogates to have had at least 1 prior pregnancy.
