A Perfect Match is the result of Darlene and Tom Pinkerton's own experience with IVF and surrogacy in 1990. Their genetic daughter, Kaitlin, was conceived in vitro from Darlene's ovum and Tom's sperm, but carried by a surrogate—Kaitlin's aunt Judy, Tom's sister.

Although Darlene was genetically Kaitlin's mother, the California State Health Department wanted to list Tom's sister as Kaitlin's mother on the birth certificate, insisting that Darlene legally adopt Kaitlin later. As a result, Tom obtained the first surrogate paternity judgment through the San Diego Courts (involving residents of San Diego), which ordered the health department to list Darlene as the mother on Kaitlin's original birth certificate. This ruling set a precedent for all subsequent surrogacy cases in San Diego.

This experience eventually gave birth to A Perfect Match—owned by Darlene and Tom, operated by Darlene since 1998, and specializing in ovum donation and surrogacy services. The ovum donation database has grown to approximately 350 donors, most of whom are of exceptional intelligence (measured by the SAT and similar college-entrance tests).

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