Exploring the Average Cost of Surrogacy| Surrogacy Cost Breakdown for Intended Parents
The average cost of surrogacy in the US varies from $150,000 to $210,000 based on the number of services used. Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries a child for another person or couple. It is a complex and emotional journey that can be expensive. In this blog post, we will discuss the average cost of surrogacy and important points to consider.
Surrogacy, a remarkable process that brings joy to countless families, has gained prominence in recent years due to advanced Assisted Reproduction Technique ( ART) and acceptance of surrogacy parenthood. Many hopeful parents turn to surrogacy when faced with fertility challenges or other circumstances that prevent natural conception. However, one question that often lingers is, “What is the average cost of surrogacy?”
Surrogacy cost is one of the most hindering factors when it comes to becoming parents via gestational surrogacy. The average cost of surrogacy varies from country to country and also depends on the type of services a would-be parents need.
No matter how much you try to bring the cost down or even look for affordable international surrogacy countries, still, it remains a fact that surrogacy is a costly process. Let’s see what are the contributing factors that add up to make surrogacy costs.
Additional Guide for Surrogacy Cost:
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in the USA ( 2024)?
Surrogacy Costs Breakdown for Intended Parents
Gay Surrogacy Cost Explained With Breakdowns
Can My Insurance Provider Pay My Surrogacy Costs?
Why Surrogacy Costs So High And How To Manage It?
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost Using a Family Member?
Understanding Surrogacy
Before we dive into the cost aspect, let’s briefly understand what surrogacy is. Surrogacy is a reproductive method in which a woman, known as a surrogate mother, carries a child for intended parents or individuals.
There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not biologically related to the child, making it the most common choice.
In traditional surrogacy, the baby is half genetically related to the baby. Although the overall cost of surrogacy is less than traditional surrogacy, it is legally and emotionally complex for both the surrogate mother and intended parents.
The Average Cost of Surrogacy in the US
The cost of surrogacy can vary depending on several factors, including the location, type of surrogacy, and medical expenses. In this section, we will discuss the average cost of surrogacy in the US, including the average cost of surrogacy in the US and international surrogacy countries.
The average cost of surrogacy in the U.S. is around $100,000 to $150,000. This national average provides a rough estimate, but keep in mind that costs can vary significantly from one state to another.
Factors Influencing Surrogacy Costs
Several factors influence the average cost of surrogacy, including:
- Surrogate Compensation: Surrogate mothers are compensated for their time, effort, and the physical demands of pregnancy.
- Medical Expenses: This includes prenatal care, delivery, and any necessary medical procedures.
- Legal Fees: The legal aspect of surrogacy, including contracts and parental rights, comes with its own set of costs.
- Agency Fees: Many intended parents work with surrogacy agencies, which charge fees for their services.
- Location: The state or country where the surrogacy takes place can significantly impact the overall cost.
Additional Surrogacy Expenses that you might incur
In addition to the base cost of surrogacy, there are several additional costs to consider, such as legal fees, agency fees, and medical expenses. This section will provide an overview of these additional costs and how they can impact the overall cost of surrogacy. The miscellaneous surrogacy cost can make a big part of your surrogacy expense, so consult with your surrogacy agency about what is included and what is not included in your surrogacy package
Why surrogacy cost is so high?
The infertility treatment options depend on the cause of infertility. If underlying infertility is not a serious issue, just following the ovulation days and following set days for intercourse, might be enough to conceive.
However, it is not so easy for all. Some childless couples need more extensive infertility treatments. Lifestyle changes like losing weight gaining weight, quitting cigarettes, or reducing alcohol intake will be enough, and no further intervention is needed. Sometimes your doctor can send you back by calculating more fertile days to conceive.
Sometimes, mostly 20% of the time, Third Party Reproductive Assistance might be needed to become parents. In this type of treatment, all medical procedures remain the same but instead of couples’ biological materials, an egg donor or sperm donor or sometimes both are used to facilitate Assisted Reproductive Techniques.
Depending on individual requirements, fertility specialists might suggest young and healthy donors achieve a successful pregnancy. In a few couples, where the female partner has no uterus or extreme medical conditions, doctors can suggest surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy is an arrangement between a woman to carry and deliver a baby for another individual or couple who is unable to conceive due to a missing or abnormal uterus, multiple failed in vitro fertilizations, and multiple pregnancy losses or unexplained medical conditions.
Besides this, the surrogate mother’s compensation is one of the reasons for the high surrogacy cost in the USA.
Surrogacy cost breakdown in USA vs. international surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is an arrangement between a woman to carry and deliver a baby for another individual or couple who is unable to conceive.
Of all infertility treatments, surrogacy is becoming common nowadays. Around 10% of couples, who go for infertility treatments, end up opting for surrogacy as their path to parenthood. Increasing numbers of heterosexuals are choosing surrogacy due to the following reasons-
- Severe medical conditions like heart conditions, high Blood Pressure, thyroid, etc make pregnancy very risky for a female partner.
- Medical issues with her uterus.
- Due to a hysterectomy that removed her uterus.
- Some women choose surrogacy after unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant with a variety of assisted reproduction techniques (ART), such as IVF.
- Age-related infertility
Besides the above factors, surrogacy has also made parenthood possible for people who cannot have a baby due to marital status or sexual inclination. Surrogacy is also a preferred option over adoption as a baby born via surrogacy is genetically linked with the Intended Parents. For single male or gay couples, gestational surrogacy is a fantastic way of becoming a father.
The most popular, affordable, and legally secure international surrogacy countries are Ukraine, Georgia, Mexico, and Colombia. The legal framework and cost of surrogacy vary and to know more about if you’re eligible for any specific country or program, get in touch.
In Eastern European surrogacy countries, the total Surrogacy costs are usually paid during the 12-month surrogacy process, and payments will be split into relatively equal, manageable installments. Besides this, the surrogate mother’s cost is much less when compared to the US.
In international surrogacy countries, you can start the surrogacy process with a limited amount of money and can pay in installments as per the stage of the surrogacy process. This is due to low-cost surrogate mother availability.
The surrogate mother cost for twins is on top of that and mostly an extra $2000 to $4000.
The bottom line is – the gestational surrogacy pregnancy cost in European countries is less and easily manageable.
Here is table for cheapest countries for surrogacy:
Country Regulation & Organization Who are allowed to participate Surrogacy Cost Legal Assurance Colombia Altruistic Singles, gay couples, hetero couples Affordable $70,000
Reliable Mexico Altruistic Singles, gay couples, hetero couples Affordable $70,000 to $80,000
Reliable USA Commercial Singles, gay couples, hetero couples Costly $150,000+
Strong Ukraine Commercial Hetero couples Affordable $60,000
Strong Georgia Commercial Hetero couples Affordable $60,000
Strong
Greece Altruistic Hetero couples and single women Affordable $80,000
Strong Additional guides for Surrogayc Price:
worldwide surrogacy cost in 20223
Understanding surrogacy cost breakdown
Understanding surrogacy cost breakdownHow much does a surrogate pregnancy cost? Each surrogacy process is unique and consists of factors that can affect the overall surrogacy cost. In some states like California, where gay couples’ surrogacy is in high demand, the surrogacy fee can be much higher.
Similarly, depending upon the specific requirements like egg donors and legal standing, the cost of surrogacy can vary in the different states of the USA.
The total cost of any surrogacy process is mainly governed by the below main fee.
- Surrogacy agency fees- This is around 30% of the total surrogacy cost.
- Surrogate mother compensation- This is around 30% of the total surrogacy cost.
- Medical procedure fee- IVF cycle fee or fertility clinic fees
- Legal fees for surrogacy agreements
” Average surrogacy cost” depends on many other small factors, which are not even known to Intended Parents on the micro-level. ll Intended parents ought to be familiarized with these payments. They should know how much surrogacy costs how much to pay and when to pay.
#1. Administrative or Consultation fee: Paid to Surrogacy Agency or third-party agent
#2. Surrogacy Agency Fee: Paid to Surrogacy Agency
#3. Administration Fees for Selecting Surrogate Mother: Paid to Surrogacy Agency
#4. IVF Procedure Fees: Paid to IVF Clinic
#5. Surrogate Mothers Cost: Paid to surrogate Mothers in stages.
#6. Egg Donation Matching fee: Paid to Egg Donor Agency
#7. Surrogate pregnancy cost/Prenatal care: Paid to the Gynaecologist Clinic
#8. Baby Delivery Fee: Paid to Baby Delivery Hospital
#9. Baby DNA Test/Exit Process Cost: Paid to local attorney/Embassy
As you continue the research, here are a few additional questions to ask potential surrogacy professionals:
- How much is the actual surrogate cost for her services?
- Which services are not included, and what is the estimated fee for that?
- Ask whether the services are included as a full cost and find out if the fees will expire and need to be repeated. Generally, the surrogacy agency fee is a one-time fee. Besides that, each cost can vary, case-wise.
- Indeed, the incidental expense is not easy to calculate as even surrogacy service providers do not predict how much time and attempts you might need. But they can give you the maximum estimated cost.
- Ask if there is a guaranteed surrogacy baby plan available for Intended Parents. Such surrogacy services come with surety that you will get a baby for sure, no matter how many IVF cycles, egg donors, and surrogate mothers they need for the desired outcome.
- Not all IVF Clinics and surrogacy agencies offer such money back or guarantee the baby surrogacy program, but if anyone offers, you should opt for it.
- What fees and services are included?
In case you are looking for affordable yet legally secure surrogacy options, that are best suited to your needs, get in touch. One of our case managers will be happy to guide and support you in your parenthood journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Surrogacy Costs
1. What factors contribute to the cost of surrogacy?
Several factors can influence the cost of surrogacy, including the location of the surrogacy, surrogate compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, and agency fees.
2. Is surrogacy covered by insurance?
Surrogacy is typically not covered by insurance, and intended parents are responsible for the associated costs. However, it’s advisable to check with your insurance provider for any exceptions or coverage options.
3. Are there any financial assistance programs for surrogacy?
Some surrogacy agencies and organizations offer financial assistance or grants to help offset the costs of surrogacy. Research and inquire about these programs to see if you qualify.
4. Can surrogacy costs vary within the same state?
Yes, surrogacy costs can vary even within the same state. Factors like the choice of surrogacy agency, the surrogate’s compensation expectations, and the complexity of the medical procedures can all affect the overall cost.
5. Are there tax deductions or credits for surrogacy expenses?
Tax laws vary by location, and there may be deductions or credits available for certain surrogacy expenses. Consult with a tax professional to explore potential tax benefits.
6. Do international surrogacy arrangements have different costs?
International surrogacy arrangements can have different costs and legal complexities. It’s essential to thoroughly research and understand the specific requirements and expenses associated with international surrogacy.
7. How can I budget for surrogacy costs?
Creating a detailed budget that includes all potential expenses is crucial. Working with a surrogacy agency and consulting with legal and financial professionals can help you plan for the costs.
8. Are there payment plans or financing options for surrogacy?
Many surrogacy agencies offer payment plans or financing options to help intended parents manage the expenses over time. Explore these options with your chosen agency.
9. Can surrogacy costs be negotiated?
The costs associated with surrogacy can sometimes be negotiated, especially in cases where the surrogate and intended parents have a direct arrangement. However, it’s essential to have clear legal agreements in place.
10. Are there any hidden costs in surrogacy?
While many surrogacy costs are straightforward, it’s essential to be aware of potential hidden costs, such as unexpected medical procedures or legal issues. Working with experienced professionals can help minimize surprises.
