The Real Cost of IVF Surrogates: What You Need to Budget For
For individuals and couples who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves, gestational surrogacy provides a path to parenthood. While surrogacy is an incredible option, it is also one of the most expensive ways to have a child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The total cost of using a gestational surrogate can range from $80,000 to $200,000, depending on several factors such as surrogate compensation, medical procedures, legal fees, and agency costs. Understanding these expenses is crucial for prospective parents who are considering surrogacy.
1. Surrogate Compensation
One of the largest expenses in the surrogacy process is surrogate compensation, which is paid to the woman carrying the pregnancy. The amount varies based on experience, location, and whether the surrogate has carried pregnancies before.
Base Compensation: Surrogates typically receive between $40,000 and $80,000, with higher amounts for experienced surrogates or surrogates in high-demand locations (e.g., California, which has surrogacy-friendly laws).
Additional Payments: Surrogates may receive additional compensation for:
Carrying twins: +$5,000 to $10,000
C-section delivery: +$3,000 to $5,000
Invasive procedures (amniocentesis, embryo transfer, etc.): +$500 to $2,000 per procedure
Monthly allowance for expenses (maternity clothing, transportation, lost wages, etc.): +$200 to $500 per month
2. Agency Fees
If the intended parents use a surrogacy agency, there will be agency fees to cover screening, matching, coordination, and administrative work.
Surrogacy Agency Fees: These range from $15,000 to $40,000, depending on the agency and level of service provided.
Some intended parents choose independent surrogacy, which eliminates agency costs but requires them to handle the legal, medical, and matching processes themselves.
3. Medical and IVF Costs
Since surrogates do not contribute their own eggs, they undergo IVF with an embryo created from the intended parents' (or donors') gametes. This process includes:
Embryo Transfer Cycle: IVF procedures, including embryo transfer, typically cost $12,000 to $20,000.
Surrogate Medications: The surrogate will require medications to prepare her uterus for implantation, which costs $3,000 to $6,000.
Embryo Freezing & Storage: If embryos are frozen before transfer, expect additional costs of $1,000 to $3,000 per year for storage.
4. Surrogate Health and Pregnancy Care Costs
Once pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate requires standard prenatal care, ultrasounds, and medical checkups.
Health Insurance: Some surrogates have insurance that covers pregnancy, but others require intended parents to purchase a surrogacy-friendly health plan. This can cost $10,000 to $30,000.
Prenatal Care & Delivery: Even with insurance, there will be co-pays, deductibles, and uncovered medical expenses ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Maternity Care & Hospital Delivery: A hospital birth with vaginal delivery may cost $10,000 to $20,000, while a C-section can cost $15,000 to $30,000.
5. Legal Fees
Surrogacy requires detailed legal agreements to protect the rights of all parties involved.
Surrogacy Contract: A legal agreement between the intended parents and the surrogate can cost $5,000 to $10,000.
Parental Rights Establishment: Some states require additional legal steps to ensure the intended parents are recognized as the child’s legal parents. This can add $3,000 to $7,000.
6. Miscellaneous & Unexpected Costs
There are additional costs that may arise throughout the surrogacy journey, including:
Life Insurance for the Surrogate: Some agreements require purchasing a $250,000 to $500,000 life insurance policy for the surrogate, costing around $500 to $1,000.
Travel Expenses: If the surrogate is in another state, travel costs for medical visits can add $2,000 to $5,000.
Lost Wages: If the surrogate needs time off work due to complications, intended parents may need to compensate her lost wages ($5,000 to $15,000).
Total Estimated Cost Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated costs!
Cost Breakdown from a Surrogacy Agency
Here’s a breakdown from a surrogacy agency, and their range is also around $100,000 - $200,000!
This is certainly not a cheap process and while the range may be high, it’s best to assume the cost will be on the higher end. You don’t want to save on costs for your future family!
Conclusion
Surrogacy is an incredible opportunity for those who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves, but it comes with substantial financial considerations. The total cost of using an IVF surrogate typically falls between $80,000 and $200,000, with expenses covering surrogate compensation, agency fees, medical treatments, legal work, and insurance. Intended parents should carefully budget and plan ahead, explore financing options, and consult with professionals to navigate the complex surrogacy journey successfully.
For many, while surrogacy is costly, the priceless reward of having a child makes the investment worthwhile.
“The cost of surrogacy goes far beyond the IVF cycle—think of it as a full-scale operation that includes medical care, legal protections, and supporting the incredible person carrying your child.”
