Surrogacy is the medical process of having a woman, known as a surrogate in this process, give birth to a baby that will be the legal child of another person or couple. There are many reasons why someone may choose to pursue surrogacy, including but not only the inability or unwillingness to be pregnant. Throughout this article we will go over how much surrogacy will cost with a friend or family member.
Although surrogacy agencies give an optional matching service where they find willing and able surrogates that fulfill your wants and needs, some people have friends or family members that volunteer for the role. Having someone close to you become your surrogate is a beautiful thing that should not be taken for granted. Because of this, surrogacy agencies love to represent these cases, as well.
And because the agency does not need to provide the matching service, the cost is lower than a traditional agency fee.
For more detailed information about traditional surrogacy agency costs, please see our What Does a Surrogacy Agency Fee Cover? Page.
How To Do Surrogacy With a Friend?
So, you decided to pursue surrogacy to grow your family. Congratulations! Your first step is complete. Typically, your next step would be to research surrogacy agencies in your area that are able to provide you everything you want in your surrogacy journey. But there is one decision that, though optional, comes before.
If you want your surrogate to be somebody you know, you must first get her on board with your plan. In some cases, she may offer to be your surrogate. In other cases, you’ll need to approach her to ask if she wants to take on the role.
Once you have your confirmed surrogate teammate, there are two steps to follow.
- Decide Whether You Will Use a Surrogacy Agency or Do an Independent Journey
To decide whether or not you will utilize the help of a surrogacy agency to begin your surrogacy adventure, you should first understand the job of an agency and what this support team will do for you. From there, you can make a pros and cons list to weigh out the benefits for your unique situation and make your final decision.
Some of the pros of partnering with a surrogacy agency include:
- Safety. Agencies communicate with third parties for you, so you don’t have to. They will also recommend the best legal teams and medical clinics in your area, so you know you are working with professionals you can trust.
- Expertise. Because surrogacy agency team members have experience in the field, they know what you can and cannot ask for in certain circumstances and will fight for your comfort.
- Time. Agencies schedule appointments and meetings so you can focus on your life.
- Confidence. Know that you are in good hands. You will never need to worry about forgetting important steps, misunderstanding complex legalities, partnering with less-than-ideal medical facilities, or getting stuck between a rock and a hard place. With any problem comes a team member who has experience with solving it.
The main pro of embarking on your own journey is:
- Saving money. You will not need to pay an agency fee if you do not utilize an agency. This may save you tens of thousands of dollars, as long as you have enough knowledge not to incur additional or unnecessary fees that may cost you more in the long run.
- Follow Your Clinic’s Surrogate Screening Guidelines
Your friend or trusted family member who has volunteered to be your surrogate will need to receive pre-screening procedures to be sure they are physically and mentally capable of becoming pregnant.
The first step of the pre-screen process is a physical examination by a medical doctor. It includes a conversation about her medical history, including any complication involving past pregnancies or reproductive issues, and a criminal background check.
The second step of the pre-screen is an emotional evaluation conducted by a mental health professional. This ensures that the surrogate mother is psychologically capable of the hormonal dysregulation that naturally comes with carrying a child, and ensures she is doing it for the right reasons. She will be asked about her emotional support system at home and may take a personality assessment.
How Much Is The Surrogacy Cost If You Use a Friend?
The biggest factor that determines the surrogacy cost if you use a friend is whether or not your friend will be compensated. If you plan on compensating your friend the same amount you would pay an agency match, the cost will still be between $100,000-$200,000.
Cost of Using a Surrogate
No matter if you choose to work with an agency or not, or whether you choose a friend as a surrogate or a stranger, it’s important to understand how the surrogacy process works to understand what you are paying for.
Please visit our How Much Does Surrogacy Cost? page if you are interested in pursuing surrogacy to grow your family and are curious about the costs involved.
Here is what you can expect to pay if you pursue a traditional surrogacy route:
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- The cost of the surrogate includes:
- A base compensation
- Added benefits for the surrogate and her family
- Reimbursements for costs that may incur due to the pregnancy, like maternity clothes or necessary travel
- The cost of the surrogate includes:
- The agency fee covers the legal paperwork, medical fees, and overall support you will receive from your surrogacy agency. An agency will ensure you are getting the best legal coverage, and will only recommend top fertility clinics in your area. Most agencies also cover emotional support for both intended parents and surrogates. If you encounter anything during your surrogacy journey that is less than ideal, your agency case manager will be beside you fighting for your comfort.
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- We strongly recommend having a legally binding contract in place to ensure a smooth transition of parental rights from surrogate to intended parents. Legal fees also cover the process of putting the intended parents’ names on the birth certificate.
Surrogacy-friendly insurance is a must. Some women find that their current insurance supports surrogacy, but others do not. It is important to check before finding another option. Having insurance in place makes the overall process cost-effective and stress-free.
Is It Cheaper To Have a Friend Be a Surrogate?
Though it can be more cost-effective to use a friend or somebody you know as your surrogate, every case is unique. The cost could be the same as with a traditional surrogacy agency match, depending on a few different factors.
These factors include:
- If egg donation is not included in the package, you may save up to $35,000.
As discussed above, if your friend does not require a base surrogate compensation, this would also save you about $35,000.
What Are the First Steps to Starting Your Surrogacy Journey?
As always, we are here to answer your questions and address your comments and concerns. If you are considering Los Angeles Surrogacy to help facilitate your surrogacy journey because of our expertise, strong partnerships in the industry, and miraculous success stories, please reach out to us here to get started.