Choosing surrogacy as a couple to grow your family is an admirable and exciting decision. If you are here because you made that decision – congratulations!
Gestational surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries a child in her womb for another person or for a couple. Gestational surrogacy is different from traditional surrogacy because the surrogate herself does not use her own egg, therefore the baby is not biologically related to her at all.
The eggs of an intended parent, or those of an egg donor, are collected at an IVF clinic. They are combined with the sperm of an intended parent or a donor to create an embryo. Then, utilizing modern IVF technology, the embryo is transplanted into the surrogate’s uterus. Thus, the pregnancy begins and the child begins to grow!
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
Surrogacy generally costs intended parent couples between $150,000-$250,000. There is such a wide range because there are so many factors that can affect how much is owed. Let’s unpack each factor so you can fully understand each one.
The Factors
Los Angeles Surrogacy offers all-encompassing, upfront packages so there are no hidden fees. Below you will find what is included in our packages.
The Agency Fee
The agency fee covers the cost of the work done by your team at Los Angeles Surrogacy. Above the list of things we do as part of our job descriptions, we are also always a phone call away.
Our team conducts a thorough application process. Prospective surrogates attend multiple interviews with our case managers, and they fill out multiple different application forms encompassing a lot of information about them. There is a background check and a discussion of communication, location, and scheduling preferences – later used to match with you.
When we meet with intended parent couples for the first time, we will also discuss the same preferences to ensure we are all on the same page. The surrogacy process is fun and exciting – and it always runs smoother when there are no scheduling, location, or communication issues or quarrels.
Prospective surrogates are required to pass both physical and emotional wellness screenings by a medical doctor.
We provide matching services. Using your preferences of location, schedule, and communication style, we will pair you with your perfect surrogate match that shares the same or similar preferences. Intended parent couples will tell us their preferences in private, and they are always taken into consideration as the driving force behind our match-making service.
We partner you with the best legal teams and medical clinics that California has to offer. Because we have worked with these teams before, we know exactly how the process runs and exactly what options you have.
You will have a case manager at the hospital during delivery to ensure you have everything you need. After delivery, we assist in getting your travel paperwork, if necessary.
Surrogate Compensation
Surrogates receive a minimum base compensation of $30,000. Experienced surrogates, because they have a proven higher chance of becoming pregnant via IVF, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and having a smooth delivery, receive a higher base pay. Surrogates that receive a C-section surgery and those that carry twins (or more) also receive more pay.
Surrogates also receive reimbursements for pregnancy-related expenses. These can include things like:
- Maternity clothes
- Pumps
- Vitamins and other health products
- Travel expenses
There may be a need to reimburse the surrogate’s work payments at the end of her pregnancy, if she is unable to work and loses her income because of the pregnancy.
Intended parents cover all of the surrogate’s legal and medical fees.
Legal Fees
California law requires that intended parents and surrogates be represented by two different lawyers. This ensures equal representation and a smooth process. Legal fees include the cost of the lawyers to organize paperwork and draw up gestational agreements and the pre-birth order, both to be signed by both sides. There is also an egg donor agreement if the intended parent is not using her own.
All preferences and negotiating will be done before any contracts are signed to ensure both parties are happy and excited about the journey ahead!
Medical Fees
All surrogates are required to have proper surrogacy-friendly insurance. If surrogacy is not covered in the insurance plan she already has, then intended parents will pay insurance fees.
There are multiple medical processes required during the surrogacy process. Either the intended parent or a donor undergoes the egg collection surgery. The fertility clinic will combine the egg and sperm to create an embryo. The surrogate will start with hormone injections, and then will have the embryo transferred into her uterus.
And of course, the baby will be born in a hospital. Intended parents will cover the medical bills of the birth.
Every person, every couple, every match, and every circumstance is unique, and you should find out what does and does not apply to you. You can reach out to us here.
Overall
Surrogacy typically costs between $150,000-$250,000. If you are an international intended parent couple who plans to travel to the United States for the birth of your child, or you live in the US but are coming to California for the best surrogacy care and most inclusive laws available, please take those travel and accommodation expenses into consideration as they are not included in the number above.
There are many payment options available to intended parents to help with the cost of surrogacy. In your initial interviews with us, we will go over your financing options.
Why Los Angeles Surrogacy?
Los Angeles Surrogacy specializes in surrogacy around the globe. We started because of our passion to help international intended parents get the resources and guidance they need to grow their families via surrogacy. We believe California is the best place in the world to pursue surrogacy, and we know the ins and outs of California law, we partner with the top medical clinics in the state, and we are experts at negotiating on behalf of our clients.
If you are interested in becoming an intended parent, please contact us here. We look forward to assisting you in the miracle of growing your family!