The Cost of Infertility: Surrogacy

In this blog series, we’re looking at where your money goes when it comes to alternative family building methods. We’ve talked about the cost of sperm donation and where your money goes when you use donor eggs. This time, we’ll discuss the expenses involved with surrogacy.

Surrogacy is one of the most expensive alternative family building options available to couples today. Using a surrogate can cost between $70,000 and $150,000, making it out of the question for the average middle-income couple. So where does your money go when it comes to this fertility solution?

• Surrogate compensation. This amount can vary a great deal, especially if you are using a friend or relative who doesn’t require compensation. Other surrogates do this especially for the compensation and if they have a proven record of successful births you’ll likely pay more.
• Birthing. You will be responsible for the costs of the birth including medical care.
• Administrative fees. These are the fees charged by the clinic to handle your paperwork for the surrogacy.
• Legal fees. Surrogacy requires a significant amount of legal paperwork and you’ll have to pay legal fees for the processing of all the paperwork.
• Fees for screenings and procedures. You’ll want to make sure the surrogate you choose is the right one to carry your baby, so screening is a very important part of the deal.
• Stipends for expenses. You’ll be expected to cover all expenses associated with the pregnancy and birth, including items that make your surrogate more comfortable during the pregnancy.
• Support group meetings for surrogates. Surrogacy can put a lot of strain on a woman – physically, mentally and emotionally. Support groups help surrogates work through those feelings.

The costs for surrogacy quickly add up and may become too expensive to be a viable option for many couples looking for alternative family building methods. Embryo adoption can cost 1/10th of the cost of surrogacy, making it a much more affordable option for couples – plus you’ll get to experience carrying your own adopted child! If you are looking for other more affordable options to grow your family, check out EmbryoAdoption.org.