Agency Fees & Surrogate Mother Costs

In general, the cost for gestational surrogacy (including all agency fees, attorneys fees,
screening and surrogate fees, and medical and insurance costs) range from around $80,000 to
$120,000, depending the program chosen

Agency Fee - $19,500

interviewing, approving, and screening your surrogate mother, attending selected medical
appointments upon request, managing escrow disbursements, and managing your case from
beginning to end.
Surrogate Mother Reimbursement of Living Expenses - $32,000 up to $40,000
Payment will begin at the confirmation of fetal heartbeat.
Embryo Transfer Fee - $1,000
Paid to surrogate and is intended to reimburse her for any lost wages, childcare or
housekeeping as a result of bed rest due to the embryo transfer.
Possible Insurance - Up to $32,500
The insurance fee may vary depending on the surrogate you select, single vs. multiples
pregnancy, and whether the surrogate is currently insured with maternity benefits.
Life Insurance - $595
A one year policy is purchased for the surrogate and her family in the event of surrogate death.
Criminal Background Check - $250
All surrogates and spouses must be cleared criminally.
Psychological Screening - $1000
All surrogates must pass an interview and testing to make sure they are ready and fully
understand their role as a surrogate mother.
* There may be additional expenses.

Fertility tourism
India
India is a main destination for surrogacy. Indian surrogates have been increasingly popular with
fertile couples in industrialized nations because of the relatively low cost and the flexible laws.
Russia
Liberal legislation makes Russia attractive for reproductive tourists looking for techniques not
available in their countries. Intended parents come there for oocyte donation, because of
advanced age or marital status. Gestational surrogacy, even commercial is absolutely legal in
Russia, being available for practically all adults willing to be parents.
United States
Rights for surrogate mothers
Surrogates are the legal mother of any child they carry, unless they sign a parental order after
they give birth transferring their rights to the intended parents.
Mothers rights
The woman who gives birth is always treated as the legal mother and has the right to keep the
child - even if theyre not genetically related.
Its illegal to pay a surrogate in the UK, except for their reasonable expenses.
Fathers rights
The childs legal father or second parent is the surrogates husband or civil partner unless:
legal rights are given to someone else through a parental order or adoption
the surrogates husband or civil partner didnt give their permission to their wife or partner
Maternity leave
Every pregnant employee has the right to 52 weeks maternity leave and to return to their job
after this.

Why isnt Surrogate Mother name on the birth certificate?

the surrogate mother gave birth at the hospital. How does the hospital know whose names to
put on the birth certificate?

1. When the surrogate mother is about 4-5 months pregnant, the intended parents will begin the
legal work necessary to have their names put on the babys birth certificate.
2. The surrogate mother and her spouse/partner, if she has one, and the intended parents will
sign court documents asking a judge to issue an order. This order will tell the hospital to put the
intended parents names on the birth certificate, not the surrogate mothers.
3. The judges order will also tell the hospital to release the baby to the intended parents, not the
surrogate mother.
4. The intended parents and surrogate mother bring this order with them to the hospital on
delivery day to make sure the birth clerk completes the birth certificate correctly and the baby is
released to its intended parents.

Surrogate Mother Pros & Cons

Most women who become surrogate mothers are motivated to give the gift of life," to parents
who could not otherwise have a child.
Physical
All reputable assisted reproductive and surrogacy agencies require that potential surrogates to
have previously given birth to a healthy child. During the evaluation process, a potential
surrogate must undergo medical tests and examinations to confirm fertility and overall physical
health. Pregnancy, however, can be dangerous for any woman, so no matter what a woman's
medical history may be, acting as a surrogate potentially puts her health at risk.
Financial
Surrogate compensation is not regulated. However, a review of various assisted reproductive
service and surrogacy agencies websites reveal that surrogates can earn $18,000-$50,000 per
pregnancy, in addition to a clothing allowance, health benefits and life insurance. The
substantial compensation acknowledges the responsibility that comes with being pregnant and
trying to deliver a healthy baby for someone else. In addition, a surrogate may suffer economic
hardship as a result of the pregnancy if, say, she experiences complications and is unable to
continue working.
Legal

Because there is no national surrogacy law in the the United States,each state can create its
own laws allowing, limiting, or banning surrogacy. Contracts are used to establish: parental
rights for the intended parents, terms of payment to the surrogate, conditions under which the
surrogate may travel and more, and tend to favor the rights of the intended parents. According
to some advocates, because surrogates tend to be of a lower socioeconomic status and thus
less power, they are more vulnerable to exploitation and should have legal representation.
Ethical
Surrogacy can be a controversial issue. Some feel giving away a genetic child goes against the
societal expectations of a mother. Others feel that offering compensation for a child is inherently
unethical. According to an October 2009 ethics committee report written by the American
Society for Reproductive Medication, another ethical debate is whether assisted reproductive
agencies that provide surrogacy services have the authority to offer or refuse to offer services to
single parents or gay and lesbian couples.
Emotional
While there are emotional benefits of surrogacy, there are also emotional risks. According to the
review of the research published in Human Reproduction Update, both gestational and
traditional surrogates report not allowing themselves to get attached to the developing child.
This makes it less difficult for the surrogate to relinquish the child, but can't completely eliminate
the possibility that maternal feelings may arise during the pregnancy. In addition, surrogacy can
be an isolating experience if family or friends are conflicted or disapprove. Complications with
the pregnancy or issues with the intended parents can also be stressful. Surrogacy support
groups provide some mothers with an opportunity to bond with other surrogates, and some
mothers also form meaningful long term bonds with the intended family and the children they
birth.