Surrogacy has become a viable option for individuals and couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy on their own. While surrogacy can bring immeasurable joy to those involved, it’s important to understand that it comes with a significant financial investment. “How much does surrogacy cost?” This is often one of the first questions prospective intended parents ask. Given the numerous components involved in the surrogacy procedure, discussing surrogacy expenses can be challenging.
To sum up, surrogacy requires a significant financial commitment, even though the precise expenses can be uncertain and frequently fluctuating. For this reason, we are available to walk you through the surrogacy process and answer any questions you may have as an intended parent. To assist you in comprehending the actual costs of surrogacy, we’ll help you decipher the pricing and dissect exactly what is included in a surrogacy agency’s fees in this article.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another individual or couple (the intended parents). There are generally two main types of surrogacy:
ⓐ Traditional Surrogacy:
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s egg is fertilized with the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this case, the surrogate is genetically related to the child.
ⓑ Gestational Surrogacy:
Gestational surrogacy involves the implantation of an embryo created using the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm or donated gametes into the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate, in this case, is not genetically related to the child.
Surrogacy can be a complex legal and emotional process, and laws regarding surrogacy vary significantly between countries and even within different regions of the same country. It’s important for all parties involved to have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities and to seek legal counsel before entering into a surrogacy arrangement.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
❧ Agency Fees
Reputable surrogacy agencies facilitate the matching process between intended parents and surrogates, offering services like screening, background checks, legal assistance, and ongoing support. The standard fee ranges between $30,000 and $50,000, and agencies provide a range of services including background checks, surrogate selection, pregnancy management, and coordination with surrogacy professionals.
❧ Surrogate Compensation
Surrogate compensation is a significant part of the surrogacy cost, varying based on factors like location, experience, and potential medical risks. First-time surrogates typically receive a base fee of $40,000-$55,000, with the cost varying depending on the state. Experienced surrogates have a higher base fee, while second-time surrogates and third-time surrogates have higher fees. Carrier reimbursements include maternity clothing, lost wages, IVF medication, embryo transfer fees, monthly allowances, travel expenses, restriction of activities, and breast milk. Independent and traditional surrogacies may have low-cost surrogacy due to excluding agency fees.
❧ Legal and Administrative Expenses
Surrogacy involves complex legal processes and documentation, with fees starting at $7,500. The process is divided into two parts: the surrogacy contract before pregnancy and the parentage phase. Legal aspects include drafts for intended parents, reviews for surrogates, establishment of parentage, and escrow account management.
❧ Medical Costs
Surrogacy costs are significantly influenced by medical expenses, including pre-screening, evaluations, fertility treatments, IVF procedures, prenatal care, delivery, and potential pregnancy complications. The main medical procedures include surrogacy IVF, embryo transfer, ectopic pregnancy, C-section, pregnancy termination, selective reduction, hysterectomy, loss of reproductive organs, and miscarriage fee. Starting at $30,000, these costs can be substantial.
❧ Insurance Coverage
Insurance is essential in surrogacy; intended parents frequently obtain complete health insurance policies for the surrogate that cover medical costs and pregnancy. Insurance coverage can range from $10,000 to $25,000 and may be required for all parties involved. There are two types of insurance coverage: fertility treatments and surrogate pregnancy.
❧ Miscellaneous Expenses
Several miscellaneous expenses intended parents should consider when calculating the overall cost of surrogacy: travel expenses for medical appointments, accommodation during the surrogacy process, and potentially any additional expenses for intended parents’ presence during key milestones such as the embryo
Factors Influencing Surrogacy Cost In India
Several elements determine the cost of surrogacy in India
- The price may differ dramatically depending on the area or state where you want to employ surrogacy. Larger communities usually have higher living expenses, which drives up the overall cost.
- Expenses can differ based on whether a surrogate uses her eggs for traditional surrogacy or uses the eggs of a potential mother or donor; gestational surrogacy, on the other hand, is typically more expensive due to the need for more IVF treatments.
- The characteristics that various clinics provide may have an impact on cost. While some facilities may bill on an individual basis for each procedure, others may provide comprehensive plans that include coverage for all administrative, legal, and medical costs.
- The overall cost may go up with each attempt because getting pregnant sometimes takes multiple tries.
- Legal procedures are involved in surrogacy, such as drafting agreements and obtaining parental rights. The cost of legal representation may vary depending on how complicated these procedures are.
- Medical costs encompass pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility treatments. They are contingent upon the state of the surrogate and the particular therapies needed.
- A significant amount of the costs are covered by the payment given to the surrogate. It may differ according to the region, the surrogate’s medical history, and her requirements.
- For both the intended parents and the surrogate, counseling may be required; however, these services may incur additional fees.
- If you’re from abroad, you’ll need to arrange for travel and accommodations while the surrogacy process is in progress.
- Unexpected expenses like extended hospital stays for surrogates or health problems could significantly impact the overall cost.
It’s important to discuss each of these factors in depth with Fertility World, your reliable selected surrogacy agency, so you know exactly what to expect overall. Keep in mind that each of these factors may have an impact on the total cost of surrogacy in India.
Current Surrogacy Process in India
Please read below the basic Surrogacy steps:
➢ Intended Parent’s eligibility
The intended parents must meet several requirements, including those related to law, health, nationality, age, and so on. These requirements are put in place to ensure that the intended parents are capable of providing a stable and nurturing environment for the child. Meeting these eligibility criteria is essential for the successful completion of the surrogacy process.
➢ Surrogacy Legal Documentation
The legal staff will walk you through the new legislation and procedures throughout this crucial stage of the surrogacy process.
Prepare the affidavits, agreements, and other documents. Will submit it for approval to the appropriate authorities.
➢ NOC and Court order
A certificate of essentiality from the Board and the appropriate authority is required. following which the Court must issue the Court order. This step ensures that all legal requirements are met before proceeding with the surrogacy arrangement. It is important to follow these procedures to avoid any legal complications in the future.
➢ Surrogate Verification
After receiving confirmation from the appropriate authority, the surrogate will prepare her uterus and be ready for transfer. It is crucial to verify the surrogate’s medical and psychological fitness before proceeding with the transfer. This step ensures the safety and well-being of both the surrogate and the intended parents throughout the surrogacy process.
➢ IVF Process
Once we have all the documents in place we can start the IVF process, surrogate preparation, and plan for a transfer date. It is important to carefully monitor the surrogate’s response to the IVF medications and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. The success of the IVF process relies on close communication and collaboration between all parties involved.
➢ Pregnancy and Antenatal Care
Throughout the nine months, we keep in regular contact with you to update you on the status of the pregnancy and surrogate care. We provide support and guidance to both the surrogate and intended parents to ensure a smooth pregnancy journey. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of both parties throughout the entire process.
Also Read: Nutrition & Antenatal Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
➢ Organizing the Delivery
We assist in arranging the requirements and delivery close to the delivery date.
The baby will be given to you at birth, and you will need to stay in the hospital for one or two days to make sure everything is well with the infant.
➢ Termination of Proximity
After a month or two of giving birth, if the surrogate is in good health, she signs an NOC, which ends the program. This document officially terminates the proximity between you and the surrogate, allowing both parties to move forward independently. We also provide support and guidance during this transition period to ensure a smooth conclusion to the surrogacy journey.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the financial investment involved in surrogacy is a deeply personal decision that individuals and couples must carefully consider in light of their unique circumstances and aspirations of building a family. To learn more about the surrogacy process and the costs associated, schedule a consultation with Nimaaya. We’re happy to walk you through all of the costs intended parents can expect when becoming a parent with the help of Nimaaya. The Nimaaya IVF center in India provides the best surrogacy treatments. Our experienced team can guide financial planning and options for financing the surrogacy journey. Contact us today to take the first step toward fulfilling your dream of parenthood.
