Surrogacy is an expensive Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The detailed cost structure for surrogacy varies from different factors. But most importantly the selection of country where the surrogacy procedure is conducted majorly alter the expense. Moreover, the requirement of intended parents varies depending on each case history. The requirement of additional medical procedure impact on the cost structure of surrogacy.
The cost of surrogacy is divided into many segments including agency fees, surrogate compensation, fertility clinic fees, legal cost, and some extra cost require during pregnancy. Some additional cost may require to pay for unforeseen events that occur incidentally. Such possible incidents are mentioned under the surrogacy contracts.
The surrogate fee varies depending upon her experience, which means the charge is less for a new surrogate who has no previous experience. Whereas, the charge is higher for a surrogate who has a previous medical history of giving live birth. Surrogate fees also higher in case of multiple pregnancies. The intended parents need to pay the amount on an installment basis to the surrogate after hearing of the first fetus heartbeat.
The medical fee is a little higher in surrogacy IVF than in traditional IVF procedures. Additional medical procedures like C-section, Ectopic pregnancy, Termination of pregnancy may also increase the medical bill. In rare cases, intended parents need to pay for some serious instances like hysterectomy (loss of uterus), loss of Fallopian tube(s), or selective reduction.
Screening test charges include criminal background checking, psychological screening, and medical screening for intended parents, surrogate and her partner (if any) also include in surrogacy fees. The medical test includes a blood screening test of both the surrogate and her spouse for testing pregnancy suitability and existence of STDs. The surrogate has to go for her uterus examination also to check the pregnancy suitability.
Legal and attorney fees are required for preparing the agreement between intended parents and surrogate. This agreement is a detailed document of agreed terms and conditions between the surrogate and the intended parents.
Surrogacy insurance coverage is a bit tricky as terms and conditions for surrogacy differ on cases by case basis. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss with the insurer the selection of insurance and change its coverage mid-way through the process.
Other expenses in the surrogate pregnancy process are not fixed. But every intended parent needs to bear this expense which includes
- Maternity clothing allowance, monthly miscellaneous allowance for meals, doctor/lab appointments, non-prescription vitamins/supplements, telephone charges, attending support groups.
- Medication for the IVF process and pregnancy vary from case to case. In case of any additional medication requires, then that need extra payment.
- In the case of international surrogacy, traveling cost, staying hotel and other expenditures for outstation staying along with a day of charges are included in other expenditures.
- Extra payment needs to pay also with the surrogate’s compensation in case of lost wages if the doctor advises the surrogate for bed rest who is employed at that time.
- Special care requirement for surrogate during pregnancy at the third trimester.
Reference: Surrogacy cost
Ravi Sharma is a self-motivated, successful entrepreneur and has a solid experience in the fertility segment. and he is the director at ARTbaby Global (ARThealthcare). He is a pharmacy graduate with post-graduation in business administration and has 14 years of rich experience in the field of infertility segment. He loves to write about IVF, Surrogacy, and other ART (assisted reproductive technology) news, issues, and updates. He is a Pharmacy graduate (B. Pharm) and M.B.A (marketing).
His most recent success includes the successful launch of the medical tourism company, ARTbaby, which offers treatment options for infertility, egg donation, and surrogacy. He likes spending time with his family and writing about various aspects of IVF surrogacy and donating eggs.