March 2, 2023
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8 min read
Gestational Surrogacy: Loans, Cost Breakdown, & Financing (Your Questions Answered)
When a family pursues gestational surrogacy to welcome a new baby into the world, they begin a life-changing journey that brings significant joy coupled with a host of financial considerations.
The average process of using a gestational surrogate can cost anywhere from $70,000 to $120,000 from beginning to end. This guide provides a cost breakdown through each stage of the journey. Use this information to better understand your family’s options for loans, payments, and financing every step of the way.
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Considering Gestational surrogacy
Gestational Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
- Agency Fees
- Surrogate Screening and Fees
- Fertility Treatments
- Gestational Surrogate Support
- Legal Fees
- Insurance and Taxes
Gestational Surrogacy Financing Options
Gestational Surrogacy Support with Future Family
Considering Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is an ideal fertility option when a couple or individual needs assistance from another party to carry and deliver their baby. Surrogacy is a pathway to parenthood often chosen by the following people:
- LGBTQ couples
- Those with limited success with other fertility treatments
- Those with medical or high-risk health concerns
- Couples with unexplained infertility
- Individuals without a uterus
A couple or individual may also opt for gestational surrogacy for many other reasons, including personal, emotional, and physical concerns.
Gestational Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
The process of surrogacy can be expensive. It involves the hopeful parents and the designated surrogate, a fertility clinic, several medical professionals, and legal experts.
Here’s a brief overview of those expenses:
Agency Fees
If you use a surrogacy agency, you can expect to compensate the organization for services like:
- Carrier matching
- Screening
- Clinic coordination
- Contract arrangement
- Background checks for surrogate and partner (if applicable)
- Legal and financial counsel
Average cost: $15,000 to $30,000
Surrogate Screening and Fees
Before the process begins, a surrogate undergoes medical, psychological, and fertility tests and screenings to determine a healthy candidacy for pregnancy. These fees differ depending on several factors, including:
- The surrogate’s prior experience
- Their location
- Whether they are open to a twin pregnancy
Average cost: $30,000 to $60,000
Fertility Treatments
Surrogacies require the services of a fertility clinic to facilitate conception. Fertility clinics offer multiple procedures to support a healthy gestational surrogacy, such as:
- Fertility tests
- Fertility medications
- Embryo creation
- IVF to create the embryo(s) to transfer to a gestational surrogate
Because each surrogacy journey differs from another, these costs can vary widely.
Average cost: $10,000 - $20,000
Gestational Surrogate Support
Medical care, transportation, maternity clothing, dietary support and supplements, and all other pregnancy-related fees are often paid for entirely by the soon-to-be parents. There is no standardized range for surrogate support costs, as these figures differ for each pregnancy.
Average cost: Fluctuates, often paid monthly
Legal Fees
Gestational Surrogacy laws differ in each state, but many families seek pre-birth orders and contracts before their journey to establish the baby’s legal parentage or to facilitate an adoption after the birth. Professional legal counsel helps all parties in gestational surrogacy to protect their rights and outline the terms of the agreement in full.
Average cost: $5,000 - $15,000
Insurance and Taxes
Regarding insurance coverage, only a policy under which the surrogate is insured provides surrogacy-related benefits or reimbursements. If applicable, couples and individuals may be asked to pay for a surrogate’s monthly insurance premiums or compensate them for any associated taxes and fees.
Average cost: $500 - $1,000 per month
Gestational Surrogacy Financing Options
The total cost of gestational surrogacy can be well outside the budget of the average couple or individual. Fortunately, there are several ways to finance the surrogacy process and help a broader range of families realize their dreams of having a baby.
Gestational Surrogacy Loans
From traditional lines of credit to specialized loans, the expecting parent(s) may qualify for financing to fund their surrogacy journey.
Financing can include:
- Home equity loans or lines of credit, using a home or property as collateral.
- Borrowing from a retirement plan or 401k, which you must repay within a certain period.
- Credit cards or personal loans borrowed from a bank or credit union. Be aware that there are five key areas to consider when choosing credit cards vs. loans.
- Fertility financing loans, which are specifically designed for family-building processes. Fertility loans like the ones provided by Future Family have fixed interest rates, helping you to save money in the long run.
Saving Money
In addition to saving money for the gestational surrogacy itself, intended parents can find ways to save money by locating low or 0% APR surrogacy loans, choosing cost-effective gestational surrogacy services, and making frugal lifestyle choices.
Fundraising
Some future parents look to crowdfunding sources to raise funds for their gestational surrogacy, while others organize and host community fundraising events. Fundraising with a future family in mind can also involve monetizing a hobby or asking friends and family for donations to ease the overall financial burden.
Gestational Surrogacy Grants
Fertility grants can be incredibly beneficial, and Resolve.org has a comprehensive list of grants offering between $1,000 and $10,000 to intended parents.
Many fertility grants come with usage restrictions, and some have specific eligibility requirements that may or may not apply to your family’s circumstances. Thoroughly research your options to find a grant suited to your needs.
Gestational Surrogacy Support with Future Family
There are many pathways to securing financial support and security to grow your family. If you’re considering gestational surrogacy, contact Future Family today to learn more about our financing options or prequalify for a loan.
Our Future Family qualified fertility coaches, and nursing care team offer additional assistance in your gestational surrogacy journey. Get in touch to find out how we can provide your family with education, medical, and emotional support and guidance.