Surrogacy Compensation

All about surrogacy compensation

If you’re considering carrying a baby for someone who can’t, you’re likely a woman with a huge heart who is far more interested in helping others than in your own surrogacy compensation. However, being a surrogate is a wonderful way to help your own family too, by adding to its financial strength and stability.

There are a couple of important things to know about compensation and your benefit package. First, as a surrogate, you will never have to pay for any expenses associated with your surrogacy pregnancy or birth, as these are covered by the intended parents. Your compensation is yours to use as you see fit, and how you spend or save your compensation is completely up to you.

Secondly, compensation varies based on certain factors. Our agency will make sure you know exactly what to expect before you commit. Before you match with the intended parents and the pregnancy begins, all compensation will be detailed in a legal agreement between you and the intended parents, so you can go into the process with complete peace of mind.

What’s included in surrogacy compensation

Women considering being a surrogate typically understand that their medical expenses will be covered. That’s true, of course, but there are also many more aspects of surrogacy compensation that benefit and protect a gestational surrogate throughout the surrogacy process. We will explore your surrogate benefit package with you before you become a surrogate. We want to hear what’s important to you and invite you to tailor your surrogacy compensation package to meet your needs.

Base compensation is provided for the time, effort and risk involved in carrying the pregnancy to term. This amount can vary based on where you live and other factors, but is typically $60,000+. If you’ve had a successful surrogate pregnancy in the past, you may receive higher compensation because your next surrogate pregnancy is likely to be low-risk, and you bring experience with you.

Additional compensation may be added in certain cases, such as a twin pregnancy, needing a C-section, undergoing certain medical procedures, or experiencing pregnancy complications.

A monthly allowance will be provided to cover pregnancy-related expenses. This will pay for things you need and small expenses, such as prenatal vitamins and local travel costs to and from medical appointments. It can even cover your cravings for chips and salsa or ice cream. You won’t have to track your spending or submit receipts. The money is sent to you at the beginning of each month for you to use as needed. Most surrogate compensation packages include about $300 a month to cover such expenses.

A wellness package and bonuses are offered in addition to your base compensation. These include coverage for spa treatments, massages, doula services, acupuncture, and other wellness treatments and services. Bonuses are offered at milestones, such as legal clearance and certain stages of pregnancy. We are proud to champion a higher level of wellness and care.

Health insurance will be paid for. If you don’t already have surrogacy-friendly health insurance to cover surrogate pregnancy and birth, a surrogacy-friendly insurance policy will be purchased for you. If your current insurance policy does cover surrogate pregnancy and birth, your insurance premiums will be reimbursed to you throughout the surrogacy process.

Medical expenses related to the surrogate pregnancy and birth are covered. This includes the transfer of the embryo, which is the part of IVF that starts the pregnancy; prenatal care; any medical procedures, testing or treatment you may need; and of course, labor and delivery. These expenses will vary depending on your health insurance coverage and medical needs during pregnancy and birth.

Lost income and childcare are also covered. Many of our surrogates are working moms, so surrogacy compensation covers the time off you will need for medical visits, the birth and recovery period, and any pregnancy-related restrictions that may affect your ability to work. Spouse or partner lost wages are also compensated, under certain circumstances. Childcare expenses are covered for these instances. This part of your compensation will be negotiated in advance and will vary depending on your personal circumstances.

Legal representation is included at no cost to you. For your protection, you will be asked to select a specialized attorney in the field of third-party reproduction to represent you. All legal expenses associated with the surrogacy process are paid for by the intended parents, including the surrogacy agreement and any legal needs that may arise as part of the surrogacy process.

Counseling and support services are included to help support you through the surrogacy experience. It’s very important to us that you always feel heard, well supported and cared for, and we want you to take advantage of these available resources.

How much can I earn as a surrogate, and what factors affect my pay?

As you can see, surrogacy compensation isn’t “one size fits all.” Your compensation package is carefully designed and individually negotiated to ensure that potential scenarios are covered, and that your interests are thoughtfully considered and protected.

Our goal is to take care of the details, so that you can have the most fulfilling and rewarding surrogacy experience possible. We are here to support you every step of the way and make sure that all your needs are met and expectations exceeded.

Contact us to learn more about being a surrogate with Les Petits Surrogacy.