If you have trouble starting a family because of infertility, you can take comfort in the fact that there are options available that can help you and your partner. As well as ovulation induction and in-vitro fertilization (better known as IVF), having a surrogate mother give birth for you has proven to be an effective and successful alternative that has positive results.
Gestational surrogacy rose in popularity between 1999 and 2013, going from 727 cycles to 3,432 cycles for a total of 18,400 births. Success rates have only grown in recent years, meaning that surrogacy is now a viable, safe, effective, and affordable solution for intended parents.
This affordability is the main stigma against surrogacy. There is this idea that the average person can’t afford it. That’s a feeling we’d expect people to have if they don’t do their homework on the process, but the reality is that with proper knowledge and the right resources anyone can go through surrogacy. We don’t think anything should stop you from creating the family you’ve always wanted. In order to help you better understand the process and challenges of surrogacy, here are some of the things you should consider when evaluating how much it can cost for a surrogate in California.
Potential Costs of Surrogacy in California
Before thinking about the potential costs of surrogacy in California, you need to understand that different states can have their own rules and regulations on the process. Some states will require people to jump through legal hoops and go through post-birth procedures. The good news is that California is one of the most surrogate-friendly states there is. Anyone can apply for surrogacy in California, no matter their background or circumstances. With that in mind, this means that California also has a highly competitive market for finding and hiring surrogates. That means that the prices can be higher for surrogacy in California than in other states.
Average Cost of Surrogacy
It can be difficult to determine the average cost of surrogacy because the price can depend on a number of factors. Here are some things to consider when estimating the cost of surrogacy;
- Medical costs – including the IUI procedure
- Compensating the surrogate
- Legal fees and surrogacy agency fees
- Monthly allowances and stipends for surrogates
- Potential screenings – including background checks, medical screening, and physiological screening
- Insurance policies
- Counseling support
- Travel agencies
Those represent just a few of the possible payments couples will have to cover during the surrogacy process. Keep in mind that the arrangements and procedures of surrogacy can vary depending on the different services, and the rates attached to those services.
Some online sources suggest that parents could expect to pay between $90,000 and $130,000 for gestational surrogacy. Those totals include a range of different factors, including the experience of a surrogate, negotiated living expenses and monthly allowances for a surrogate, and a range of other preventive measures and potential liabilities.
It can sound daunting at first, but rest assured surrogate agencies are completely dedicated to helping hopeful couples to start their family on the right financial foot. They have lots of tools and resources at their disposal to do this. That means that it is possible to find financial options that alleviate some of the pressure of the costs of surrogacy, and they can help to negotiate for better rates with surrogates for their services.