When you see a woman pregnant, it’s easy to assume that she has been blessed with the gift of fertility. That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. Statistics show that one-in-eight couples in America today are infertile and cannot conceive independently. For those who would like to have children but can’t due to infertility issues, surrogacy is an option that may allow them to become parents finally.
However, this process isn’t without its costs or challenges. So how much does surrogacy cost? Let’s find out!
There are a few different types of surrogacy, but the most common is traditional surrogacy. In this process, the surrogate agrees to conceive a baby with the help of her eggs and the sperm of the intended father or a donor. This type of surrogacy can range from $60,000 to $100,000.
If you are looking for a gestational carrier, a woman who carries a baby conceived with her eggs and sperm from an outside source, the cost can be even higher. The average price for this type of surrogacy ranges from $90,000 to $140,000.
One of the unique things about surrogacy is choosing your surrogate based on her profile. You will be able to see a picture and a description of your potential surrogate, as well as how much it’s going to cost to hire her!
The prices for each carrier will vary depending on several factors, including:
- Her health status
- Previous conceptions/fetal losses
- Ongoing pregnancies or children she has already given birth to
- Reasons behind past pregnancies (i.e., whether she was attempting for months or years)
- Bodily characteristics include height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin tone, and overall appearance.
While choosing a surrogate based on her looks is not ideal, it’s not uncommon either. Many intended parents will select a carrier who closely resembles themselves or their partner to lower the chances of complications arising from a mixed-race baby.
Another reason behind choosing a surrogate based on her appearance is the fear of discrimination. Many surrogates are carrying for couples whose features are dominant over their own, meaning that there’s a genuine possibility that the resulting baby will not resemble either parent. This causes quite a bit of anxiety in intended parents, and they want to avoid it at all costs.
It’s essential to keep in mind that the cost of surrogacy is not just financial. Many emotional costs come with the process. Intended parents often have to go through many heartaches before they finally become parents. This includes dealing with infertility issues and the ups and downs of finding, choosing, and financing a surrogate.
But surrogacy is often well worth the challenges it brings along with it.
Considering surrogacy, it’s essential to understand the many different costs involved. These costs can add up quickly, so be sure to have a realistic expectation of what you will be spending. With that said, the joy of becoming a parent is priceless, and for those who are lucky enough to afford surrogacy, it can be a fantastic experience.