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Surrogate Mother Compensation

For those struggling to start or continue their family, having a healthy baby of their own can seem like a distant dream.  You can help make a difference and achieve both emotional and financial gain by becoming a Surrogate Mother. As a Surrogate Mother, you and your family will have the experience of helping someone build their family in this unique way.  It is a journey that spreads beyond your family and into the parent's family that you are helping.  The joy of seeing the Intended Parents hold their baby for the first time is a lasting and cherished memory.

The time and commitment that a Surrogate Mother dedicates to this journey can be beyond measure so how do you place a price on such a thing?  At The Surrogacy Experience, we do not feel someone should receive a lower compensation based on where they live or if they have surrogacy-friendly insurance or not. We also know that your needs may be different than others, including your desired compensation. That is why we work to customize a compensation package with you and just for you. 

At The Surrogacy Experience, we feel you should be included in the design of your Compensation Package. We also understand that for some it is difficult to know what fee amounts are fair, and appropriate, and what covered expenses should be requested.  
It is important that you are fully compensated for your time and commitment to this incredible role. The Compensation Package is designed to outline your “surrogate income”, and payments to cover surrogacy expenses. These can be broken down into three categories: Base Pay, Covered Expenses/Reimbursements, and Benefits.
 

• Base Pay is the amount you will receive for carrying a pregnancy (a.k.a. surrogate income). This payment is commonly divided into monthly installments beginning when a fetal heartbeat has been detected until the pregnancy ends.
• Covered Expenses/Reimbursements are outlined in the contract you will have with the intended parent(s) and will detail items such as lost wage reimbursement, maternity clothing allowance, childcare costs, monthly allowance, etc. It will also include milestone payments for the embryos transfer or events such as a C-section delivery and is in addition to the base pay.
• Benefits can consist of items such as health insurance coverage, term life insurance, travel, legal representation, etc., and are based on need.

When reviewing surrogacy agencies it is important to ask them what your earned payments will be (i.e., base pay) and what may be included to cover the costs of a surrogacy journey (not necessarily your take-home earnings). 

Example of Base Pay (income):

• For first-time gestational carriers, the average surrogate income can be $35,000 - $45,000. 
  
• Experienced gestational carriers can receive a minimum of $40,000 - $50,000.
• For all women, the base pay will increase if the pregnancy results in multiples (generally $5,000).

Example of Covered Expenses/Reimbursements:

• Lost Wage Reimbursement (base on the current rate of pay): If the carrier is employed and misses work due to her obligations as a surrogate mother such as pre/post transfer travel to the intended parent’s fertility clinic, monitoring appointments, surrogacy/pregnancy-related doctor’s appointments, doctor-ordered bed rest, and post-delivery recovery time. If married, her spouse may also be eligible for wage reimbursement if required to attend surrogacy-related appointments or to attend the delivery.
• Childcare Costs ($10-$20 per hour): For overnight travel, medical appointments, surrogacy-related appointments, or as needed in the event of medically ordered bed rest.
• Housekeeping Services ($75-$100 per week): Generally reserved for doctor-required restrictions such as bed rest or recovering from a C-section delivery.
• Maternity Clothing Allowance ($500 - $750): This non-accountable allowance is provided between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy.
• Pumping/Shipping Breast Milk ($250 per week + supplies): If agreed upon by both parties.
• Milestone Reimbursements (based on occurrence): such as embryos transfer fee, invasive procedure fee, C-section procedure, etc.
  
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Example of Benefits: 

• Health Insurance Coverage: the intended parent(s) is responsible for ensuring that their gestational carrier has appropriate medical coverage and that all medical costs related to pre/post transfer cycling, pregnancy and delivery, do not fall on the burden of the gestational carrier
• Psychological counseling / group support (if requested): $1,000 - $2,000

• Term life insurance policy: $500,000 - $750,000

• Travel Expenses: Approved travel-related expenses will be paid for by intended parents which typically include:
  • rental car fee, taxi, or other ground transportation
  • mileage over 50 miles at current tax rate if surrogate uses own car
  • airfare
  • hotel rental
  • per diem  per day/ per person meal allotment
• Legal Fees: carriers legal fees for contract negotiations/review and for  Legal Representation during the Declaration of Parentage proceeding (if required)

These are just a few items encompassing a Compensation Package. Your specific needs and requests will be discussed and drafted to share with any potential parents before a match and will be finalized by the attorneys within the Gestational Carrier Agreement (contract) you will have with your Intended Parents.

Surrogate compensation can depend on several different factors and is unique to each situation. At The Surrogacy Experience, we will assist you in determining what your personal compensation package request will look like while making sure you get the minimum amounts you deserve. 

Compensation Guideline

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