Course / The Costs Associated With Using a Gestational Carrier
Gestational surrogacy is a life-changing journey that allows intended parents to achieve biological parenthood through the support of a gestational carrier. However, it is also a significant financial undertaking, influenced by multiple factors such as medical, legal, and logistical costs.
In the United States, the average cost of a complete surrogacy journey ranges from $120,000 to $180,000, depending on location, agency structure, medical requirements, and insurance coverage. At Surrogacy4All, we prioritize transparency, helping intended parents plan each step of the process with a clear understanding of the cost breakdown.
Gestational carrier (surrogate) compensation represents one of the largest components of the overall surrogacy budget. This payment reflects the surrogate’s time, physical commitment, and emotional contribution throughout pregnancy.
Typical compensation range:
First-time carriers: $45,000–$55,000
Experienced carriers: $60,000–$75,000+
Additional allowances:
Multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets): +$5,000–$10,000
Cesarean delivery: +$2,500–$3,000
Invasive procedures (e.g., amniocentesis, embryo transfer): +$500–$1,000 per procedure
Maternity clothing allowance: $1,000 (average)
Monthly expense stipend: $200–$300
These payments are structured in milestone-based disbursements (e.g., after heartbeat confirmation, mid-pregnancy, delivery). All compensation terms are outlined in a legally binding surrogacy contract prior to embryo transfer.
Engaging a reputable surrogacy agency, such as Surrogacy4All, provides comprehensive management and oversight for the entire journey. Agency fees cover the coordination of all major processes — from surrogate screening and matching to legal documentation and emotional support.
Agency services typically include:
Surrogate recruitment and medical screening
Background and psychological evaluations
Coordination with fertility clinics
Legal agreement facilitation
Escrow account management
24/7 case management and communication support
Estimated agency fee range:
$25,000–$40,000, depending on the level of service and location.
At Surrogacy4All, we offer all-inclusive, transparent packages designed to simplify the experience while maintaining full legal and ethical compliance.
Health insurance coverage is a critical component of the surrogacy process. Most policies do not automatically cover surrogate pregnancies, so careful review and planning are required.
Options include:
Existing Coverage: Some surrogates may have policies that include gestational carrier coverage (rare).
Specialized Surrogacy Plans: Intended parents can purchase dedicated surrogacy insurance policies for the surrogate’s prenatal care and delivery.
Secondary Policies: Supplemental insurance can be added to cover potential complications.
Estimated cost:
$20,000–$30,000 for a new surrogacy-specific policy.
Out-of-pocket costs may vary based on state, hospital, and policy type.
At Surrogacy4All, our legal and insurance specialists guide parents through policy review and procurement to ensure all potential risks are covered.
Legal
Legal services ensure that the rights and responsibilities of both the intended parents and the gestational carrier are clearly defined and protected.
Drafting and negotiating the Gestational Carrier Agreement (GCA)
Managing parental establishment (pre-birth or post-birth orders)
Ensuring compliance with state-specific surrogacy laws
Estimated legal fees: $7,000–$10,000 (for both parties)
Psychological
Psychological support ensures emotional well-being for both the intended parents and surrogate throughout the process.
Pre-screening psychological evaluations
Ongoing counseling and emotional support during pregnancy
Estimated psychological fees: $1,000–$2,000
Surrogacy4All partners with licensed mental health professionals specializing in reproductive psychology to provide comprehensive and ethical mental health screening.
Surrogacy arrangements often involve travel — particularly if intended parents and surrogates live in different states or countries.
Travel-related costs include:
Airfare and accommodation for medical appointments or embryo transfer
Transportation to fertility clinics and delivery hospitals
Meals and incidentals
Estimated travel budget: $3,000–$7,000, depending on distance and number of required visits.
Surrogacy4All provides logistical support to ensure seamless travel coordination for both intended parents and surrogates.
Some surrogates may choose to pump and ship breast milk for the newborn after delivery. While optional, this arrangement supports the baby’s early nutrition and immune development.
Costs may include:
Pumping supplies
Milk storage and shipping
Compensation for the surrogate’s time and effort
Estimated cost: $250–$500 per week (if desired).
If a surrogate must take unpaid leave from work during pregnancy, delivery, or recovery, lost wage reimbursement ensures she does not experience financial hardship.
Common inclusions:
Maternity leave coverage (6–8 weeks)
Doctor-ordered bed rest
Travel time for medical appointments or delivery
Estimated cost: $3,000–$8,000, depending on employment status and income level.
All wage reimbursements are verified through the surrogate’s employer and processed through a managed escrow account for transparency.
Our job is to listen, to connect the dots between your needs, and to determine how we can best help you have your baby. If you’re asking how much does it cost for a surrogate, we’ll walk you through every step of the process to ensure there are no surprises.
To make an appointment with one of our counselors or physicians, please call (212) 661-7673 or email info@surrogacy4all.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Surrogacy4All is a unique international surrogacy service targeted at providing state of the art IVF and surrogacy services to Intended Parents irrespective of age, sex or color, at the lowest possible cost in the world.
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