Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists
11/28/21
There are many factors that contribute to the wide range in compensation that a surrogate may receive throughout her journey. Once confirmed pregnant, a surrogate will receive her base compensation on a monthly basis, which can range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000.
Upon doing research, you will find that there are many factors that contribute to surrogacy compensation. (At Worldwide Surrogacy, we offer base compensation from $45,000 to $60,000 based on Gestational Carrier's insurance, experience, and requests. This figure doesn't include additional compensation.)
If a surrogate has taken previous journeys, they're considered a more experienced surrogate which can result in higher base compensation. When applying to do a second journey (or even a third, like our amazing surrogate, Courtney), her base compensation has the potential to be substantially higher given your familiarity with the surrogacy process and procedures.
Another factor that can contribute to additional compensation is whether a surrogate has a singleton pregnancy or a multiple pregnancy. If a surrogate is pregnant with twins (also known as a multiple pregnancy), she may be paid additional compensation given that a multiple pregnancy poses higher risks for the surrogate and could require more medical attention.
In addition, any invasive procedures that a surrogate could undergo may also provide additional compensation. For example, if she has to undergo a cesarean section during the pregnancy, she will be paid additional compensation for the pain, suffering, and recovery time involved in having a C-section.
Another factor that plays a role in a surrogate's base compensation is the geographical location of the surrogate (i.e. the state in which she resides). For example, since Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists is located in Connecticut, many Intended Parent(s) prefer surrogates who are local to either our agency or to their home. This may influence Intended Parent(s) to pay a higher base compensation to the surrogate based on her proximity to them, their agency, or even their clinic.
Additionally, Intended Parent(s) feel this may sometimes lead to a stronger connection with their surrogate, seeing as they can meet in person before or during the pregnancy.
There are a number of health insurance options that are optimal for surrogates that may result in higher compensation rates. For example, surrogates who have health insurance that provides maternity coverage (and doesn't have a clear surrogacy exclusion) will generally receive higher compensation.
These are only some of the many factors that can contribute to the wide range in surrogacy compensation—and when we talk about "compensation" here, we're referring specifically to base compensation which doesn't include any miscellaneous payments for legal, travel, and medical related expenses. Additionally, surrogates will also receive a monthly expense fee of approximately $350 per month, which usually starts following the first month after contract signing. Not only will the Intended Parent(s) be responsible for paying these expenses, but will also be responsible for lost wages, maternity clothing, and childcare expenses which are negotiated and agreed upon with the intended parent(s) during the contract phase.
While some surrogacy matching agencies determine a specific base compensation for their surrogates, our agency encourages each woman to research surrogacy compensation (i.e. "how much do surrogates get paid?") on her own in order to determine a base compensation she is comfortable with.
Although it may be difficult to agree upon compensation for both the surrogate and Intended Parent(s), it is important to trust the surrogacy agency on their recommendations, and to have open and honest communication between a surrogate and the intended parent(s).
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