How Does a Surrogate Get Paid?

Compensation for surrogacy is confusing and can be intimidating when starting on your first journey, but in reality, it is very straightforward! Surrogates are compensated a base fee, which is paid out throughout the pregnancy and is independent of any financial obligations of the pregnancy process. In addition, there are fees paid out throughout the pregnancy and before that cover the cost of the pregnancy itself. In addition to the actual compensation for the pregnancy, all expenses that are incurred by the surrogate are reimbursed, so no surrogate should have out of pocket expenses.

Base pay and fee coverage vary from agency to agency, as they are suggested by the company the surrogate works with. There are some legal and financial regulations in place, but shopping around for a good agency is worth it. Simple Surrogacy suggests compensation to surrogates (Industry leading!) But leaves it up to the surrogate to set her own compensation as only a surrogate can know what it is worth to her to carry a pregnancy!

Base Pay & Compensation

Base pay is the fee that the surrogate receives for the donation of their time and effort. This price varies the most from agency to agency and by arrangement. At Simple Surrogacy, our base pay is $50,000 for a first-time surrogate, and more for a surrogate with experience. For experienced surrogates, we let them set their own rates, which are usually $5,000 or more than the first-time rate.

This rate can also be affected by your insurance type. Often, agencies pay out more to surrogates with surrogacy-friendly insurance as they will not need additional coverage to come out of the Intended Parents’ pockets.

In the current climate of surrogacy, Simple Surrogacy’s base pay for a first-time surrogate is one of the highest in the business, because we value what our surrogates are doing to help families grow.

Base pay does not factor in travel expenses, lost wages, medical expenses, or other negotiable terms for a surrogacy contract like eating organically. All expenses are additional to base rate.

While there are other fees available over the course of the pregnancy, base pay pays out in installments after the pregnancy is confirmed, and held in escrow so that the fund cannot be tampered with.

Pre-Pregnancy Payment

Prior to actually becoming pregnant, our surrogates are still eligible for payments related to the IVF and surrogacy process. These fees are important as they recognize the hard work that goes into becoming pregnant, and make sure that our surrogates are expensing us for anything they need.

Invasive Procedure Fee 

There are multiple invasive procedures involved in IVF, and often these procedures can take a lot out of our surrogates mentally and physically. For this reason we like to compensate surrogate $500 for each invasive procedure, including the initial medical screening.

Travel Expenses 

Our surrogates may be required to travel to a fertility clinic or IVF center during the initial stage of the surrogacy process. We understand that this is an inconvenience, and compensate our surrogates for any travel, childcare, or meals that they require during such time. In addition, we go as far as to also compensate a companion of theirs so that they can have support during their procedures.

Mock Cycle

Each surrogate must complete a mock cycle prior to embryo transfer. This cycle utilizes IVF hormone shots and birth control to create an ideal environment for an embryo. During this phase, we compensate surrogates $500. At the onset of the medication and treatment, we also compensate our surrogates $500 as we understand the toll that IVF takes on the body. In the event that their cycle is canceled for non-medical reasons, we compensate them an additional $500.

Post-Contract Monthly Allowance

Once the contracts are signed but before the pregnancy has been confirmed, we compensate surrogates $300 per month as they start their transfers and wait for good news.

Embryo Transfer Attempts

Embryo transfers are difficult on the body and an invasive procedure. We like to compensate our surrogates at the moment of transfer for this. During embryo transfers our surrogates are compensated $1,000 per embryo. If the surrogate is carrying multiples, the payment would be higher.

During Pregnancy Payments

In addition to base payments going out to our surrogates, we also pay out some fees throughout the pregnancy. This covers many associated costs with being pregnant aside from medical costs, so that the surrogate and their family can continue to lead a happy and fulfilled life while they carry the child to term.

Multiples Fee

Having multiple children at once is taxing for anyone, and surrogates who carry two or more children to term are compensated and additional $15,000 during the pregnancy for their risk.

Maternity Clothes

As former surrogates ourselves, we know that the pregnancy process is quick and clothes stop fitting very suddenly, especially when carrying multiples. We like to accommodate these changes by offering a maternity clothing allowance of $800-$1,000 per month for maternity clothing.

Doctor-Ordered Bedrest

Simple Surrogacy compensates surrogates up to $5,400 in lost wages and childcare in the event that they are placed on doctor-ordered bedrest. We understand that during a pregnancy there may be circumstances in which the surrogate needs to rest in order to bring the child into the world safely, and want to make sure that their households are taken care of in the meantime.

Cesarean Section Fee

Sometimes, a child cannot be delivered vaginally, and the surrogate must have a c-section. In this case, we compensate the surrogate $3,500 for the difficulty of delivering through this invasive surgery.

Lost Wages

All our surrogates need adequate time to recover from giving birth. This time should be relaxing for them so that their bodies can heal. We cover up to two weeks of lost wages for surrogate who delivered vaginally and up to six for surrogates who delivered by c-section. These fees are based on the recovery time your doctor projects after the birth.

During the birth and after, Simple Surrogacy also covers childcare costs that you incur while you recover.

Surrogate Retreat

For rest, relaxation, and connection with fellow surrogates, we offer $750 for a surrogate retreat. We offer one of our own that our surrogates can go on, though you are welcome to choose whichever retreat you like.

Termination

On a more serious note, sometimes a pregnancy needs to be terminated once it has started. If this is the case, any surrogate with Simple Surrogacy will be compensated $1,500 / $5,000 for the procedure and for the surrogate’s trouble.

In addition, if a multiple embryo transfer results in necessary selective reduction, we also compensate the surrogate $1,500.

Reproductive Organ Loss

There are certain circumstances that are a risk with any pregnancy that may result in the loss of a reproductive organ. In this case, the surrogate will be compensated $5,000. This is uncommon, but we have a plan for any scenario.

If you are considering becoming a surrogate but want more clarity on how surrogates are compensated and what fees they can expected to receive, please reach out to our staff here.