How Much Does a Surrogate Mother Earn?

CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR QUIZ
and find out if surrogacy is right for you!

Have you ever wondered how much someone can earn as a surrogate mother?

Becoming a gestational carrier or “surrogate” can be very financially rewarding and even give you the opportunity to put a down payment on a home, buy a new care, pay off debt, go back to school, or just stash away a nest egg.

The decision to become a surrogate is a personal one.  Some women are drawn to it for the emotional rewards; the feeling of contributing, of making a difference and helping someone in need.  Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, understanding the compensation is important, and it is not as simple as you would think.

You might hear that a surrogate mother can expect to earn anywhere between $30,000 to $70,000.  That is a huge range!  What exactly does that mean?

Let me break it down for you:

First of all, most surrogates work with an agency, with fees paid through an escrow account which keeps all the money accounted for, and funds are distributed on a specific schedule.

The total amount of compensation paid will vary by state, as well as by agency, which means, some women will shop around for an agency solely by comparing the amount offered and then basically sign up with the highest bidder.  Be careful doing that!  When selecting an agency, make sure you are looking at the big picture and comparing apples to apples.

You want to choose a reputable company with plenty of “real” experience, who has a support system in place and will be there for you if you face any challenges along the way.  A company with plenty of happy surrogates who rave about them, returning to do second and even third cycles with them.  And you also want to make sure you clearly understand their compensation package.

Too often, what looks like the highest paying agency at first glance, isn’t what it appears to be once you compare line by line items.

So let me explain:

I am about to give you an example of a very fair and comprehensive benefits package. I know at first this is going to seem confusing, but it is structured this way for a reason:  basically, so it is fair to all parties involved.   With this type of payment structure, you are compensated each step along the way, as well as for any additional efforts required by you.  That way if your surrogate journey doesn’t result in a viable pregnancy and delivery, you are still compensated for the steps you took in the process.  And if your surrogate journey gets a little more complicated or requires additional procedures or efforts, you are compensated for those as well.

Let’s dig in:

First of all, you’ll receive a base fee.  This is the bulk of your compensation and will be paid out monthly, starting shortly after the pregnancy is confirmed, with the final balance being paid a couple of weeks after delivery.

There is a lot that has to happen prior to the pregnancy being confirmed, but rest assured, in those beginning stages before your base fee kicks in, you are paid additional fees each step of the way.  For example:

• When you attend your medical screening appointment to see if you are even a good candidate for surrogacy you would receive a small payment for your time and effort.

• You can also expect to receive substantial payments at each significant accomplishment in the process, such as:
  • when you begin medications to prepare your body for the IVF procesS
  • when the embryo is transferred
  • when the pregnancy is confirmed by blood tesT
  • and at the first ultrasound confirming a heartbeat

• Employed surrogates can also receive small fees for each additional IVF required appointment to compensate for their time off of work.

In addition to the various fees you’ll receive, you can also expect some generous allowances:

• In your second trimester you can look forward to a hefty maternity clothing allowance. You can head out shopping for the latest maternity fashions, or make do with the clothing from a previous pregnancy and pocket the cash. The money is yours to do with as you like.

• You’ll also receive a nice monthly allowance. This covers you for miscellaneous expenses you might incur due to the pregnancy.

There are times you might qualify for additional reimbursement.  For example:

• Travel
  • You would be reimbursed for mileage if you have to travel far for the transfer or any IVF This usually means anything over 125 miles round trip.
  • If you are required to fly to your transfer, the flights, hotels and even meals while you are out of town will be covered.
  • If you bring a spouse or companion with you, their flight and meals will be covered as well.
• In the third trimester, through a few weeks after delivery, you can be reimbursed for housekeeping or childcare benefits.

Reimbursements will have a maximum dollar amount, which your agency will clearly outline.

It is hard to believe that with everything I just mentioned, there are still other reasons for more compensation.

• A good agency is going to have an excellent support system in place which usually includes a monthly call or meeting with a psychologist as well as a monthly group meeting with other surrogates. Surrogacy is a unique situation, and it is extremely helpful to have someone to talk to about your experience.  Not to mention that you’ll receive additional compensation for every month you participate in the support system.

• If you already have insurance that covers surrogacy, you can usually expect a nice big bonus. Sometimes as much as $5000!  Don’t worry about calling your insurance company or digging out a mountain of documents to research this.  Your surrogate agency is a pro at insurance and will help you to determine your coverage.

• In the case of twins, or the rare case of triplets, the surrogate is given an additional amount per child. Carrying multiple babies brings a whole new set of risks and inconveniences, and the surrogate is compensated

• After the birth of the child, some intended parents would love the opportunity to feed their baby breast milk. If you are asked to pump breast milk and you are willing to do so, you can receive a monthly compensation for as long as you provide milk to the family.

• Some intended parents will request that the surrogate eat organic or take certain supplements, and they are willing to pay a monthly amount to cover the additional cost and inconvenience.

• Surrogates are also compensated for other challenges and procedures that might come up. This can include:
  • An amniocentesis,
  • Physician ordered cesarean section
  • Medical complications
  • Bedrest
  • Lost wages
  • Spouse lost wages so they can attend the birth
  • and many other variables

• Now, I should warn you; surrogacy can be addictive. Delivering a bundle of joy to the awaiting parent’s arms is an incredible, empowering and emotional experience.  It is not uncommon to want to turn around and do it again, either for that same family, so their baby has a sibling, or for another family who is eager to have a child of their own.  The good news is that as an experienced surrogate, you can command a much higher base fee.  The reason for this is because intended parents have a lot riding on the decision to use a surrogate, both emotionally and financially.  A woman whose body previously responded well to IVF medications, and who already understands the emotions involved with being a surrogate mother would improve their chances for a smooth and healthy pregnancy and they are willing to pay more for the peace of

Keep in mind that every cent you are paid comes directly out of the pocket of the family you are desiring to help, so in addition to being compensated fairly, don’t lose sight of the compassionate reasons you would want to be a surrogate.

Surrogacy is a complex, legal agreement with many variables in place.  The surrogate agency will be able to provide you with a detailed sample benefits package that outlines every situation and the exact amount paid for each variable.   That is why it is so important to compare line by line items, because like I mentioned earlier, what looks like the highest paying agency in the beginning, isn’t always the case.

To see if you would be a good surrogate mother, and to get more information on the entire process, please click the link below and take our short quiz.

TAKE QUIZ