Growing your family through gestational surrogacy is a monumental emotional — and financial — journey. For most people, preparing financially for a gestational surrogacy journey requires years of planning and organization. However, like the journey itself, how each person saves for and affords their pursuit of parenthood is personal and unique.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Typical gestational surrogacy costs can vary widely, with the average cost of a successful, first-attempt gestational carrier (GC) pregnancy in the U.S. averaging $125,000 to $200,000: including everything from the agency and legal fees to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
Because there are so many professionals involved at each step of the process — medical, legal, accounting, and social work — costs can quickly add up. In addition, costs include the care and attention the GC requires throughout pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the need for management of the entire journey from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of the major costs associated with a gestational surrogacy journey:
An important reminder: it might take more than one embryo transfer attempt, which will increase the total spend.
Costs can vary depending on the type of program you choose. Some programs are more comprehensive and include services such as legal services and escrow management. Other programs for intended parents are more à la carte — intended parents can select the services they require for their journey to customize a program. Which program is best for you depends on your specific needs for your journey and how much of the journey you want to manage yourself.
These are fees associated with engaging a gestational surrogacy agency. Average agency fees range anywhere from $15,000 to $45,000 and can include services such as:
The final cost will vary depending on location and the services your agency provides.
As of 2023, the average base compensation and reimbursement cost for gestational carriers ranged between $30,000 and $65,000. This price depends on a number of factors, including location and the type of carrier you’re using (a repeat carrier versus a friend or family member).
On top of the base pay, there are other potential costs some families incur with a GC. These include:
Attorneys for the intended parent(s) and carrier will help everyone navigate and agree upon which allowances will be included in the contract and how much the carrier can expect to receive.
The gestational carrier journey can involve expensive medical procedures for multiple people, which is why the cost is so high. On average, medical fees for gestational carrier journeys range from $25,000–$50,000. This cost can include:
In addition to this base cost, some intended parents run into an even larger bill, because their insurance plan doesn’t cover a GC pregnancy. This can add as much as $15,000–$30,000 to the overall cost.
The average cost of legal representation during a gestational carrier journey ranges from $15,000 to $20,000. This total includes:
The final costs will vary depending on the location, chosen law firm, and amount of hours billed.
Many companies offer family-building benefits like Carrot, which can include anything from a set financial amount for reimbursement to specific coverage for elements of the journey, such as IVF cycles or creating embryos with donor eggs. Benefits may also cover broader family-building costs or adoption.
Get smart about tax deductions. Speak to a tax specialist about annual medical deductions, and plan your IVF and gestational surrogacy payments around the calendar year that works best for your deductions. You can typically deduct up to 10% of your adjusted gross income for medical expenses.
As a Carrot member, you can reach out to our Care Team anytime with questions — sign in to your account to get started.
Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Carrot Fertility makes no representations or warranties and expressly disclaims any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered or provided within or through the blog, website, or app.
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