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:
- How much does gestational surrogacy cost?
- Breaking down the costs of gestational surrogacy
- How to fund a gestational surrogacy journey
How much does gestational surrogacy cost?
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.
Breaking down the costs of surrogacy
Agency fees
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:
- Gestational carrier screening and matching
- Coordination with clinics
- Counseling services
- Legal coordination with attorneys
The final cost will vary depending on location and the services your agency provides.
Gestational carrier compensation
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:
- A monthly stipend to cover related expenses (parking, lost wages due to medical appointments, vitamins, supplements, meals, and more)
- Health insurance premiums and copays
- Travel expenses for screening and IVF transfer (including a companion)
- An allowance for maternity clothes
- Wellness services (nutrition counseling, prenatal massages, general body care)
- Childcare during related travel and appointments
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.
IVF and other medical expenses
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:
- Egg and sperm retrieval
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Embryo transfer
- Any medications needed for the above procedures
- Monitoring fees (ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc.)
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.
Legal fees
The average cost of legal representation during a gestational carrier journey ranges from $15,000 to $20,000. This total includes:
- Intended parent (IP) representation for contract negotiations
- Gestational carrier (GC) representation for contract negotiations
- IP representation for parentage
- GC representation for parentage
- Any escrow setup or management fees
- Court and birth orders
The final costs will vary depending on the location, chosen law firm, and amount of hours billed.
How to fund gestational surrogacy
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.
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