What any money cannot value surrogate gives to intended parents. It is a priceless gift. It combines love, sensitivity, an unlimited desire to help and make people happy, and selflessness. However, of course, a surrogate spends not only her time but also literally gives a part of herself, putting her body to the test. Not to mention the emotional component of this process. Also, remember legal (and sometimes even judicial) issues. All of this deserves a reward and a considerable one. Although, as mentioned above, it is unlikely that it will be possible to reasonably convert this into numbers.
Before starting a surrogate journey, intended parents weigh many factors that influence the final choice. And the cost of a surrogate mother plays an important role. That is why those intended parents who are just getting acquainted with the process will be interested to know what the estimated cost of a surrogate’s work is based on.
General View
Of course, many nuances affect the amount of compensation for a surrogate. First of all, it is the country (and sometimes the city) and has legislative and regulatory aspects. The specifics of the intended parents’ requests can also significantly affect the reimbursement cost. For example, one of the requests may be for the surrogate to move to the city or even the country of the intended parents for the entire period of pregnancy or for a certain period (such things are discussed immediately before signing the contract, so there will be no surprises).
The experience of the surrogate can also have an impact. If this is, say, the third child that a woman is carrying as a gestational carrier, the two previous pregnancies were successful, and the births went without complications. Her price will likely be higher. There are additional questions about egg donation, etc. As you can see, there is no unique formula to calculate the exact amount. However, it is safe to say that a surrogate receives about 35% of the total amount paid by the intended parents. It is also worth distinguishing between two types of surrogacy: commercial and altruistic.
Traditional Surrogacy
This is, in fact, the type of surrogacy that has been written about a lot above. Everything is logical and appropriate. A surrogate becomes pregnant, carries a child, gives birth, and receives money. This is how traditional surrogacy works. However, not all countries or administrative units accept this and allow it. If we ignore those countries where surrogacy is prohibited altogether, there are other countries where only altruistic surrogacy is permitted.
Altruistic Surrogacy
This is the name given to the process when a surrogate receives payment exclusively for monthly living expenses and minor medical needs. And there is no payment after the birth of the child, which should be the main percentage of the money received. Of course, some couples are willing to be helped by a third party without any monetary compensation. In general, this type of surrogacy is developing.
So, the main items of expenditure for a surrogate:
● Medical procedures
● Legal procedures
● Monthly support and payment for all current needs
● One-time payment after the birth of the child (if it is commercial)
● Court procedures (if necessary)
● Separately written and agreed-upon items
Therefore, it is fair to say that life is a priceless gift. And although a child cannot be valued in any way, the time and opportunities spent by a surrogate can and should be evaluated and rewarded.
