Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for someone else. In the United States, this practice has become increasingly popular since the late 20th century.
The first successful surrogate pregnancy occurred in 1988 when Elizabeth Carr carried twins for her sister-in-law, who had had cancer treatments that rendered her infertile. Today, there are an estimated 1 million babies born each year through surrogacy worldwide.
A surrogate mother may be called upon to carry a pregnancy to term when the biological mother cannot, such as when she has had a hysterectomy or suffered from cancer. However, the majority of surrogacy arrangements are made between couples who are unable to conceive on their own.
Surrogacy is cheap — it can cost up to $40,000 — and requires strict legal contracts between all parties involved: the intended parents (the intended father or parents), the surrogate mother, her husband or partner if applicable, and sometimes an agency that facilitates the arrangement. In some cases, the surrogate will receive payment for carrying another woman’s child. In other cases, she will receive no compensation beyond medical expenses incurred during pregnancy.
If you’ve ever wondered how surrogacy works, or if you’re thinking about using surrogacy to have a child, here are some answers to common questions about this process.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for someone else, usually for a couple who wants to have a baby but can’t conceive or carry their child. In most cases, the intended parent(s) will be the legal parents of any resulting child.
How is surrogacy different from adoption?
Adoption involves taking custody of someone else’s biological child and raising it as your own. Surrogacy involves creating a new embryo with your genetic material, then transferring that embryo into your surrogate partner’s uterus so she can carry it to term.
Is surrogacy legal?
Yes — but only in certain states and countries. In California, for example, there are no laws specifically outlawing surrogacy arrangements; however, there are restrictions on how much money can be exchanged between parties and what sort of contracts must be signed by all involved parties.
The legal ramifications of surrogacy vary by state and country but generally fall under three categories: gestational (referred to in some states as traditional) surrogacy, traditional surrogacy, and altruistic gestational surrogacy (wherein no money is exchanged).
How Much Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy is an amazing gift. It can fulfill a family’s dream of having a child, allow same-sex couples to have biological offspring, and provide a way for infertile women to become mothers.
Surrogacy can be used for one woman to carry another’s fertilized egg (or eggs) in her uterus. The surrogate mother may be a known or anonymous recipient of the donated embryo(s). Surrogate mothers who are physically and emotionally healthy, stable in their lives, and have no history of abuse or incarceration may be eligible for compensation. This compensation is typically between $35,000 and $50,000, but it can range from $10,000 to $100,000 (or more) depending on the complexity of the surrogacy arrangement.
Most surrogates do not receive any payment other than reimbursement for medical expenses related directly to pregnancy and childbirth (e.g., prenatal care). Some surrogates receive additional compensation in the form of an educational grant or cash bonus that they can use however they wish after the birth of their child(ren). In some cases, this additional money goes toward paying off student loans or other debts accumulated during their studies or when raising children on their own before getting married or cohabitating with their spouse.
Surrogacy is less expensive than adoption and is often an option for people who cannot conceive a child on their own. Women who offer to carry another’s baby are called surrogates, and those who hire them are called intended parents.
Made In The USA Surrogacy: the top Agency
Surrogate agencies are companies that help you find a surrogate mother to carry your baby. The agency finds the right woman for you and will also help with the legal process to get her pregnant.
Surrogate agencies are businesses that connect prospective parents to women who are willing to carry a pregnancy for them. These agencies can be used to find surrogates in California, across the United States, or around the world. Made in The USA is one of the top surrogate agencies california.
Made In The USA Surrogacy is one of the largest surrogacy agencies in the United States and has helped thousands of families build their families. The agency assists couples from all over the country through every step of this process, including finding a surrogate mother, creating an embryo transfer plan, ensuring compliance with legal requirements in all 50 states, and helping you through any issues that may arise along the way.
The surrogate hire at Made in The USA is an online database that allows prospective parents to search for surrogates based on their location and characteristics. The site also provides information about the legal process of hiring a surrogate, including how to get started with your search for a suitable candidate.