Surrogate's FAQ |
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Why are surrogates needed?
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Intended Mothers need Surrogates because they cannot successfully complete a pregnancy. Intended Mothers may have frequent miscarriages, or they may have no uterus, or a mal shaped uterus, or they have some kind of immune system problem or blood disease problem that will deform the baby.
Sometimes a single man or a same-sex couple (two men) need surrogates to carry their child.
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Should I have delivered a child of my own?
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Yes. We will only accept woman applicants who have delivered at least one full-term child.
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How much will I be paid for the work of being pregnant?
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The current surrogate fee is $25,000 to $27,000 for a first time surrogate. If you carry twins (the maximum number of children a surrogate can carry) your fee is increased by $5,000. $2,500 for a C-section delivery. Repeat surrogates can negotiate a fee up from $28,000 to $35,000.
The current payment schedule is as follows:
- $750 at embryo transfer.
- $1,500 to $2,000 at ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy.
- A monthly service fee of $1,500 to $2,000 every 4-weeks after ultrasound confirmation until delivery of the child(ren).
- Balance of fee paid within five days of delivery of child(ren).
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Are my expenses covered?
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Yes!
Reimbursable expenses are mileage (at the current IRS standard), bridge tolls, parking, childcare, notary/fax/postal fees, net lost wages (take-home-pay) minus state disability insurance payments, maternity clothing allowance, housekeeping (if bed rest is prescribed), toll call charges, insurance premiums, co-payments and deductibles, attorney fees and travel/hotel/meal expenses if an overnight stay is required the night before the transfer and for the post-transfer rest period.
There are limits on reimbursable costs, as outlined in the IVF/Gestational Surrogacy Contract and receipts must be attached to the expense report for a full and timely reimbursement.
If you do not have health insurance which covers surrogacy pre-natal care and delivery, we will refer you to an insurance broker for an application to appropriate health insurance. Intended Parents will pay for all monthly premiums in addition to co-pays and deductibles. Your advance plus any out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed to you until your medical and hospital bills are paid.
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Will I have any genetic relation to the child(ren) born?
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No, the child you carry will be from the Intended Mother’s eggs or a donor's eggs, not your eggs. You will be a Gestational Surrogate not a surrogate whose eggs are inseminated with sperm (Artificial Insemination Surrogacy). There is no genetic relationship between yourself and the child.
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Do I have to be married to be a surrogate?
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No. However, we do ask that if you’re not married you be either single with no partners or in a committed, monogamous, relationship.
If you are married but separated (not yet legally divorced) you will need to speak to your estranged husband. He will need to consent in writing and to sign all legal documents. If you are legally divorced be prepared to provide filed copies of the Dissolution of Marriage.
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Do I have to have my spouse or partner’s consent?
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Yes. Your spouse or live in partner needs to sign the IVF/Gestational Surrogacy Contract, and the Parentage Order (the documents that revoke all your parental rights and give them to the intended parents). Your spouse must also complete infectious disease and psychological testing.
If you have a current partner he/she must be agreeable to you doing this. If you live together he/she will need to have a blood test for infectious diseases.
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Will I meet the couple I am helping?
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Yes. We will facilitate a meeting at our office so you can meet one another prior to agreeing to work together. You will also maintain a relationship with the Intended Parents throughout the pregnancy.
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Will I see the child(ren) after I deliver?
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Yes. It is written into the contract that you and your immediate family (those living with you during the pregnancy) will be given the chance to say goodbye. Sometimes Intended Parents and Surrogates maintain relationships after the birth of the child(ren) from annual Christmas cards to occasional visits. Every relationship is different and will depend on the agreement that you develop with your couple.
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How long is the transfer cycle?
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From the time you and a couple agree to work together it usually takes 3-4 months until the transfer. During these months you will be busy completing: psychological evaluations for you and your partner (if applicable), infectious disease testing, health insurance coverage application, contract review with your attorney, and medical exams at the fertility clinic.
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Will I be taking injections?
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Yes. In order to thicken your uterine lining you will take twice a week injections of estrogen. To support the pregnancy, you will take daily injections of progesterone for about 8 weeks starting 4 days before embryo transfer. The fertility clinic will provide you with needles; a plastic “hazard” container for used needles, and ampoules of medication. You will need someone to give you intramuscular injections in the buttocks. Your fertility physician may prescribe progesterone suppositories or progesterone by month instead of some of the injections to reduce soreness as the injection site.
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Are all the fertility doctors/clinics in San Francisco?
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No, however, most of the doctors/clinics are in San Francisco. Our surrogates also travel to clinics in Daly City, Palo Alto and San Jose. You will only be making these trips during the initial stages of the fertility treatment and pregnancy. Once you reach the eighth (8th) week of gestation, the fertility doctor will release you to your local obstetrician. You must deliver in California.
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How many trips are necessary?
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The number will vary depending on how you react to the hormones. All potential surrogates are required to come to our office for two meetings - one with us and one to meet the prospective intended parents, then to meet the therapist for a personality testing and interview.
After completion of these appointments, you will have your first appointment with the fertility physician. The remaining trips to the fertility doctor varies from 3-6 including the transfer and follow up appointments.
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Do I have to live local to San Francisco?
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No, you only need to live within California. We accept surrogates from Eureka all the way to Modesto. You MUST have your own, reliable, vehicle in order to maintain the appointments in the San Francisco area.
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* Disclaimer - Please Read
Jacquelyne Gorton, Nurse Attorney and her staff are not medical providers and therefore recommend discussing all potential risks and side effects with the physician in charge of your retrieval. We provide educational information and this should not replace any information received from the physician. It is very important to ask any and all questions of the medical provider. |
