Did you know that surrogacy is becoming accessible for more people as the years tick by? Surrogacy, for some, is the only way to build or start a family, and until now, that’s been difficult for many, including gay couples. But with the surge in affordable gay surrogacy, parenthood is becoming more accessible for all couples.
Why Is It Becoming More Affordable?
To understand why it’s becoming more affordable now, we have to look at what makes surrogacy so expensive in the first place. Much of the cost comes from the medical procedures involved, along with surrogate compensation and legal fees.
All of the costs differ from region to region, and there can be big cost differences depending on where you’re going for surrogacy and what agency you choose to partner with.
The Average Cost of Surrogacy for Gay Couples
If you’re looking at surrogacy costs for gay couples within the United States, you’re looking at between $120,000 and $200,000 in many cases. This is because gay male couples require an egg donor and a gestational surrogate, which can push the costs higher compared to heterosexual couples who don’t need a donor.
Looking at Agency Fees
One of the things you’ll need to consider is agency fees. These can range, depending on the agency, between $30,000 and $55,000. These fees typically cover coordinating the surrogacy process, including legal work, surrogate matching and screening, and ongoing support.
Most reputable agencies make sure that all of these costs are immediately clear and transparent, so there are no surprises. They also offer you a timeline of what you can expect on your surrogacy journey.
You’ll also find, as you research agencies, that most will include other services as well, including post-birth support and guidance.
The Costs Associated With Fertility Clinics
The bulk of your fees will be those regarding your donor and surrogate. There are costs involved with embryo creation and the transfer of that embryo to the surrogate. Here’s what’s typically included in these fees:
- Surrogate Mother Screening: Your surrogate is thoroughly screened to ensure she’s a good match and can carry your child to term. There will also be medical evaluations that include drug screenings, pre-pregnancy bloodwork, uterine examinations, and reviews of any previous pregnancies.
- Egg Donor Screening: For couples who need a donor, there are additional screenings for this. They can test for recessive genes, and the donor will also have thorough mental and physical health evaluations and screenings.
- Screening for Intended Parents: Sometimes, the intended parents will also have to go through some screenings, including bloodwork and other evaluations, especially if one intends to use their sperm. In this case, there will be a semen analysis to check on fertility and other screenings related to the embryo transfer process.
- Creation of Embryos: Once you’ve been matched with an egg donor, the fertility clinic or agency will provide the donor with medication to ensure the eggs develop so they can be donated and fertilized with the provided sperm. You also have to keep in mind that the embryo transfer might not be successful in the first round, and you may need another round. This can also add to the overall costs of the surrogacy process.
More Surrogacy Costs to Consider
Another big expense when looking into affordable gay surrogacy will be for the surrogate and egg donor. In addition to the base compensation for the surrogate, there may be other costs to consider, including travel and accommodations, legal fees, surrogate screening fees, egg donor screening, and insurance costs. Policies created around surrogacy can be complicated, so you want to have an agency on your side that can help with this and make sure everything is good and up to date.
How to Make Surrogacy Affordable for More Couples
International surrogacy can be a more affordable way for gay couples, especially when choosing countries with lower living costs and that are LGBTQ+ friendly, like Colombia, Mexico, and Armenia. Gay surrogacy in Armenia for couples and single men, for example, has much lower costs compared to the US, and also balances these lower costs with the right legal protections.
The first step is working with a reputable agency that can make a big difference in your journey and the costs associated with it. The agency you partner with will coordinate the process for you, make sure you are aware of and follow all legal requirements, and connect you with surrogates and egg donors that would be the best match for your family.
Parenthood Is Now Accessible to All Couples
Affordable gay surrogacy has transformed what was once a limited option into a realistic path to parenthood. The process is always going to require that you research and plan, but with the right support system and international support, you can expand your search to more available surrogacy programs abroad, making the journey more accessible for couples.
