California Surrogate Compensation

One of the greatest gifts you can give is carrying and giving birth to a child for a couple who wish to become parents. The experience in itself can be rewarding for the surrogate but pregnancy can be quite demanding physically, mentally and emotionally. Also, pregnancy can be risky.

Although some surrogates do not ask for any monetary compensation in return beyond intended parents covering medical and other pregnancy-related expenses – this is known as altruistic surrogacy – it is quite common for surrogates to want to be adequately compensated for the amount of time and energy expended as a surrogate.

There is nothing wrong with choosing this – commercial surrogacy – instead of altruistic. In fact, commercial surrogacy is legal in California and is quite common. But we must caution that monetary compensation should not be your only motivation for becoming a surrogate.

Surrogacy is an intimate process and can be emotionally taxing, and monetary compensation is not a sufficient incentive to undergo this demanding process. An ideal surrogate must have a strong desire and passion to help couples struggling with fertility issues realize their dreams of having a child.

How Much are Surrogates in California Paid?

Surrogate compensation varies from one surrogacy case to another, and from state to state. In California, surrogates are in high demand and as a result, they are usually paid more than surrogates in other states.

Typically, the average base compensation for surrogates in California ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. The overall compensation package depends on a number of factors including the experience of the surrogate, single vs multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets etc), the policies of the surrogacy agency you are working with and the budget intended parents have set for the entire surrogacy process.

Surrogates who have successfully undergone gestational surrogacy are usually paid more than first-time surrogates. Surrogates and intended parents, via their separate lawyers, agree to the terms set by their surrogacy agency for monetary compensation at the start of the surrogacy process and the terms are explicitly stated in the surrogacy agreement.

Breakdown of Surrogate Compensation

• Base pay for first-time or experienced gestational surrogates: This pay varies from state to state depending on which agency you choose. When working with surrogacy agencies in California, there can be a large range of surrogate base compensation. For Made in the USA Surrogacy, our base compensation does not vary due to the home state of the surrogate. This base compensation is usually paid out in monthly installments.
• Monthly allowance to cover all surrogacy-related expenses including travel expenses, telephone calls, miscellaneous expenses like pregnancy test kits, prenatal vitamins and other expenses incurred and related to, pregnancy and the surrogacy process as a whole.
• Allowance for maternity clothes: Beginning around the 3rd month of pregnancy, the surrogate is given an allowance for maternity clothes.
• Fee for mock cycle and dropped cycle: Usually, the surrogate may need to take medication to simulate a mock cycle and test the thickening of her uterine lining. If this occurs, the surrogate will be compensated. Also, the surrogate is compensated for any dropped cycle if she’s not responsible for the dropped cycle.
• Compensation for invasive procedures such as CVS, cerclage, fetal reduction, and amniocentesis.
• Embryo transfer:  Once an embryo transfer procedure has been done, the surrogate receives an embryo transfer compensation
• Multiple pregnancies: Additional compensation is paid if the surrogate is carrying multiples
• Cesarean section: If a cesarean section is ordered for the surrogate, she is compensated for the additional risks and pain associated with a c-section.
• Compensation for lost wages: For working surrogates, compensation is made for any lost wages directly caused by any activity relating to the surrogacy process, including trips for medical evaluations and procedures; bed-rest ordered by a doctor; and post-partum rest and recovery.
• Housekeeping services: It is important that the surrogate’s environment is clean at all times and she is not burdened with the day to day management of her home. Surrogates are given weekly housekeeping allowance, usually during the later stages of the pregnancy.

Optional expenses for which the surrogate mother receives compensation include:

• Breast Milk Pumping
• Doula/Birthing Coach
• Nutritional Counseling and Support

For more information about surrogate compensation with Made in the USA Surrogacy, contact us.