Starting Your Surrogacy Journey in Los Angeles

Before taking the first steps of your journey of finding a surrogate in Los Angeles, let’s have a closer look at what surrogacy is, the costs and the law.

Surrogacy Definition


Some History of Surrogacy


Types of Surrogacy

There are two basic kinds of surrogate pregnancies. The first is traditional surrogacy and the second is gestational surrogacy. A traditional surrogate pregnancy occurs when a woman donates her own egg and the “father’s” sperm is the fertilizing factor in this case. Traditional surrogates are related to the child biologically because it is their egg that is used and not the intended mother’s. If the intended father’s sperm is used then the child is biologically his. In some cases however, a sperm donor is necessary and neither intended parent is biologically related to the child.

Gestational surrogate pregnancies are very different. When this type of surrogacy is opted for it is generally because the woman is unable to carry a baby herself but her eggs are viable. In most cases the mother’s egg is matched with the father’s sperm, but it may happen that the fathers has seminal issues and a sperm donor is used in his place. A gestational surrogate allows the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm into her uterus and carries the baby to term for them. The surrogate is in no way biologically related to the child. This is the preferred way to do surrogacy since most parents wish to be biologically related to their child. However, both ways are common as every couple has specific needs and issues to deal with when it comes to conception.





Who are Surrogates?


How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?




The Surrogacy Process



Surrogacy and the Law





The Gift of Life


How to Become a Surrogate

Surrogacy is a beautiful and life-change experience, and surrogate mothers are truly blessed for shouldering the weight of pregnancy so that others can be parents. Many surrogate mothers say that the true birth of a child is when it is created in the hearts of loving parents. So how to become a surrogate mother ?

Commonly seen motivations for enrolling as a surrogate mother

Here is a look at some of the motivations for becoming a surrogate mother.

The joy of pregnancy and experiencing the miracle of birth
A history of easy and uncomplicated pregnancies
Empathy toward couples struggling with pregnancy/fertility
An opportunity to be part of something special
An understanding of the importance of children in parents’ lives
Financial help for their family

Requirements for enrolling in surrogacy programs

Different clinics and surrogacy agencies have their own requirements, terms, and conditions for enrolling as a surrogate mother.

The law regarding surrogacy can also be different for each country or state. However, there are a few basic requirements that can be found in almost all clinics and agencies. Here are some of them:

Between 21 to 42 years of age
The specific age limits may vary, but surrogate mothers should generally be between their mid to late 20s or early 40s. A mother in her early 20s or below 20 years of age may not fully understand the scope of the procedure and the effect it can have on her, the parents, and the child. On the other hand, a woman in her mid to late 40s is generally not allowed to be a surrogate mother because the medical risks are too high.

The woman must already have a child of her own
Most clinics and agencies have a principle that only those who have gone through pregnancy successfully and experienced birth can truly understand the magnitude of surrogacy. Therefore, they only accept women as surrogate mothers if they have already had a successful pregnancy at least once. Some clinics go further and require the surrogate mothers to be actively raising at least one child.

Financial security
Emotional factors aside, money can be a major motivation for many surrogate mothers. This is especially true in developing countries like India, but it happens all too often in the U.S. as well. Many clinics in the U.S. do not allow women on welfare or any state assistance to enroll as a surrogate mother. If money is your sole or primary motivation to become a surrogate mother, you may have to reassess what it means to be a surrogate.

Matching parents and the surrogate mother

Once you are part of a surrogacy agency or clinic, you will have to wait until you are matched with a prospective couple or parent. Once a match is found, you will receive information about the parents and they will receive information about you. This is done to make sure that both parties get to know and are comfortable with each other.

As a surrogate mother, you may have to meet with the intended parents at the clinic or agency and discuss the process and expectations with them. This very crucial step determines how smoothly the surrogacy will go.

Medical preparations

If the surrogate mother and intended parents are comfortable with each other, a contract for surrogacy will be drawn. Once signed and agreed upon, the surrogate mother will meet with the IVF doctor.

As a surrogate mother, you will have to undergo certain medical tests to assess your condition. The tests taken differ from clinic to clinic, but most clinics conduct the following:

General physical exam
Pap smear test
Vaginal ultrasound, where an ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to check for scar tissue, lining thickness, and polyps
Hysteroscopy, where a small camera is inserted into the uterus through the vagina to check the uterine cavity

Gestational or Traditional Surrogacy

There are two types of surrogacy, and you may be selected for either one. As a traditional surrogate, you will be the egg donor and have a genetic link to the baby. The sperm may be from the intended father or a donor. As a gestational surrogate, you will only be a surrogate and the egg and sperm will be from donors or the intended parents. This is the preferred option, since traditional surrogacy can affect the mother emotionally and also cause legal issues.


Surrogacy, while beautiful, can be a confusing and trying process for the surrogate mother and her family. You need the full support of your family, and your children should clearly understand why and what you are doing. Most importantly, you can make sure you do not get emotionally affected in the process of making another couple’s dreams come true. Hope the above article throws some light on how to become a surrogate mother? Being a surrogate mother is a lot to ask from any woman; do not rush the decision.

The Cost of Surrogacy

Thousands of couples, single parents, and LGBT couples fulfill their dreams of parenthood through surrogacy every year. Surrogacy has become more acceptable in the last few years, but the cost of this procedure is still a big obstacle for many hopeful people burdened with infertility.

If you are considering using a surrogate mother, you have to weigh the cost of treatment carefully in different countries before making a decision.

Here is a breakdown of the surrogacy costs (including surrogate mother cost or pay) in four popular countries.

United States of America

The United States offers the best treatment quality and services for surrogacy, but the costs can be very restrictive. For years, surrogacy in the country has been priced way beyond what the middle class can afford. The fees can vary with based on:

  • The clinic you choose,
  • State where you get the procedure done,
  • And, whether the surrogate mother is working through an agency or not.
    However, in general, the process can go over $100,000 with all related costs.

The surrogate’s fee itself can go up to $20,000, and this is just the first part of your investment. The legal and agency costs, if any, will go up to $30,000. The surrogate’s health insurance company may cover some of the medical costs, but insurance coverage on surrogacy is still not clear at this stage. It is common for insurance company to deny or exclude coverage for surrogacy completely.

Apart from surrogate and legal fees, the $100,000 also includes medical costs for the entire pregnancy process. This includes prenatal visits, delivery costs, test charges, and so on. These can go over $10,000 in most cases. If the clinic performs IVF or some other artificial insemination procedure, there is an additional cost of $4,000-$10,000.


The cost of surrogacy in Ukraine is far less than the average cost of programs in the United States, although most clinics only accept married couples.

Once again, the circumstances of the couple and the surrogate mother determine how costly it can be. On average, the total cost of surrogacy can be anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 if the couple is from the U.S. or U.K. Couples from Europe may have to pay slightly more because of the additional legal assistance required.


India is a very popular country for surrogacy. The surrogacy industry in India is valued over $440 million per year, and it is growing at a rapid pace. The cost of surrogacy in the country can start at $12,000, but the price can differ widely with location and clinic. Each clinic has its own fee structure, and payment packages change frequently.

If you plan to visit India for surrogacy, make sure you contact clinics from different regions in the country and compare costs, services, and quality of treatment.

Here is a quick breakup of costs:

In vitro fertilization, including surrogate recruitment and preparation- $7,000
Costs during the pregnancy period, including caretaking, housing, life insurance, and surrogate compensation- $11,500
Medical costs, including antenatal care, antenatal hospital fees, and medicines- $2,000
Delivery and legal costs- $2,500
The total cost of surrogacy can range between $20,000 and $25,000, but remember that the quality of services you get determines the costs. The better the clinic and the surrogacy service, the higher the cost. However, it is rare to see surrogacy cost over $30,000 in India.


Surrogacy in Thailand costs the same as that in India, if not more, and many clinics in the country follow high Western medical standards. Each surrogacy cycle requires you to sign a legal contract. You can visit the clinic and meet the surrogate in Bangkok to minimize expenses and begin the process faster.

Once the contract is signed, you are required to make the first payment. The payment schedule varies with each clinic, but some may ask you to pay the fees for egg donor and/or surrogate directly to their personal account at the appropriate stage. If you pay to the clinic or surrogate agency, you may have to pay a little higher to account for tax.

Pregnancy is confirmed after the surrogate’s first scan and the doctor’s confirmation of a gestational sac in the womb. After this, equal monthly payments are due through the pregnancy period. This is different from most Indian surrogacy clinics, where pregnancy is confirmed after a blood test and the adopting parents have to start making monthly payments after that. Here is a breakdown of surrogacy costs in Thailand:

First payment for surrogacy- $21,000 to $38,000 (Surrogate Mother Cost)
In vitro fertilization/ICSI cost- $4,800 to $5,800
Delivery- $3,000
Egg donor- $200 to $600
PGD- $3,000 to $4,000
Microarray- $3,800 to $6,500

With such a huge range of cost and other factors to consider, it is crucial that you do enough research before deciding the country and clinic for your surrogacy. Most importantly, you have to learn the legalities of the country so you know what to expect.

How much does IVF cost?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) was a rare and risky during the 1980s and early 1990s, but today it is a well-regulated procedure that is commonly done around the world. Since its introduction in 1981 in the United States, IVF and its related procedures have given thousands of couples and single parents a chance at parenthood.

Even though IVF is a common and much safer procedure today, many prospective parents are unable to bear the cost. The restrictive cost of IVF in the United States has given rise to a booming fertility tourism industry in several countries. Have a look at the four different countries around the world, starting with the U.S. to know how much does ivf cost?

The U.S. is known for its high-quality medical services as well as the high costs for these services. On average, the cost of a basic IVF cycle can range from $12,000 to $15,000. Some clinics offer IVF for as low as $10,000, but the cost seldom goes below that.

These prices include the cost of fertility drugs, patient monitoring and ultrasound costs, blood work, and more. Clinics that offer less than $10,000 tend to exclude the prices of these services and medications. The cost of an IVF cycle can go beyond $15,000 if you add other In Vitro Fertilization procedures like Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This procedure itself can add up to $1,500 to your total IVF cycle cost. It involves the injection of a single sperm cell directly into the egg for fertilization.

Similarly, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) adds another $3,000 to the total cost of the procedure. PGD involves the genetic testing of embryos for any conditions before they are implanted into the uterus. Freezing the embryos that were not used for one cycle can cost a few hundred dollars or more, depending on how long you plan to keep them.

The cost for an IVF cycle can go even higher if the sperm and/or egg being used are not from the intended parents. With an egg donor, you may have to spend up to $30,000 for just one cycle. A sperm donor, while less expensive, still adds as much as $3,000 to the procedure cost.

Embryo donation and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) can save you a few hundred or thousand dollars, but couples undergo at least two to three cycles before they have a successful pregnancy. This means that you might have to spend as much as $35,000 to $50,000 or more for In Vitro Fertilization to get successful results.

Ukraine is a popular destination for IVF, thanks to its high quality clinics and an average IVF success rate of 65 percent, which is better than many Western countries, including the United Kingdom. IVF procedures done abroad do not require you to stay at the location for the entire cycle. However, you do need to spend around 5-7 days in the country for it. This means you have to account for flight costs to and from Ukraine and accommodation charges. The cost of the procedure and medical checks vary from clinic to clinic, but here is a breakdown of the costs you can expect:

First IVF Cycle- $1,700 to $2,000
IVF with ICSI- $2,700 to $3,000
ICSI (up to 10 oocytes)- $1,000
ICSI (more than 10 oocytes)- $1,200
IMSI- $500
Egg donor- $4,000

India has a booming fertility tourism industry, generating over half a billion dollars every year in revenue. However, the industry is highly disorganized, which means that the cost of IVF in Indian clinics can range widely. Some clinics offer In Vitro Fertilization for as low as $2,000 to $2,500, but it is rare to find clinics that offer below this range. In general, the cost of IVF in the country is approx. $4,000, but make sure you compare prices with more than a few clinics in India before you make a choice.

Of course, additional procedures like ICSI bring up the cost of an IVF cycle. ICSI can cost anywhere between $700 and $1,000. This means that an IVF cycle with extra procedures can cost up to $5,000. This is almost the same as the cost of an IVF cycle in Ukraine, if not lower.

Low-cost IVF cycles in Thailand can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $5,500, which is higher than the average cost in India. This is mainly because of high quality fertility clinics and Western medical treatment standards. The price can go higher depending on your medical history and the additional procedures. At most, you may have to pay up to $6,000, but even then, it is significantly lower than the $12,000-$20,000 you have to pay in the United States.

An In Vitro Fertilization cycle can be a very stressful and worrying time for the parents, especially the expectant mother. You have to be as patient and calm as possible before and during the treatment. To ensure this, choose your IVF clinic careful after assessing its costs, medical safety, and legal issues. Now you know how much does ivf cost? so to your doctor and lawyer, if required, before making your final decision.