Cost of being a traditonal surrogate to my sister without collecting a fee?

by Amie
(Florida)

Hi, I was wondering about becoming a surrogate to my sister. She has scar tissue in her uterus and was told it is unlikely she'll be able to have kids. She has had several miscarriages and is giving up. I havnt brought up this option yet but have thought about it for awhile. I was just wondering what it would cost her if I didnt collect a fee and I had insurance and she didnt. If she took her egg and my brother in laws sperm and implanted it in me... does my insurance cover me and the baby or would my sister absolutely have to pay for everything. Does any surrogate have to take shots? I have had two healthy children and dont plan on having another. I just want to know the bottom line cost of going through with this. I dont want to bring it up if it's out of her league... And just for the knowlegde.. what would the cost be if i were to get pregnant with my husband and let her adopt my child... what are the cost differences and they paper work differances?

Reply by Rayven

Hi Amie,

First, let me start by saying what a wonderful sister you are to consider becoming a surrogate mother. Next, let me say that no two journeys are alike, and I am unable to tell you what exact prices you will need to pay. It all varies drastically by the choices you make in surrogacy.

If you are to become a gestational surrogate for your sister, then no matter what, she will need to cover the costs of the IVF egg retrieval, the transfer procedure, and all the medications for both procedures. No insurance will pay for this.

The pregnancy itself may be covered by your own insurance company; you will need to bring your benefits book to your attorney to find out for sure.

Yes, as a gestational surrogate, you need to take self-administered injections. Sorry!

As to the costs, without a surrogate fee, it significantly lowers the cost of the surrogacy. A range of $10-20,000 would probably be appropriate as a starting guideline, but again, that figure range is not exact. You would still need an attorney (but just one, as it is family) to take care of the legal aspects of the surrogacy.

The idea of just getting pregnant on your own and having your sister adopt the baby is an interesting idea, but it would probably be better for you to consider a traditional surrogacy instead. This would be with your own eggs (NO SHOTS) and going through Artificial Insemination with the sperm from your brother in law. He would be the father, you would be the biological mother, and your sister could do a step-parent adoption. This option is MUCH less expensive, costing only the lawyer's fees and a lower clinic fee to administer the process.

Hope this helps!