Surrogacy Fast Facts

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Intended Parent (IP) Restrictions

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Single parents, heterosexual couples, and gay and lesbian couples may all work with gestational carriers.
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Average Cost

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In the U.S., costs vary widely, from little to $50,000 to $100,000 (depending on carrier’s fee, program, legal, and medical expenses). In other countries, such as India, the cost ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, not including travel for the IPs.
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Genetic Connection(s)

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The child can have a genetic link to both parents, to the mother only (with donor sperm), to the father only (with donor egg), or to neither parent (with donor embryo or donor egg with donor sperm). In gestational surrogacy, the child is never genetically linked to the carrier.
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Single vs. Multiple Births

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If the eggs used to create the embryo are from an egg donor or IP who is younger than 35, and if excess embryos can be frozen, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends a single embryo transfer (SET). A carrier may decline to agree to a multiple embryo transfer or a multifetal pregnancy reduction. Multiple pregnancies can carry significant risk, and carriers generally receive additional payment for multiple pregnancies.
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Pregnancy

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A gestational carrier will carry the pregnancy to term.
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Medical Procedures

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If the intended mother is using her own eggs, she will need to take hormones to stimulate multiple egg production, and the egg retrieval process involves minor surgery. None of this is necessary if using donor eggs or donor embryos.
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Carrier Selection

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Most surrogacy centers provide demographic, medical, and social background about the carrier, and intended parents may select and meet their carrier.
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Carrier Identity

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Intended parents select and almost always meet their gestational carrier, and often remain in close contact throughout the pregnancy.
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Ongoing/Future Contact

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Intended parents and the gestational carrier may or may not decide to have ongoing contact.
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Mental Health Consultation

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A psychological consultation and an evaluation are almost universally required for the intended parents and the carrier.
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Legal Consultation

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Legal consultation, with independent representation for the parties, is almost universally required.
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