Surrogacy Overview

There are two types of surrogacy options: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. A traditional surrogate is a woman who donates her own egg and then carries the pregnancy. The surrogate's egg is fertilized through artificial insemination with the sperm of the father or a sperm donor. Traditional surrogates are genetically related to the child because their own eggs are used in the process.

A gestational surrogate -- known as a gestational carrier -- isn't biologically or genetically related to the child she carries. Gestational carriers become pregnant through the process of in vitro fertilization, where an embryo or embryos created from the eggs and sperm of the intended parents (or donor egg and donor sperm selected by the intended parents) are implanted in the uterus for the gestational period of 40 weeks.

Intended parents and surrogates must also consider what type of surrogacy arrangement they're most comfortable with. There are two common types of arrangements: commercial and altruistic.

In commercial surrogacy arrangements, the surrogate is compensated for her time and effort, any travel involved and related medical expenses not covered by insurance. The chosen surrogate and the intended parents usually don't know each other before the arrangement.

In altruistic surrogacy arrangements, the carrier sees no financial gain, and the arrangements are commonly made with relatives or friends of the intended parents.

What are the requirements for surrogate mothers, and how are surrogacies arranged? Read on to find out.

The cost of choosing a commercial surrogate varies according to the situation.

Compensation and fees are calculated based on the complexity of the surrogacy agreement. The national average for compensation ranges from $20,000 and $27,000 [source: Alternative Reproductive Resources]. If an egg or sperm donor is also needed, the cost may increase by thousands of dollars.

In vitro fertilization procedures vary among specialists and currently cost somewhere between $15,000 and $30,000 [source: Northeast Assisted Fertility Group]. Intended parents pay thousands more for counseling for both the surrogate and themselves, surrogate expenses prior to the pregnancy (including attorney fees, lost wages and life insurance premiums), medical and travel expenses, and attorney fees.

If the chosen surrogate doesn't have health insurance or her insurance excludes surrogacy, the intended parents must obtain a policy to cover the pregnancy.

After tallying it all up, the Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG) advises intended parents to budget an average total cost of $100,000 to $120,000 to carry out a surrogacy arrangement [source: Northeast Assisted Fertility Group].

Despite the significant financial burden, surrogacy is a satisfying option for many people. Some couples endure repeat miscarriages or unsuccessful ART procedures. Others have a genetic defect they do not wish to pass along or they can't carry a pregnancy to term. Gay male couples who want a genetic link to their children may also choose surrogacy.

Women who choose to become surrogate mothers are typically between the ages of 21 and 42 years old, have previously given birth and are high school graduates. The majority of surrogate mothers were raised Christian, about 75 percent are married and approximately one third are employed full-time [source: Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.].

Although it's easy to think money is the primary motivation for women who choose to become surrogate mothers, studies have found a variety of reasons impact their decision. Some do choose to become surrogates for financial reasons while others want to share their own gratification of motherhood with an infertile couple.

To begin the process, intended parents have an initial consultation with mental health professionals, their attorney and the staff at the center facilitating their surrogacy program.

Once a couple decides on a program, they prepare to be matched with a carrier. They typically undergo psychological evaluation and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. They also complete a profile that will be presented to the surrogate. The future intended parents choose an IVF clinic and plan their financial affairs with their attorney. They set up an escrow account from which the surrogate's compensation and expenses will be paid.

Women interested in becoming surrogate mothers begin the process in a similar way. A potential surrogate meets with the staff and mental health professionals in her chosen program. Medical and psychological evaluations are completed and an attorney reviews her health insurance policy for surrogate coverage. Potential surrogate mothers also undergo a background check, including criminal and driving records.

At this point, both the intended parents and the surrogate mother are ready for the matching process. Carriers and intended parents are shown profiles from which to choose. If all parties agree, introductions are made and a contract between intended parents and surrogate mother is drafted and signed with the help of an independent attorney. After the contract is prepared, medical procedures -- whether artificial insemination for traditional surrogacy or IVF for gestational surrogacy -- begin.

Do surrogate mothers have any parental rights? What's the "womb-for-rent" controversy? We'll discuss legal aspects of surrogacy in the next section.

There are two legal aspects to gestational surrogacy agreements: the contract and finalization of parental rights.

The surrogacy contract should be drafted, reviewed and signed at the beginning of the relationship between the intended parents and the surrogate. A solid contract will outline the rights and responsibilities of the intended and the surrogate as well as compensation, medical and psychological screening, selective reduction policy, medical insurance and parental rights [source: Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.].

Surrogacy is controversial in the U.S., and laws on surrogacy agreements vary greatly from state to state. Some states have no laws in regard to surrogacy contracts or have declared contracts unenforceable in public policy. Many states that allow surrogacy agreements only allow uncompensated arrangements and gestational agreements (where the carrier is not biologically related to the child). Some states with surrogacy laws prohibit same-sex couples from entering into surrogacy agreements and require intended parents to be a married male/female couple.

Carriers must live in states where commercial surrogacy is allowable. [For more information about surrogacy laws in the state where you live, visit: Simple Surrogacy].

In addition to drafting the contract, the intended parents must finalize their parental rights in order to be recognized as legal parents. In some states, a pre-birth order may be filed with the court -- usually when pregnancy occurs -- allowing for the names of the intended parents to be placed on the baby's original birth certificate upon birth.

In other instances, the surrogate mother's name is placed on the original birth certificate because she gives birth to the baby. The intended mother then goes through a step-parent adoption process to be recognized as the legal mother and named on the child's birth certificate. A Judgment of Paternity is filed to recognize the intended father as the legal father of the child and place his name on the child's birth certificate.

Both the contract and the finalization of parental rights can be complicated matters depending on state laws. In 1986, Mary Beth Whitehead brought national attention to the surrogacy debate when, after being artificially inseminated with intended father William Stern's sperm and giving birth, she refused to give up the child to the intended parents. The case, known as that of "Baby M," ended without the court upholding the surrogacy contract. William Stern was granted custody, but Mary Beth Whitehead -- who donated her egg and was therefore the genetic mother of Baby M -- was given visitation rights.

However, two recent high-profile cases have established the legality and enforceability of gestational surrogacy contracts. In the cases of Johnson v. Calvert and Buzzanca v. Buzzanca, California courts ruled that the intended parents' initiation of medical procedures determines legal parental rights -- not genetic links through surrogacy, donated eggs or sperm [source: The American Surrogacy Center].

Surrogacy continues to be a complicated tangle of legal, social, ethical and technological issues. Arguments against commercial surrogacy compare it to baby buying and selling -- a "womb for rent." Some detractors also believe that commercial surrogacy uses technology to exploit women, children and the meaning of motherhood and fatherhood in our society.

For more information about infertility, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and surrogacy law see our list of resources on the following page.