Compensated Surrogacy Allowed Countries

Ethical concerns regarding commercial surrogacy have led some countries to restrict or ban this type of surrogacy arrangement.

All forms of surrogacy are banned by countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, and Portugal. In countries including Ireland, the UK, Belgium and Denmark, surrogacy is allowed in which the surrogate is not paid or just paid for reasonable expenses, such as medical expenses.

Commercial surrogacy is legal in some states of the US, namely, California, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington D.C., Arkansas, Maryland, Illinois, Washington State, and New Jersey.

In Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia, commercial surrogacy is allowed.  Thus, making them a new hotbed for infertile couples who are ready to pay for foreign wombs to have their children gestated. In India, commercial surrogacy was allowed and legalized in 2002 but outlawed in 2015 for foreign couples. 

Commercial surrogacy is popular in USA The legality of Commercial Surrogacy in India
India had once been a “fertility tourism” hot spot for international intended parents who were unable to bear a child on their own.

Indian parliament passed new regulations on surrogacy in 2015.  The reputation of the country as ‘rent a womb’ came to an end, closing its doors on a $400 million per year industry.

The passing of this new regulation made it illegal for international intended parents to complete a surrogacy in the country. It only allowed intended Indian parents who are married to do a compensated surrogacy in India. As per the latest development, the new surrogacy bill 2019 is placed in Lok Sabha and yet to pass.  Once passed and become a law, it will be the end of commercial surrogacy in India at all.

However, this ban on foreign intended parents was only the start.  If the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2019 pending in parliament to pass, it will lead to:

Making commercial surrogacy illegal in India

Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed for infertile Indian couples

The intended parents must be married for five years and have a certificate from a doctor proving their infertility

Allows women to only be surrogates once and only if they are a close relative of the intended parents, married and have a biological child

It bans homosexuals, single parents and live-in couples from surrogacy

These changes are reflecting an end of commercial surrogacy in Asia.

Countries like Nepal, Cambodia, Mexico, and Thailand have also banned paid surrogacy.
The concept of commercial surrogacy should be to help families explore ways of having children with the help of modern science.  That is also another way of encouraging altruistic surrogacy as opposed to making the entire a process a business transaction.

However, some critics are calling the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2019 archaic as it does not allow single parents, gay couples, and unmarried couples to be able to extend their families through commercial surrogacy.

Conclusion

To sum up, commercial surrogacy can be an excellent way of making families for infertile couples, if it is done ethically and legally.

To make your surrogacy parenthood journey a hassle-free experience, it is good to follow a few tips like:

Intended parents concerned with the legal implications of commercial surrogacy must work with an experienced professional in a country, where there are secure surrogacy laws.

It is vital to make sure that the surrogate mother is treated relatively and rightly compensated for her womb service.

The incredible high commercial surrogacy cost should be made affordable.  That will make prospective intended parents not to fall for the trap of low-cost surrogacy in risky countries like Kenya, Ghana, or Laos, where surrogacy is not regulated. Such a destination can be lucrative but, most intended parents end of having a myriad of legal issues later.

Go for countries, where commercial surrogacy is legally allowed and secure. Countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia offer cheapest surrogacy country but at the same time have explicit surrogacy legislation in place.

For gay couple’s surrogacy process is much more complicated than straight couples. They have fewer surrogacy options which offer safe and affordable surrogacy.  If you have a lot of money, you can opt for surrogacy in the USA, California.  The other best option is having a baby via Colombia surrogacy.  It is affordable, yet come with specific legal protection.

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy services to build families with love.

How Does Altruistic Surrogacy Work?

The process of surrogacy is generally the same for both commercial and altruistic surrogacy.

However, intended parents in altruistic surrogacy arrangements work with surrogate mothers who they know. An incredible amount of selflessness is required in altruistic surrogacy.  The women who volunteer their gestational services are usually siblings of the intended parents or other close friends and family members. But it is not true all the time!

Since the surrogate and intended parents already have found their match, this surrogacy arrangement is sometimes referred to as Independent Surrogacy.

Most of the altruistic surrogacy process is independent surrogacy, but not always.  This is due to the reason that sometimes intended parents have financial limits, and it is much easier for them to find a surrogate within family/friend and then take care of full program themselves.  This mean, no involvement of a surrogacy agency is there.

What Is the Cost of Altruistic Surrogacy?

Altruistic surrogacy arrangements are usually less expensive when compared to commercial surrogacy.

This is because the intended parents do not have to compensate the surrogate mother. However, despite these savings, there are important professionals fees like a reproductive attorney and medical procedure involved in the process. Besides this, other expenses that might impact the overall surrogacy cost of a gestational carrier.

Below given are some of the fees and services that might apply to altruistic surrogacy.

Medical and pregnancy expenses, such as artificial insemination or embryo transfer, fertility injections and the costs of labor and delivery

If a sperm or egg donor is needed, you will have to bear the donation fees
Counseling expenses
Attorney fees
Agency fees, if surrogacy agency help is taken.

Additional expenses including clothing, wages loss fee, maternity and travel costs to take the surrogate to and from her appointments

The costs of surrogacy also vary depending on where you are living, the law of the state and the cost of living. For a deeper understanding of the costs of surrogacy, it is best to discuss it with a surrogacy professional.

Pros and Cons of An Altruistic Surrogacy Arrangement

Advantages:

When compared to commercial surrogacy, altruistic surrogacy arrangements are less expensive as the intended parents do not have to pay surrogate mother compensation.
Altruistic surrogacy is legal in many countries, but such countries are a handful.
Intended parents feel much greater peace of mind in altruistic surrogacy arrangements as they know the surrogate mother personally.

Disadvantages:

Altruistic surrogates are generally close family members or friends. Intended parents who do not want to pursue identified surrogates may find it very difficult to find a match through a surrogacy agency

Altruistic surrogates may feel exploited or underappreciated at times. They may even feel pressured to enter upon a surrogacy arrangement to help their friends or family members. Sometimes these situations can lead to hampering the relationship shared by the intended parents and the surrogate mother.

When the surrogacy is not compensated for, intended parents might feel that they are not in total control of the process.

Altruistic surrogacy is not much promoted and easily available.  There is a long waiting list up to 1-2 years for such surrogate mothers.

Conclusion:-

Altruistic surrogacy can be a rewarding and incredible experience for everyone involved.

For the intended parents, it is the most cost-effective way to achieve their parenthood dreams. For surrogate mother, it is not a financial burden as most of the medical, work loss, and the miscellaneous fee is paid by the intended parents.  Still, she has to put a great amount of effort in term of time and discomfort.

So, what type of surrogacy is best for you?  It can be only answered by the hopeful parents as they need to evaluate their unique condition.

Similarly, for surrogate mother — navigating through the long and physically demanding pregnancy is not easy.  She should not decide based on the moment of emotions.  She needs to make an informed decision.

SURROGACY PROS AND CONS THAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW

Surrogacy pros and cons Knowing surrogacy pros and cons will help the wishful parents to make the right decision for them.

Children are the apple of their parent’s eyes. Children not only make you experience the parenthood but also helps you to feel complete. But what about parents who are childless? Who comes to their rescue?

Wait, do not worry. Gestational Surrogacy is the best option that can help numerous childless couples. Knowing gestational surrogacy pros and cons will help the wishful parents to make the right decision for them.

According to the data by Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) when a surrogate is pregnant, there are 95% chances of successful births in the USA.

Let’s discuss further Risks and Benefits of surrogacy for intended parents.

To know about the surrogacy pros and cons for surrogate mothers, read here.

Being aware will help parents to make the right decision based on their unique requirements. The reason why surrogacy is good or bad should be decided by the wishful intended parents.

PROS and CONS of Surrogacy

While surrogacy with egg donor has high rates of success in the USA and other parts of the world, but there are a few cons associated as well.  The intended parents should know both the pros and cons of surrogacy to make the best decision for themselves.

PROS of Surrogacy

Surrogacy Completes Family – Surrogacy completes the family for countless infertile couples. With the LGBT community getting a full-fledged citizenship status in different parts of the world, surrogacy is the best option for them to have their own children.  Sometimes, gestational surrogacy is only hope for a childless couple.

Creates Relationships – Surrogacy creates relationships and caters to those relationships with love and nurture. Many potential parents come to know about their surrogate and the family in detail. It can develop meaningful bonds that can last forever.

Involves Surprises – Surrogacy not only required a more in-depth connection but also, includes a few surprises. Transfer of the embryo and other processes are performed in front of intended parents so that parents feel involved and well connected with the surrogacy process. There is a legal contract that binds everyone and ensures that both parties can have legal rights. Intended parents can have their rights signed by the court before the birth of the child.

Ensures you are involved – Intended parents have the right to see the milestone events like the transfer of embryos and baby birth. The would-be parents can also accompany their surrogate for regular appointments and see and feel the growing baby.

Surrogacy is Successful – As already mentioned earlier about the high success rate of surrogacy. Also, according to SART, 75% of the surrogate conceives the child succeed in the USA.

CONS of Surrogacy

Complicated and Lengthy Process – Surrogacy is complicated as it involves legal procedures and abidance to surrogacy laws. Also, these legal processes might be overwhelming sometimes. It is critical to work with some renowned doctor to ensure the safety of the child and the surrogate.

Surrogacy is Expensive – The cost of surrogacy for the intended parents can be overwhelming most of the time. It is a costly medical procedure and requires compensation for the surrogate and egg donor.

The medical process of IVF Cycle is also costly. On top of that, the legal fee is an integral part of the surrogacy process.  But in case, you are looking for affordable yet trusted surrogacy option and are not able to afford high surrogacy cost in the USA.  It is possible to explore them in Eastern European surrogacy countries.

The main issues with surrogacy are incredible high surrogacy cost and ethical issues.
Hiring a gestational surrogate mother is very costly, at least in the USA.  Besides this, ethical and moral issues around surrogacy are a significant drawback.

Let you go out of control – In surrogacy, intended parents exercise the greater control over the surrogate mother as what she should eat and about her appointments.

But, intended parents should believe the surrogate for carrying out their child successfully.  It can make them feel out of touch sometimes, but still, they hope and pray for best.

Time consumption – One year is not less time for a person. Surrogacy process involves lots of time both in terms of procedure and gestation of surrogacy baby.

The full surrogacy process can take up to 2 years.  The research time, pre-procedure time, and antenatal care, and baby delivery can take more than you think!  Being prepared and plan well in advance can make the surrogacy journey a bit easy.

Emotionally Demanding – Surrogacy can be emotionally demanding for the surrogate mother to bear a child and let go of the child at the end of the contract. For intended parents, the journey ends with joy. Still, they feel connected to a surrogate.

Why Surrogacy is Good?

Here are a Few Benefits of Surrogacy

Help to start your own family – In the case of surrogacy, the childless couple has an option to start a family. In gestational surrogacy, parents can maintain a biological relationship with the child.
The child is legally yours – In surrogacy, the baby is legally belonging to the parent’s right from the start. This is the most important benefit to opt for surrogacy.  Surrogacy is secured by the legal documents which are signed by both intended parents and surrogate before starting the actual medical process.

Perfect for controlling parents – In the surrogacy process, parents have greater control over your surrogate. They can control her habits, her medical appointments, and many other things. During the surrogacy process, parents can develop a unique bond with the baby, even before birth.

The Odds are good – Around 98% of the couples pursuing gestational surrogacy have a baby in first 3 IVF attempts. These figures ensure the success rate, which is quite astounding. So, the chances of having a baby/babies are bright with surrogacy. This might be owing to good medical advancement and higher success rate of the IVF process.

On top of that, a fertility specialist can choose the egg donor (if needed) and the surrogate mother who is in great health and age to have the optimum success rate.

Peace of Mind – In surrogacy, the mind of intended parents is at peace. They have a secured legal contract which ensures that on the success of surrogacy, the baby is handover to them.
The commissioning parents’ rights are well protected if they choose surrogacy country which has explicit surrogacy legislation.

Still, many parents are unable to opt for surrogacy owing to higher surrogacy cost.  So, in our opinion higher surrogacy cost is the only factor which makes it inferior to adoption.

Conclusion

Intended parents need a great deal of time for research and to finalize what works better for them.

They can consider their unique requirement and priorities before opting Surrogacy vs Adoption.

But it is good to reach out to a surrogacy professional or adoption agency to have a deeper understanding and choose what works best for you.

Read more:

Surrogacy pros and cons for intended parents

Surrogacy pros and cons for surrogate mothers

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy services to build families with love.
Our surrogacy consultancy is free of cost.  We do not charge any fee for it and make sure you are well informed of all your options to make an informed decision.

Intended Parents Surrogacy Consultation

It is important for the intended parents to know whether they are ready for the surrogacy consultation or not.  If the intended parents have already done some sort of research ( mostly online), they know a little bit about the process and surrogacy consultation.

They will also be knowing whether they are ready for their surrogacy journey to begin by the next year or not. If the intended parents are still confused and are still gathering the information on various aspects of surrogacy, then it is important to them go for a pre-consultation.

What is Pre Consultation?

Pre-consultation is a much shorter meeting between the agency representatives and intended parents. During this short time, the agency can answer questions about surrogacy and how does surrogacy work?

Intended parents may also ask a few questions if they require more knowledge about the surrogacy process. In short,  the parents who are not immediately ready for the process can opt for pre-consultation. Even those who are not ready to begin the journey until a year are also welcomed for the pre-consultation.

Does intended parents who are immediately ready can only go for surrogacy consultation?

It is not necessary for the intended parents to embark on their journey immediately after meeting with agency.

Even before a timeline of 24 months, you can go for surrogacy consultation. This is because you will get to know about the surrogacy process and can make an informed decision about what is right for your specific case.

Also, it is good to have a consultation because having good relations with the surrogacy agency will further help you in the process. So, parents can go for surrogacy consultation even a year or two before they are ready to embark on their journey of surrogacy.

In case parents wish to opt for cross-border surrogacy or international surrogacy, the research time is much more.  You need to make sure which surrogacy country is best for you in term of affordable surrogacy cost and legal security.

You need to have numerous skype calls/mobile calls and hundreds of mails to make the right decision for you.

Is surrogacy consultation means a sign of commitment to the agency?

No, scheduling a surrogacy consultation with the surrogacy agency is not a commitment to work with the agency.

The agencies are also aware of the fact that intended parents need to do a lot of research to find the best surrogacy agency for them.

It is important for the parents to make a list of the agencies which look best to them.  Then, narrow down that list to the top 3 agencies. Furthermore, schedule surrogacy consultation with all the three agencies and lastly choose the one which you find out to be the best agency.

What should you do if you want to opt for surrogacy and do not have finance? Should you go for the consultation?

You can definitely go for the surrogacy consultation even if you don’t have financials or you are working on the financials.

The surrogacy consultation will only help you know and plan your finances well in advance.  An agency can help you set up a financial expectation that is needed for your specific case. A good surrogacy professional will make you more prepared financially when you are ready to take a plunge.

Benefits of Surrogacy Consultation

Besides looking for the information on the surrogacy process, surrogacy agency, surrogacy costs, sharing your stories and asking questions, it is also the best way to know which agency will be your best fit.

A surrogacy consultation can help the parents:

To know more about how surrogacy works and it is right parenthood opting for them?

What are the commitment and challenges they might have in their surrogacy journey?

Being aware of and prepared for surrogacy cost with breakdown.

To be more aware of the legal side of the surrogacy for them and surrogate mother.

You need to look for following questions after the surrogacy consultation with any particular agency:

Does your view match with that of the agency on your surrogacy journey?

Do you get a good feeling about the surrogacy agency team and their passion for the growing families?

Are you comfortable in working with them as it is going to be a more than year-long process?

Conclusion for Surrogacy Consultation

Growing your family with the process of surrogacy is a big financial and emotional investment.
The surrogacy consultation is one of the first and big steps in your surrogacy journey. Hence, it is important and critical part when you are planning to become parents via surrogacy process.

Best Countries for Surrogacy That Parents Should Know

Opting for the best surrogacy countries is the most critical decision for the intended parents, so choose wisely.

Surrogacy is the bliss for the couple who want to grow their family. They are not only able to grow but also complete their family. Surrogacy is a complicated procedure and hence legally allowed only in a few countries. And out of them, few can be the best countries for surrogacy.

Best countries for surrogacy for intended parents. Following is the list of some of the best countries for surrogacy around the world :

1. United State of America

The USA is by far one of the best countries for surrogacy.
The USA is considered a gold standard of surrogacy around the world. Surrogacy in the USA is regulated at the state level. The surrogacy laws differ from state to state. Some USA states are considered surrogacy friendly while some are not.

However, the USA is one of the most preferred destinations for surrogacy around the world, owing to its explicit surrogacy laws and high surrogacy success rate.

The USA provides the highest quality of medical technology and care as well as legal protections. The success rate of IVF transfer in the USA is 75 to 85%. However, once the surrogate is pregnant, the chance for a successful pregnancy is 95%.

Anyone who wanted to be a loving parent to a child can opt for the surrogacy process in the USA. Based on intended parents marital status and sexual inclination, they can choose the best surrogacy state.

Surrogacy is allowed for all in the United States be it a single person or a couple, be it a heterosexual couple or homosexual couple.

There is a surrogacy agreement that is signed between the surrogate and the intended parents. The surrogacy agreement incorporates the roles and responsibilities of both parties. Thus, making it relatively safer and secure for both surrogate mother and commissioning parents.

Then there are two more orders – pre-birth order and post-birth order.
Pre Birth Order – It is also known as a declaration of parentage. It is applied in the court in the third trimester and tells the hospital to inscribe the name of the intended parents on the birth certificate of the child. The pre-birth order never allows putting the name of the surrogate on the birth certificate of the child unless asked by the intended parents.

It gives lots of peace of mind and assurity to the parents if they know before baby born, that they are leal parents and thier name come in the baby birth certificate.

Post Birth Order – This is useful in the states that do not allow for pre-birth orders. This order determines who will be the parents of the child based upon the agreement. But this order is issued only after the child is born.

Cons of Surrogacy in the USA

Surrogacy in the USA is a very expensive affair. Not everyone can afford surrogacy in the USA. The total cost for the complete surrogacy ranges from $130,000 to $150,000.

Many factors that govern the cost of surrogacy in the USA are:

Egg donation
State where the surrogacy is performed
Number of IVF attempts necessary for the pregnancy of the surrogate
Additional techniques like PGS/PGD
Agency fees of the surrogacy
Compensation of the surrogate
Medical Insurance coverage of the surrogate
Travel expenses incurred during the process of pregnancy.

2. The Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe

Since 1977, surrogacy in Georgia has been legal. The law is also somewhat distinct from the other countries. Surrogacy laws in Georgia state that only married heterosexual couples are entitled by surrogacy to have a baby. That stops gay and unmarried persons from doing surrogacy in Georgia.

However, extra corporeal fertilization is permitted under Article 143 of the Republic of Georgia. Article 143 refers to a female who does not have a uterus as a prospective surrogate candidate. However, Georgian law also sees the medical failure to carry a baby until birth and Mullerian duct anomalies as prospective surrogate customers.

Surrogacy in Georgia is covered by the republic’s Article 144. Sperm and egg donation are also permitted under Article 144. If they do not want to satisfy the individual, the identity of the sperm or the egg donor may be held confidential from the intended parents.

The intended parents will be the legal parents once the child is born. The birth certificate will be given within 1- 3 days after delivery on behalf of intended parents. Also, the surrogate will have no right to the baby and will not be acknowledged as the child’s legal mother.
No court order of adoption is needed, and commissioning parents are the legal parents of the baby right from the start of conceptions.

The cost of surrogacy in Georgia ranges from $32,000 to $60,000 on average.
Different variables and circumstances will differ in price. For example, a different procedure is performed in the case of sperm or egg donation, for which the cost will be extra.

Similarly, if the IVF in the first phase is unsuccessful, then you have to pay for each later attempt.

If you wish to do genetic testing like PGD/PGS, it might need additional cost.

The only drawback we can see as of now is that Georgia does not allow single or gay surrogacy.
Besides it, each month, more and more international intended parents are opting surrogacy in Georiga, so it is crucial that IVF Clinics and surrogacy agencies in Georiga, do maintain the quality of services.

3. Ukraine- Eastern European country

In the constitution of Ukraine surrogacy, it is mandatory for a couple to be heterosexuals as well as married for the process of surrogacy in Ukraine. The parents need to have a medical reason for opting for a gestational carrier.

In Ukraine, the surrogacy agreement is permitted by the intended parents and the surrogate if they fulfill the following conditions –

The intended parents must be married and a heterosexual couple
The intended father can provide genetic material. The law requires gametes from one or both the parents for the creation of the embryo. But at least, one genetic link is needed.
To have a cause that is preventing the intended mother to give birth to the child or if it is not safe for the child and mother
Some of the diseases that are considered by Ukraine government are as follows –

Born without the uterus
Anatomical, morphological or structural problems
Uterine lining leading to the failure of implantation
Incurable diseases
Usually, surrogacy costs in Ukraine range from $35,000 to $44,000.
The surrogacy price will also rely on whether or not you need an egg donor or genetic testing.
Gender selection is allowed. The success rate of IVF Cycle is almost the same as in the USA.

Most IVF Clinics in Ukraine do offer guarantee surrogacy baby program. Such a plan includes an unlimited number of IVF, egg donor and transfers in surrogate mother till a live baby is born. The cost of guarantee baby program varies $55,000 to $60,000.

To be eligible for such a program, the parents need to have good sperms quality with no genetic abnormality.
IVF clinic will do a few sets of tests like sperm analysis and karyotype to see the sperm quality before offering a sure-shot baby plan.

Name of both parents come in the baby birth certificate, and no court order is needed. Due to clear surrogacy laws, there is a transparent baby exit process. But mostly DNA tests are required.

Cons of Surrogacy in Ukraine

Ukraine and Georgia both allow heterosexual married couples to go for the process of surrogacy. However, it bans all the single people and the homosexual to have a child through the process of surrogacy.

Therefore, the singles and homosexuals are not allowed to go for the process of surrogacy in Ukraine and Georgia.

4. Colombia- A Latin American country

Colombia is slowly but steadily gaining momentum for best surrogacy country for single or gay couples.

The Colombian tribunal has upheld the surrogacy, and the assisted reproduction is highly shielded by the Colombian constitution. The national constitution offers for the kids born by surrogacy to have complete rights. In 2009, the Colombian Constitutional Court proclaimed surrogacy to be constitutional and guided lawmakers to pass substantiating laws.

Colombia is constitution ensures that same-sex couples have access to surrogacy and other ART techniques as well as single parents. The legislation also protects those minorities freedoms.

So, in Colombia, anyone can seek surrogacy as long as the person’s genetic link with the kid exists. Under Article 100 of the Colombian Constitution, equal rights of foreigners are guaranteed. Under this law, Colombia gives foreigners the same civil right as it gives it to their Colombian citizen.

The cost of surrogacy in Colombia is $60,000 to $65,000 for a fully inclusive program with a guaranteed birth. This is half of the price of the USA.

Cons of Surrogacy in Colombia

Most of the South American nations have been put under the risk zone of Zika Virus. However, Bogota is termed as a low-risk zone for the zika virus. Still, precaution is better than cure.
Secondly, surrogacy in Colombia is very much new, and still first surrogacy baby birth is pending.

So, being a new surrogacy destination make it open to trials.
But by far, Colombia is the best surrogacy country for gay couples.
It is advised to opt for guarantee baby plan than the standard baby program, as this destination is new and it is good to have a plan which comes with sort of security that you will have a baby for sure.

Conclusion for best surrogacy countries

In our opinion- If you are a married hetero couple and have a reason for using a surrogate mother and need genetic testing, Ukraine surrogacy is best. If commissioning parents are married but do not have any reason for using a gestational carrier, they can opt for Georgia surrogacy agency. No direct gender selection is allowed.

In both countries, the cost is almost the same as full legal protection.

If you are a single male or gay couples, looking for relatively cost-effective and legally secure surrogacy, then Colombia surrogacy can be an option for you.  Colombia is the best country for gay surrogacy.