Surrogacy in Iowa

Surrogates and intended parents can successfully pursue surrogacy in Iowa with the help of surrogacy professionals.

In this guide, we’ll address:

• How surrogacy in Iowa works
• Explain some of Iowa’s surrogacy laws and legal requirements
• And more

Contact us today if you know you’re ready to start your surrogacy journey. If you want to learn more about surrogacy in Iowa, continue reading this guide and browse the articles below to get everything you need.

What is Surrogacy in Iowa?

Surrogacy is when a surrogate and intended parents agree to work together to bring a child into the world. The surrogate carries the baby for the intended parents, and other professionals, such as surrogacy agency specialists and attorneys, help move the process along safely.  Through a pre-birth order a post-birth process, the intended parents, they are able to become parents to their new baby.

Surrogacy Laws in Iowa

Although surrogacy in Iowa is not illegal, it’s not one of the more surrogacy-friendly states.

According to American Surrogacy, a national surrogacy agency, there are few surrogacy laws in Iowa. Instead, the state has a “surrogacy mother arrangement” exemption. This makes surrogacy in Iowa technically legal.

Also, in Iowa, the surrogate is considered the mother of the baby she delivers regardless of her genetic relationship to the child. So, only the intended father can obtain a pre-birth order in the state.

While Iowa isn’t as surrogacy-friendly, surrogacy is still possible for you.  Working with a surrogacy attorney will ensure your surrogacy is safe and legal, and your rights are protected.

Gestational Surrogacy in Iowa

Although there used to be two types of surrogacy (“traditional” and “gestational”), all modern surrogacies are gestational.

In gestational surrogacy, an embryo is created using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate. The surrogate is not related to the baby she is carrying.

Working With Surrogacy Agencies in Iowa

Although you could complete an independent surrogacy, working with a surrogacy agency is wise if you decide to pursue surrogacy in Iowa.

Surrogacy agencies in Iowa provide many necessary services, including:

• Matching: All surrogates and intended parents will benefit from reliable matching services. The only time this service isn’t needed is if the intended family and surrogate know each other, also known as identified surrogacy.
• Screening: Intended parents and surrogates must undergo psychological and medical screenings. Once you pass these screenings, you can continue your surrogacy journey.
• Case management, support, and counseling: You will get to work with a surrogacy professional who will answer all your questions ,as well as provide emotional and practical support throughout your entire surrogacy journey,
• Surrogacy professional references: A good surrogacy agency will provide you with references to other professionals to ensure your surrogacy is safe and legal.                    

If you’re looking for a surrogacy agency to work with, you can start with this list:

• American Surrogacy
• Heartland Surrogacy
• Center for Surrogate Parenting, LLC

How to Become a Surrogate in Iowa

If you want to become a surrogate in Iowa, you’ve likely asked yourself, “How does surrogacy work in Iowa? How do I become a surrogate in Iowa?” In general, you can consult the following steps to know what the typical surrogacy journey entails:

1. Decide if surrogacy in Iowa is the right choice for you
2. Prepare for surrogacy in Iowa
3. Match with intended parents
4. Satisfy all legal surrogacy requirements by working with a surrogacy attorney  
5. Begin the medical surrogacy process (fertilization and the embryo transfer process)
6. Fulfill any pre-delivery visits with the intended parents
7. Deliver the baby and receive your final surrogacy payment

How Much do Surrogates get Paid in Iowa?

Typically, first-time surrogates in Iowa receive $50,000-$90,000 for their surrogacy services, and repeat surrogates receive more, up to $110,000+. As a paid surrogate, you’re compensated for your time, energy and dedication to helping create families.

Your compensation is divided into two parts:

• Base pay: Your base pay is your money to spend however you choose. Payments begin when a pregnancy is confirmed and are paid out in monthly installments.
• Additional expenses: Your compensation package will cover all other pregnancy and surrogacy-related expenses such as travel, medical procedures, insurance, legal fees, lost wages and more.

Speak with a professional today to learn more about your surrogate pay rate.

Cost of Surrogacy for Intended Parents

Surrogates never have to pay for their surrogacy- and pregnancy-related expenses because they’re covered by the intended parents.

Intended parents should expect to spend anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000. This includes:

• Agency and case management fees
• Surrogate compensation and expenses
• Medical and legal fees

Next Steps Toward Surrogacy in Iowa

If you want to pursue surrogacy in Iowa, you can reach out to us today to find out how to start your journey. If you want to get more information about surrogacy in Iowa, read the articles below.