Surrogacy Cost in New Orleans, Louisiana: A Simple Guide

Welcoming a child through surrogacy can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. However, for many intended parents in New Orleans, the cost of surrogacy may feel like a challenge.

While surrogacy costs can be significant, they often become more manageable with proper planning and access to the right resources.

Keep reading to explore the costs of surrogacy in New Orleans, or contact us to connect with professionals who can support your journey.

The Cost of Surrogacy in Louisiana

Surrogacy in New Orleans typically ranges from $150,000 to $179,000+. This figure includes all the necessary steps to bring a child into your family, such as medical procedures, legal fees, and surrogate compensation. It does not include the costs of IVF.

While this number may seem overwhelming, it’s achievable for most intended parents with the strategies and resources outlined below.

Surrogacy Cost Breakdown

To help you understand where your funds go during the surrogacy process, here is a percentage-based breakdown of typical costs:

• Surrogate Compensation: 35-40%. This category includes both the surrogate’s base compensation and reimbursements for pregnancy-related expenses, which both shows your appreciation to the surrogate, and helps cover essentials needed for pregnancy.
• Agency Fees: 15-30%. Agency fees cover the services provided by your surrogacy agency, such as matching with a surrogate, coordinating medical and legal steps, and offering support throughout the process.
• Medical Expenses: 10-20%. This covers co-pays, medical screenings, surrogate medical care, and delivery costs. Depending on your insurance coverage, some medical expenses may be reduced.
• Legal Fees: 5-10%. Legal expenses ensure that all agreements between intended parents and the surrogate are enforceable and compliant with applicable laws. This includes drafting surrogacy contracts and finalizing parental rights. Because of Louisiana laws, keep in mind that this work will need to be completed out-of-state. 
• Miscellaneous Expenses: 5-10%. Travel expenses and other necessary logistics are included here. These costs vary depending on the surrogate’s location and the travel required for the process.

Every surrogacy journey is unique, and these percentages may vary based on your specific circumstances and the professionals you choose to work with.

The Cost of Surrogacy with Insurance

Insurance can play a critical role in managing surrogacy costs. Some policies may cover medical procedures or surrogate health expenses, but this is not always guaranteed.

Many intended parents rely on surrogacy agencies for help securing specialized insurance plans for their surrogates. These plans are often included in the agency’s overall costs. Consult with your surrogacy professional to better understand your insurance options.

How much does a Surrogate Cost in Louisiana

Louisiana’s restrictive surrogacy laws require careful navigation, which can influence the overall cost of your journey. Since surrogacy contracts in Louisiana are only enforceable under specific conditions, most intended parents work with surrogates who reside in more surrogacy-friendly states.

This arrangement will affect your cost based on the surrogate’s home state, and may result in additional travel expenses for medical appointments and delivery.

 Consulting with an agency or an experienced attorney can be extremely helpful during this process.

The Importance of Surrogate Compensation

Surrogate compensation accounts for a significant portion of the overall surrogacy cost. This compensation recognizes the surrogate’s commitment and the emotional and physical demands of carrying a child. For many surrogates, this financial support can create new opportunities for their families, such as pursuing education or achieving financial goals. By fairly compensating surrogates, intended parents contribute to a positive and mutually beneficial experience.

How to Afford Surrogacy Costs

Affording surrogacy may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it is possible to make your dreams of parenthood a reality. Here are several strategies and resources to consider:

• Personal Savings: Setting aside funds or reallocating savings from discretionary expenses can provide a substantial contribution to surrogacy costs.
• Grants and Scholarships: Nonprofit organizations offer financial aid to help intended parents manage expenses by providing grants or scholarships specifically designed for fertility and surrogacy costs. These programs are often accessible for a wide range of people, making them a great funding choice.
• Employer Benefits: Some companies provide fertility benefits, including coverage for surrogacy-related expenses such as medical procedures, fertility medications, and even partial surrogate compensation. Check in with your human resources department to learn more.
• Loans: Fertility-focused loans can provide flexible repayment options tailored to your needs, including low-interest rates, customizable repayment terms, and fast approval processes. These loans are specifically designed to alleviate financial pressure while keeping your surrogacy journey on track.
• Home Equity Financing: Using home equity can be an effective way to access additional funds, especially for those who have built significant equity over time. This option allows intended parents to leverage their property’s value through a loan or line of credit, often with favorable interest rates compared to other borrowing methods.

How One Couple Afforded Surrogacy

For an inspiring story of a couple who was able to use these financial resources to become parents, read about Mark and Cody. They used a fertility grant to cover IVF, employer benefits for medical costs, and a personal loan to complete the process. Their story shows how thoughtful planning and careful use of resources can make surrogacy attainable.

Benefits of Working with a Surrogacy Agency

Partnering with a surrogacy agency can streamline the process and significantly reduce wait times for matching with a surrogate. These agencies offer a range of comprehensive services tailored to meet your unique needs.

They provide medical coordination to ensure smooth integration of procedures and prenatal care, ensuring that all health-related aspects are managed by experienced professionals. Legal assistance is another critical service, helping intended parents navigate complex contracts and secure parental rights.

They can also help with finding financing options, and ensure your insurance coverage is capable of helping with your surrogate. Additionally, surrogacy agencies offer ongoing emotional guidance, giving intended parents the reassurance and support they need during this transformative journey.

All in all, agencies provide a level of top-down support crucial to coordinating multi-state surrogacies, like those that Louisiana families will need. By handling logistical challenges efficiently, agencies allow you to focus on the most important part of this process—welcoming your new family member with confidence and joy.

IVF Clinics near New Orleans

If you’re considering surrogacy, finding the right fertility clinic is an essential step in your journey. These local clinics offer specialized IVF services to support intended parents:

• Audubon Fertility (New Orleans)
• Fertility Institute of Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville)
• Ochsner Reproductive Medicine (New Orleans)

IVF Clinics will be adequately equipped to work with surrogates out-of-state, so you can work with local clinics for embryo creation. Learn more about surrogacy and IVF.

Louisiana Surrogacy Agencies near New Orleans

Though Louisiana’s laws make it challenging for surrogates to reside in-state, many agencies maintain offices in Louisiana to assist intended parents. Consider reaching out to:

• American Surrogacy
• Fertility Answers
• Circle Surrogacy

These agencies provide resources and support to navigate the complexities of surrogacy. From here, you can transition into the next steps of your journey.

Start Your Surrogacy Journey Today

Surrogacy is a life-changing process. With the right resources and support, parenthood can be within your reach. Contact us today to connect with experienced professionals who can guide you through the process and help you achieve your dream. The family you’ve always wanted may be closer than you think.