Surrogacy By State

Surrogacy Costs in Columbia, Missouri: What You Need to Know

Surrogacy offers a transformative path to parenthood, providing families with the opportunity to have a child when natural conception isn’t possible. The costs involved can seem daunting, but with careful planning and the right resources, surrogacy is achievable for many.

If you’re exploring surrogacy in Columbia, Missouri, keep reading to learn about the costs and strategies to manage them. Or reach out to us to connect with professionals who can guide you through the process.

Total Cost of Surrogacy in Columbia, Missouri

Surrogacy in Columbia typically costs between $100,000-$200,000+, depending on factors such as agency fees, medical expenses, and surrogate compensation. This range covers the entire surrogacy journey, from initial consultations to the birth of your child.

Although this might seem like a significant investment, most intended parents are able to manage these costs through strategic planning and available financial resources. With the right approach, surrogacy can be an accessible option for growing your family.

Surrogacy Cost Breakdown

Here’s an overview of where the money goes during a typical surrogacy process:

Missouri Surrogacy
Cost Breakdown

Surrogate.com

Surrogate Compensation and Benefits (35%): A significant portion of the surrogacy cost goes to compensating the surrogate for her time, effort, and the physical and emotional risks involved. This includes base compensation, as well as benefits such as maternity clothing, travel expenses, and any necessary medical coverage.
Medical Expenses (11%): Medical expenses cover everything related to the surrogate’s healthcare, including fertility treatments, prenatal care, and the delivery itself. These expenses also include necessary screenings and tests to ensure the surrogate’s health and the safety of the baby. Although some medical expenses may be covered by insurance, the intended parents are typically responsible for out-of-pocket costs.
Agency Fees (21%): Agency fees are used to cover the costs of services provided by the surrogacy agency, such as surrogate matching, medical coordination, and ongoing support throughout the pregnancy. Agencies also offer psychological screening for both surrogates and intended parents, ensuring a good match. These fees are essential for managing the logistics and providing professional expertise throughout the surrogacy journey.
Matching and Screening (27%): This category includes the extensive process of screening both surrogates and intended parents to ensure compatibility and medical suitability. It also covers background checks, medical evaluations, and psychological assessments to guarantee that everyone involved is prepared for the challenges of surrogacy.
Legal Fees (6%): Legal fees cover the cost of drafting contracts, handling parental rights, and ensuring all legal requirements are met for the surrogacy process. These agreements include surrogate compensation, medical responsibilities, and custody rights after the birth. Legal support is essential to safeguard both the intended parents and the surrogate, ensuring a smooth and legally compliant process.

Surrogacy with Insurance

For some intended parents, having insurance coverage can help reduce the financial burden of surrogacy. If your surrogate’s health insurance covers pregnancy-related services, it can lower medical expenses. Be sure to confirm coverage details with your surrogate’s provider, and work with legal.

Why Surrogate Compensation is Important

Surrogate compensation is one of the largest expenses in the surrogacy process, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring surrogates are fairly recognized for the physical, emotional, and financial commitment they undertake.

This compensation helps offset the costs of living while pregnant, such as maternity clothes, prenatal care, and potential lost wages due to time off work for appointments and recovery.

For many surrogates, the financial compensation they receive is transformative. It provides vital support for their families, allowing them to meet immediate needs, pay off debt, or save for the future.

Many surrogates use this money to create life-changing opportunities, such as funding their children’s education, purchasing their first home, or investing in long-term financial goals. This compensation allows them to significantly improve their quality of life while helping others create a family.

Ultimately, surrogate compensation is not just about covering costs—it’s about providing financial security that can have a lasting, positive impact on a surrogate’s family.

Financial Strategies and Resources for Surrogacy

Surrogacy can be expensive, but there are multiple strategies available to help you finance the journey. Here are some of the most common options:

Personal Savings: Saving up in advance is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to manage surrogacy costs. By setting aside a dedicated fund for this purpose, you can gradually build the resources you’ll need without relying on loans or external financing options.
Grants and Scholarships: Several organizations offer financial assistance specifically for intended parents pursuing surrogacy, helping to reduce the overall costs of the journey. These grants are designed to offset some of the more significant expenses, such as medical bills, surrogate compensation, or agency fees.
Employer Benefits: Some employers offer fertility benefits that can be applied to surrogacy-related expenses, helping to ease the financial burden. These benefits may cover a variety of costs, including medical procedures like IVF, medications, and even some aspects of surrogate compensation. It’s important to check with your HR department to explore your options.
Loans: There are financing options available specifically for surrogacy that can help ease the financial burden. These surrogacy loans are tailored to cover the unique costs of the surrogacy process, such as surrogate compensation, medical expenses, and agency fees. These provide flexible repayment plans and terms designed to fit your budget.
Home Equity Financing: If you own a home, using your home equity can be a viable way to finance surrogacy costs. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow against the value of your home, offering flexible access to funds when you need them. This option often comes with lower interest rates compared to other forms of credit.
Fundraising: Some intended parents turn to crowdfunding platforms, such as GoFundMe, to raise funds for their surrogacy journey. This approach allows you to tap into financial support from friends, family, and even strangers who are willing to contribute.

Mark and Cody’s Story

Mark and Cody faced significant financial challenges on their surrogacy journey. They successfully navigated the costs through a combination of savings, employer benefits, and a personal loan, ultimately making their dream of parenthood a reality. To learn more about how they managed their finances and the creative ways they made surrogacy accessible, click here to read their story.

Case Study: How One Couple Afforded Surrogacy

Benefits of Working with a Surrogacy Agency

Partnering with an experienced surrogacy agency simplifies the process and reduces stress. Agencies offer essential services like surrogate matching, medical coordination, and legal support. They maintain extensive networks of pre-screened surrogates, which helps shorten wait times and match you with a surrogate more quickly.

Agencies also manage logistics, ensuring medical appointments and fertility treatments run smoothly, and handle the legal complexities, creating contracts that protect both you and your surrogate. With these services, you can focus on the excitement of expanding your family, while the agency takes care of the rest.

IVF Clinics near Columbia, Missouri

If you’re planning on using IVF for your surrogacy, here are some reputable clinics in Missouri that specialize in fertility treatments:

Surrogacy Agencies near Columbia, Missouri

With the right agency, your surrogacy journey can be more manageable and efficient. Here are some well-known agencies:

Start Your Surrogacy Journey Today

The road to parenthood through surrogacy may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right knowledge and resources, it can be a fulfilling and manageable process. Whether you need help understanding costs, finding the right professionals, or exploring financing options, we’re here to help.