As mentioned previously, here in the UK it is illegal for a surrogate to be paid to carry a child for someone else. However, the surrogates expenses legally do have to be covered, provided that no profit is being made by the surrogate.
Some people may think that it doesn't cost to be pregnant as surely, the only thing that is different is that you are carrying a baby?
In actual fact, pregnancy can cost quite a lot; pregnancy vitamins, fuel to get to and from hospital and midwife appointments, parking, maternity clothes, time off work due to sickness etc. Pre and post natal expenses can also add up with trips back and forth to the clinic, pre natal vitamins, childcare, hospital bags, time off work after the birth, loss of earnings from the surrogates partner after the birth and more.
From my own research,the following are reasonable to be covered as expenses:
Pre Pregnancy
Prenatal vitamins
Fuel to and from clinics and hotels
Hotel stays if required due to clinic location
Parking at clinics and hotels
Wear and tear to car if driving
Cost of public transport if not driving
Meals if having to stay overnight for clinic appointments
Childcare costs for appointments
Counselling sessions
Time off work for surrogate, even if they are using holiday as normally they wouldn't use it
Medication
Life insurance and Will
Ovulation and Pregnancy tests
During Pregnancy
Pregnancy vitamins, anti acid tables, paracetamol
Fuel, parking, travel costs for hospital and midwife appointments
Time off work due to pregnancy sickness and/or illness
Childcare costs
Any loss of earnings for surrogate through pregnancy sickness and/or illness
Gardener/cleaner if surrogate is too ill to do themselves
Utilities e.g. water for extra baths
Food e.g. cravings, decaff items etc
Pregnancy bands, pregnancy pillow
Maternity clothing
Pet care if needed
Post Pregnancy
Hospital bag items
Maternity pads
Loss of earnings for surrogate and their carer
Childcare if needed
Recuperation break if needed
Typically, expenses are paid in ten per cent installments for ten months from a positive pregnancy test, although some agencies may do this differently. This does not include any pre pregnancy expenses of which should be paid before a positive test and, in some instances, before medication is taken, such as life insurance and wills.
On average, a surrogates expenses can range from £7,000 to £15,000 but every situation is different and expenses should always be discussed before an agreement takes place.
I hope that this information has helped answer any questions on surrogacy expenses and that people can see that surrogates do not profit from this within the UK.
A really informative post, there really is such a lot involved in having a baby that we never really think about x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post - yes pregnency cost a lot of money and it is still baffing me as to why surogate mothers cannot get payed for their expenses
ReplyDeletePregnancy can be expensive and I have never thought of the expenses from a surrogate mum's point of view - very interesting to think of it from that perspective.
ReplyDeleteI think so often we think that the cost comes when the baby arrives, but there are so many hidden costs in pregnancy. I was sick a lot both times, and the second time I was self employed, so the loss of earnings was huge!
ReplyDeleteWow I'd never really thought about the expenses for a surrogate. So much happens before the baby arrives that needs to be taken into consideration. Thanks for sharing X
ReplyDeleteVictoria | www.spokenreveries.co.uk
I had no idea it was illegal to be paid for surrogacy in this country. I had no idea of the expense either! So informative!
ReplyDeletePregnancy can be an expense affair but I've never thought about it from a surrogacy point of view...
ReplyDeleteSo informative, and very well-thought out x
ReplyDeleteA really informative post. Things on there that you would normally forget about
ReplyDeleteThat is such a helpful list for anyone going down this route.
ReplyDeleteA very informative post for people who plan to do this without having any problems x
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that you couldn't pay someone to be a surrogate so this was really interesting x
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that the payment surrogates receive is for expenses. I never really thought about expenses for being pregnant. A very informative post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting post. You don't realise how expensive pregnancy can be until you see it all written down!
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting to read this, I knew that they could only be paid expenses, but it is incredible the amount of things that should be covered. You really don't think about it.
ReplyDeleteSuch an informative post, it sounds silly saying it now, but I would honestly have never thought about claiming expenses for surrogacy. When you outline it though it makes complete sense. I'm sure this will be so helpful to those looking for the info!
ReplyDeleteInteresting read! Surrogacy fascinates me!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, who knew surrogacy could be such an expense!
ReplyDeleteI genuinely had no idea! It's great that there are people who do this for others; I don't think I could!
ReplyDeleteThat’s so interesting! This is such a helpful article!
ReplyDeleteI had never really thought about how much being pregnant actually costs. Which is a little worrying since I have two children. I am sure this will be helpful for people who are considering it.
ReplyDeleteThere really are lots of costs involved in being pregnant, and I think it's right these should be covered by the parents to be. Lots of helpful information here for people considering the arrangement
ReplyDeleteI truly had no idea about surrogate mother cost! It's great that there are people who do this for others. This is such a helpful article! Thanks for sharing!!
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