Content provided by Resolve.org
Myths About Surrogates / Gestational Carriers
by Jamie Williams
The Surrogacy SOURCE
Published April 2011
Edited May 2011
Myth: Surrogacy is only for the rich or celebrities.
Busted!: I believe this myth exists because the cost of surrogacy is almost undeterminable. For example, surrogate fees and expenses vary substantially depending on several factors such as “Is the mother (intended parent) using her own eggs or will she need the help of an egg donor?”“Are the parents going through an agency” or do they have a friend or family member willing to carry their baby? Health insurance is also a huge factor to consider as there are some insurance carriers that exclude surrogacy, in which case the parents must purchase a policy that is specifically for surrogacy that costs about $30,000. However, there are some surrogate mothers who have excellent health insurance that does not limit or exclude surrogacy – in these cases, there is little or no cost to the parents for any maternity, labor or delivery of their baby. There are also select fertility centers that offer in-house financing, payment plans or cash discounts to assist their patients.
The Surrogacy SOURCE has worked with all levels of income and have seen the intended parent’s family (grandparents) help with these costs. Others have cashed in stocks, applied for a home loan or borrowed against their retirement in order to fill their home with the “pitter patter of little feet.” There is always more time to make more money, but we are not always young enough to realistically care for a newborn.
Myth: A woman chooses surrogacy to save her figure.
Busted!: Surrogacy is a very emotional and expensive process for a woman to have a baby. A woman often chooses surrogacy after numerous attempts and methods to conceive and carry a baby herself. The decision to continue onto surrogacy is usually a last resort. The Surrogacy SOURCE has never worked with a woman who just wants to keep her figure. There is little to no truth to a woman going through surrogacy to keep their figure. If a woman can afford surrogacy which may cost between $70,000 and $100,000 she can probably afford a tummy tuck or “mommy makeover.”
Believe me when I say that most women who want to be parents do not care about the temporary weight gain. Having a family is the most important aspect of their lives and our number one priority. Surrogacy is about one woman helping another woman enjoy parenthood, in my opinion it has nothing to do with the mom to be concerned with her physical appearance.