The cost of surrogacy always stands as a crucial aspect before a couple or an individual decides to pursue surrogacy. Moreover, when we talk about surrogacy treatment cost in UK, we are talking in regards to a country that comes along with a higher cost of living.
This is where understanding the cost of surrogacy in the UK requires a comprehensive look at various components that contribute to the overall financial commitment. That said, surrogacy in the UK is governed by specific legal frameworks that are supportive of surrogacy as a means to parenthood. At the same time, these legal aspects prohibit any type of commercial arrangements. Also, this means surrogates cannot be paid a fee, but expenses related to the surrogacy can be reimbursed. Here’s a detailed analysis of how much surrogacy really costs in the UK, covering key expense categories.
1. Costs related to the surrogate mother
As far as surrogacy in UK is concerned, it’s legal for surrogates to receive payment for their medical expenses. Moreover, these expenses typically include maternity clothes, travel costs, additional food costs, and any lost earnings due to medical appointments. Also, the average expenses claim in the UK can range from £7,000 to £15,000, depending on various factors, including the surrogate’s personal circumstances and the course of the pregnancy.
Hence, we can say that the surrogate mother cost in UK is something that holds a crucial part of the overall cost structure. So, as an intended parent, you must keep the same aspect in consideration in prior.
2. Costs related to the medical procedures
On the other hand, fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are a significant part of overall surrogacy treatment cost in UK. Moreover, if you’re using the NHS, there might be eligibility criteria to meet, and even then, not all costs are covered. This is where private fertility clinic costs can vary widely. Still, IVF cycles typically range from £5,000 to £12,000 per cycle, including medication. Also, this does not account for additional procedures like Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) or Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) which can add thousands to the bill.
So, as you put through your first step towards parenthood, connect with the surrogacy agency and talk regarding all the included medical procedures in prior. While it is mostly related to the severity of the infertility issue, the doctors and medical professionals can initiate a discussion in the same regards.
3. Costs related to the legal procedures
You cannot deny the probability of the legal consultation while proceeding with a surrogacy program. So, we can say that legal advice is a critical component of surrogacy in the UK. That said, legal fees can cover drafting surrogacy agreements (though not legally binding in the UK), parental order applications (to transfer legal parenthood from the surrogate to the intended parents), and any unforeseen legal complications. Moreover, legal fees can vary significantly but budgeting between £2,000 to £8,000 is reasonable.
Also, while proceeding with surrogacy, you must keep a provision for the legal costs in the UK surrogacy cost structure. This country is quite strict on its laws and one must go ahead while keeping them into consideration.
4. Fees paid to the surrogacy agency
While commercial surrogacy agencies are not legal in the UK, surrogacy through non-profit organizations still incurs administrative fees. Moreover, these organizations offer surrogate matching services, support, and advice throughout the surrogacy journey. That said, fees for these services can range from £500 to £2,000 and hold a huge part of the surrogacy treatment cost in UK.
5. Costs incurred towards the health insurance
While not always a separate cost, it’s important to consider insurance for the surrogate. That said, in most cases, the NHS( National Health Security) covers the surrogate’s medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth. However, intended parents might opt for private healthcare for the surrogate or for the newborn, which can add to the cost of surrogacy in UK.
6. Any other additional cost to consider
As you put through your initial steps towards surrogacy, you must pay attention to certain additional UK surrogacy cost as well. That said, these additional costs can include psychological support for the surrogate and the intended parents. Moreover, it may include travel and accommodation for medical appointments (especially relevant for international surrogacy arrangements), and any complications that may arise during the pregnancy or delivery. Overall, these costs are highly variable and can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
Also, the cost incurred towards the hiring of a egg donor or a sperm donor would additionally shoot up the surrogacy cost. Although these costs sometimes get included in the fees paid to the surrogacy agency, you can also take them as additional services. Moreover, the cost of egg and sperm donor in UK is higher than other countries. Hence, one must connect with a trusted name or organization to proceed ahead in the same direction.
How much is the cost of surrogacy in UK?
We must know that the overall surrogacy cost in UK would vary depending on your respective surrogacy program. Yet, adding up all these components, the cost of surrogacy in the UK can range from a minimum of around £15,000 to £20,000 to upwards of £60,000 or more. Also, for more complex situations involving multiple IVF cycles, legal complications, or the use of egg or sperm donors, the same cost would go even higher. Hence, it’s crucial for intended parents to budget carefully and consider all potential costs when planning for surrogacy.
On the other side, they must always look for a surrogacy agency that offers ethical yet affordable surrogacy programs. While agreeing to those, you must also consider aspects like the expertise and the experience of the surrogacy agency. Moreover, the type of services offered, a network of egg/sperm donor agencies and surrogate mothers experience also matters. Hence, as you make the key decision in regards to an important aspect of your life; do keep these things in consideration.
Final words
All the mentioned aspects does include in the overall surrogacy treatment cost in UK. Still, one need to understand that surrogacy in the UK offers a legal and supportive framework for those looking to expand their families through this method. While it prohibits commercial surrogacy, the costs associated with surrogacy can still be significant. That said, intended parents should undertake thorough financial planning, seek advice from legal and medical professionals, and engage with surrogacy organizations to fully understand and prepare for the financial commitments involved in their surrogacy journey.
