If one of your family members has expressed interest in being a surrogate for you, a surrogacy agency can help you navigate family member surrogacy.
Contact a surrogacy professional today if you have considered this question and know the kind of surrogacy journey you want.
Continue reading to discover some common questions (and answers) people have about how surrogacy for a family member works.
Can a Family Member be a Surrogate?
Yes! A family member (a sister, aunt, cousin, etc.) can serve as your surrogate.
Like every other surrogate situation, the surrogate you work with will need to complete a surrogate agency’s screenings before she is cleared to start the process.
How Does Surrogacy Work With a Family Member?
Family member surrogacy has the same steps as any other surrogacy journey. However, you’re already one step ahead in the process!
If your family member is able to fulfill all surrogacy screenings, you will be able to skip the matching portion of the surrogacy journey and proceed.
From here, you and the surrogate will go through the following steps:
- Create the surrogacy contract: You and your family member will work with separate surrogacy attorneys to ensure everyone’s rights are protected during the surrogacy. You and the surrogate will also determine the compensation she will get for her service.
- Start the medical surrogacy process: You and your partner will provide your gametes (or you’ll use donor gametes), which a doctor will use to create an embryo. Next, the surrogate will undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF). A doctor will then test for pregnancy. If a pregnancy is confirmed, you will continue to work with your family member and watch your baby grow.
- Take your baby home: Once the surrogate gives birth, you’ll take your child home!
What’s the Cost of Surrogacy With a Family Member?
The cost of surrogacy with a family member depends on the type of surrogacy you have.
- Altruistic surrogacy: Altruistic surrogacy is when a surrogate waives her right to base compensation. This fee is on top of the compensation she will receive for all her surrogacy-related expenses. You and your surrogate will want to talk with a surrogate professional in-depth to find out the pros and cons of this type of surrogacy.
- Compensated surrogacy: Compensated surrogacy is when a surrogate receives base compensation for her time. Although you may end up paying a family member less than the standard base compensation (typically between $45,000 and $75,000), surrogate professionals often encourage people to pay their surrogate some base compensation.
No matter what type of surrogacy you choose to pursue, you will not have to pay for an agency’s matching services because you’ve already identified the surrogate you want to work with.
What’s Being a Surrogate for Family Like?
Being a surrogate for family is different for everyone, but generally, there are unique circumstances to consider.
- You know the surrogate: Because you likely are close with your family member, she will continue to be in your baby’s life. In addition to discussing your family member’s role in your kid’s life, you’ll also want to discuss how you’ll explain your surrogacy with your child.
- Surrogacy is a complicated experience: Although your surrogacy will have many exciting moments, it will also have challenging times. Make sure to consider how you and the family member you’re considering working with would handle these inevitable stressful situations.
How can an Agency Help Me Through Family Member Surrogacy?
Although you could choose to pursue independent surrogacy, your surrogacy journey will go much smoother with the help of a surrogacy agency.
Surrogacy agencies provide the following services to intended parents during the surrogacy process:
- A surrogacy professional who will provide emotional and practical support through your journey
- Assistance through all your pre-surrogacy screenings
- Help through the surrogacy medical and legal process to ensure your interests are protected
- And more
If you’re still looking for a surrogacy agency to work with, you can start here:
Start Your Family Member Surrogacy Journey Today
Starting the surrogacy journey with a family member is exciting. Once you know the match is right, contact a surrogacy professional to get all the help you need.
