Assisted Reproductive Technology
When a family or individual has longed for a baby of their own but is unable to conceive or carry a healthy pregnancy to term, they often begin looking into other ways to make their dreams come true. The options that they find are referred to as assisted reproduction.
There are a few different types of third-party reproductive options available that can meet nearly every person’s needs: egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy. Generally speaking, those interested in this reproductive technology include same-sex couples, women who do not have viable eggs, women who are unable to carry a child, and infertile men.
At Baby Steps Surrogacy Center, Inc., we are passionate about matching families and individuals with qualified surrogate mothers and sperm or egg donors so that they can begin their assisted reproduction journey.
We are dedicated to giving donors, intended parents, and surrogate mothers the information and support they need throughout this process. This allows all involved to have clear boundaries and access to professionals who have nearly thirty years of experience in assisted reproductive technology options.
Read on to learn more about the different types of assisted reproduction technology available to you and how compensation and costs may impact each option.
Donating Sperm or Eggs
Egg or sperm donation is a great option for same-sex female couples, men who do not have viable sperm, and single women.
With sperm donation, the intended parent or parents use the donor sperm to fertilize either the donor eggs (if the intended mother’s eggs are unviable) or the intended mother’s eggs (if the intended father is infertile) so that the intended mother or surrogate mother can become pregnant.
Those who are interested in egg donation typically choose this option when the intended mother’s eggs are not viable. There are a couple popular options. First, families using an egg donor can fertilize the donor eggs with donor sperm, and the intended mother then undergoes an in vitro fertilization procedure. A second option is having the chosen surrogate mother undergo the procedure using her own eggs and carry the pregnancy for the family in need.
Choosing Surrogacy
In some cases, families turn to surrogacy as a way to make their family complete. Again, this is often chosen when the intended father is infertile or when the intended mother does not have viable eggs or is not able to successfully carry a healthy pregnancy to term. In some instances, families are struggling with a combination of these issues, making surrogacy their only option for conceiving a baby.
In a surrogacy arrangement, there is a surrogate mother who will carry the baby. She can use her own eggs or donor eggs and become pregnant by donor sperm or the sperm of the intended father.
Families and potential surrogates are matched based on their preferences, and the surrogate mother carries the baby. The intended parents then become the parents of the baby once they are born. The components of a surrogacy arrangement are discussed within the surrogacy contract that is written once the family and surrogate are matched.
Costs and Compensation
One of the most important aspects of any of the aforementioned assisted reproductive options is the question of cost and compensation. In each of these options, the expenses and compensation vary depending on the types of procedures involved and the area you live in.
Men who are interested in donating sperm can earn up to $1,000 each month and up to $125 with each donation they make. Egg donors typically earn a great deal more because they need to undergo an egg retrieval procedure and take specific medications as part of their donation. Many egg donors can earn $6,000 to $10,000 per donation, including daily stipends, travel expenses, and medical bills.
For parents choosing surrogacy and for potential surrogate mothers, the costs and compensation are high. Surrogate mothers can expect to be compensated anywhere from $25,000 to $45,000 for their time, medical expenses, and other costs as outlined in their surrogacy contract.
When all is said and done, intended parents should prepare for the total cost of surrogacy to exceed $100,000. Your surrogacy counselor at Baby Steps Surrogacy Center, Inc. can answer any further questions you may have regarding your assisted reproduction options.
Reach Out to a Respected Surrogacy Agency Today
When you are ready to embark on your assisted reproduction journey but are not sure what your next steps should be, contact Baby Steps Surrogacy Center, Inc. We are available to discuss all of your assisted reproductive technology options and match you with the individual or family you will be working with.
Simply complete our quick contact form or call our office directly at 412-281-9906 to schedule your initial appointment with your surrogacy counselor today.