Important Differences between Compensated Surrogacy and Altruistic Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy is a wonderful gift that allows families to grow. Intended parents and surrogates alike enter into this process out of a desire to nurture love and family. The main difference between the forms of surrogacy you see today is surrogacy compensation. Surrogacy agencies in Colorado support compensated surrogacy and altruistic surrogacy. The type of surrogacy available to you may differ depending on what state you live in.

Although there is some debate about whether the surrogate should be compensated, the intended parents can choose to seek out a surrogate willing to perform the type of surrogacy arrangement they support. Your surrogacy agency in Colorado will help to coordinate this process. At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, you have the freedom to choose.

Here are the main differences between compensated surrogacy and altruistic surrogacy.

What is Altruistic Surrogacy?

With altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate is not paid for her efforts beyond reimbursement for medical costs related to the surrogacy. These medical expenses include the costs of fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF), ultrasounds, medical appointments, labor, and delivery — as well as any supplements the surrogate is advised to take during the pregnancy.

Altruistic surrogates are commonly those mothers who are close to or related to the intended parents before the pregnancy. These are generally family members or close friends. They choose not to be compensated because they are helping the family out of compassion. If you have a potential altruistic surrogate, we recommend consulting a surrogacy agency to help you find the counseling and legal support you need before you start the surrogacy process.

What is Compensated Surrogacy?

Compensated surrogacy is where the surrogate mother receives compensation beyond reimbursement for her medical expenses and other costs related to the surrogacy journey. Some states allow the surrogate mother to receive a base compensation. This is for the sacrifice of her time and energy from choosing to go through the nine months of pregnancy growing another family’s child. This is meant to cover her living expenses, travel expenses, legal expenses, and other costs related to the surrogacy.

Surrogates who provide compensated surrogacy are motivated out of selflessness. They choose to become surrogates because they have had healthy pregnancies and want to help families who are otherwise unable to have children. Intended parents locate these surrogates through surrogacy agencies.

Choosing between Compensated Surrogacy and Altruistic Surrogacy

What makes the most sense for your situation? Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider the differences between compensated surrogacy and altruistic surrogacy:

  • Do you have a close friend or family member willing to serve as your surrogate?
  • Are you concerned about preserving your relationship with your altruistic surrogate?
  • Do you live in a state that allows compensated surrogacy?
  • Would you have more confidence in choosing a professional surrogate through a surrogacy agency?
  • Do your finances support the compensation for a surrogate?
  • What kind of relationship do you want with your surrogate?
  • Do you have specific requests that would affect the surrogate’s lifestyle during the pregnancy?

Seek Advice from Our Surrogacy Agency

Working with a surrogacy agency gives you the benefit of professional assistance throughout the surrogacy process. Our surrogacy agency screens surrogates and match intended parents with the women who can help them build their families. Surrogacy specialists can connect you with the legal representation you need to document surrogacy agreements and ensure custody once the child is born. You can have confidence that everything will go as expected.

You can also choose how and if you want to be in contact after the surrogacy process. Getting help from a friend or family member as an altruistic surrogacy may present emotional complications, which are not a concern in compensated surrogacy. The surrogacy specialists at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado are experienced in this process and happy to help you find the right surrogate that meets your needs and expectations.

For any questions you have about the surrogacy process, speak with our specialists today.

f you are interested in learning more about your gestational surrogacy options, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.

Meet the Author: Madilyn Moeller is a writer and editor keen on translating the technical. Madilyn’s years of science writing shine through as she explains everything from health insurance to moving for her readers. Madilyn has a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Professional Writing, Psychology, and Neuroscience. She is a lifelong writer bringing her curiosity to the marketing stage, building websites and blogs for businesses moving online. She knows more about Medicare than any young adult should.

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