There are many misconceptions and myths surrounding surrogacy and working with a
surrogate/gestational carrier. If you are in the fact-finding stage, read on as we debunk
common surrogacy myths and break down the facts.
Surrogacy Myth: Surrogacy is only for the wealthy or celebrities.
Busted: This myth exists because the cost of surrogacy is almost indeterminable.
Surrogate fees and expenses vary substantially depending on several factors such as
whether the mother (intended parent) is using her own eggs or will she need the help of
an egg donor. Are there agency fees or do they have a friend or family member who is
willing to carry their baby? The cost of medical care and 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.
Surrogacy Myth: A woman will opt for surrogacy to save her figure or avoid
pregnancy.
Busted: Surrogacy is a very emotional and expensive process for a woman to have a
baby. A woman typically chooses surrogacy after multiple failed attempts and methods
to conceive and carry a baby herself. The decision to continue on to surrogacy is almost
always a last resort. There is little to no truth to a woman going through surrogacy to
keep her figure. Most women who want to be a mother 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,
and it has nothing to do with the mom-to-be’s concern for her physical appearance.
Surrogacy Myth: The surrogate may try to take on parental custody of the child.
Busted: Most fertility clinics will request that both the intended parents and the surrogate
(and her partner/spouse) undergo a psychological evaluation prior to entering into a
surrogacy agreement. If this is not required, it is a good idea to consider it. Working with
a reproductive law attorney will also be able to provide you guidance on the state laws
surrounding surrogacy and confirm whether that particular state will recognize the
intended parents for the child’s parentage. Although the surrogate will nurture your child
throughout the pregnancy, surrogates and gestational carriers are aware from the onset
that they will not parent or have legal parentage rights of the child.
Surrogacy Myth: I will have trouble bonding with my baby.
Busted: Bonding with the child after birth is something that many intended parents worry
over leading up to the pregnancy. The bonding process begins after the child is born,

not while in the womb. Once the child is born, he/she is immediately handed over to the
intended parents where that bond will begin to form. It is those who nurture and love on
the child that secure the forever bond.