There are a number of circumstances that might lead someone to need a surrogate to build their family. Whether you are an intended parent hoping to expand your family or a potential surrogate mother, you need a qualified guide to help you handle the details. At the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia, we will help you through a successful surrogacy journey in Pennsylvania.
You can trust us to assist you in becoming a surrogate or finding a gestational carrier who is a good match. Our comprehensive knowledge of the surrogacy laws in Pennsylvania will help you through the legal aspects of the process.
Surrogacy in Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania approves of surrogacy for a number of different family situations. Surrogacy process allows people to expand their families when other factors make pregnancy difficult. For the surrogate mother, it is an opportunity to help a family receive a beautiful gift.
As an intended parent, you might consider surrogacy if:
- You or your partner are struggling with infertility issues.
- You are part of a same-sex couple who wants a genetic link to your children.
- You are a single person for whom pregnancy is not an option.
- You have been unable to carry a pregnancy to term.
Surrogacy is a wonderful way to grow your family in Pennsylvania. Our agency works hard to make the entire process run as smoothly as possible, from the first day you meet your surrogate mother until you bring your child home.
Becoming a Surrogate in Pennsylvania
The decision to become a surrogate (also known as a gestational carrier) is never taken lightly. You are giving an incredible gift to your intended parents. It takes a special person to step up to the challenges of surrogacy, but the rewarding experience of bringing a new life into the world is well worth it. It is important to bear in mind that there are some requirements for working with our organization.
- You must be between 21 and 40 years old.
- You must have carried and parented at least one child.
- You must have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries.
- You must not have a history of illegal drug use or be on medications that are not safe for pregnancy.
At the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia, we also are concerned about your emotional health as you consider taking on this challenge. Women who are motivated to help others will have a more enjoyable surrogacy process. As you get to know your intended parents, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a huge difference in their lives.
Five (5) Important Steps to Become a Surrogate
Step 1. Making the Decision to go Forward
As a prospective gestational carrier (surrogate), you need to be ready and willing to make a total commitment to the surrogacy process.
Step 2. Initial Application
We encourage you to chat with one of our Surrogate Ambassadors and get answers to all of your questions about the process. Once you are completely comfortable, please apply to our program.
Step 3. Lifestyle Screening & Background Check
We will review your application to make sure that you meet all of our program requirements and have the right attitude towards the surrogacy process. We will also conduct a background check on you and other adults in your household.
Step 4. Medical Records Review
With your permission, we will contact your medical providers for copies of your records. Our nurse will then review your medical history to ensure that you can safely proceed through the surrogacy process.
Step 5. Psychological Evaluation
You will meet with a psychologist who specializes in surrogacy to go over your social history and discuss how you have dealt with challenging situations in the past. You will also undergo proctored psychological testing. If you have a partner, they too will participate in the psychological evaluation to ensure that you have a healthy, supportive family.
Surrogate Mother Pay in Pennsylvania
While compensation varies between surrogacy agencies, we know that our surrogates deserve a special thank you for what they are doing. We also believe in affordability in access for all persons who want to grow their family with surrogacy. Our surrogacy compensation package is made up of a base fee plus extra allowances and reimbursements.
Base Fee for a first time surrogate = $40,000
Base Fee for each additional surrogacy = $45,000 or more
Additional Allowances:
- Multiples Fee: $5,000 per additional fetus
- Monthly Incidentals Allowance: $250 per month from contracts through delivery
- Embryo Transfer Compensation: $1,000 per transfer attempt
- Maternity Clothing Allowance: $500
- Medical Insurance: 100% coverage of premiums & copays during pregnancy
- Invasive Procedures: $500 per procedure
- Cesarean Section: $3,000
- Lost Wages Reimbursement: 100% coverage during appointments or bedrest
- Childcare & Housekeeping: $400+ per week
- Pumping Allowance for Breastmilk: $150 per week + 100% Reimbursement of Supplies
- Life Insurance: Valued at $250,000
- Loss of Organs Insurance: Valued at $10,000
Becoming an Intended Parent in Pennsylvania
For intended parents, surrogacy in Pennsylvania involves many decisions. Working with a surrogate requires a significant financial commitment as well as a number of legal considerations. Our agency is committed to matching you with a surrogate who meets the needs of your unique situation. We use a rigorous screening process to guarantee that our gestational carriers have the physical, emotional and psychological strength to go through the journey successfully.
We know it is important to partner with a surrogate who shares your values. At the beginning of the process, we get a good understanding of your preferences surrounding pregnancy and find a likeminded surrogate. This can make things easier if unexpected challenges arise. We encourage you to stay in contact with your surrogate throughout the process, and our staff will keep you informed of important updates.
We understand that every intended parent is unique. Our agency has helped intended parents in a variety of situations, including clients who live outside the Philadelphia area and even outside of the United States. We can help you navigate the legal and financial aspects of surrogacy from a distance.
Surrogacy Costs for Intended Parents
The average cost of surrogacy journey for intended parents for surrogacy in PA is $90,000 per journey. That includes our agency fee of $21,000, $50,000+ in a compensation package for the gestational carrier, and insurance and medical/fertility clinic bills of around $20,000.
The payment schedule for our agency fee is as follows:
- Upon match with surrogate ($8,000.00)
- Confirmation of pregnancy ($6,500.00)
- Reaching 24 weeks of pregnancy ($6,500.00)
The agency fee includes the following:
All attorneys fees to draft and review Gestational Carrier Agreement
Financial advising, including grant and scholarship search, budgeting assistance
Surrogate background and credit checks, lifestyle screening
Surrogate medical records review
Surrogate and partner psychological testing and evaluation
Medical and specialty insurance review and coordination
Escrow and billing coordination
Travel and appointment booking
Birth and post-delivery support
Surrogacy Laws: Is Surrogacy Legal in PA?
The surrogacy laws in Pennsylvania allow for intended parents to grow their families via surrogacy. While there are no specific statutes concerning surrogacy agreements, the courts have upheld the validity of pre-birth orders and carrier agreements. This means that the contracts between an intended parent and a surrogate are legally binding.
Our agency is unique in that we cover the legal fees associated with drafting and reviewing gestational carrier agreements. We only work with attorneys who are highly knowledgeable on issues of Assisted Reproductive Technology law. Once a client is matched with a surrogate, we will retain attorneys on your behalf who will draft a carrier contract that explains the obligations and expectations of both Intended Parents and Surrogates.
As the pregnancy progresses to the second trimester, they attorney will work with all Parties to properly establish parental rights. This makes certain that the Intended Parents’ names appear on their child’s birth certificate.
Why choose the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia?
The Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia was started to offer a different experience for those pursuing surrogacy in Pennsylvania. All our staff members have been gestational carriers themselves and can offer insights into the process for both intended parents and surrogates. We believe in providing a high level of expertise and professionalism often seen with larger, national agencies, while still providing the compassion and personalized service seen in smaller, boutique operations.
We understand that surrogacy is a long-term affair that can be as stressful as it is wonderful. Whether you are a surrogate mother or intended parent, we are partners in your journey. Our staff will be there for initial meetings, regular check-ins and the birth itself. You can count on us for open and honest communication, and clear, step-by-step guidance on next steps.
Most importantly, we hope you will consider us because we are genuinely passionate about helping all kinds of families grow. If you are thinking about surrogacy in Pennsylvania, the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia is excited to help you every step of the way.
