At Heartland Surrogacy, we understand that your strongest motivation for becoming a surrogate is to help someone become a parent. We also know the personal commitment and sacrifice it takes to be a surrogate, and we believe you deserve to be compensated fairly for this immense gift. 

The pay you will receive as a surrogate includes base compensation, item-specific payments, and variable expenses (costs that may or may not apply to your journey). The intended parents are responsible for all expenses related to the journey.

While looking for information on surrogacy, you may have seen advertisements for large “compensation packages”. These are often the total amounts for the journey, not just the base compensation. They are determined by the surrogacy agency. 

set your compensation - surrogate mother
set your compensation - surrogate mother

At Heartland Surrogacy, we do not have pre-determined, one-size-fits-all compensation packages. With our guidance, you will set your own fees.

The estimates listed below are based on Midwest surrogacy journeys. We hope they will give you an idea of what compensation can be like in your journey, but ultimately, you decide on the compensation amounts for events once contracts are signed.

Pre-Contract

After matching with the right intended parent(s), you will have a medical evaluation. In most cases, the evaluation involves one or more invasive procedures. 

Invasive procedure, per occurrence

Applicable travel expense, lost wages, additional childcare for appointments

$250 

Based on specific circumstances

Pre-Contract

After matching with the right intended parent(s), you will undergo a medical evaluation. In most cases, the evaluation involves one or more invasive procedures. All costs for medical procedures, applicable travel expenses, your net lost wages (as calculated during the application process), and additional childcare are the responsibility of the intended parent(s).

Invasive procedure, per occurrence

$250

Applicable travel expense, lost wages, additional childcare for appointments

Based on specific circumstances

Embryo Transfer

Your compensation at the time of embryo transfer will be based on the terms you set in your gestational carrier agreement (GCA). 

Start of medication

$1,000

Embryo transfer and bed rest

$1,000

Lost wages, travel, childcare for transfer appointments

Based upon terms of GCA

Embryo Transfer

At the time of the embryo transfer, you will be compensated based on the terms you set in your gestational carrier agreement (GCA). The GCA will outline your compensation for starting medications, for the transfer and associated bed rest, and other fees throughout the journey. The IP(s) will reimburse you for any lost wages and additional childcare, as needed.

Start of medication 

$1,000

Embryo transfer and bed rest 

$1,000

Lost wages, travel, childcare for transfer appointments

Based upon terms of GCA

Pregnancy

Your base compensation is the principal amount you will receive during your journey. You will start receiving it at pregnancy confirmation, and it will paid throughout your pregnancy. You will also receive a monthly allowance for small expenses and a pregnancy clothes allowance around the beginning of the second trimester.

Monthly allowance 

$200/month

Pregnancy clothes allowance

$500

Base compensation, divided into installments throughout the pregnancy

$45,000

Pregnancy

Your base compensation is the principal amount you will receive during your journey. This begins after confirmation of pregnancy and is paid throughout your pregnancy. You will also receive a monthly allowance to cover small expenses, such as prenatal vitamins and mileage to local appointments, and a pregnancy clothes allowance around the beginning of the second trimester.

Monthly allowance 

$200/month

Pregnancy clothes allowance 

$500

Base compensation, divided into installments throughout the pregnancy

$45,000

Delivery & Postpartum

Your contract with the intended parents will outline the details of payment during your postpartum leave. If you and your IP(s) agree for you to pump milk and provide it to the family, you will be paid an amount you choose on a weekly basis, plus the cost of supplies.

Postpartum lost wages

Based upon terms of GCA

Pumped milk

$250/week

Delivery & Postpartum

Your GCA will outline the terms of your wage reimbursement during your postpartum leave. This amount will be less any amount covered by short-term disability benefits, if offered by your employer. If you and your IP(s) agree for you to pump milk and provide it to the family, you will be paid an amount you choose on a weekly basis, plus the cost of supplies.

Postpartum lost wages 

Based upon terms of GCA

Pumped milk 

$250/week

Variable Surrogate Compensation

The amounts listed here for an experienced surrogate or multiples will be added to your base compensation, if applicable. The remaining fees listed here will be included in your GCA to cover the unique circumstances of your surrogacy journey.

Experienced surrogate

$10,000

Multiples, per fetus beyond singleton

$5,000

Canceled cycle

$500

Cesarean section

$2,500

Invasive procedures, such as amnio, CVS, or D&C; per occurrence

$1,000

Selective fetal reduction

$1,500

Loss of uterus, ovary, or fallopian tubes

$2,000

Full hysterectomy

$5,000

Housekeeping, if on bed rest

$150/week

Childcare, if on bed rest

$20/hr

Lost wages, if on bed rest

Based on terms of GCA

Variable Surrogate Compensation

The amounts listed here for an experienced surrogate or multiples will be added to your base compensation, if applicable. The additional fees listed will be included in your GCA to cover the unique circumstances of your surrogacy journey.

Experienced surrogate

 $10,000

Multiples, per fetus beyond singleton

 $5,000

Canceled cycle

 $500

Cesarean section

 $2,500

Invasive procedures, such as amnio, CVS, or D&C; per occurrence

 $1,000

Selective fetal reduction

 $1,500

Loss of uterus, ovary, or fallopian tubes

 $2,000

Full hysterectomy

 $5,000

Housekeeping, if on bed rest

 $150/week

Childcare, if on bed rest

 $20/hr

Lost wages, if on bed rest

 Based upon terms of GCA

Additional Benefits for Heartland Surrogates

At minimum. an agency is responsible for matching you with intended parents and make sure you get paid according to your agreements in a timely manner. But your agency should support you in all aspects of your journey, not just your compensation. Beyond overseeing the financial parts of your case, we commit to providing you with case management suited to your needs and preferences. Our team will leverage our expertise to provide transparent, exceptional, and compassionate case management services to you from beginning to end.

From your first contact until the end of your journey when the escrow account closes, we will be by your side. We have been there and know the importance of proper case management and guidance! These are some of the additional benefits for Heartland surrogates:

  • Unlimited communication with our team
  • Extended office hours
  • Private surrogate support group
  • Surrogate events
  • Milestone gifts
  • Comprehensive postpartum support

Additional Benefits for Heartland Surrogates

The minimum responsibility of an agency is to match you with intended parents and make sure you get paid according to your agreements in a timely manner. But your agency should support you in all aspects of your journey, not just your compensation. Beyond overseeing the financial parts of your case, we commit to providing you with case management suited to your needs and preferences. Our team will leverage our expertise to provide transparent, exceptional, and compassionate case management services to you from beginning to end.

From your first contact until the end of your journey when the escrow account closes, we will be by your side. We have been there and know the importance of proper case management and guidance! These are some of the additional benefits for Heartland surrogates:

  • Unlimited communication with our team
  • Extended office hours
  • Private surrogate support group
  • Surrogate events
  • Milestone gifts
  • Comprehensive postpartum support

 

Take the next step. If you meet our basic requirements, fill out the form below to connect with our team.