Anyone experienced surrogacy? Have questions! :)

[dreamer38]

DH and I are currently going through some options whether we want to do another IVF, or go for adoption.
Yesterday a friend of mine said she'd love to be a surrogate for us...I am so grateful that she would even consider this, and I was at a loss of words...
My question is how much does it usually cost for a surrogate if you already have a friend willing? I know it costs a lot more if you have to choose one through an agency. My DH and I have perfect frozen embryos so they are all ready to go if we choose surrogacy. All we would need to do is transfer them in her.
I don't know much about surrogacy. After my conversation with her last night I thought I would try to expand my knowledge a bit..
thanks for you help!!!

[kholtan]

I don't know and am no help at all but I just wanted to say good luck! Sounds like you have a wonderful friend and she must really love you guys.

Honestly, I think it's a lot less if she doesn't want paid and you already have your eggs. I would check on insurance things but it can't eb much more than an IUI I wouldn't think. Good luck and keep us all posted!

[SilverAngel679]

Hey there. I don't know much about it but if you come on the to "double/triple+ trouble '09" board there is a woman there who has a surrogate pregnant with her twins. Her name is Carisa and she is really great. I'm sure if you PM'd her she would be happy to share what she knows with you. Good luck in it all and keep us posted.

Baby Dust!!!!!

[dreamer38]

Thank you girls so much! I didn't think anyone would post Thanks for the good luck wishes...right back at ya!!!

Thanks for the info you do know and maybe I can find her on her board. thanks again!

[esperanza]

Best wishes dreamer. I don't know much either, but dh and I were considering it after our second try failed. We were planning on asking a close friend. We decided to try one more time before going on that route and I got pregnant. I think it's wonderful that other women are willing to help people like us. Your friend is certainly a darling. God bless her, you, and your dh.

[CarolynB]

Hi Dreamer38

I am late to post but hopefully you may still see.

In the UK, we can only pay costs incurred to a surrogate, nothing more. Just reasonable expenses. It is audited after the birth to ensure that the surrogate has not done it for money. Know it differs by country.

We paid the costs of Frozen cycle as we had our own embies already. With all the drugs, scans and bloods it must have cost around £3,000 (but we are at the most expensive clinic in the UK). We also paid quite a lot of travel costs as we wanted my fab sister - who also happens to be our surrogate - to be treated at 'our' clinic in London. My sister does not work so we had no loss of income, but some people need to pay that too which can be the most expensive element of the process.

We have paid for councelling and legal fees too. People said to allow £10,000 but I think that in our case it could be less than £5,000.

Plus now - luckily - we are/will be paying for things like maternity clothes. Plus thank you gifts for my sister!

We have offered her help at home but so far she has refused.

PM me if I can help answer any more surrogacy questions as I know that we form a rather unique group of ivf-ers. It really is an extraordinary additional journey, on top of the ivf roller coaster.

I hope that your story gets the dream ending. My signature gives a sense of what he have been through & where we managed to get to thanks to a top clinic and my dear sister!!

Love
Carolyn xxxxxxxxxxxxx