Surrogacy 101 | Progyny

Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team — January 2026. 

Surrogacy is one way to grow your family. You may consider surrogacy if you have experienced infertility, have a medical reason you cannot carry a pregnancy, are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or you are planning to have a child as a single parent.

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a process where another person, called the gestational carrier, carries a pregnancy for you. The child is usually not genetically related to the carrier.

You will undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create embryos using your own egg and sperm, or with the help of donor egg, donor sperm, or both. A fertility specialist will then transfer the embryo to the gestational carrier, who will carry the pregnancy.

What are the costs?

Surrogacy involves several fees. These may include:

• Agency services, matching, and screening
• Psychological evaluations
• Legal services
• Medical costs for you and the carrier, including IVF
• Compensation for the gestational carrier
• Insurance or surrogacy support services

The average total cost of surrogacy in the United States is $100,000 to $150,000. It's important to note that costs vary widely based on individual circumstances, location, and the specific services needed.

Who is involved?

Surrogacy includes a team of people who support different parts of the process.

• Intended parent(s): You will parent and raise the child. You may be genetically related to the embryo.
• Egg or sperm donor: You may use donor egg, donor sperm, or both. Donors can be known or anonymous.
• Reproductive endocrinologist: This fertility specialist creates the embryos and performs the embryo transfer.
• Attorneys: Each party has legal representation. Attorneys write the surrogacy contract and may manage escrow funds.
• Surrogacy agency: An agency may support most of the process, including matching, screening, legal referrals, and emotional support.
• Social workers or psychologists: They complete evaluations for the gestational carrier and the intended parent(s) and may offer ongoing support.
• Gestational carrier: After screening and signing a contract, the gestational carrier receives a frozen embryo transfer. If pregnant, they receive routine prenatal care and stay in contact based on the agreement.

Surrogacy includes many steps and decisions, and having the right support can help you navigate the process with confidence.

If you have questions, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your PCA for support.

Next article > Understanding the surrogacy process