SURROGATE COMPENSATION AT GROWING GENERATIONS: YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE EXPLAINED

At Growing Generations, compensation is structured to be transparent from the start, with base compensation, milestone payments, reimbursements, and additional compensation clearly outlined before a pregnancy begins.

Rather than receiving compensation as a single lump-sum payment, surrogates receive support throughout the journey as they move through important milestones.  This guide explains how compensation is structured, what types of support may be available, and what surrogates can expect from screening and preparation through delivery and recovery.

Understanding Types of Surrogacy Compensation

Surrogate compensation is made up of several different components, each designed to support you throughout your journey. Depending on your unique circumstances, your compensation package may include base compensation, milestone payments, reimbursements, and additional compensation for certain situations that may arise during the process.

Each component serves a specific purpose, helping to ensure that surrogates feel supported, informed, and valued while focusing on what matters most - their health, their families, and the important role they play in helping create a family.

Base Compensation

Surrogacy is a meaningful commitment, and base compensation recognizes the time, care, and dedication surrogates bring to the journey. At Growing Generations, first-time surrogate base compensation starts at $75,000, with final compensation determined by factors such as prior surrogacy experience and the terms of the legal agreement.

Base compensation is not provided as a single lump-sum payment. Instead, once heartbeat is confirmed via ultrasound, compensation begins and is distributed through scheduled monthly installments throughout the pregnancy, as detailed in your compensation package.

Reimbursements

In addition to base compensation, surrogates may be eligible for reimbursement of approved expenses incurred throughout their journey.  These reimbursements are designed to help ensure that participating in surrogacy does not create an additional financial burden for you or your family.

Depending on your circumstances, eligible reimbursements may include approved travel-related expenses, childcare required for surrogacy-related appointments outside of your normal childcare arrangements, prescription or over-the-counter medications, mileage, and qualifying lost wages, as outlined in your financial handbook.  If time away from work is required for approved medical appointments, procedures, bed rest, or other surrogacy-related needs, eligible lost wages may be covered in accordance with your agreement.

Scheduled Milestone Payments

Growing Generations recognizes the time, effort, and commitment required long before a pregnancy begins.  As surrogates move through important preparation milestones, milestone payments acknowledge the dedication and coordination involved in getting ready for a transfer cycle.

Surrogates receive milestone payments for reaching key pre-pregnancy milestones, including receiving medical clearance, receiving legal clearance, and beginning injectable cycle medications.  All milestone payments are clearly outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement, providing transparency and helping you understand what support is available at each stage of your journey.

Additional Compensation

In addition to base compensation, Growing Generations provides additional compensation for certain circumstances that may arise during a surrogacy journey.  These payments recognize the extra time, commitment, and physical demands that can accompany some pregnancies and deliveries.

Examples include pregnancies with multiples, Cesarean deliveries, and doctor-ordered bed rest or activity restrictions.  These provisions are clearly outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement before pregnancy begins, helping ensure transparency and giving you a clear understanding of the support available should any of these situations occur.

Understanding Surrogacy Payment Schedule Breakdown

Every surrogacy journey is unique, and your compensation package is designed to provide support at each stage along the way.  From important pre-pregnancy milestones through delivery and recovery, compensation is structured to align with the natural progression of the journey and recognize the time, commitment, and care involved throughout the process.

While every Surrogate Benefit Package is unique, compensation typically begins with pre-pregnancy milestone payments and continues throughout the surrogacy journey.

Pre-Pregnancy Milestone Payments

Before your journey begins, there are several important steps designed to ensure that you are medically and emotionally ready to move forward.  During this phase, you may complete medical evaluations, psychological screening, background checks, and legal consultations as part of the matching and screening process.

As you move through these important preparation milestones, Growing Generations recognizes the time, effort, and commitment involved.  Surrogates receive milestone payments for reaching key pre-pregnancy milestones, including receiving medical clearance, receiving legal clearance, and beginning injectable cycle medications.

Surrogates may also be eligible for reimbursement of approved expenses incurred during the screening and preparation process.  Depending on the circumstances, this may include mileage, parking, meal allowances during travel, childcare, qualifying lost wages, and other approved expenses outlined in the financial handbook.

Together, these milestone payments and reimbursements provide financial coverage during the screening and preparation phase, before pregnancy begins.

Heartbeat Confirmation (Monthly Payments Begin)

Following embryo transfer, you will be closely monitored during the early weeks of pregnancy. Once heartbeat is confirmed via ultrasound, your base compensation begins and is distributed through scheduled monthly installments as outlined in your legal agreement.

Throughout your pregnancy, you may also remain eligible for approved reimbursements related to your surrogacy journey.  Depending on your circumstances, this may include travel-related expenses, childcare, qualifying lost wages, prescription and over-the-counter medications, mileage, and other approved expenses outlined in your financial handbook.

Third Trimester and Post-Partum Period

As you move through the final stages of pregnancy, your base compensation continues according to the terms outlined in your legal agreement.  In addition, Growing Generations provides additional compensation for certain circumstances that may arise during the journey, including pregnancies with multiples, Cesarean deliveries, and doctor-ordered bed rest or activity restrictions.

Following delivery, any applicable post-delivery compensation and reimbursements outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement will continue through the recovery period. 

Breast Milk Compensation

After delivery, some surrogates choose to provide breast milk for the baby as part of their ongoing support for the intended parents. Because this requires additional time, effort, and commitment during the postpartum period, Growing Generations provides compensation for breast milk provided in accordance with the terms outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement.

Every surrogate's circumstances, goals, and comfort level are unique. If you choose to provide breast milk, your Growing Generations team will work closely with you and the intended parents to develop a plan that meets everyone's needs. From coordinating expectations to providing guidance and personalized support throughout the process, our team is committed to helping make this experience as smooth as possible for all involved.

As with every stage of the surrogacy journey, our goal is to ensure that you feel informed, supported, and appreciated for the care, dedication, and generosity you bring to the journey.

How Surrogacy Payments Are Managed and Protected

All surrogate compensation and approved reimbursements are managed through an independent, third-party escrow company that is fully bonded and insured.

Using a professional escrow company is considered an industry best practice and helps provide financial protection and peace of mind for everyone involved.  Prior to embryo transfer, the escrow account is fully funded to help ensure that compensation and reimbursements are available throughout the journey.  The account is also closely monitored by the Growing Generations finance team, providing an additional layer of oversight and support.

Throughout the journey, compensation and approved reimbursements are provided according to the terms outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement.  Every transaction is documented, creating a clear and transparent record so you always understand how funds are being managed and what support is available to you at each stage of the process.

Important Legal and Tax Considerations

One of the most important steps in the surrogacy journey is reviewing and finalizing your legal agreement.  Growing Generations will connect you with an independent attorney who will represent your interests throughout the contract review process.  This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, review the agreement in detail, and ensure that you fully understand the terms before moving forward.

We believe that informed surrogates make confident decisions.  That's why we encourage you to take the time you need to review your agreement carefully, discuss any questions with your attorney, and feel comfortable with every aspect of the journey before moving forward.

Surrogates may also have questions about the tax implications of compensation received during their journey.  Growing Generations does not issue a 1099 or W-2 for pregnancy compensation disbursements.  Because every financial situation is unique, we strongly recommend consulting a local tax professional to determine any potential tax implications related to your surrogacy journey.

FAQs

How much do surrogates make at Growing Generations?

Growing Generations' first-time surrogate base compensation starts at $75,000.  Base compensation recognizes the time, care, and commitment surrogates bring to the journey, with final compensation determined by factors such as prior surrogacy experience and the terms of the legal agreement.

Base compensation is not provided as a lump-sum payment.  Instead, it begins after heartbeat is confirmed via ultrasound and is distributed through scheduled monthly installments throughout the pregnancy, as outlined in your legal agreement.

In addition to base compensation, surrogates may also be eligible for milestone payments, approved reimbursements, and additional compensation for certain circumstances outlined in their Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement.

Do Surrogates Get Paid Monthly or in a Lump Sum?

Compensation is provided throughout the surrogacy journey rather than as a single lump-sum payment.  Before pregnancy begins, surrogates receive milestone payments for reaching important pre-pregnancy milestones, including receiving medical clearance, receiving legal clearance, and beginning injectable cycle medications.

Once heartbeat is confirmed via ultrasound, base compensation begins and is distributed through scheduled monthly installments as outlined in the legal agreement.  Additional milestone payments may also be provided later in the journey for significant milestones, such as embryo transfer and delivery.

All compensation, approved reimbursements, and milestone payments are clearly outlined in the Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement before the journey moves forward, helping ensure transparency and a clear understanding of the support available from the very beginning.

Can Surrogate Payments Change During the Journey?

Yes.  In addition to base compensation, Growing Generations provides additional compensation for certain circumstances that may arise during a surrogacy journey.  Examples include pregnancies with multiples, Cesarean deliveries, doctor-ordered bed rest or activity restrictions, and approved lost wages.

These provisions are established before pregnancy begins and are clearly outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement.  This commitment to transparency helps ensure you understand the support available to you and what to expect throughout your journey.

Who Handles Surrogate Payments During the Process?

Surrogate compensation and approved reimbursements are managed through an independent, third-party escrow company that is fully bonded and insured.  Using a professional escrow company is considered an industry best practice and helps provide financial protection, transparency, and peace of mind for everyone involved.

Prior to embryo transfer, the escrow account is fully funded and closely monitored by the Growing Generations finance team throughout the journey.  Compensation and approved reimbursements are provided according to the terms outlined in the Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement.

Every transaction is documented, creating a clear record and helping ensure that compensation is managed professionally, securely, and transparently from start to finish.

What Expenses Are Usually Separate From Base Compensation?

In addition to base compensation, surrogates may be eligible for reimbursement of approved expenses incurred throughout the surrogacy journey.  These reimbursements are designed to help ensure that participating in surrogacy does not create an additional financial burden for you or your family.

Depending on your circumstances, eligible reimbursements may include travel-related expenses, childcare required for surrogacy-related appointments outside of your normal childcare arrangements, qualifying lost wages, mileage, parking, meal allowances during travel, prescription medications, and other approved surrogacy-related expenses outlined in your financial handbook.

All eligible reimbursements are clearly outlined in your Surrogate Benefit Package and legal agreement, helping ensure transparency and a clear understanding of the support available to you throughout your journey.

At Growing Generations, compensation, reimbursements, and milestone payments are clearly outlined before a pregnancy begins, giving both surrogates and intended parents a shared understanding of the journey ahead.  Through your Surrogate Benefit Package, legal agreement, and ongoing support from our team, you'll have a clear picture of how compensation is structured and what support is available at each stage of the process.

If you have questions about your specific circumstances, our team is here to help. We believe that informed surrogates make confident decisions, and we're committed to providing the guidance, transparency, and support you need throughout your journey.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate with Growing Generations.