Thank you Chicago.

This is a major personal issue for me and something I am extremely passionate about. If an agency or clinic does not know the cost of a standard pregnancy (complication free), they don’t know what they are doing, and there probably will be hidden costs. When your surrogate is pregnant What choice do you have but to pay more if the agency or clinic says there are more expenses. This is taking advantage of intended parents at the most vulnerable time in their lives. I have met couples that ended up paying almost twice what they contracted. When you think about it, what recourse do they actually have.

I find this totally unethical. It exploits the intended parents. This is why we offer guaranteed not to exceed pricing on most aspects of the surrogacy process. We know what it will cost for a standard healthy pregnancy. With 19 years of our clinic experience – we better! lol So, we will pay the difference if expenses go over the contracted amount. We think that is only fair.

Lack of transparency in pricing protocols is common. And the thing is, many parents don’t know what to look out for – what is necessary for any IVF treatment, pregnancy, and delivery, so they don’t know the questions to ask. It is easy to assume that basics are always included. Yet, many price sheets do not include all medicine, testing and bank fees. It all adds up quickly. This is one reason I feel it is important to have an independent agency – not a clinic or clinic owned agency. Entering into a surrogacy agreement is extremely stressful and complicated. How can intended parents know everything? Impossible. You need someone independent who has your back and always your best interest at heart. This is an issue around the world. Some us surrogate agencies have price sheets that are extremely confusing.

I hate to say this about something so personal and emotional. But buyer beware and if it seems to good to be true, sadly, it probably is.