It goes without saying that Covid-19 has brought unprecedented challenges: for many of us, the past several months have been far from easy. For those struggling with infertility, the pandemic created an extra layer of difficulties across the spectrum, from emotionally to financially, all of which intended parents could have done without.
Yes, plans have been disrupted, and the normal life is on hold. But - as many of us have also realized - the pandemic is serving to remind us of what (and who) really matters. The simple things; a break from the fast-paced life, less time commuting, more time with our families, in addition to decreased monthly spend on activities, socializing, travel, etc., have all emerged as the unexpected silver lining.
All of this is why now is actually a really good time to start planning your surrogacy journey.
Starting your surrogacy journey - extra time at home to do the research
Now is the ideal time to research and think about what you really want and when; where you see yourself as an individual, as a couple, as future intended parents, and what kind of relationship you want with your surrogate. Start your journey by researching; vet various surrogacy agencies, including their offerings and the price tag attached to their services. Learning all about surrogacy, the journey and roadmap ahead, and what options you’ll have to choose between along the way, will all help you make more informed decisions about your future. With more time on your hands, you can really delve into the agency comparison process as well as virtually meet with as many as you’d like, to assess which you’re most comfortable with.
Stay home, stay safe… and save money!
If anything, the pandemic made us realize how much money goes into day-to-day things (and also fun splurges) that we don’t really need while quarantined.
We’ve put so much on pause that the savings can really help towards a surrogacy journey -- so if building your family is your top priority, you can focus on these strange times in the positive light of contributing more towards that goal. It’s also a good time to research financing options and apply for grants and loans that can help you achieve your dream of parenthood. More details on that below!
Options for financing your surrogacy journey
A number of surrogacy agencies offer in-house financing options to help intended parents manage the cost of surrogacy. This assistance can take the form of low-interest loans taken out with partner lending companies or payments through monthly installments. Apart from these options, there are also others:
- Surrogacy Loans
Loans can help you cover the costs of surrogacy. It can be through traditional lines of credit, such as home equity loans and credit cards, or through organizations that offer financing options specifically for fertility treatments and surrogacy. Here are just a few sources to review if you’d like to explore securing a loan:
- Home equity loans
- 401(k) plans
- Credit cards
- Family members (only if you feel comfortable)
- Fertility Financing Loans
Certain financial organizations specialize in financing fertility treatment and this can be applied to surrogacy, a few examples include:
- Surrogacy Grants
While a surrogacy grant isn’t as easy to secure as some of the above options, they are worth considering. You would have to meet specific qualifications to be selected but here are a few to check out:
- Baby Quest Foundation – Offers financial assistance to those who can’t afford the high costs of gestational surrogacy.
- Family Formation Charitable Trust (AARTA) – Offers financial assistance to individuals pursuing surrogacy.
- Journey to Parenthood Grant – Awarded to couples and individuals building their family through advanced fertility treatments, including surrogacy.
- Pay it Forward Fertility Grants – Available to intended parents interested in surrogacy.
- Tinina Q. Cade Foundation Family Building Grant – Provides up to $10,000 to low-income couples wishing to build their families through reproductive technology.
- Fundraising
Whether it’s a Go Fund Me Page, a fundraiser Facebook page, or any creative event to help you raise the needed funds, if you have supportive family and friends willing to spread the word, fundraising efforts can help. A couple of ideas are:
- Host an online fundraiser - People could easily contribute in lieu of giving you birthday or holiday gifts. Send out personal emails all about your family building goals and get people excited to contribute on or by a certain date. Setting a timeline and creating a little ‘marketing buzz’ even within your own community can get people excited to be involved and then hear about how it went.
- Plan a (socially distanced) garage sale, or sell items online – Now’s the time to turn unwanted items into cash and to get creative - online sales are up in general with people staying home!
Asking other parents who have already experienced the process may help you identify fundraising ideas as well.
- Other elements to consider
- Tax Law - You should look into tax law as it relates to surrogacy, specific to your state. Tax law surrounding surrogacy is cloudy, both at a federal and state level. It’s possible that some of your medical expenses related to your surrogacy are deductible if they exceed a certain point. However, it’s best to consult with your accountant or tax professional to learn more about the taxation policies that regulate the exchange of money related to surrogacy.
- Savings Account - No matter how you start putting the funds together, it’s important to put that money into a safe place. A dedicated savings account solely for paying all of your surrogate fees is a smart move. It’s also a big help if you have a budget in mind so you know exactly how much you need to set aside.
In Conclusion
When it comes to the first steps in one’s surrogacy roadmap, this pandemic has provided ample time to be present, to consider options, and to save towards the big goal!
We at GoStork are here to support - our platform is the only place where you can find, compare, and connect with the top surrogacy agencies across the US - all 100% free to use. We have created a one-of-a-kind comparison tool that allows intended parents to view agencies side-by-side and point-by-point for all important criteria, helping you get started on the right track. Our full cost breakdowns for each agency really helps you make more informed decisions when saving is a priority. Once you have your favorites, you can book your first appointment in seconds, right from our platform! Find your ideal surrogacy agency, here.
About Eran Amir
With more than 20 years of experience in technology and management, Eran Amir has worked as a software development executive and product management executive for companies in Israel and the Greater New York Area. He also served as a major in the Israeli Defense Forces for five years, which refined and enhanced his leadership, strategy, and communication skills.
The development of GoStork combines his talents in technology and management with a personal mission. After undergoing a long, difficult, and costly process to expand his own family via surrogacy, Amir vowed to help other intended parents avoid the complexity and confusion he experienced. His passion led to the creation of GoStork, which proudly names Amir’s two-year-old daughter as its co-founder.
