Compensated Surrogacy vs. Altruistic Surrogacy

Undoubtedly, surrogates are considered some of the most selfless and caring individuals one can expect to come across in their lifetime. Likewise, you won’t meet anyone quite as patient and kind as an intended parent. The players in any surrogacy journey are, certainly, some of the finest people you’ll come to meet, no matter what type of surrogacy journey they may be on.

What are the different types of surrogacy might there be, you may ask? There’s more to it than you might think. At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada, we will be delving into compensated surrogacy vs altruistic surrogacy. We’ll be going over the definitions of each, and what you can expect the pros and cons to be for each type of surrogacy.

What is Compensated Surrogacy?

Also called “commercial surrogacy,” compensated surrogacy is generally applied to a surrogate who receives compensation for her services, to some degree, further than medical expenses that occur throughout the pregnancy.

Pros to Compensated Surrogacy

We don’t have to tell you — surrogacy is an expensive venture. With all of the medical visits that are made throughout a pregnancy, costs do tend to stack up. For gestational surrogates, being compensated for all of these visits, and any surprises that may come about during their surrogacy journey, relieves the monetary stress that often accompanies pregnancy. And, as we can likely all attest, with the ease of monetary stress comes the ease of general stress. 

Another benefit to compensated surrogacy? There are more steps in place to ensure that all involved in the gestational surrogacy journey are protected. As you are likely already aware, when you begin your own surrogacy journey, you and your eventual match undergo numerous evaluations, background checks. This ensures that whomever you are matched with is a safe and reliable person to be sharing your journey with. 

Cons to Compensated Surrogacy

When you enter into a compensated surrogacy, you start at square one. This means that you’ll be going through an agency, going through all of the background checks and evaluations, the matching process, etc. It is definitely a waiting game. If you aren’t someone who would define themselves as a patient person, then you may want to consider if compensated surrogacy is the right choice for you to take.

What is Altruistic Surrogacy?

On the other side of the coin, altruistic surrogacy refers to those gestational surrogates who carry for intended parents without any monetary compensation. Oftentimes, the surrogate that is found in an altruistic surrogacy is close to the intended parents they carry for (family member, close friend, etc.)

Pros to Altruistic Surrogacy

One immediate benefit to altruistic surrogacy that may come to mind is that you already share a relationship with your “match.” Whether they’re a family member or a close friend, clearly you share a bond unlike any other. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be sharing this experience with them, would you?

Another pro to altruistic surrogacy? There aren’t quite as many as many hoops to jump through and hurdles to jump over. Since you know your match very well, you know their story, and you trust them. The evaluations, the home visits, and the background checks are all unneeded. 

Cons to Altruistic Surrogacy

The relationship you share with your intended parents is truly one-of-a-kind. Particularly in an altruistic surrogacy, you know your match better than, quite possibly, anyone. However, as is true with any large change to any relationship, there is the possibility that it could become strained. After all, regardless of how close you have become, or already are, to your match, an agreement to surrogacy is a very big deal. There will be ups and there will be downs unlike anything you may have come across before, especially if you and your match have not discussed any potential issues that may come up. 

Compensated Surrogacy vs. Altruistic Surrogacy

As you can see, there is much more to gestational surrogacy than you may have originally thought! You may find yourself favoring altruistic to compensated surrogacy, or vice versa, after reading this blog. Which do you prefer? Were there any pros or cons for each type of surrogacy that you think should have been listed? Let us know in our comments section! 

If you’re ready to get started on your own gestational surrogacy journey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are available to you by email, via telephone, social media, ZOOM, and our instant messaging system found on our website. Wherever your comfort level lies, we have your back!

Be safe and be well, friends!

Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. For information specific to Las Vegas, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Las Vegas. For information specific to Reno, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. You can also call us to speak to someone now.
Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-738-4673 (Elko) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).

Meet the Author: Mallorey English is an aspiring proofreader and editor. She’s completed a couple of online courses through Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and has used her education to help edit her mother’s inspirational book, Monday Motivation: 52 Weeks of Inspiration to Keep Moving in 2018 and running blog Life Up and Running. She hopes to one day become a full time freelance editor. 

When she isn’t working, Mallorey can be found on a yoga mat, crafting a new project, or watching her favorite movies. She currently resides in northern Nevada with her husband and hopes to add on to their family in the near future.