Surrogacy in Russia Cost

Surrogacy is increasingly becoming an accessible fertility treatment that is used by those who cannot get pregnant or carry a pregnancy. This includes people who have had multiple pregnancy loss or failed IVF cycles, same-sex couples or single females who desire to start their own family. An intented couple might choose to do surrogacy in Russia when considering cost if it is favourable.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a treatment where an individual who is referred to as a surrogate agrees to carry a pregnancy to term and deliver it, for a couple who are not able to conceive through the natural process, or an individual that desires their own family. They are referred to as intended parents or parents if it is an individual. Before the surrogacy happens, there is a surrogacy agreement, which is a binding contract that defines the terms of the surrogacy. In the document, the surrogate agrees to hand over the child after birth to the intended parents and in return, the intended parents give their consent to take custody of the child after delivery. 

There are also responsibilities that the intended parents owe the surrogate and cannot refuse to carry out because of the severe consequences that follow. Since the surrogacy laws vary from country to country, individuals who find themselves in countries with unfavourable surrogacy laws can seek the service abroad. This can be a form of overseas medical treatment or medical tourism, and they are offered by some medical health travel agencies. This is usually seen as a form of health tourism or medical tourism.

What are the types of surrogacy that exist in Russia?

Surrogacy may either be gestational or traditional, the couple will choose either depending on various factors like circumstance, financial plan, surrogacy laws in the country of residence or choice and the availability of factors that may facilitate the process.

Gestational surrogacy 

This is where the eggs that are used for surrogacy are either gotten from the intended parents or a donor. The sperm and the donated eggs are then mixed, leading to them being fertilized. The resulting embryos are then grown for a few days in the lab, where some tests are carried out on them before being transferred to the surrogate, and she subsequently becomes pregnant. She then carries the pregnancy for nine months, delivers the child, and subsequently relinquishes any rights to the child after delivery to the intended parents.

This type of surrogacy ensures that the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate. This type of surrogacy is widely practised by surrogacy agencies and medical health travel agencies because there are fewer legal complications than the other types of surrogacy. The intended parents become the legal parents of the child, and the surrogate has no right to the child after the end of the treatment. 

Traditional surrogacy 

This type of surrogacy involves an egg from the chosen surrogate being fertilized with sperm from an intended parent of the baby. The surrogate is artificially inseminated with the sperm. After the treatment, she carries the pregnancy to term and gives birth to the intended parents. This means that the baby is genetically related to the surrogate, and the father shares genetic ties with the surrogate; that is if his sperm was used in the fertilization. It is not popular because in the case the surrogate changes her mind, she can legally claim the child due to that genetic relationship. 

How is a surrogate mother chosen in Russia?

Before a surrogate mother is chosen for the process, comprehensive medical testing is carried out in order to ensure that the individual is healthy and fit for the process. This is to ensure that the surrogate can get and stay pregnant and can carry the pregnancy to term and deliver successfully. Some of the criteria that are used to find the best surrogate include:

• The surrogate must have healthy reproductive health
• She should be between the ages of 22-39 years
• She must not be addicted to smoking or drugs or be an alcoholic
• She should be free from any diseases and not have a poor medical history
• She must have had at least one successful pregnancy before
• She must also have good psychological and mental health

What is the cost of surrogacy in Russia?

Since surrogacy is quite affordable in Russia, many patients from other developed countries choose Russia in order to receive both surrogacy and fertility treatment. Depending on the region of the country where the service is accessed, the type of surrogacy, and the agency that was chosen for the service, the cost of surrogacy ranges between 30-50 thousand dollars. This is the most economical price range that may be found in Russia. 

What is the surrogacy process in Russia?

For a couple that is seeking surrogacy in Russia, it is important to be aware of the proper steps to take to achieve it. The steps include:

The initial consultation 

This is just after the couple has decided to get surrogacy, they then choose a medical health travel agency or a meditour agency. The agency will schedule a consultation for them where the medical, legal, financial and emotional implications of their choice are discussed. They are also offered suitable advice on how to proceed with the surrogacy process.

Find an egg or sperm donor where appropriate 

The agency should be able to source egg or sperm donors where they are required, through their partner clinics or their services.

Choosing a surrogate 

This is a vital step in the surrogacy process, and it is a deeply personal process. The intended parents may have a deep connection with their surrogate, or they may choose to source her through reputable channels to reduce their contact. The agency will offer support, advice and help in choosing the right surrogate for the intended parents. However, the intended parents need to take some time to get to know the surrogate, ensuring that they are the right fit for them and also hashing out every legal detail.

Fertilization and embryo transfer 

This occurs after all the medical tests on both the surrogate and the intended parents to ensure that they are fit and healthy enough for the process. The surrogate, an egg donor or the intended parents are given medication that will help develop multiple follicles, and an egg retrieval process is then done. The eggs are then fertilized in the lab to create an embryo. The embryo is grown for some days and then transferred to the surrogate.

Pregnancy and birth of the child 

After about nine months, the surrogate will deliver the child. Most intended parents will want to be at the hospital during the delivery. After the birth, the surrogate is discharged and can return home, accompanied by the intended parents.

Transfer of legal parenthood 

After the birth, the intended parents will likely apply for a parental order to transfer legal parenthood for the surrogate to the intended parents. This is usually with the consent of the surrogate. It will usually be a straightforward process with the right preparation and legal advice.