Compare the total financial costs of building your family through surrogacy, adoption, or IVF treatments. This calculator helps you understand expenses across all three paths and make informed decisions.
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Personal & Location Information
IVF Costs
IVF involves hormone stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. Multiple cycles may be needed.
Adoption Costs
Adoption includes agency fees, legal fees, home study, and potential travel. Expenses vary by type (domestic, international, foster).
Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy involves surrogate compensation, medical care, legal fees, and agency coordination. Costs are typically highest.
Financial Assistance
Your Family Building Cost Analysis
Total Cost Comparison
Path
Gross Cost
Financial Assistance
Net Cost
Timeline
Success Rate
IVF
$0
$0
$0
12-24 months
40-50%
Adoption
$0
$0
$0
1-3 years
100%*
Surrogacy
$0
$0
$0
18-24 months
60-75%
Cost Breakdown by Path
IVF Details
Procedure Costs (cycles × cost)$0
Medications$0
Genetic Testing$0
Frozen Storage$0
Travel$0
Total$0
Adoption Details
Agency Fees$0
Legal Fees$0
Home Study$0
Travel$0
Other$0
Total$0
Surrogacy Details
Surrogate Compensation$0
Agency Fees$0
Medical/Insurance$0
IVF Costs$0
Escrow/Legal$0
Travel & Other$0
Total$0
Financial Impact Summary
Understanding Family Building Costs
What are the main paths to building a family? Couples and individuals who cannot conceive naturally often consider three main paths: IVF (in vitro fertilization), adoption, or surrogacy. Each path has distinct medical, legal, emotional, and financial components. Understanding costs helps with planning and decision-making.
Overview of the Three Paths
1. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
IVF involves extracting eggs, fertilizing them outside the body, and transferring embryos to the uterus. It's the most common fertility treatment for couples experiencing infertility.
Typical costs: $12,000–$18,000 per cycle; $3,000–$5,000 for medications per cycle; Often requires 2–3 cycles for success.
Success rates: 40–50% per cycle for women under 35; declines with age.
Timeline: 2–3 weeks per cycle; typical treatment is 3–6 months to over a year for multiple cycles.
2. Adoption
Adoption involves working with an agency or attorney to match with a child. Types include domestic infant, foster-to-adopt, and international adoption.
Typical costs: $8,000–$40,000 depending on type; domestic infant typically $20,000–$35,000; international can be $25,000–$45,000.
Success rate: Near 100% once matched; uncertainty is pre-matching.
Timeline: 1–3 years from start of process to placement.
3. Surrogacy
Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a pregnancy for the intended parents. Can be traditional (surrogate's egg) or gestational (intended parents' egg/sperm).
Typical costs: $90,000–$130,000; includes surrogate compensation ($30,000–$45,000), medical care, legal work, and agency coordination.
Success rate: 60–75% (success of embryo implantation in healthy surrogate).
Timeline: 18–24 months from agency matching to birth.
Detailed Cost Comparison
Cost Component
IVF
Domestic Adoption
International Adoption
Gestational Surrogacy
Primary Procedure/Compensation
$14,000/cycle (2 cycles typical)
$2,000–$8,000
Variable by country
$30,000–$45,000
Medical/Medications
$3,000–$5,000/cycle
Home study only (~$2,000)
Foreign medical eval.
$12,000–$20,000
Legal
Not needed (minimal)
$3,000–$8,000
$5,000–$10,000
$2,000–$8,000
Agency Fees
None (clinic-based)
$5,000–$10,000
$8,000–$15,000
$8,000–$15,000
Travel
$500–$2,000
$500–$2,000
$2,000–$10,000
$1,000–$3,000
Total (First Path)
$30,000–$50,000
$15,000–$35,000
$25,000–$50,000
$80,000–$120,000
Financial Assistance & Tax Benefits
Employer Assistance
Many employers offer fertility benefits, adoption assistance, or surrogacy support:
Fertility treatment coverage through health insurance
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for fertility costs
Surrogacy stipends or benefit programs
Tax Benefits
Adoption tax credit (up to $14,890 in 2024 for federal; varies by state)
Employer-provided adoption assistance (up to $14,890 tax-free)
FSA contributions reduce taxable income for fertility costs
No federal tax credit for IVF or surrogacy (varies by state)
Worked Example: The Garcia Family
Scenario: Maria and Juan Garcia want to start a family but have been unable to conceive. They have insurance that covers some fertility treatment and an employer adoption benefit of $5,000. They want to compare costs.
IVF Path:
Procedure: 2 cycles × $14,000 = $28,000
Medications: 2 cycles × $3,500 = $7,000
Testing & Travel: $1,500
Total: $36,500
Insurance Coverage (est): -$8,000
Net Cost: $28,500
Adoption Path:
Agency: $8,000
Legal: $3,500
Home Study: $2,000
Travel: $1,500
Other: $1,000
Total: $16,000
Employer Assistance: -$5,000
Adoption Tax Credit: -$14,890
Net Cost (after tax credit): -$3,890 (actually saves money on taxes!)
Outcome: Adoption is significantly cheaper for the Garcias due to the tax credit, with an actual net savings. However, timeline and agency availability matter in their decision.
Important Considerations & Limitations
Insurance Variability: Fertility coverage ranges from none to comprehensive; most coverage is limited. Check your policy.
Success Rate Impact: Higher success rates (age, health) reduce total cost by needing fewer cycles.
Multiple Children: Cost per additional child is lower with frozen embryos from IVF; higher for adoption/surrogacy if new process.
Emotional Costs: This calculator covers finances only; emotional, time, and relationship costs vary significantly.
Legal Variability: Surrogacy and adoption laws differ by state and country. Some require specific legal structures.
Medical Risks: IVF and surrogacy have medical risks; adoption has different risk profile (unknown health history).
Timeline Uncertainty: All timelines are estimates; actual timelines vary greatly.
International Considerations: International adoption has variable costs, immigration considerations, and country-specific regulations.
State Tax Credits: Some states offer additional adoption or fertility tax credits not included here.
Financing Options: Many clinics and agencies offer payment plans or financing; interest costs not calculated here.
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