The world of surrogacy in the United States is experiencing many changes in 2025. New laws, shifts in medical practices, and changing demographics are all impacting the industry. Let’s break down what’s happening right now with surrogacy in the US and what it means for future intended parents and surrogates.
What’s Shaping Surrogacy in 2025?
Things are changing fast, and there are several key trends we’re seeing right now:
New Laws and How They’re Different Across the US
Recent research from SurrogateFirst shows that the laws are getting more and more complicated. It’s not the same across the board— each state has its own rules.
- “Personhood” Laws: About a third of states now have laws giving fetuses legal rights.
- IVF and Surrogacy: Some states have even made laws about “personhood” that affect IVF and surrogacy, making things more difficult.
- Cross-State Arrangements: Because the laws are so different, many people who want to become parents are looking at options in other states. This adds another layer of complexity.
These changes are often based on different political and religious views about when life begins. In 2024, there was a lot of discussion surrounding the Catholic Church’s stance. Pope Francis publicly reiterated the church’s opposition to surrogacy, describing it as a violation of a child’s dignity and an exploitation of women. While the Catholic Church’s views are not law, they do influence policy and public opinion in many areas. This has resulted in more legal and social challenges for families using assisted reproduction.
Surrogates: Still Committed to Helping Families
Despite all these changes in the law, surrogates are still very committed to helping families:
- Strong Desire to Help: 68% of surrogates say they’re just as determined to help families as ever.
- Increased Motivation: 43% feel even more motivated to help families in need due to current events.
- Few Direct Issues: Only 9% of surrogates have had problems because of recent changes in the law.
- No Major Delays: None of the surrogates said they’ve completely put off their decision to be a surrogate due to the recent rulings, indicating how committed they are.
This is reassuring because, even with all of the new challenges, the people who choose to be surrogates are still focused on helping families.
How Intended Parents Are Being Affected
The changes that are happening have also created some new challenges for people who are hoping to become parents:
- More Barriers: 30% of intended parents have said that they’ve run into more roadblocks than before.
- Higher Costs: About 50% of intended parents are struggling with increased costs.
- More Stress: Over 67% of intended parents are feeling more stressed and worried.
- Putting IVF on Hold: 18% have had to put off IVF treatments.
- Delaying Surrogacy: 20% are putting their plans to use a surrogate on hold.
It’s a difficult situation right now, as these families have to overcome new challenges that make the journey to parenthood even more difficult.
Challenges for Same-Sex Couples
The recent changes are hitting same-sex couples especially hard:
- Extreme Concern: 67% of same-sex couples are very worried about the impact on IVF and surrogacy.
- More Worried About Laws: Same-sex couples are twice as likely to be worried about new laws as heterosexual couples.
- Surrogates See Impact: 51% of surrogates believe that same-sex intended parents will be the most affected.
This is concerning because it shows how the changes are impacting specific groups. They’re facing increased difficulties while trying to achieve their dream of having a family.
The Rising Cost of Surrogacy
What It Costs Now
The financial side of surrogacy keeps changing, too:
- Rising Costs: The overall costs are predicted to increase by 20-25% by the end of 2025, making surrogacy harder to access for some.
- Insurance Problems: Insurance costs are going up, and coverage is getting worse, which can leave families to deal with more costs out-of-pocket.
- Higher Compensation: Surrogates are also getting more money to recognize the increased risks and challenges, which adds more to the overall price.
- Legal Fees: The legal stuff is getting more complicated, so that means more legal expenses.
All of these elements mean the whole process can be even more expensive for those considering surrogacy.
Employer Support
A good trend is that employers are starting to help with fertility costs:
- More Corporate Support: More companies are offering benefits for starting a family.
- Surrogacy Coverage: Some companies are even offering specific coverage for surrogacy.
- Employee Benefits: Companies are finding that these kinds of benefits help with employee satisfaction and also in attracting and retaining workers.
This growing trend shows that employers are recognizing the importance of supporting employees with family-building.
What to Keep in Mind for 2025
Here are some things to consider if you’re looking at surrogacy:
For Intended Parents
- Plan Ahead: Start planning early and make a clear plan for your finances.
- Know Your Laws: Research the specific laws in your state.
- Check Your Benefits: Look into any employer benefits that might help.
- Work With Experts: Find an agency that has lots of experience with cross-state arrangements.
- Be Flexible: Be ready to adjust your plans if laws change.
For Surrogates
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the specific laws in your state.
- Choose Reputable Agencies: Work with agencies that focus on protecting surrogates.
- Get Legal Help: Have a good legal representation that understands surrogacy.
- Know Your Rights: Understand your medical decision-making rights.
- Keep Talking: Have open and honest conversations with the intended parents about your concerns and expectations.
Conclusion
Surrogacy in 2025 definitely has its share of challenges, but it also shows just how strong the desire to create families is. The people acting as surrogates are still very dedicated, and there are more support systems and more awareness for those who want to become parents. If you’re considering surrogacy, it’s very important to plan carefully, do lots of research, and work with experts who can guide you through the complicated system of laws.
This article gives you a look at the current state of surrogacy in 2025, based on research and current trends. Things can change quickly, so it’s important to stay informed and to have the right people helping you to navigate this journey.
