Do Surrogates Get Paid More For Twins?

When it comes to surrogacy, intended parents often have many questions—not just about the surrogacy process itself, but also about the costs involved and how surrogates get paid. One of the most common questions is about twins: Do surrogates get paid more for twins? Since surrogacy is both a deeply emotional and highly complex medical journey, understanding these details early can help intended parents set clear expectations. Today, I’m going to walk you through this question, as well as discuss the financial and practical realities of twin pregnancies in surrogacy.

Do Surrogates Get Paid More For Twins

The short answer is yes—surrogates typically get paid more for carrying multiples such as twins. This is because carrying twins comes with additional risks and physical demands compared to a singleton pregnancy. Surrogate pay structures often include “twin compensation” or an extra stipend on top of the base pay, which recognizes the higher level of commitment and potential health complications associated with carrying multiples.

For intended parents, understanding surrogate compensation is essential when mapping out surrogacy journeys. Not only does it help you budget realistically, but it also ensures that surrogate mothers feel supported and valued for the increased challenges of carrying multiples.

In this post, I’ll break down not only whether surrogates get paid more for twins, but also explore related questions like whether you can choose to have twins, what the average cost of surrogacy for twins looks like, and what specific factors can add to the overall cost. This information is especially valuable for intended parents who want to plan carefully and fully understand the surrogacy process from beginning to end.

Can You Choose to Have Twins Through Surrogacy

This is a big question that comes up frequently. While many intended parents might hope for twins to “complete their family” in a single surrogacy journey, the decision isn’t entirely up to personal preference. Twin pregnancies in surrogacy typically result from transferring more than one embryo during embryo transfer.

However, fertility specialists often advise caution here. Carrying multiples increases risks for both the surrogate mother and the babies, including preterm birth, higher rates of cesarean delivery, and more intensive medical procedures. While experienced surrogates may be open to carrying multiples, many clinics and surrogacy agencies set clear guidelines to protect the surrogate’s health. Today, many agencies are choosing to operate as “SET only”, or Single Embryo Transfer only, meaning that they will not facilitate journeys for parents looking to implant more than one embryo.

Your surrogacy agency and medical team will walk you through recommendations and what’s safest for everyone involved. If you’re curious about how embryos are transferred and the steps leading up to this point, you may find my earlier post on what is gestational surrogacy process helpful.

How Much Is Surrogacy For Twins

On average, surrogacy for twins tends to cost more than a singleton journey because of increased surrogate compensation and higher medical costs. The base compensation for a surrogate might start at around $50,000 for a singleton, but with twins and multiples, there is usually an added bonus of $5,000 to $10,000 per additional fetus (or more depending on the agency and the surrogate’s experience level).

Beyond surrogate pay, the overall cost of twin surrogacy can rise significantly when you factor in additional medical screening, maternity clothing allowances, lost wages if bedrest is required, and higher insurance premiums. The total surrogacy package for twins may end up being around $180,000 to $200,000, though the actual figure depends on many variables.

Let’s break down the Cost of Surrogacy for Twins in more detail.

Cost of Surrogacy for Twins

Increased Surrogate Compensation

Surrogates get paid more for twins because carrying multiples involves more physical strain, more medical appointments, and a higher risk of complications. This increase is often referred to as a “multiples fee” and is part of the surrogate’s compensation package.

Medical Procedures and Screenings

From more frequent ultrasounds to additional medical interventions, twin pregnancies require closer monitoring. Fertility clinics and OB offices may need to schedule extra checkups, bloodwork, and even emergency care if complications arise. All of these medical procedures add to the overall surrogacy cost.

Health Insurance

Not all health insurance policies automatically cover twin pregnancies within surrogacy arrangements. In some cases, intended parents may need to purchase supplemental insurance for the surrogate, which can significantly raise expenses.

Lost Wages and Bedrest

Carrying multiples often means more time off work for the surrogate. Legal contracts usually include provisions for lost wages if the surrogate needs to reduce work hours or go on bedrest. This is another factor that contributes to higher costs in twin surrogacy journeys.

Maternity Clothing and Allowances

Many compensation packages include a maternity clothing allowance, which may be higher for twin pregnancies since the surrogate begins showing earlier and needs more supportive clothing.

Legal Contracts and Administrative Costs

A twin pregnancy may also require additional clauses in the surrogacy contract to account for different outcomes, medical scenarios, or delivery plans. Experienced surrogates and their attorneys often negotiate these specifics to ensure everything is clearly covered.

While surrogacy is always a significant financial and emotional commitment, planning for twins requires an even greater degree of preparation. Yes, surrogates do get paid more for twins, and the overall surrogacy cost increases accordingly. But with the right planning, legal contracts, medical support, and open communication, many intended parents find the journey incredibly rewarding.

If you’re considering twin surrogacy, remember that every journey is unique. Your surrogacy agency, legal team, and medical professionals will guide you through the process, helping you understand surrogate compensation, base pay, and the many variables that affect the total cost. Ultimately, the surrogacy process is about building families in the most safe, thoughtful, and supportive way possible—for both intended parents and surrogate mothers.