Do Surrogates Still Get Paid If They Miscarry?

Miscarriage is a heartbreaking reality of pregnancy — and it can happen in surrogacy, too. Understandably, one of the most sensitive questions women considering surrogacy ask is: do surrogates get paid if they miscarry?

 

Regardless of the outcome, a surrogate dedicates her body, time, and care to carry a baby for another family, and that commitment is honored with fair compensation — even if a loss occurs. While surrogates do not receive the full compensation that would come with a completed pregnancy, they are paid even if a surrogacy miscarriage occurs.

 

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we believe it is truly remarkable to even consider becoming a surrogate. Our priority is to ensure that every surrogate feels supported, respected, and deeply valued—no matter what the journey looks like. Surrogacy is rarely simple or linear, but we are profoundly grateful for the extraordinary gift you offer simply by choosing to take this step.

 

Understanding Surrogate Compensation Basics

Before exploring the details of how surrogates get paid if they miscarry, it helps to understand how the payment usually works. Surrogate compensation isn’t handed as a lump sum; instead, it’s structured in monthly payments to reflect the different steps and commitments of the journey.

 

Most surrogates receive:

 

• Pre-pregnancy payments — covering things like medical screenings, medications, and embryo transfer.
• Pregnancy payments — installments of base compensation that begin once a heartbeat is confirmed and continue monthly through a healthy pregnancy.
• Additional allowances — such as maternity clothing, travel expenses, or reimbursements for lost wages.

This structure ensures that surrogates are truly supported from the very beginning — not just once a baby is born. It also provides a foundation of clarity so that, if a surrogacy miscarriage occurs, everyone knows what has already been covered and how future compensation will be handled.

 

What Happens if a Surrogate Has a Miscarriage During the Process?

While miscarriage is always a heartbreaking possibility, it’s important to know that surrogacy pregnancies are carefully supported and monitored from the very beginning. Every surrogate goes through a thorough screening process — including medical evaluations, pregnancy history review, and lifestyle assessments — before she is ever matched with intended parents. Because of this, the risk of a surrogacy miscarriage is actually lower than in the general population.

 

Still, miscarriage can happen for reasons no one can control. If a surrogate pregnancy does end in loss, she receives compassionate medical care and emotional support, and the intended parents are also guided through their next steps. Compensation up to that point is honored, and if all parties decide to try again, payments typically resume once a new pregnancy is confirmed.

 

Does the Surrogate Still Get Paid After a Miscarriage?

Compensation during surrogacy is carefully structured to support the surrogates at every stage of the journey while it continues. Even if a surrogacy miscarriage occurs, the surrogate is still compensated for the time, effort, and medical procedures she has already completed.

 

Typically, payments pause after a miscarriage, since the base compensation is tied to carrying the pregnancy forward. However, if both the surrogate and the intended parents decide to try again, the compensation resumes with the next attempt once a pregnancy is confirmed.

 

It’s important to know that these details are always fully addressed in the legal contract before the process begins. Exactly what happens if a surrogate has a miscarriage, and how surrogates get paid if they miscarry, is clarified in every surrogate contract. Every surrogate is provided with legal counsel who protects her interests and explains every facet of the agreement, so she can feel confident and secure moving forward in this process. 

 

Honoring Surrogates Through Every Step of the Process

No matter the outcome of a pregnancy, surrogates deserve respect, care, and recognition for the extraordinary gift they’ve offered. A surrogacy miscarriage is never a reflection of the surrogate’s effort, commitment, or worth — it is simply one of the risks of pregnancy that can’t always be prevented.

 

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we believe compensation is just one way of honoring our surrogates. We consider the emotional support we provide at every step, and the incredible community of surrogates that welcomes them to be just as vital. We never leave a surrogate to navigate the challenges of pregnancy — or its loss — on their own. Instead, we embrace them with compassion, professional support, and genuine care.

 

For our intended parents, they are comforted knowing their surrogate is valued not just for carrying their child, but for the courage, empathy, and generosity she brings to the process. And for our surrogates, they feel seen and celebrated every step of the way — whether the journey ends with delivery or requires a new beginning.

 

What the Surrogacy Contract Usually Covers

Before any medical steps begin, surrogates and intended parents sign a detailed legal agreement that protects the rights of all involved. This contract ensures everyone understands how compensation, medical expenses, and unexpected situations — including a surrogacy miscarriage — will be handled.

 

Each surrogate has her own independent legal counsel, provided at no cost, so she enters the journey fully informed and supported.

 

The surrogacy contract should cover:

 

• Compensation structure — how and when payments are made
• Medical costs — all pregnancy-related expenses are covered by the intended parents
• Plans for miscarriage or complications — outlining how to handle complications and what happens if the surrogate has a miscarriage
• Future attempts — how compensation resumes if both parties choose to try again

A clear legal contract provides peace of mind, allowing surrogates and intended parents to begin the journey with trust and confidence.

 

Honoring Surrogates Through Every Step of the Process

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we honor our surrogates not only for the babies they help bring into the world, but for the strength, commitment, and heart they devote to the journey. Whether the path ends with delivery or a new beginning after loss, we embrace our surrogates with compassion and gratitude.

 

If you feel called to surrogacy, we would love to talk with you — and we will ensure you are protected every step of the way.