How do I find a surrogate mother?

My wife and I live in Florida. Multi-part question:



1) I need information on finding a surrogate mother and egg. Wife has had a tubal ligation, and I understand it may be impossible to now harvest her eggs (please correct me on this point if I am incorrect).



2) What are the costs associated with surrogacy?



3) Do I place an ad? Find an agency? How does surrogacy work?



Thank you for your help, I am very confused.How do I find a surrogate mother?
1) She *might* be able to use her eggs. A fertility specialist would need to check her egg reserve (usually done with a blood test), if it is good, she can take IVF medications to grow multiple follicles and once they mature, they can put her under anesthesia and remove them. If she can produce eggs AND has a healthy uterus, she could carry them herself and NOT use a surrogate at all! There is also the possibility of using an egg donor and allowing your wife to go through IVF and carry a child to term. These are all things that you can both disuss with a fertility specialist.



2) The cost for surrogacy varies - I have heard estimates of $40,000 and up (seriously up to $100,000)- this includes things like the actual IVF process (testing, monitoring, medications and procedure), agency fee, contracts, lawyers, health care for the surrogate, maternity expenses, hospital, birthing etc . . . If your wife can carry the child using IVF (you do not need fallopian tubes for IVF), then you would have costs of approximately $12 - 16,000 for the IVF.



3) I would recommend going with an agency - see below for some links. Another good place to start would be with your local fertility clinic / center. They can start by checking her tubes to see if a reversal is possible, see if she can use her own eggs . . . and discuss the possibility of your wife carrying the child and not needing a surrogate. They can also point you in the right direction if you do opt to go with a surrogate.



Good luck!How do I find a surrogate mother?
1) Not sure if her eggs cannot be harvested- may need to speak with fertility specialist.

2) It depends, using the surrogate's egg may be more expensive.

3) Find an agency, they have lawyers and contracts and know what they are doing.

Good Luck~