SILK Medical IVF ProgramsWhen couples start exploring surrogacy, one of the first things they ask (sometimes even before medical or legal questions), is how payments are structured. People want to understand what gets paid at each step, why certain stages are non-refundable, and how delays or unexpected events are handled.
SILK Medical works with a stage-based pricing model that follows the actual flow of a surrogacy program. Payments are linked to concrete medical and logistical milestones rather than abstract billing dates. This approach avoids ambiguity and makes the financial side easier to track from the start.
Why Payments Are Split Into Stages
Each surrogacy program at SILK Medical is divided into three main stages. These stages mirror real progress in the program. When intended parents sign the contract, the first set of payments covers all the medical and administrative work required to prepare for the embryo transfer. That includes egg donor medication and compensation (if applicable), sperm collection, embryo creation, PGT-A testing, and finding and screening a surrogate mother.
The second payment is due around the 12th week of pregnancy. By that time, pregnancy has been confirmed and ongoing care begins. This includes medical monitoring, accommodation, and monthly surrogate compensation.
The final payment is due when the surrogate is hospitalized for delivery. This stage covers childbirth assistance, final compensation, and legal documentation related to the birth certificate and parental registration.
This structure makes sure intended parents aren’t overpaying upfront and only fund the next phase once the program reaches key milestones.
The First Payment Is More Than a Deposit
This is where most misunderstandings happen. The first installment, paid upon contract signing, is not a deposit that “reserves your spot.” It’s an activation payment that covers actual services and costs from day one. Egg donor compensation is paid out. Medications are ordered. Embryologists begin the fertilization process. The surrogate search is launched. All of these things have irreversible costs attached.
For that reason, this payment is non-refundable. Even if a patient decides to delay or cancel, many of the services have already been rendered or committed. This is simply how the medical and logistical process functions in real life.
What Each Stage Includes
Stage One is the busiest and most technical. It typically includes all the IVF-related work (retrieval, fertilization, PGT-A, embryo freezing), donor and surrogate screening, and up to three embryo transfers depending on the program.
Stage Two kicks in when a clinical pregnancy is confirmed. At this point, the surrogate is receiving medical care, accommodation, monthly compensation, and pregnancy monitoring. This stage is timed around the 12th week because that’s when surrogate expenses start increasing significantly.
Stage Three is due once the surrogate is admitted for delivery. This payment covers final surrogate compensation, hospital stay, and all legal documentation, including birth certificate assistance, translations, and notary work.
If the Program Pauses
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. An embryo may not implant. A pregnancy might be lost. New embryos might need to be created. This is exactly why SILK Medical uses a staged model instead of collecting full payment upfront.
If the program is paused, the contract remains valid. A new surrogate match at conditions outlined within each particular program. If it’s due to medical necessity, this is arranged at no extra cost. The only exception is if a patient voluntarily decides to change the surrogate without medical justification. In that case, a new contract is drafted and the legal processing fee is applied
Additional embryo transfers beyond those included are available at a fixed price and can be done as soon as new embryos are ready, either from SILK Medical’s lab or from another clinic via shipment.
Not Just Numbers on a Spreadsheet
Paying for a surrogacy program isn’t like booking a hotel or shopping online. You’re entering a multi-step medical, legal, and human process. And at every step, real work is being done, real people are being compensated, and real outcomes are being pursued.
That’s why SILK Medical has structured its programs the way it has. Not to protect the clinic, but to protect the program and the intended parents.
If you’re considering a surrogacy program and want to understand the full picture, please drop us a line. Our team will explain what happens if things need to pause, or what documents you’ll receive at each payment milestone.
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