Navigating Surrogacy: Costs, Timelines, and Celebrity Journeys with Stephanie Levich
In an era where personal journeys are increasingly shared, the path to parenthood through surrogacy is gaining prominence, particularly among high-profile individuals. Yet, for many, the intricate process and substantial costs remain largely a mystery. Stephanie Levich, the seasoned founder and president of Family Match Consulting, sheds light on this transformative experience, revealing that the journey can entail an investment upwards of $200,000 and typically spans 18 to 24 months.
The Financial and Time Commitment
Levich, who boasts over two decades of experience in the field, exclusively tells PEOPLE that while the overall cost varies, an “all-in” estimate for surrogacy in the U.S. today hovers around $200,000. This significant figure encompasses a multitude of essential components, including surrogate compensation, agency fees, legal services, insurance-related expenses, escrow management, comprehensive surrogate screening, medication, and various medical costs. For clients engaging Family Match Consulting’s full support package, which commences at $40,000 (beyond a standard search fee of approximately $4,850), the total investment can escalate to an estimated $215,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the level of specialized assistance required. Levich emphasizes that her firm also guides clients through strategies to potentially mitigate these expenses.
The timeline for welcoming a child via surrogacy is equally detailed. Levich outlines a typical progression: “If all goes well, we match clients with a surrogate within about three months. From there, it’s usually four to six months until there’s a pregnancy, and then a pregnancy.” This means that from the initial decision to pursue surrogacy until a baby is cradled in their parents’ arms, the process generally takes between 18 to 24 months.
Family Match Consulting: Your Surrogacy Navigator
As a “project manager” for intended parents, Family Match Consulting acts as a crucial navigator through this complex landscape. Levich’s team meticulously coordinates with a network of professionals, including mental health specialists, attorneys, insurance brokers, and escrow providers, ensuring every aspect of the journey is professionally managed.
Celebrities Embracing Surrogacy
Levich’s expertise has been sought by a distinguished roster of celebrities, including pop superstar Meghan Trainor and her husband Daryl Sabara, socialite and entrepreneur Paris Hilton and Carter Reum, sports commentator Erin Andrews, television host Maria Menounos, and Grammy-winning artist John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. These public figures, like many others, turn to surrogacy driven by the universal desire to build a family.
Meghan Trainor, the 32-year-old “All About That Bass” singer, and her 33-year-old “Spy Kids” actor husband, Daryl Sabara, recently welcomed their third child, a daughter, via surrogate on January 18, 2026. However, Trainor’s open sharing of her post-birth experience, including skin-to-skin contact with her newborn, sparked unwarranted criticism. Levich expressed her frustration over the backlash, clarifying that “Skin-to-skin is widely recognized as best practice for newborn regulation and for bonding, and that doesn’t change in a surrogacy birth.”
Reducing the Stigma Through Transparency
Ultimately, Levich champions greater transparency, particularly from public figures, as a vital step in reducing the stigma associated with surrogacy. “When people are open about it, it makes others feel like this is a path they can explore,” she states. “The more we talk about it, the more that stigma is reduced.” For those contemplating this challenging yet rewarding journey, her advice is clear and concise: “Just start the conversation.”
