Childcare needed for surrogacy appointments, travel, transfer, delivery, recovery, or a doctor-ordered restriction is often paid from the journey’s expense fund—but only when the signed contract includes it and the request follows its rules.
Do not assume every babysitting hour is covered. Ask which events qualify, the hourly or daily limit, who may provide care, and whether approval is required before you hire someone.
Lucia could attend the clinic—but school pickup was the problem
Lucia’s monitoring appointment was at 7:15 a.m. The clinic was 50 minutes away, and her husband started work at 6:30. The appointment itself lasted less than an hour. The real problem was getting two children ready for school and picked up afterward.
Her contract covered childcare for required appointments. It also required approval and a receipt. Lucia arranged a trusted sitter through the coordinator before the first visit instead of trying to solve each morning at the last minute.
The reimbursement did not make the day easy, but it kept the journey from taking money away from her household.
When childcare may be needed
- Medical and psychological screening
- Monitoring appointments and embryo transfer
- Travel to a fertility clinic or legal appointment
- Urgent or extra prenatal visits
- Delivery and the hospital stay
- C-section recovery or written activity restrictions
- Postpartum follow-up when you cannot bring children
Seven contract details to confirm
- Which events qualify for childcare?
- Is there an hourly, daily, or total limit?
- Can a relative be paid, or must care come from a professional provider?
- Are overnight care and school transportation covered?
- Does the coordinator need to approve the sitter first?
- What receipt or proof is required?
- How quickly does escrow reimburse the expense?
ASRM’s ethics guidance supports fair arrangements that recognize the burdens and expenses carried by a gestational carrier.1 Your attorney should explain the exact language in your agreement.
Make a childcare map before matching
Write down your children’s school hours, daycare rules, custody schedule, activities, and the people who can safely help. Add travel time, not only appointment time. Then mark the situations that require overnight or emergency care.
Lucia learned that her sister could handle planned visits, but not same-day calls from the clinic. She added a second approved caregiver before treatment began. That backup mattered when one appointment moved with less than a day’s notice.
Common questions, answered
Can I bring my child to appointments?
Some offices allow children and others do not. Even when allowed, a long or sensitive appointment may be easier with care arranged. Ask each clinic in advance.
Can my mother or friend be paid for childcare?
Only if the contract and reimbursement process allow it. Ask whether a form, identification, invoice, or tax document is needed.
What if care is needed in an emergency?
Ask before signing how urgent expenses are approved. Keep the coordinator and escrow contacts where your partner or support person can find them.
Childcare is part of a safe family plan
Lucia was not asking for a luxury. She was making sure her children remained cared for while she completed required medical steps. Also review how many appointments may occur and travel reimbursement.