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An estate agent has expressed her joy at receiving a £37,000 payout; however, many people are astonished, claiming it is insufficient compensation for something that is a “life or death” situation.
Angelique Senan, from i, gained 25.7 million views and 3.8 million likes on her controversial video, which sparked concern among many fellow mothers.
@angeliquesenanon TikTok boasting about her payment for carrying someone else’s babyCredit: TikTok/@angeliquesenan
Many TikTok users commented that she wasn't compensated enoughCredit: TikTok/@angeliquesenan
Angelique, who is in her twenties, is training to be an estate agent and has chosen surrogacy as a side endeavor.
She feels ‘blessed’ to bring new life into the world for another couple and aspires to expand her own family to “four to eight children”.
After giving birth last year, Angelique shared a video on TikTok dancing in a hospital gown to "Viking" by Sahbalii, stating she “loved every moment” of the surrogacy journey.
She also disclosed the exact amount she received from the baby’s biological parents, saying, “When you pushed out a baby but took $50K home instead of the baby.”
The video quickly went viral, attracting numerous comments from TikTok users who asserted that there was “no way” they would consider surrogacy for such a modest sum.
One user remarked, “Honestly £50K? The pain and suffering endured during pregnancy is worth more than that, in my opinion.”
This comment garnered over 2,000 likes, with many others expressing disbelief at the amount, suggesting it should be “at least £500K”.
Users lamented that they found the figure “outrageous,” to which Angelique responded, “that’s why I did it and not you.”
Another commented: “I feel like £50K is too little since the childbirth process is literally life or death – but congratulations for bringing life into the world.”
A debate soon erupted in the comments section, but the mother of one seemed unfazed, simply replying “that would be nice” to those insisting they wouldn't consider surrogacy for “less than £100K”.
Other mothers even asserted that the DNA of the biological parents could affect the pregnancy, responding, “You don’t understand how challenging it is mentally and physically to be pregnant, endure labor and delivery, and recover from postpartum.”
“Furthermore, the symptoms of pregnancy can vary due to the influence of the biological parents' DNA. So NO, it is not too much.”
Experts have refuted this claim, indicating that “diet, stress levels, and environment impact surrogacy,” just like any standard pregnancy.
The North West Surrogacy Centre (NWSC) clarified, “Surrogacy does not alter the surrogate’s DNA. As long as the surrogate maintains good health and provides a nurturing environment for the developing fetus, both the child and surrogate will not be adversely affected.”
The Laws Around Surrogacy
Surrogacy laws in the US vary from state to state, and in Miami, both the parents and surrogate must sign legal agreements prior to IVF implantation.
The process must also receive court approval.
The surrogate must be at least 18 years old and under 41, maintain a healthy BMI, and have previously given birth.
The biological parents are also responsible for covering health check-ups and pregnancy screenings throughout the pregnancy.
Laws regarding surrogate ‘gifting’ have always been a contentious issue, and gifts such as money and cars are often presented by biological parents.
In Miami, a surrogate like Angelique is said to typically receive ‘a basic compensation between $40,000 and $70,000’.
In comparison, Colorado-based single mother Teale Kelly, 27, was thrilled after purchasing a £400K house when she earned £56,721 ($70,000) for being a surrogate.
There are significant differences in laws between the US and the UK.
Famous Celebrities Who Have Used Surrogates
One major distinction is that in the UK, biological parents do not automatically possess parental rights over the child and must apply to the courts for a parental order.
In the US , intended parents are automatically recognized as the legal parents of the baby.
In the UK, it is illegal to pay the surrogate, meaning someone might go through the entire process and receive little to nothing in return.
UK law stipulates that ‘expenses for the pregnancy are covered’ but not
