Jules Von Hep, Mark Beverlo Turn to Mexico Surrogacy After UK Effort Cost £60,000
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 20
Jules Von Hep, Mark Beverlo Turn to Mexico Surrogacy After UK Effort Cost £60,000
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 20
Summary
Von Hep and Beverlo have shipped sperm to Mexico, chosen a new egg donor and created embryos, with the transfer now pending in what they say is their final attempt at a biological child.
£60,000 in UK costs and repeated failed transfers pushed the couple abroad after years of trying since 2020, while a US route at about £250,000 was out of reach and Ukraine was closed by war.
Mexico offered a roughly £60,000-£90,000 path for same-sex parents, legalized in 2021, with their agency saying surrogate compensation is usually about MXN$388,000 and that it works only in surrogacy-friendly states.
The move still carries legal and ethical complications: some Mexican states ban surrogacy, researchers warn poor women can be exploited, and the couple expect to spend three to six months in Mexico after birth before securing a passport and UK parental order.
Von Hep says he is speaking publicly to challenge taboos around gay men becoming parents, arguing the UK system feels opaque and costly even as demand grows with wider acceptance of same-sex families.
With its patchwork laws, is Mexico a surrogacy haven or a legal trap for hopeful parents?
Are strict UK laws unintentionally fueling a risky and unregulated global market for parenthood?
Beyond payment, what is the true long-term health and emotional cost for surrogates in this booming industry?
Surrogacy Across Borders: Comparing UK Altruistic and Mexican Commercial Models and Their Global Implications
Overview
Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo, after starting their journey to parenthood in the UK, turned to Mexico for international surrogacy. The UK’s altruistic surrogacy model, governed by strict laws and limited to reimbursing expenses, led them to seek alternatives. Mexico, known for its commercial surrogacy and recent legal changes supporting same-sex couples, offered a more accessible path. Their experience highlights the differences between UK and Mexican surrogacy systems and reflects the broader challenges and ethical debates faced by intended parents navigating international surrogacy options.