Dennis's Story

A Medical Expert’s Guide to the Process, Types, and Key Considerations for Your Journey

Defining Surrogacy

From a medical and legal standpoint, surrogacy is a formal arrangement in which a woman (the Surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple (the Intended Parents). Upon birth, the Intended Parents become the child’s legal parents.

It is crucial to understand that modern surrogacy is a highly regulated, collaborative process built on medical innovation, legal contracts, and profound mutual respect. It is a viable and successful path to parenthood for individuals and couples who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves, including:

• Single Individuals
• LGBTQ+ Couples
• Heterosexual Couples facing medical conditions (e.g., absent uterus, recurrent pregnancy loss, severe health risks)
• Those who have undergone cancer treatment

The Two Types of Surrogacy

As an expert, it’s my primary role to ensure Intended Parents understand the critical distinction between the two types of surrogacy.

1. Gestational Surrogacy (The Modern Standard)

• Process: An embryo is created via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in a lab and then transferred to the Surrogate’s uterus.
• Genetic Link: The Surrogate (often called a Gestational Carrier) is not the biological mother. The embryo can be created using:
  • Eggs and sperm from the Intended Parents.
  • Donor eggs and/or donor sperm.
• Why it’s Standard: This method simplifies the legal process and clearly establishes genetic parentage from the outset, which is why it is the method used in the vast majority of surrogacy arrangements today, including all those facilitated by Surrogacy4All.

1. Traditional Surrogacy (Largely Historical)

• Process: The Surrogate’s own egg is fertilized with the Intended Father’s or a donor’s sperm, typically through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
• Genetic Link: The Surrogate is the biological mother of the child.
• Expert Note: Traditional surrogacy presents significant legal and emotional complexities due to the Surrogate’s genetic connection. It is now rare and generally not recommended by medical and legal professionals in the United States.

The Surrogacy Journey

While each journey is unique, they all follow a structured medical and legal pathway. Understanding these stages will help you mentally and logistically prepare.

1. Education & Agency Selection (You are here): Building your foundational knowledge and choosing a trusted partner like Surrogacy4All to guide you.
2. Medical & Psychological Screening: All parties undergo rigorous medical evaluations and psychological assessments to ensure everyone is physically and emotionally prepared.
3. The Matching Process: You are carefully matched with a pre-screened Surrogate based on shared values, legal compatibility, and mutual agreement.
4. Legal Contracts: Separate legal counsel for both parties drafts and negotiates a comprehensive surrogacy agreement, covering all rights, responsibilities, and financial terms.
5. The Medical Cycle:
   • IVF & Embryo Creation: The intended mother or egg donor undergoes an egg retrieval cycle. Embryos are created and cultured in the fertility lab.
   • Embryo Transfer: The chosen embryo is transferred into the Surrogate’s uterus. This is a precise medical procedure.
6. Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Once confirmed, the pregnancy is managed by an OB-GYN, with the Intended Parents deeply involved in all appointments.
7. Birth & Parental Establishment: Following the birth, legal processes (such as pre-birth orders) ensure the Intended Parents’ names are placed on the birth certificate immediately.

Is Surrogacy Right for You? 

Embarking on a surrogacy journey is a significant decision. From my expert viewpoint, successful Intended Parents are:

• Educated: They take the time to understand the process fully.
• Emotionally Prepared: They are ready to build a collaborative, trusting relationship with their Surrogate.
• Financially Prepared: They understand the investment required and have explored their financial options.
• Legally Minded: They appreciate the necessity of comprehensive legal counsel and contracts.
• Resilient: They understand that the journey, like all medical processes, can have ups and downs, and they are prepared to navigate them with a supportive team.