Surrogacy offers hope to individuals or couples facing infertility challenges. Yet, for many, navigating the surrogate process can feel daunting and unfamiliar. You may find yourself with questions about its mechanics and legalities. In this blog, we aim to provide clarity on these aspects and more. By addressing your concerns, we empower you to make informed decisions about whether surrogacy aligns with your family-building journey.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is essentially an agreement between a surrogate mother and another individual or couple. In this arrangement, the surrogate mother legally commits to carrying the child of the intended parents until birth. This form of surrogacy, known as gestational surrogacy, is prevalent.
It’s often preferred when individuals or couples face challenges in carrying a child themselves due to pre-existing medical conditions that pose significant risks or make conception impossible. This option provides hope and opportunity for those unable to conceive naturally to realize their dreams of parenthood.
Why Choose Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy serves as a viable option for individuals or couples navigating their fertility journey for various reasons, including:
- Unsuccessful IVF Attempts: Following multiple failed IVF cycles due to unexplained infertility, gestational surrogacy may be recommended by fertility experts.
- Uterine Challenges: Individuals facing uterine issues like abnormalities, scarring, or fibroids may opt for surrogacy if carrying a child themselves is not feasible.
- Hysterectomy: Whether for medical necessity or personal choice, individuals who have undergone hysterectomy can still realize their parenthood aspirations through surrogacy.
- High-Risk Pregnancy Conditions: Certain health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disorders, or age-related factors elevate pregnancy risks, making surrogacy a safer alternative.
- Supporting Same-Sex Couples: Surrogacy offers a pathway to parenthood for same-sex couples, enabling them to fulfill their familial dreams.
- Advanced Maternal Age: As fertility declines with age, individuals over 35 facing increased pregnancy risks may turn to surrogacy to overcome these challenges and achieve their desired family expansion.
Types of Surrogacy
There are typically two main types of surrogacy: Gestational surrogacy and Traditional surrogacy. Let’s delve deeper into each:
- Gestational Surrogacy: This method involves the creation of an embryo using either the father’s sperm or donor sperm and the mother’s egg or a donor egg. The resulting embryo is then implanted into the gestational surrogate, who carries the baby to term. Importantly, the gestational surrogate has no genetic link to the child. This type of surrogacy is what most people refer to when discussing surrogacy arrangements.
- Traditional Surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate herself is genetically linked to the baby. The father’s sperm is used to fertilize the surrogate’s own eggs, resulting in a genetic connection between the surrogate and the child. After birth, the intended parents assume legal guardianship. However, due to the emotional and legal complexities involved, gestational surrogacy is more prevalent and preferred in most cases.
How to Find a Surrogate
Discovering a surrogate who aligns with your needs is crucial for a successful surrogacy voyage, marking the initial pivotal stage. How does one embark on this search? Typically, there exist two primary avenues for couples and individuals: engaging surrogacy agencies or relying on connections within family and friends circles.
Each path offers distinct advantages and considerations, influencing the overall journey’s trajectory. Whether opting for professional agency assistance or leaning on personal networks, the quest for the right surrogate lays the groundwork for a fulfilling and seamless surrogacy experience.
Surrogacy Agencies
Surrogacy agencies like Surrogacy4All act as intermediaries, facilitating connections between couples or individuals and surrogates. Typically, these agencies collaborate closely with fertility clinics or medical professionals to ensure adherence to the correct IVF and surrogacy protocols.
Engaging a surrogacy agency streamlines the process and provides valuable assistance in navigating legal complexities. It offers reassurance that all procedures prioritize safety and health. By entrusting the process to a reputable agency, individuals and couples can have peace of mind, knowing that their journey to parenthood is guided by experienced professionals who prioritize their well-being.
Family or Friends as a Surrogate
In certain cases, couples or individuals may opt to involve a family member or friend in the surrogacy journey. However, it remains crucial to address all legal matters and paperwork before proceeding further. Surprisingly, surrogacy agencies can assist in this aspect too. Many agencies willingly facilitate the surrogacy process involving a known individual, ensuring all legalities are properly managed.
Having an impartial third party oversee the entire process from start to finish proves beneficial, providing guidance and clarity to all involved parties. This approach guarantees a smoother and more secure surrogacy experience for everyone.
Surrogacy Process
Understanding the surrogacy process is crucial before embarking on this journey. It all begins with a thoughtful decision, one not to be rushed. Surrogacy can be a viable option when others are limited, but careful consideration is essential. Evaluating the pros and cons is a pivotal step, as is understanding the associated costs, which we’ll delve into shortly. Your fertility agency serves as a valuable guide in navigating these choices for your future family.
The next step involves choosing between gestational and traditional surrogacy, based on your preferences and circumstances. Gestational surrogacy, more common nowadays, involves a woman carrying a child not biologically related to her. Once you’ve determined your preferred path, engaging lawyers and/or a surrogacy agency becomes imperative, alongside finding the right surrogate match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is surrogacy?
A. Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman (the surrogate) carries and delivers a baby for another individual or couple (the intended parents).
Q. How does surrogacy work?
A. Typically, intended parents work with a surrogacy agency or find a surrogate independently. After selecting a surrogate, medical and legal processes begin, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create embryos using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus for gestation.
Q. Who can use surrogacy?
A. Surrogacy is an option for individuals or couples who cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy to term due to medical conditions, infertility, or other reasons.
Q. What are the types of surrogacy?
A. There are two main types: traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is fertilized, and gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors.
Q. How much does surrogacy cost?
A. Surrogacy costs vary widely depending on factors such as agency fees, medical expenses, legal fees, and surrogate compensation. On average, surrogacy can range from $100,000 to $150,000 or more.
Q. Is surrogacy legal?
A. Surrogacy laws vary by country and even by state in the United States. It’s crucial to work with experienced legal professionals who specialize in surrogacy to navigate the legal aspects effectively.
Q. How are surrogates screened?
A. Surrogates undergo extensive medical, psychological, and background screenings to ensure they are physically and emotionally prepared for the surrogacy journey.
Q. What role do intended parents play during the surrogacy process?
Intended parents are involved in selecting a surrogate, creating embryos (if using their own genetic material), and providing emotional support throughout the pregnancy.
Q. What are the risks of surrogacy?
A. Risks include medical complications during pregnancy, legal issues if agreements are not properly drafted or followed, emotional challenges for all parties involved, and the potential for disagreements between the surrogate and intended parents.
Q. Can the surrogate keep the baby?
A. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby, which is biologically related to the intended parents or donors. Legal agreements clarify parental rights before the process begins.
Q. How long does the surrogacy process take?
A. The surrogacy process can take 1-2 years or longer, depending on various factors such as finding a suitable surrogate, completing medical procedures, navigating legal requirements, and the success of IVF treatments.
Q. What emotional support is available for all parties involved?
A. Surrogacy agencies often provide counseling and support services for both surrogates and intended parents to navigate the emotional aspects of the journey, fostering understanding and communication.
Summary
Experience the compassionate support of Surrogacy4All specialists as you embark on your family-building journey. Explore a range of fertility solutions, including IVF and surrogacy, tailored to realize your dreams of parenthood. With 18 years of expertise, our team assures personalized assistance, addressing your individual needs and guiding you through every phase. Discover our surrogacy programs available in the US, Canada, and Ghana.
Reach out today for comprehensive information and begin your path towards fulfilling your family aspirations. To make an appointment, please call us at (212) 661-7673 , or send us an email at info@surrogacy4all.com