For women who cannot have children due to infertility and certain contions, a new and controversial way has been discovered by scientists. There was a lot of discussion on main and social media. However many woman who want to be mother is using this method in today. You know what i am talking about: Surrogacy and surrogate motherhood.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction in which a woman carries and delivers a pregnancy for another person or couple. There are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.
Traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is impregnated through artificial insemination using the intended father’s sperm. This means that the surrogate is the biological mother of the child, as her egg is fertilized by the intended father’s sperm. The child is genetically related to the surrogate, and she will be the legal mother of the child. In this case, the intended parents will need to go through adoption process in order to legally become the parents of the child.
Gestational surrogacy, on the other hand, is when the surrogate carries an embryo created using in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the intended parents or donors eggs and sperm. This means that the surrogate is not the biological mother of the child, as the egg and sperm used to create the embryo are not hers. The child is not genetically related to the surrogate and she will not be the legal mother of the child. In this case, the intended parents will be the legal parents from the birth of the child.
Both methods of surrogacy are considered as a assisted reproduction methods and are used to help individuals and couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term due to medical conditions or other reasons. Surrogacy arrangements may be made through a surrogacy agency or independently and the process can be complex, involving legal contracts and agreements between all parties involved.
How Does Surrogacy Process Works?
Surrogacy process can be quite involved and can take several months or even years to complete. Here is detailed look at each step of the process:
- Finding a Surrogate: The intended parents or the intended parent can find a surrogate through a surrogacy agency or independently. Some people choose to work with a surrogacy agency because it can help to match them with a suitable surrogate, provide counseling and support and handle legal and medical aspects of the surrogacy. Others choose to find a surrogate independently through personal connections or online resources.
- Screening and Matching: Both the intended parents and the surrogate will need to undergo medical and psychological screening to ensure that they are physically and emotionally ready for the surrogacy process. They will also need to discuss their expectations and preferences to ensure that they are a good match. This process can take several weeks or even months.
- Legal Agreements: All parties will need to have a legal agreement in place that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each person involved in the surrogacy. This will typically be done with the help of a lawyer. The legal agreement should cover matters such as compensation, medical expenses and what happens in the event of a multiple pregnancy, a miscarriage or a birth defects.
- Medical Treatment: The intended parents or donors will need to undergo fertility treatment in order to create embryos. Depending on the type of surrogacy, the intended parents or donors may need to go through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to create embryos. Once the embryos are created, they will be transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. This process can take several weeks or even months.
- Pregnancy and Delivery: Once the embryos are transferred to the surrogate, she will carry the pregnancy for the intended parents. The surrogate will need to attend regular prenatal appointments and follow any medical recommendations provided by the doctor. The delivery will happen in a hospital and the intended parents will be able to be present for the birth of their child.
- Birth Certificate Registration and Legal Parenthood: In some countries, the intended parents will be named on the birth certificate as the legal parents of the child from the birth. In other countries, the intended parents will have to go through the adoption process to legally become the parents of the child. This process can take several weeks or even months.
It’s important to remember that the surrogacy process can be complex and may changeable depending on the country and state laws. It’s essential to have a good legal representation and a fertility clinic support to guide through the process.
How Does Surrogacy Work With a Family Member?
Surrogacy with a family member, also known as “known surrogacy,” can be a way for intended parents to have a biological child with the help of a family member who is willing to serve as a surrogate. The process for known surrogacy is similar to traditional surrogacy but with a few key differences.
The process of surrogacy with a family member is similar to traditional surrogacy. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:
- Finding a Surrogate: The intended parents will need to find a family member who is willing to act as a surrogate. This can be a sister, cousin, aunt or other relative.
- Screening and Matching: Both the intended parents and the surrogate will need to undergo medical and psychological screening and discuss their expectations and preferences to be sure that they are physically and emotionally ready. Especially this every part of surrogacy need to talk clearly against undesirable consequences in family.
- Legal Agreements: Like classic surrogate all parties will need to have a legal agreement in place that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each person involved in the surrogacy. Also it could be helpful determine for mother visit rights and days if it will be happen.
- it’s important to consider the emotional aspect of the surrogacy journey, which can be more challenging when working with a family member as the surrogate, as it may affect the relationship.
Other part of the surrogacy with a family member is very similar classic surrogacy process. All parties could be very careful before final decidion.
What is Pros and Cons of Being a Surrogate Mother?
Being a surrogate mother is a complex and emotionally charged process that can be both rewarding and challenging. Here are some more detailed points to consider when thinking about becoming a surrogate:
Pros:
- Helping Others: The most obvious benefit of surrogacy is the opportunity to help intended parents who are unable to have children of their own. This can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience for surrogates, knowing that they have played a key role in creating a family.
- Emotional Fulfillment: Surrogates may also experience emotional fulfillment from the experience of carrying and delivering a child. Some surrogates may feel a strong bond with the unborn baby and may find it difficult to let go after the birth.
- Financial Compensation: Surrogates typically receive financial compensation for their time and effort, which can be a significant financial benefit. This compensation can help to cover expenses related to the surrogacy, such as medical expenses, travel costs and lost wages.
- Medical Benefits: Surrogates may also be eligible for medical benefits such as prenatal care, delivery expenses and other related costs. This can help to ensure that the surrogate is well taken care of throughout the pregnancy.
Cons:
- Physical Risks: Carrying a pregnancy to term can come with its own set of physical risks and discomforts, such as morning sickness, weight gain and delivery complications. Surrogates should be aware of these risks and be prepared for the physical demands of pregnancy.
- Emotional Risks: Surrogates may experience emotional challenges such as bonding with the unborn baby and then having to give it up after birth. This can be an emotionally difficult experience and may require a great deal of emotional support and counseling.
- Legal Risks: There are legal risks associated with surrogacy, such as disputes over the custody of the child or the surrogate being unable to terminate the pregnancy due to laws in certain states. It’s important to have a legal representation to guide through the process and to understand the legal risks.
- Social Stigma: Surrogacy is still not fully accepted in some societies and surrogates may experience social stigma and discrimination. Some surrogates may feel uncomfortable discussing their surrogacy experience with friends or family, which may make it difficult to find support.
- Long-term Effects: Surrogates may also experience long-term effects such as depression, anxiet, and emotional trauma. It’s important for surrogates to have a good support system in place, such as a therapist or counselor to help work through any emotional challenges that may arise during the surrogacy process.
It’s important to consider all the pros and cons before making a decision to become a surrogate mother. It’s also important to have a good support system, such as a therapist or counselor, to help work through any emotional challenges that may arise during the surrogacy process. It’s also recommended to have a detailed conversation with the intended parents, to make sure that you are on the same page and have a good match.
What is Altruistic Surrogacy?
Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy in which the surrogate mother does not receive any financial compensation for carrying and giving birth to the child. Instead, the surrogate mother does it out of a desire to help others, usually a friend or family member, who are unable to have children of their own.
In altruistic surrogacy, the intended parents typically cover the expenses related to the surrogacy, such as medical expenses, travel costs, and lost wages. The surrogate mother may also receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses but she is not paid a fee for her services.
Altruistic surrogacy can be a great option for intended parents who cannot afford the cost of a commercial surrogacy or for surrogates who want to help others but do not want to be compensated for their services.
Altruistic surrogacy is legal in some countries, but it is not legal in others. Some countries have laws that prohibit surrogates from receiving any kind of compensation and in those countries, altruistic surrogacy is the only legal option.
How to Become a Surrogacy Mother?
Becoming a surrogate mother is a big decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration. Here are some steps that you can take to become a surrogate mother:
- Learn about surrogacy: The first step in becoming a surrogate mother is to learn as much as you can about the process. This includes understanding the different types of surrogacy (traditional, gestational, altruistic), the legal and medical aspects of surrogacy, and the emotional and physical risks involved.
- Meet the qualifications: There are certain qualifications that you must meet in order to become a surrogate mother. These qualifications include being a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 45, having had at least one successful pregnancy and delivery and having a stable home and support system.
- Find an agency or attorney: Once you have decided that surrogacy is the right path for you, the next step is to find an agency or attorney that specializes in surrogacy. They will be able to guide you through the process, match you with intended parents and handle the legal and medical aspects of the surrogacy.
- Medical and psychological evaluation: Before the surrogacy process can begin, you will need to undergo a medical and psychological evaluation. This will ensure that you are physically and emotionally capable of carrying a pregnancy to term.
- Matching with intended parents: Once you have been cleared for surrogacy, the agency or attorney will work to match you with intended parents. This is very important step, as it is important that you have a good match with the intended parents and that you are on the same page regarding the surrogacy process.
- Legal contract: Before the surrogacy process can begin, a legal contract will be signed between you, the intended parents and any other parties involved. This contract will outline the responsibilities of each party and will ensure that everyone is protected legally.
- Medical treatment: Once the legal contract is signed, the medical treatment will begin. This will typically involve taking medication to prepare your body for the pregnancy and then undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination (AI) to become pregnant.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: During the pregnancy, you will receive regular prenatal care and will work closely with the intended parents to ensure that their wishes are respected during the pregnancy and childbirth. After the baby is born, the intended parents will take custody of the child and you will have no legal rights or responsibilities for the child.
Becoming a surrogate mother can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience but it is not for everyone. It’s important to consider all the pros and cons and be fully aware of the emotional and physical risks involved.
What is Surrogacy Agency?
Surrogacy agencies are organizations that match surrogates (women who carry a pregnancy for intended parents) with intended parents (people who want to have a child but are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves). These agencies typically provide a variety of services, including screening and matching surrogates and intended parents, providing counseling and support throughout the surrogacy process and handling legal and financial arrangements. They can be a useful resource for intended parents and surrogates, but it’s important to research and carefully consider your options before choosing a surrogacy agency.
What is Surrogate Fees?
Surrogate’s fee is the compensation that a surrogate receives for carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a child on behalf of intended parents. The fee is typically composed of several different components, including base compensation, expenses and bonuses. Base compensation is the amount of money that a surrogate receives for carrying the pregnancy and giving birth. Expenses are costs incurred by the surrogate during the pregnancy, such as medical expenses, travel costs, and lost wages. Bonuses are additional payments that may be made under certain circumstances, such as carrying multiples or delivering the baby without complications. The fee varies depending on the country and the agency. In the US, the average cost is around $50,000 to $100,000.