If you are thinking about using a surrogate mother to have a baby, it is understandable to have many questions and concerns. The surrogacy process is emotionally, financially, and medically complex and the legal process is also challenging because they vary between states. Even so, surrogacy offers a welcoming alternative for gay couples, women who can’t carry a pregnancy, or couples who previously could not have children. If you lack a clue about the process, you may be happy to know that your trusted surrogacy agency San Diego CA can help you make the necessary arrangements, including finding a surrogate.
Who is a surrogate?
A surrogate is a woman who agrees to conceive, carry, and give birth to a child for another couple or person. There are two kinds; traditional surrogates and gestational surrogates. A traditional surrogate has genetic ties to the child since they use their egg and get artificially inseminated with the father’s sperm. In this case, the surrogate is the biological mother because the father’s sperm fertilized their egg. In some cases, donor sperm is used.
Gestational surrogates also carry and give birth to a child, but the process involves in vitro fertilization, whereby the mother donates their egg, fertilized with sperm from the father. The doctor then places the embryo into the gestational surrogate’s uterus, which carries the baby until birth. A gestational surrogate has no genetic ties to the child because their egg was not used.
Gestational surrogacy is less complex in the United States because both intended parents have genetic ties to the child. As such, gestational surrogacy is gaining popularity, with about 750 babies born every year using this assisted reproductive method.
Who can benefit from surrogacy?
There are various reasons why women consider a surrogate – from medical problems with the uterus to conditions that make pregnancy risky or impossible. For example, surrogates have made parenthood an option for women who had a hysterectomy, meaning they don’t have a uterus and, therefore, cannot get pregnant. You may also consider surrogacy if you’ve tried other assisted reproduction techniques without success. People who cannot adopt a child due to age or marital status can also opt for surrogacy.
Same-sex couples also benefit from surrogacy; for example, gay men use their sperm to fertilize the traditional surrogate’s egg. If a gay couple chooses an egg donor, the donated egg is fertilized then the embryo is implanted in the uterus of a gestational surrogate to carry it until birth.
What are the characteristics of a good surrogate?
Choosing the woman who will carry your child for you is a serious decision that requires you to consider some factors. For example, when choosing a surrogate, ensure they are at least 21 years old and have given birth to at least one healthy baby. A woman who has given birth understands firsthand the medical risks of pregnancy and childbirth. A surrogate should also have passed a psychological screening by a mental health professional.
If you are considering surrogacy, consult your specialist at Great Beginnings Surrogacy @ Gen 5.