All You Need To Know About Surrogacy
Whether you are interested in growing your family through surrogacy or giving the gift of parenthood as a surrogate, you may have many questions about the surrogacy process and how it works.
While the surrogacy process may vary based on your state laws, surrogacy professional and individual circumstances, the following step-by-step guide will help you prepare for what’s to come throughout your surrogacy journey.
Decide if Surrogacy is the Right Choice
The first step in any surrogacy process is to carefully consider whether surrogacy is right for you. Becoming a surrogate or a parent through surrogacy can be a long and emotional journey, and it is a big commitment for both parties.
Just like with any major decision, couples and individuals considering surrogacy should carefully research surrogacy laws, consider its pros and cons, and even speak with various surrogacy professionals to truly understand if surrogacy is right for them.
Prospective surrogates
Becoming a surrogate is a life-changing decision that can be extremely fulfilling, but it is not without its challenges. Surrogacy requires you to commit to another family for a year or more as you undergo medical and psychological evaluations and procedures, endure all of the challenges related to pregnancy and labour, and carry a baby that is not your own.
But, many women accept these challenges and believe the positives far outweigh the negatives.
If this describes you, not only does surrogacy give you the unique opportunity to give an incredible and selfless gift to another person or couple, but it also provides you with life-changing financial benefits and can create lasting, meaningful relationships between you and the family you helped create.
If you remain uncertain about surrogacy or need more information before making your decision, consider reaching out to a surrogacy agency or attorney to learn more about whether surrogacy is right for you and whether you are ready for the surrogacy process.
Prospective parents
There are many reasons to consider growing your family through surrogacy, whether you are a couple who has struggled with infertility, or you are looking to expand your family as a single parent?
Before you begin the surrogacy process, it is important to educate yourself about the risks and benefits of surrogacy and ensure that you are ready to fully commit to the process.
Hopeful parents considering surrogacy should be aware of the financial and emotional investment required and should ensure that they have the resources to commit to surrogacy and parenthood.
If you are struggling with the decision to become parents through surrogacy, or if you need additional information before making your decision, consider reaching out to a counselor or surrogacy specialist before proceeding with the surrogacy process.
Preparing for Surrogacy
Once a prospective surrogate or intended parent has decided to commit to surrogacy, they must then determine their goals and needs of the surrogacy and the type of surrogacy professional they want to work with.
Types of surrogacy to consider
Traditional: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is also the biological mother of the child she carries. Her egg is fertilised using sperm from the intended father or a donor using intrauterine insemination.
Gestational: In gestational surrogacy, the child is not biologically related to the surrogate mother.
The embryo is instead created using an egg from the intended mother or a donor and sperm from the intended father or a donor using in vitro fertilisation. Once the egg is fertilised in the laboratory, the embryo is transferred to the surrogate.
Secondly, there are two types of surrogacy professionals who can complete your surrogacy:
Surrogacy Agency may provide any or all surrogacy services, including matching, screening, case management, support, counseling, legal and more.
Surrogacy Attorney
This is required in any surrogacy to complete the legal work, but may not provide other important services found with a surrogacy agency.
Intended parents and surrogates will need to consider these and other factors as they plan and prepare for surrogacy.
For Prospective Surrogates: Once you have decided that surrogacy is right for you, you will need to consider several factors and make decisions based on your situation.
Do you already know the intended parents, or will you need to work with an agency to find a match?