For couples that want children but have difficulty doing so for various circumstances, surrogacy procedure should seriously be considered. Like a normal pregnancy, it’s a process that lasts for several months. It involves a surrogate mother, the couple that wants to conceive, and a licensed agency that ensures the process is carried out safely.
Aside from the important decision in choosing to have a child this way, surrogate pregnancy is very straightforward, much easier than it may appear on paper. Have you ever wanted to know how to be a surrogate or are considering it after an inability to get pregnant? Read below to get useful info on what surrogacy is, and the steps you’ll go through from the beginning like find surrogate mother.
Surrogacy for Infertility
Many parents and couples struggle in their attempts to conceive. Miscarriages are one reason a surrogate mother might be sought out. While searching, it’s easy to go off track to a solution that doesn’t work, such as taking medication.
The hope of having a family, or growing an existing larger one, is strong for many people. The problems that cause infertility may or may not be found through medical tests with a doctor. In-vitro fertilization treatment is often a part of surrogacy, a medical procedure that’s done for impregnation.
More couples wish to have a baby at an older age than ever before. The older a woman becomes, the chances of miscarriage or problems getting pregnant increase. Same-sex couples also seek out surrogacy, a common way for them to begin a family through this method.
How Surrogacy Works
What is a surrogate? If you’ve read about it before, you probably understand what it means. A basic surrogate definition is the actions taken by a couple to have a child with the help of a third party. Also called a gestational surrogate, it’s a woman that’ll carry the fetus of a couple after sperm cells have been surgically implanted into her egg cells.
After pregnancy is confirmed, a surrogate agency monitors the process of the pregnancy, making sure that the woman follows a healthy diet for the unborn. After the pregnancy is over, the couple takes the child home and the woman who assisted with the surrogacy finalizes payment.
Surrogacy Process
Here is a step-by-step list of the surrogacy process used by an agency:
- Contacting an agency – The agency will give you all the information you require and can answer any question you have. They typically offer counseling, management on a case-by-case basis, and assistance in finding the right surrogate.
- Finding a gestational donor – With or without a surrogate, you can select an egg donor for IVF to begin. Get help from a friend or someone you know, or have the agency find one for you. Pregnancy with a gestational donor is done when in need of a woman that will carry the child. The surrogate must have a thorough screening of their health, mental and physical.
- Beginning the contract – Everyone that is part of the surrogacy process must have an understanding of what to expect and all responsibilities. This is also done for all to know what to do for emergencies, such as in cases where an abortion is needed.
- Fertilization – This is where the embryo is placed into the uterus of a woman, sometimes more than one embryo. Medications are usually provided to the carrier before this step.
- Pregnancy – The final step in pregnancy. Couples usually come to the hospital to see the birth. Parental rights are signed to the couple, and life with their newly born child begins.
Surrogate pregnancy is an exciting and rewarding experience for all parties and requires careful planning before and during the event. With the right agency, it’s sure to leave lasting memories and recommendations for others to try.