Gestational surrogacy is a process where a woman agrees to become pregnant with someone else’s child. The child is genetically related to the intended parents but is born to the surrogate mother. This can be a fantastic gift for couples who cannot have children on their own, and it’s also been used by single parents and LGBTQ+ teams. If you’re curious about gestational surrogacy and want to know more, keep reading!
Gestational surrogacy is a type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). An embryo has been created in vitro using either the intended father’s sperm and egg(s) from a donor or using the intended mother’s eggs, with IVF being one option for accomplishing this. The embryo then goes into the surrogate mother’s uterus who carries it to term.
After she gives birth, the child belongs to the intended parents by law because they are genetically related. It’s important to note that often during fertility treatments, embryos are made with three genetic parents – 1 couple + 1 egg donor or sperm donor – so if you have questions regarding your legal parental rights, you would need to speak with an experienced fertility lawyer.
What is the process of gestational surrogacy?
The first step in the process of Gestational Surrogacy is finding a surrogate. This can be done through agencies or independently. The next step is for the intended parents to create embryos via IVF or ICSI. Once the seeds are ready, they will be transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. Nine months later, the surrogate will give birth to the child and hand them over to the intended parents.
What are the benefits of gestational surrogacy?
There are many benefits to gestational surrogacy. First and foremost, it allows couples who cannot have children on their own to have a biological child. Gestational surrogacy is also often cheaper than traditional adoption, and it can be faster. Additionally, gestational surrogacy allows parents to choose the sex of their child, which is not possible with conventional adoption.
What are the risks of gestational surrogacy?
Like any other medical procedure, there are risks associated with gestational surrogacy. These risks include miscarriage, preterm birth, and infection. Additionally, there is always a risk that the surrogate mother may change her mind and decide to keep the child after giving birth. This is why couples interested in gestational surrogacy need to have a solid contract in place with their surrogate mother.
If you’re considering gestational surrogacy, here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Get your contracts reviewed by an experienced fertility lawyer;
- Keep all correspondence (emails, texts, letters) between the intended parents and the surrogate.
3. Make sure that there is a pre-birth order in place. This means that once the child is born, they will be recognized as belonging to your family by law even though they are not biologically related.
How much does gestational surrogacy cost?
The costs of gestational surrogacy vary depending on where you live and how many cycles of IVF you need to accomplish pregnancy. Gestational surrogacy can be very expensive and out of the price range for many couples and individuals, but it can be done! Even if you’ve exhausted your savings or your budget doesn’t allow for another expenditure at this time, there are ways to finance your surrogacy. You could request a loan from financial institutions or look into non-traditional financing methods, such as crowdfunding websites.