Nowadays, many people opt for surrogacy due to several reasons, including infertility, being a same-sex couple, or medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe. Surrogacy is the best procedure for couples who want to become parents but do not want adoption. Surrogacy allows them to have their biological children.
Couples having severe medical conditions or older women can have surrogacy to fulfill their wish of becoming parents. This process involves the surrogate, intended parent, and other factors to consider before starting. In this guide, we will explain everything to become a surrogate in detail.
Becoming a Surrogate
A surrogate is a woman who carries a pregnancy for another person or couple. The couple, known as the intended parents, are not able to conceive, so they decide to have a baby through the use of in vitro fertilization. The mother who carries the baby has no parental rights to the baby. There are two types of surrogacy:
Gestational Surrogate: In this process, the surrogate woman just carries the pregnancy of an embryo created from the egg and sperm of the intended parents. The woman carrying a pregnancy has no genetic link with the child.
Traditional Surrogate: In this pregnancy, the surrogate woman uses her own egg with the intended father’s sperm. Despite being the biological mother, the surrogate mother has no rights and doesn’t raise the child.
Surrogate Parent Application Process
The surrogate parent application process can be overwhelming for both the surrogate and the intended parents as well. However, the process of applying for a surrogate parent is explained here.
1. Initial Consultation
In this step, intended parents contact the agency, and a thorough understanding of surrogacy is explained by agency professionals. It allows parents to make wise choices according to their situation. The agency explains the two types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional surrogacy, with the differences, advantages, and considerations for each.
The agency will discuss the emotional, financial, and logistical support intended parents will need for their parenting journey. The intended parents can express their concerns and tell their expectations for their surrogacy person.
2. Meeting Surrogate
Once everything is decided, the agency will start finding a surrogate mother. When they find a perfect surrogate mother, according to the needs of the intended parent’s agency, they will share details to review that you approve or deny. If both parents and the surrogate mother agree to move forward, the contracts are signed.
3. Medical Evaluations
After the parties have agreed, the agency will start with the medical evaluations. The surrogate mother undergoes several medical evaluations, checking their age and history of healthy pregnancies. When the surrogate passes all medical evaluations, the agency moves forward to the legal process.
4. Legal Contracts
This is the most important step of surrogacy; it ensures that both parties have their rights protected. This contract outlines details such as financial compensation, responsibilities, medical expenses, and expectations during and after the pregnancy.
5. Embryo Transfer
Once the legal contract is signed, the surrogate will start her medication to prepare her body for receiving the intended parents’ embryos. It can be done by in vitro fertilization or by a surrogate egg and the intended father’s sperm.
6 .Pregnancy and Delivery
During pregnancy, regular check-ups are conducted with the intended parents’ presence so that they stay informed about the surrogate’s well-being and medical developments.
