MyFertilityGuide

Surrogacy is an alternative to natural childbirth and adoption that allows hopeful parents who are infertile to have a child with some or all of their genetic characteristics. Depending upon the type of surrogacy chosen, adoption may still be one component of the process. Specifically, a female friend, family member or anonymous woman who is not currently pregnant agrees to conceive a child and give birth with the understanding that the baby will be the child of the hopeful parents.

What is the Difference Between Adoption and Surrogacy?

In adoption, the birth mother is pregnant when she makes the adoption agreement with the prospective parents. In surrogacy, the birth mother is not yet pregnant when she makes the agreement to conceive and give up the child.

What are the Types of Surrogacy?

There are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy defines the situation where the female gamete or ovum is provided by the surrogate and the prospective father provides the male gamete or sperm. Gestational surrogacy defines a situation in which both the male and female gametes are provided by someone other than the surrogate. The donors may be the prospective parents in whole or in part or they may be from other donors, known or unknown.

In both types of surrogacy, fertilization of the ovum takes place in the laboratory and the resulting embryo is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus through in vitro fertilization.

The Process of Surrogacy

The process to parenthood via surrogacy begins with locating a willing surrogate. This may be the largest hurdle of all, but once it is done, the paperwork begins. An attorney should help you draw up the appropriate contracts. This is when the type of surrogacy will be agreed upon and donors, if any, will be located. Local law will affect these agreements, so make sure you’re aware of laws affecting surrogacy in your state. In some cases, adoption papers will follow the birth. In other cases, if the prospective parents provide both the male and female gametes then the child is considered to be their legal responsibility from the beginning.

Once the details are legal details are agreed upon, then the process of gamete procurement and in vitro fertilization begin until a pregnancy results.

Factors Affecting Surrogacy

There are a number of factors to consider when undertaking surrogacy. Because there is no federal standard governing surrogacy, the legal aspect is a serious consideration. Some religious institutions have very strict views on surrogacy and others have strong philosophical, ethical and moral feelings that may affect you. Cost is another hefty consideration as the price tag can go quite high: up to $65,000 for traditional surrogacy and $100,000 for gestational surrogacy. Also, there is always the chance that the surrogate will change her mind at any time, a risk that occurs in traditional adoption as well. All of these should be taken into consideration and weighed out in advance so that there are as few surprises as possible throughout the surrogate process.