The Surrogacy Process – What to Expect

Surrogacy is a controversial topic and many people don’t know what to expect. Whether you have fertility issues or simply prefer surrogacy as your path to parenthood, keep reading to find out if it is the right path for you. With the right information, New York City surrogacy does not have to be complicated. 

Types of Surrogate Mothers

There are two main types of surrogate mothers; Gestational surrogates and traditional surrogates.

A traditional surrogate is a woman that is artificially inseminated. When she gets pregnant and delivers, she gives the baby to the biological father and his partner to raise. This means that she is the child’s biological mother. 

A gestational surrogate carries an embryo fertilized through IVF. With IVF, the eggs from a mother are fertilized with the father’s sperm. The embryo is then placed in the surrogate’s uterus. They carry it and upon delivery, give it to the biological parents. With this method, the surrogate has no genetic link to the child.

The Process for Gestational Surrogacy

  1.     Find a surrogate. There are lots of agencies that may help
  2.     Create and review a legal contract
  3.     Go through the process of retrieving eggs 
  4.     Use the intended sperm to create an embryo
  5.     Transfer the embryo to the surrogate carrier
  6.     The surrogate goes through the pregnancy period and delivers the baby to its parents after delivery

The Process of Traditional Surrogacy

  1.     Choose your surrogate
  2.     Create and review a contract
  3.     Go through the IUI process
  4.     Follow the pregnancy and receive the child after delivery
  5.     After delivery, the surrogate may have to terminate their legal rights to the child. The parents may need to go through an adoption process. The processes are different depending on where you live. 

Is Surrogacy Right for You?

There are lots of reasons why surrogacy may be right for you. It is a great option when couples have infertility issues. Some of the most important reasons to choose surrogacy include; 

  • If there are health issues making it difficult for a woman to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term
  • If you are a same-sex couple that wants to have children
  • If you have recurrent miscarriages
  • If you are a single person that wishes to have a biological child
  • If you have tried assisted-reproduction techniques like IVF but failed to get pregnant
  • If you wish to be a parent but don’t qualify for adoption. You may be unable to adopt because of your marital status, age, and other factors

How to Choose a Surrogate

Even though the most common way to find a surrogate is through agencies, it isn’t the only way. You may get suggestions from your family and friends. Some of the top features to look for in a surrogate include;

  • They should be at least 21
  • They should have had at least one healthy child
  • They must pass a psychological screening
  • They must be willing to sign a legal contract

The surrogacy process may seem complicated but it isn’t. Lots of people have used it to get children. Choose the type of surrogacy that meets your needs.