What is Surrogacy?
This is when a couple is unable to have children naturally and seeks out the help of another woman to bear their child. Most issues are caused by medical restrictions. Many people with reproductive issues are seeking out surrogacy. Different types of surrogacy
- TraditionalArtificial insemination is when the father of the intended child artificially inseminates a surrogate mother in order to have a baby. Artificial insemination can take place at home or in a lab setting using procedures such as intrauterine injection (IUI). This method allows the surrogate mother to provide half the genetic material for the child she is carrying. This was the only surrogacy option available for many years due to technological advances in IVF and other reproductive techniques. Traditional surrogacy is losing its popularity as it is more difficult and harder to tell the child's biological parents from the surrogate mother's genetic material.
- GestationalThis is when genetic material from both parents is combined in a laboratory environment and then placed in the surrogate's womb using in vitro fertilization (IVF). A donor can replace the material of an absent parent if one parent is unable or unwilling to provide it. It is quickly becoming the gold standard for all surrogacy operations, especially in the United States. Current rules in certain countries place the child under the care of the person who created the embryo. It is much easier to dispute the lawful custody of a gestational surrogate child because there is no biological relationship between the child and the surrogate mom.
Technology has made it possible to test any genetic material provided for IVF operations for genetic abnormalities and illnesses before it is used. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is the name used to describe this process. This approach can help you protect the health of your future child in a way not possible with standard surrogacy options. Consider These Things When You Are Considering Surrogacy There are many legal, ethical and financial issues to be aware of. Although intended parents usually cover surrogate's medical expenses, there are significant legal costs. The average cost is $88,000. To protect the rights and obligations of the intended parents, gestational carrier and the child, it is important to sign legal documents prior to the procedure begins. Independent legal representation should be provided for both the third party as well as the intended parents.
