Types of Surrogacy
There are two types of surrogacy.
The first type- Traditional Surrogacy involves the
surrogate’s egg impregnated with the intended
father’s sperm or sperm from a donor. This process
is generally achieved through IVF (In-vitro fertilization).
The other method- Gestational Surrogacy, the surrogate
has no biological ties to the child. A donor egg or
intended mother’s egg and a donor sperm or intended
father’s sperm is used. The egg is then fertilized
and implanted into the surrogate’s uterus to
be carried to term.
After a woman makes the choice to
become a surrogate, she needs to do some research.
There are many, many surrogacy agencies currently
operating. While I’d like to say that all of
them are legitimate, you should always proceed with
some caution. Sadly, there are people out there who
prey on others’ good intentions. It would also
be a good idea to make a few phone calls and go through
some legal consultations with your local surrogacy
lawyers. These consultations are generally free and
will give you a good idea of all the legalities involved
with being a surrogate.
It’s a good idea to keep in
mind that not all women who choose to be surrogates
will end up being surrogates. This is especially true
for women who use surrogacy agencies.
Gestational surrogacy comes with a
hefty price tag. While traditional surrogacy is by
no means cheap, the monetary issue does come into
play for a lot of couples. Traditional surrogacy tends
to be cheaper. Individuals and couples looking for
a traditional surrogate will often look into the age,
ethnic background, family history, likes and dislikes,
educational background and health of the potential
surrogate.
What is actually involved with being
a surrogate?
If you’re being a surrogate
for a friend or family member, this tends to be slightly
simpler. You already have the surrogate and the intended
parent(s). All that is needed is the means to fertilize
the egg and the legal forms. There are other steps
(like drug therapy etc) involved but a major step
is matching a surrogate with an intended family.
During the process of surrogacy, another
idea to keep in mind is your views on selective reduction.
Depending on the method of surrogacy, up to eight
fertilized embryos could be implanted into your uterus.
Selective reduction is when a doctor enters your uterus
and terminates one or several embryos to increase
the chances of the others’ survival.
If you are interested in traditional
surrogacy (your eggs, donor sperm) after the intended
parents are located, lawyers draw up contracts. You
may be given hormonal drugs to increase your egg production
(or not). You monitor your cycles for several months.
The donor sperm, which is either from the intended
father or from a donor, is inseminated into your uterus
via a home insemination kit or intrauterine insemination
at the doctor’s office. Hopefully around 14
days after insemination, you’d be pregnant.
Gestational surrogacy involves
a bit more planning.
With gestational surrogacy, the donor
and surrogates menstrual cycles need to be synchronized.
This is often achieved by artificial chemical means.
The surrogate’s blood will be monitored and
ultrasounds will be performed to monitor the status
of the uterus. The eggs will be removed from the donor,
inseminated by the donor sperm, and then implanted
into the surrogates several days later.
There is a lot of soul searching,
researching and planning involved with surrogacy.
Yes, most women are compensated for being surrogates;
but for most, it’s not the price. It’s
knowing they played a part in completing a family.
©
Rebecca Pillar 2007
