Third party reproduction is a great alternative way for some people to have a family others it may be their last chance to have a biological child. No matter what your sexual orientation, age, race or religion, Surrogacy can be your journey to parenthood.
There are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.
Gestational Surrogacy is when a woman (gestational surrogate or carrier) carries a child for someone else (Intended Parents). This woman “the surrogate” would have no biological connection to the child. In order to achieve pregnancy the surrogate would need to have embryos medically transferred into her uterus (IVF). Embryos may consist of the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm or any combination of donor eggs and donor sperm.
The main positive of gestational surrogacy is that the surrogate is completely unrelated to the child. Fertility clinics usually require legal agreements to be in place before egg retrievals (from Egg Donors) and embryo transfers (to Surrogate Mothers) take place. Remember that IVF is not a perfect science and sometimes.
Sometimes a surrogate can undergo multiple transfers before a pregnancy is achieved
Sometimes egg donation cycles fail
Traditional Surrogacy is when “the surrogate” is genetically linked to the child. The surrogate’s eggs are used with either the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm. This procedure can be done through IVF but more commonly it is done through IUI (intrauterine insemination). The sperm is washed and medically injected into the surrogate’s uterus. Home insemination is another method commonly used with Traditional surrogacy. Check with a medical professional before attempting home insemination.
The lower surrogacy costs associated to traditional surrogacy make it an attractive option however it carries remarkable legal risk.
Learn more about the different types of surrogacy