There still exist, some unclear aspect in surrogacy. Its legal process actually differs from state to state. And so if you have fertility issues and you feel surrogacy is a way out for you and your partner, then you need to find out how exactly that works.
Two kinds of surrogate mother exists. There is the Traditional surrogate, this is a situation whereby a woman gets inseminated with the father’s sperm. It is this woman, that now carries the baby for you and your partner to raise. But you should know that the woman that is the carrier of the baby is the biological mother of the baby. This is because her egg was used. She was the egg donor. So her egg was fertilized by the sperm from the father that is your partner.
The second type of surrogate mother is the gestational surrogate. This is a technique called IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). This technique now makes it possible to gather egg from the mother, fertilize the eggs with a sperm from the father and then place the embryo safely in the uterus of the gestational surrogate mother. The surrogate carries the baby until birth. But note this surrogate mother doesn’t have any genetic ties to the child because her egg wasn’t used to fertilize the sperm. She was just a surrogate.
I will have you know that in the U.S, the issue of gestational surrogacy is quite simple legally. This is because both intended partners have genetic ties to the baby. So this has made gestational surrogacy more common than the traditional one such that according to research, more babies about 750 babies are born each year using the gestational surrogacy technique.
How do you find a Surrogate?
- Friends and families can never go wrong. Sometimes you can simply ask a relative or even a close friend who may be willing to go through that for you. Family and friends are less expensive compared to the high cost of Surrogacy and the legal issues that surrounds it. However the American Society for Reproductive Medicine completely frowns at asking families or close relatives because if the child carries the same gene as a child born of incest between close families/relatives thus the society frowns on it.
- There are surrogacy agencies that deals with making your search easier. They help you find a surrogate and make necessary arrangements. They also help to collect medical bills and fees from you and pass it on to the Surrogate.
A surrogacy agency. Most people use one to arrange a gestational surrogate. There are about 100 agencies now operating in the U.S. They act as go-betweens.
How Do You Choose a Surrogate?
I will advise that you choose a surrogate who;
- Is at least up to 21 and above.this is because she is completely an adult now so you don’t have to worry about certain things.
- Make sure she has given birth to at least one healthy baby. If she has been a mother, she would understand what it means to handle pregnancy and will know how to handle emotional issues while carrying the baby.
- Make sure she passes the psychological mental health screening in order to uncover any issues with giving up the baby after birth.
- Ensure she signs up a contract that states her role and responsibilities before and after birth.
- Make sure you get her tested from hepatitis C, HIV test etc… Make sure she undergoes all the body checkups to a certain the fact that she is healthy.
Surrogacy can be between $80,000 to about $140,000. It all depends on the state. The price is quite expensive because the Surrogate would have her own medical insurance, bills etc…in some state after the surrogacy has been done, you may still have to pass an adoption proceeding to guarantee the custody of the child. But to protect your rights as parents of the child when born, it is wise to hire an attorney to draw up a contract for you, and the surrogate mother to sign. Contract like that help solve unprecedented issues.
