It is not unusual to feel intimidated when you first learn about surrogacy. That said, it is one of the most successful and chosen paths amongst all sorts of alternative reproduction methods nowadays. Surrogacy can be one of those “life-changing” experiences for everyone involved in the process and making people’s parenthood dreams come true.
Keep reading to understand all the ins and outs of surrogacy – what it is, how it works, its types, cost, pros and cons, and everything else you need to know!
What Is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy, as we mentioned above, is a method of assisted reproduction that involves a legal agreement between the intended parents (those who cannot conceive naturally for medical reasons or gay couples) and the surrogate mother. The latter carries their baby in her womb until its birth.
How Does Surrogacy Work?
Now that you know what surrogate pregnancy is, you might be wondering how on earth does that work? Believe it or not, science has made it possible to create embryos inside a laboratory through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). During the process, the female egg is fertilized with the sperm via medical procedures at a fertility clinic.
This embryo is later implanted in the surrogate mother’s uterus, which further carries and delivers the baby. Gestational carriers, therefore, do not have any genetic or biological relationship to the child whatsoever.
Types of Surrogacy
Typically, there are two types of surrogacies: traditional and gestational. Below, we discuss them both.
Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy is a technique wherein the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child she delivers. She is artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm, and it is her egg that is fertilized in the process. So, if the intended parents are a gay couple (male) or a woman has infertility issues in a heterosexual couple, traditional surrogacy might help.
Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is the more popular one of the two, the reason being that it is not only far less complex – both emotionally and legally, but also allows the intended parents to be genetically connected to their child. In this technique, eggs are gathered from the mother and fertilized with the father’s sperm to create an embryo and place it inside the surrogate’s uterus. Here, the gestational carrier has no biological link to the baby.
How Much Surrogacy Cost In India?
Surrogacy is indeed a complicated process and hence costs you accordingly. In India, the cost of surrogacy is nearly ₹13 to 14 lakhs, based on the kind of surrogacy treatment (self egg or donor egg) you opt for.
Pros and Cons of Surrogacy for Intended Parents
For intended parents, surrogacy can be an overwhelming experience. Now, let’s talk about some of the most prominent pros and cons of entering parenthood via surrogacy.
Pros of Surrogacy
- Your family gets completed – Family building can become a dream for people who have struggled with infertility for years, same-sex couples, and those with health concerns that make pregnancies unsafe. And surrogacy can fulfil this dream!
- Allows genetic ties – Gestational surrogacy, in particular, allows the intended parents (one or both) to be genetically connected with their child.
- Higher success rate – Surrogacy has quite a high success rate in general, the reason being that most surrogates have a proven track record of carrying healthy pregnancies.
Cons of Surrogacy
- The process is complex – Both kinds of surrogacies call for medical procedures and legal processes that are fairly complex.
- Significantly expensive – With the number of people and services required, no wonder this treatment can cost you significantly.
How to Find a Surrogate?
A surrogate is a woman who consents to carry a pregnancy, deliver the child, and then hand it over to the couple or person she gave her commitment to.
To find a surrogate, most people prefer one of the following two ways.
- Friends and Family – Someone from your friend circle or a family member can, sometimes, become a surrogate for you. Although it may sound controversial, some people find it easier to trust a family member or a close friend to carry their baby.
- A surrogacy agency – This is the more popular way to connect with a surrogate. A surrogacy agency shall be responsible for screening a candidate’s medical record and all sorts of recruitment tactics, even before you casually check out a profile. It will help you find a perfect match so both parties can be at ease.
Conclusion
Although surrogacy has gained immense popularity over the years, it is always best to consider all the aspects revolving around the process before opting for this treatment. You must consult your health care professional and, after that, decide if it is the right path for you. Your journey will depend significantly on your situation, so make sure you do what’s best for you and your family.
Do you know anyone who has gone through Surrogacy
