Surrogacy-A Chance At Parenthood
What Is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy can be defined this way: Another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for a couple. Actually, surrogacy has been a way for childless couples to have a family for many, many, years. The idea is not new, but the interest in the process is new for these times. Surrogacy offers a unique option for infertile women to become mothers. It is different from adoption because it provides opportunity for a partial or full genetic link between one or both of the intended parents and the baby.
The Types Of Surrogacy
Straight surrogacy, when the surrogate's eggs are fertilized with the sperm of the intended father and insemination is done through either IVF or artificial insemination, is the simpler of the methods of surrogacy. Mentally, this type of surrogacy can be the hardest to accept because it is difficult for both mothers. The surrogate mother will have to give up a child who is biologically hers, and the intended mother will have to deal with feelings of her husband having fathered a child with another woman.
Host surrogacy is also known as gestational or full surrogacy. The egg of the intended mother and the sperm of her husband or donor sperm are combined and the surrogate is impregnated through IVF. This way there is no biological connection between the surrogate and the baby. It is much more difficult to conceive the pregnancy using this method with chances of success much lower than with straight surrogacy. However, most couples feel much better about this type of surrogacy knowing there are no ties between birth mother and baby.
Legalities Abound
There are many legal matters surrounding surrogacy and they may vary. Legally, the surrogate is the birth mother and her name will be on the baby's birth certificate. A surrogate also has the right to change her mind, even if the baby is not genetically hers. A parental order, drawn up by a lawyer, is one way to protect against this action. Even though it does not happen often, it is essential that all parties understand the implications. Trust is vitally important in surrogacy since many unspoken concerns arise. The fear that the surrogate mother will not turn the baby over is perhaps one of the greatest. There may also be concern over whether the surrogate will take proper care of herself and the unborn baby during gestation.
Who Is The Commissioning Mother?
Most intended mothers, or commissioning mothers, are older and have run the gamut of fertility treatments. They have made up their minds for their course of action and professional observers note that they seldom justify their decision. These women are often highly assertive, are professionals, and seem to have been able to reconcile the difference in a surrogate family with other families.
There are many questions to consider and answer before stepping into this arena. There are huge costs and even greater rewards when it is successful.
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