What you need to know if you’re considering a
gestational surrogacy
The meaning of surrogate
According to Wikipedia Surrogate is a substitute or deputy for
another person in a specific role and may refer to relationships, Economics,
Arts, Science and Technology and other uses. The focus here is on relationship.
In relationships it’s either a surrogate pregnancy, sexual surrogate or a
surrogate marriage.
Surrogate pregnancy, an arrangement for a woman
to carry and give birth to a child who will be raised by others. A gestational
carrier (surrogate) is a woman who carries and delivers a baby for you.
There are two main types of surrogacy,
gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. This article is focused on
gestational surrogacy.
What is
gestational surrogacy?
In Gestational Surrogacy (GS),
a surrogate is implanted with an embryo created by IVF. In this case, the resulting child is
genetically unrelated to the surrogate.
Why use a
gestational carrier?
A gestational carrier is considered if a person is unable to conceive
because of uterus irregularities or if other fertility treatments have failed.
Gestational Surrogacy has
various sub-types. They are;
· Gestational surrogacy with embryo from both intended
parents (GS/IP): In this sub-type, a surrogate is implanted with an embryo.
This embryo is created through IVF, where the intended father's sperm and
intended mother's eggs are being used.
·
Gestational surrogacy and egg donation (GS/ED): Here,
a surrogate is implanted with an embryo created by IVF. The intended father's
sperm and a donor egg are used. In this case, the donor is not the surrogate.
The child as a result of this is genetically related to intended father but genetically
unrelated to the surrogate.
·
Gestational surrogacy and donor sperm (GS/DS): In this
sub-type, a surrogate is implanted with an embryo created by IVF. The intended
mother's egg and donor sperm is used. The child gotten through this means is
genetically related to intended mother but genetically unrelated to the
surrogate.
·
Gestational surrogacy and donor embryo (GS/DE): Here,
a donor embryo is implanted in a surrogate; such embryos may be available when
others undergoing IVF have embryos left over, which they opt to donate to
others. The resulting child is genetically unrelated to the intended parent(s)
and genetically unrelated to the surrogate.
·
Traditional surrogacy (TS): This involves naturally or
artificially inseminating a surrogate with intended father's sperm via IUI, IVF
or home insemination. With this method, the resulting child is genetically
related to intended father and genetically related to the surrogate.
·
Traditional surrogacy and donor sperm (TS/DS): A
surrogate is artificially inseminated with donor sperm via IUI, IVF or home
insemination. The resulting child is genetically unrelated to the intended
parent(s) and genetically related to the surrogate.
What to expect when considering a GS
Both partners
will undergo an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure, such as in
vitro fertilization (IVF) to produce an embryo that is biologically yours. If
this is not possible due to fertility problem, a donated eggs, sperm, or embryos
is being used.
The embryo is
then placed in the uterus of a gestational carrier. This gestational carrier
carries the baby to term. Once the child is born, the carrier hands over the
baby then sign the necessary documents.
Gestational
carrier arrangements can be set up either as independent adoptions, where
they're legal, or more commonly by contracts arranged through agencies. Some
physicians specialize in working with gestational carriers and can help you
make an arrangement.
Most likely,
you'll be very involved in the pregnancy. You'll also probably pay the
carrier's expenses, from doctor visits to housing, along with additional legal,
agency, and service fees if a contract is involved.