Couples and individuals have been struggling with infertility problems for years now. Initially, there were hardly any options for intended parents to fulfill their dreams of building a family. Though surrogacy has been around since the 1980s, it was always covered with secrecy, misconceptions, and strict legal barriers which stopped intended parents from ever considering surrogacy. The recent advancement in medicines, technology with fertility treatment, laws and regulations, and awareness of IVF surrogacy success rates have allowed it to be an ideal option for conceiving. Without which individuals may never have the opportunity to conceive a child who shares their genetic heritage.
Hundreds and thousands of healthy babies have been born via IVF surrogacy in recent years. Even celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, Sarah Jesica Parker and Nicole Kidman and many other actors have been open to choosing the IVF surrogacy process to build their families. Though intended parents who are considering IVF surrogacy often have doubts and concerns with the procedure, whether it contains any side effects or risks and how long does it take to complete a journey? Is this the best-suited treatment for me?
We understand your concerns, and hence to answer your questions, this blog will introduce you to detailed facts about the IVF surrogacy program, so that you have an idea when you meet several fertility clinics or surrogacy professionals, you would know what questions to ask before initiating your surrogacy journey.
- What is IVF surrogacy?
- Are IVF and surrogacy the same?
- How does IVF surrogacy work?
- How are donors selected?
- How are surrogate mothers selected in the IVF process for surrogacy?
- Perks of surrogacy
- How long does the procedure take?
- How much does surrogacy cost?
What is IVF surrogacy?
You must have come across the term several times by now, but let us first understand what exactly is IVF surrogacy. The program uses a third party i.e gestational carrier or surrogate mother to carry a baby for someone else who cannot carry or conceive naturally. The procedure involves using the method of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to create embryos, furthermore, those embryos are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus to confirm implantation. Before embryo transfer (ET) both the parties i.e intended parents and the surrogate mother must sign a surrogacy contract with consent discussing all the factors that are essential in a surrogacy journey.
The program for heterosexual couples includes using the sperm sample and retrieved eggs to create embryos, in case of infertility issues and poor quality of gamete materials they can choose to find a suitable donor. Though with straight couples, at least one of the partners is assured to have a biological link with the child, and hence they can welcome the baby who is related to them just as they would have conceived naturally.
Whereas, when a hopeful individual wishes to conceive a child through surrogacy then he or she would require a donor (opposite of their sex) to initiate an IVF procedure. In the case of gay couples, firstly couple would need to decide on one partner who will have a biological contribution to the process and they need to find an egg donor for the fertility procedure.
In all situations, the gestational carrier does not have any genetic link with the child, she just carries the child for 9 months and hence she is referred to as a carrier. Using the method of IVF in your surrogacy program increases the success rate of conceiving a healthy child.
Are IVF and surrogacy the same?
Often, people get confused that IVF and surrogacy are the same. Well, to answer the question, no both the treatments are different, they may have a few similarities but they have major differences that we would be discussing.
While a lot of individuals who are couples feel distraught by the fact that they cannot conceive naturally, treatments and programs like in -vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered a boon for infertile couples as it assists them to build a family after countless failed attempts. IVF procedure begins by combining the sperm sample with the retrieved eggs of the intended mother and embryos are formed in a laboratory using a test tube hence this program is also termed a test tube baby.
In addition, embryos are transferred back to the intended mother’s womb to confirm pregnancy. The IVF process is considered one of the advanced treatments that can help women with damaged fallopian tubes to conceive. In cases where IVF fails then doctors would recommend couples consider gestational surrogacy.
How does the IVF program work?
The IVF procedure begins with prescribing hormone therapy to the intended mother to elevate the development of eggs in her ovaries. Furthermore, mature eggs are retrieved and then placed in a test tube for the fertilization process. This aids in the formation of embryos and after observing embryos in an incubator they will be transferred into the intended mother’s womb.
What is surrogacy and what differentiates it from IVF?
Usually, surrogacy is recommended when no other fertility has worked for a couple. In surrogacy, eggs or embryos are implanted into someone else’s uterus i.e surrogate mother. She would carry your baby for 9 months and deliver your baby just like any other intended mother. Compared to IVF, surrogacy is a bit of a complex journey as it includes emotional, financial, and legal factors making it more difficult to undergo without any primary assistance. Women who have faced multiple miscarriages might consider surrogacy as their first path to conceiving a genetically linked child. Well, there are a few reasons as well that influence intended parents to choose surrogacy over any other alternative.
Who can opt for surrogacy?
Apart from infertility issues, there are various other reasons as well that lead intended parents to choose gestational surrogacy.
Uterine anomaly
Women with abnormal uterus find it difficult to conceive naturally. This condition can occur due to an inherent condition or uterine defect that makes implantation difficult or women may find difficulty in carrying the baby to term.
Uterine Fibroids
A fibroid uterus and intrauterine adhesion might be also the reason for couples or individuals to select surrogacy. As this condition can at times change the shape of the uterus or create serious problems in the cervix.
Recurrent miscarriage
If a woman is facing multiple failures in pregnancy either naturally or through various fertility treatments, then doctors may recommend surrogacy by screening her medical conditions.
Cervical incompetence
Women with cervical incompetence i.e who’s uterus is weak to carry a child on term may choose surrogacy to conceive a biologically linked child.
Multiple IVF failure
It is usually said, when IVF fails to give a successful pregnancy then surrogacy can bring a ray of light by providing a successful and effective procedure.
Other medical issues/conditions
Other medical conditions may not affect a woman’s uterus but they can affect her ability to carry a child healthy to term. Additional chronic diseases can turn pregnancy into a very risky journey or process for the mother and child as well. Disease includes:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- And hypertension
Apart from medical reasons, there are a few other conditions for which intended parents can choose gestational surrogacy.
- Single fathers or mothers who wish to achieve parenthood
- Same-sex male couples and trans women who want to conceive a genetically linked child.
- Women above the age of 35, may find difficulty with fertility.
- Women with the absence of a uterus by birth.
Surrogacy vs IVF
To explain the difference, in short, IVF is the procedure where the eggs are fertilized outside the woman’s body. Whereas surrogacy includes implanting embryos into the surrogate’s uterus and then she carries the child for the next 9 months.
If both the terms have differences in their procedure, then why is it termed IVF surrogacy? Since gestational surrogacy includes the procedure of IVF to create embryos.. Only a surrogate would carry those embryos till the date of delivery.
How does IVF surrogacy work?
What must be expected in the IVF surrogacy process? Once, the intended parents and surrogate mother have signed the surrogate agreement with consent, then the medical process begins. The physician or IVF specialists would prescribe medicines to the egg donor or intended mother and surrogate to synchronize their cycle and to produce egg growth. Furthermore, the doctor would retrieve the eggs of the intended mother or egg donor and combine them with the intended father or sperm donor.
Doctors would observe embryos for a few days and then implant them into the surrogate’s womb. The number of embryos to be transferred depends on the decision of the intended parents, doctors’ recommendation, and also an allowance for the surrogate mother, all these factors must be mentioned in the surrogacy contract. Once the doctor confirms the success of implantation, the surrogate mother would receive medical care throughout her pregnancy journey. Once the newborn child is born, the intended parents take their baby home, only after proceeding with the legal matters.
How are donors selected in the IVF surrogacy process?
A lot of intended parents prefer choosing someone known, who can donate eggs or sperm for them. Well, yes you know your relatives so there would be a sense of trust but then you would have to perform a screening test all by yourself and check for all the criteria that are essential in the IVF process for surrogacy.
Meanwhile, approaching a surrogacy professional or agency like Global Star Surrogacy aids intended parents by finding donors from their best network. From looking for different criteria, intended parents expect to perform various tests to ensure intended parents get a perfect donor match.
The IVF surrogacy process for donors includes:
There are two kinds of screening performed for donors i.e physical and psychological. Let’s have a look at what donors or the IVF process for surrogacy look like.- The IVF surrogacy process for selecting donors begins with an application procedure.
- Initially, telephonic interviews are conducted, and then donors are shortlisted for a face-to-face interview.
- Physical screening to check the medical or fertility condition of the donor
- Furthermore, performing blood and drug tests.
- Ultrasound test
- Conducting information like physical and psychological history of the family to determine whether there is any probability of any disease transmitting to the child.
- Physical screening to determine the availability of infection or chronic disease.
Why is psychological screening conducted?
The Donation process can be emotionally challenging, especially for egg donors. It is important to determine that she is mentally and emotionally ready to commit to someone else. The donor must be informed about the IVF process for surrogacy, risk factors, and side effects.
Once a surrogacy professional gets her consent she will be further sent to a psychologist to check her emotional state to avoid any complications in the surrogacy journey.
Global Star Surrogacy assures the best donor match to intended parents. Our donors are experienced and aid in providing successful implantation.
How are surrogate mothers selected in the IVF process for surrogacy?
Choosing a surrogate mother is one of the essential decisions for the intended parents. There are a few criteria that a surrogate mother must match to have a hassle-free surrogacy journey in regard to medical terms. A reputable and renowned surrogacy agency like Global Star Surrogacy provides a fully screened surrogate profile and guides intended parents to choose the right surrogate mother. Also, an agency guides you with legal considerations in your country and connects you with an experienced lawyer as well.
Surrogate needs to undergo a strict screening test to make sure she is physically, and emotionally healthy to carry the pregnancy without any risk. When shortlisting a surrogate mother, few must-haves attributes intended parents must be aware of.
- She must be between the age of 21 to 40 years old.
- She must have a healthy lifestyle (she must not consume smoke, alcohol, or drugs and must have a healthy diet, etc).
- Must have experience with prior pregnancy via surrogacy.
- She must pass the medical and psychological tests.
Perks of surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy assists intended parents to have a biological link with their child
Even if one of the partners is infertile, yet through gestational surrogacy intended parents can conceive a child who carries your DNA. Surrogacy may have complicated procedures but in the end, it makes sure the intended parents conceive a healthy child and they have a biological relationship with their baby.
Gestational surrogacy results into successful pregnancy
Since gestational carriers are fit, fertile, and experienced, they also undergo rigorous screening tests to determine their medical condition. With a good surrogate mother, you are most likely to experience a successful pregnancy.
Intended parents assured to get legal parental rights
With the help of an experienced attorney, intended parents get full guidance to understand the laws and regulations associated with surrogacy when they approach a reputable surrogacy agency. With the right documents and surrogacy contract, your attorney ensures that the intended parents undergo each legal process to obtain the child’s custody or parental rights.
Intended parents can maintain a good relationship with the surrogate mother
Once the intended parents find a perfect match with the surrogate mother, usually, both parties connect to understand each other and bond well. This helps in coordinating and communicating well during the duration of the surrogacy pregnancy. In some cases, this bond continues even after the delivery of a newborn child and the surrogate mother loves seeing the child grow over the years.
Gestational surrogacy aids in conceiving kids for hopeful singles and gay couples
Conceiving a healthy child via surrogacy isn’t restricted to only heterosexual couples, hopeful singles and gay or same-sex couples can also build a family. By approaching good and fertile donors, an agency would assist in achieving successful implantation with a surrogate via the IVF method.
Though, the surrogacy procedure for single parents and gay couples is a bit different and has few additional considerations and different laws.
How long does the procedure take?
The estimated duration for a surrogacy journey is around 15-18 months, but remember every individual is different and their surrogacy will also differ at the end. It also depends on which country you decide to pursue your surrogacy arrangement.
Finding the right match is difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, shortlisting them based on their experience and determining their screening test results may consume little effort and time. The estimated time for finding donors and the surrogate mother can take around 1-5 months.
Whereas, medical and IVF procedures can take up to 2 months or more time. Preparing embryos takes a few days and then doctors need to observe for a few days to check the quality of embryos. If in case a single transferred embryo fails in achieving implantation, then the doctor will suggest repeating the process which may take more time.
Once implantation is achieved successfully, then the surrogate would carry on with her prenatal care, and doctor visits like any other pregnant woman for 9 months. Furthermore, after delivery obtaining parental rights, it takes weeks or months depending on the state’s legal proceedings. Though, with the guidance of our attorney, the procedure becomes hassle-free for the intended parents.
How much does surrogacy cost?
This is one of the common questions every surrogacy professional receives from intended parents during the consultation process. How much does surrogacy cost? Well, gestational surrogacy with the IVF method includes several medical steps, and we understand your concern. Intended parents need to determine the cost of surrogacy combined with all the procedures. Though legal and agency fees can add to your overall surrogacy fees, and additionally, insurance can affect your surrogacy budget as well. But the perk of working with an agency is, intended parents don’t need to worry about the complications of the procedure, agency guides will assist and guide them throughout the journey.
Families and individuals considering surrogacy using IVF must expect the cost of surrogacy from $50,000 to $100,000. The cost of surrogacy varies from state to state, agencies, and many other factors. This cost range is estimated in the United States but remember it can vary as your surrogacy journey would be different from other intended parents.
To understand, how much does surrogacy cost? Ask your agency to give a detailed breakdown of surrogacy cost during the consultation phase i.e before commencing the surrogacy process.
Are you ready to begin your surrogacy journey?
Are you all set to commence your journey of parenthood? Or are you still confused about the process of the surrogacy journey? Global Star Surrogacy is here to help you by providing the right information aligned with the best services that will lead you to a successful conception and healthy child.
To get more information about surrogacy procedures visit our website or if you wish to commence your surrogacy journey right away, book our free consultation call and get in touch with us!
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