Though, the surrogacy LGBT procedure with same-sex couples is quite similar as compared to heterosexual intended parents. Yet, there are some additional considerations and a few additional steps a same-sex couple needs to determine to experience a successful surrogacy journey.
To know more about becoming LGBT parents, its process, advantages, methods, and related things, keep reading the blog.
To give a gist about LGBT surrogacy, go through a quick overview
- What are the options LGBT couples have to build a family?
- How is surrogacy more convenient than other parenting methods for LGBT couples?
- What are the types of surrogacy? Which one should I choose?
- How is surrogacy different for LGBT couples? What is the process of surrogacy for same-sex couples?
- Is it okay for gay dads to raise a child without a mother? How will our child react or cope with us?
- Surrogacy laws for same-sex couples
- Perks of surrogacy for gay couples
- Additional factors every LGBT couple must consider before beginning a surrogacy journey
- Should we consider international surrogacy?
- How do we start our surrogacy process?
- Concluding thoughts
What are the options LGBT couples have to build a family?
Are you considering to begin a family? But you aren’t sure about the availability of options to conceive? Usually, same-sex couples have hardly a handful of options but there are a few alternatives that you can consider. Adoption and co-parenting are something everyone is aware of but it has their pros and cons, legal matters, and a needs assessment hence it is a lengthy process.
Another alternative that one can consider is surrogacy. Although, this method too is lengthy and has its risk factors, cons and you may need to be patient in case of miscarriage. Surrogacy LGBT is favorable as it allows intended parents to have a genetic link with the child and you get a feeling of an experience of natural pregnancy as you can see your child from the moment he/she is born. Also, you and your partner would be the only legal parents of your child, you won’t have to share parental responsibilities with anyone else unlike the adoption method.
How is surrogacy more convenient than other parenting methods for LGBT couples?
We are sure you might have come across the term “surrogacy” so far. Most of the intended parents worldwide prefer surrogacy over fertility treatments or parenting methods. Although, it is believed that surrogacy is quite a tedious process and expensive, considering a surrogacy agency like Global Star Surrogacy – an LGBT surrogacy agency can make your surrogacy journey complex-free.
Surrogacy assures a healthy and biologically linked child which is a concern of many couples who wish to become parents. This is the major reason couples have issues with determining adoption to receive a child.
Apart from the genetic link, the surrogacy process aids intended parents to be equally involved in the journey, they can coordinate and bond well with the surrogate mother which helps to keep themselves attached with the baby emotionally. Also, there are lesser complications with obtaining the child’s custody and the surrogate mother has no right to your baby once he/she is born.
Here, you don’t need to wait for any birth parents who are willing to grant their baby to you, you just need to wait to get a perfect donor and surrogate mother match. And, there are a lot of gestational carriers who wish to support LGBT couples, making your journey easy by carrying a child for 9 months with utmost care.
What are the types of surrogacy? Which one should I choose?
Mainly, there are two types of surrogacy – traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy consists of a surrogate mother carrying your child while using her eggs. Furthermore, her eggs are mixed with sperm samples of the intended father or sperm donor by using IUI or IVF procedure.
Although, a lot of same-sex couples think that traditional surrogacy might be favourable for them as the surrogate mother carries her eggs so they don’t need to look after finding an egg donor. But, the drawback here is, as the surrogate will provide her gamete material, she might refuse to return the child due to the emotional attachment. Also, you might face legal complications with this method. Moreover, a lot of states restrict intended parents to practice traditional surrogacy.
Meanwhile, gestational surrogacy is when a gestational carrier aka surrogate mother does not have any genetic link with the child. One or both of the parents can have a biological link with their baby by providing a sample of their eggs and sperm. In case of infertility or medical issues, you may choose to find an appropriate donor.
In addition, sperm and eggs are mixed in a laboratory using an IVF procedure to form embryos. Once they are ready, it is transferred to the surrogate’s womb. After a few medications, she performs a test to check pregnancy results, after it is confirmed she will move forward like any other pregnancy process.
As an LGBT couple, it is advised to choose gestational surrogacy always. You have less complication, and assurance of good results, and there are no hurdles to obtain parental rights. With a surrogacy contract, legal matters become less tedious for you when you go through a surrogacy journey via a trustable surrogacy agency.
How is the surrogacy journey different for LGBT couples? What is the process for same-sex couples?
Surrogacy is quite common among same-sex couples as the baby contains intended parent’s DNA. LGBT surrogacy process includes the IVF procedure, by using an egg donor in case of surrogacy for gay parents or sperm donor in the case of a lesbian couple and surrogate mother, the process is similar to any other surrogacy program. Yet, there are a few considerations that same-sex couples must determine.
Only one partner can have a biological link with their children
Unlike other surrogacy programs, in LGBT surrogacy one of the partners needs to sacrifice in terms of providing their gamete material. Only one of the partners can have a biological link with the child, hence you need to decide whose sperm or egg would be used in the IVF procedure.
Although few gay dads choose to fertilize multiple eggs using both of their sperm samples, this allows both of them to have a biological link with the baby. This is commonly known as surrogacy with egg sharing.
Choose an appropriate donor
A lot of intended fathers might prefer a known egg donor, they decide to use one of the partner’s sperm and use eggs of their relatives to have a biological link between both partners. Although, it is advised to choose an anonymous donor via a surrogacy agency as they will guide, and assist you with performing screening tests to find a fit, fertile and appropriate donor.
Also, working with an advanced and known fertility clinic assures you positive results and also a contract is formed between intended parents and donors stating the risk factors, roles, and responsibilities with their consent to avoid unwanted complications.
Once you have undergone these procedures, you can continue with the surrogacy process
Is it okay for gay dads to raise a child without a mother? How would my child react or cope with 2 fathers?
This is the common question every intended gay parent goes through. Today, the concept of families is changing and every individual has the right to become a parent, yet there are a few stigmas in society that lead to anxiety and emotional tension among LGBT-intended parents.
Well, according to research in the long-term results states that children born through surrogacy to a same-sex family do well in terms of psychological and emotional adjustments. What matters is the quality of upbringing your child gets and the kind of relationship you share with them. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter what your gender is and whether your child has 2 fathers or mothers.
However, it is essential to confront your children whenever they are ready and mature to understand to ensure they have the proper knowledge and positive mindset about your identity and sexual orientation. Also, maintaining relationships with surrogate mother and egg donor even after the birth of your child can help you cope well with your children in the future, also your child deserves to know who their birth mother is!
Before the birth of your child, you will have to talk with your family, friends, and your support system to make sure they are aware of your surrogacy journey. Be it anyone, you shouldn’t be ashamed or in doubt of anything with this procedure, you deserve to commence a family and with surrogacy, you are creating a life, nothing is more magical than this.
Surrogacy laws for same-sex couples
Laws for LGBT surrogacy differ in each country, while few states do not permit surrogacy at all and few do not acknowledge surrogacy contracts. This can make your legal process complicated for same-sex intended parents.
Depending on the state you are applying for surrogacy, LGBT couples will have to undergo additional procedures to be recognized as legal parents and to obtain a birth certificate naming couples as birth parents. Based on the country, you can resolve the legal hurdles by applying for a pre-birth order.
Although, intended parents considering surrogacy must approach a surrogacy agency to ensure every surrogacy step is looked after by experts. A couple alone cannot handle everything at once, hence having the thorough guidance of an experienced attorney or a family lawyer who is conversant with regulations and surrogacy laws of the state will simplify your journey.
Perks of surrogacy for gay parents
Whether you are a same-sex couple or a gay hopeful individual LGBT surrogacy is one of the suitable alternatives to building a beautiful family. Before you begin your surrogacy process, you must determine all the advantages and cons to decide if it is the best option for you.
- It allows gay intended parents to fulfill their long-lost dream of becoming parents with a safe process.
- It assures same-sex couples to have a biologically linked healthy child, and one or both parents can have a genetic link with their baby via our surrogacy programs.
- Intended parents can maintain meaningful and healthy relationships with gestational carriers even after the child is born.
- Many surrogates are eagerly waiting to work with LGBT couples and provide them with a healthy and happy child to complete their family.
- Unlike adoption, gay intended parents have full right to be involved in the entire surrogacy process right from donor selection to the day of delivery.
Despite of few perks, there are a few challenges on the road of gay parenting that you must consider before selecting surrogacy to conceive a child.
- LGBT surrogacy can be a legally challenging and complicated process few states do not allow gay surrogacy at all, while others have a lengthy process to obtain a child’s custody and at times you will have to apply for a pre-order to change the parents’ name on the child birth certificate.
- Usually, surrogacy is a bit of an expensive procedure and there are a handful of monetary options compared to adoption that can help you balance your budget.
- Few LGBT couples may face bias or discrimination from surrogacy agencies or fertility clinics, hence it is important to look for an LGBT surrogacy agency like Global Star Surrogacy.
- Intended Parents may find anxiety, as the family structure is different compared to heterosexual couples hence, couples and their families may face issues with acceptance from society.
All these challenges can be overcome by consulting an appropriate surrogacy agency, they will consult and guide you with the right program suitable for you with the best solutions.
Additional factors every LGBT couple must consider before beginning a surrogacy journey
The main factor that differentiates surrogacy from other treatments is, it does not discriminate against couples’ or individuals’ marital status or sexual orientation. Gestational surrogacy solves every intended parent who wishes to commence a family. However, there are a few additional considerations every LGBT-intended parent must think of.
Find an LGBT-friendly surrogacy agency
You must connect with a surrogacy agency and professionals that support the LGBT community to avoid unwanted discrimination and have a smooth surrogacy experience in terms of social norms.
When you start looking for surrogacy agencies, as them about their history working with gay couples, and LGBT parent testimonials, and ask how many babies were born to gay couples. Also, find out whether they offer counseling or consultation to same-sex couple surrogacy.
HIV and surrogacy
Gay couples who are HIV positive, usually have whether they can have a child without transmitting the infection to him or her. Well, surrogacy can solve your concern, you can become a dad without spreading your infection to your child or surrogate mother.
Through the sperm washing technique or SPAR program, your sperm sample is collected and examined, washed thoroughly to ensure there is no infection left in the semen. Once we get a green signal it is further mixed with the eggs of a donor and sent for an IVF procedure.
Gay parenting
As we discussed earlier, gay dads have concerned about whether they would be able to raise a child without a mother. Even though today every kind of family is accepted, gay couples may find the difficulty to acceptance of gay parenting or family through family, or relatives due to discrimination.
If you have determined that you want to complete your family then no one can cause you any harm. According to research, children born to LGBT couples are as content and skilled as heterosexual couples. Although, constant emotional support to your children and clear communication can save them from facing psychological problems right from childhood.
Should we consider international surrogacy?
Surrogacy is popular worldwide and a lot of intended parents consider going overseas. But, should a gay couple consider international surrogacy? Well, the answer depends on the country you live in, a lot of countries prohibit surrogacy for gay surrogacy while few support surrogacy but have certain restrictions.
Depending on the laws and regulations, you can think of a surrogacy program overseas, it will assure you a positive outcome with the best fertility clinic and surrogacy services. And applying to a country that is LGBT-friendly will make your journey smooth and provide legal protection to intended parents during pregnancy and even after the child is born.
There are a lot of legal factors that a surrogacy process entails, how do I look after every legal matter? Well, if you don’t need to look after everything by yourself, what you need to do is finalize a full-service surrogacy agency that provides legal support to IPs (Intended Parents). An experienced attorney will guide you through the legal hurdles and will ensure you have all the required documents to take your baby home safely.
And in what countries can I apply for surrogacy? Every country has different surrogacy laws but ideally, a lot of gay couples find Cyprus and Columbia to be the perfect countries for surrogacy. We ensure you have a hassle-free experience and receive a healthy child.
How do we begin our surrogacy process?
We understand that surrogacy is quite a big decision to take and you already have multiple doubts, and concerns in your mind. We recommend to seek for advice from a gay couple who have experience with surrogacy and looking for an agency would give you a clear idea about the procedure.
They will consult you, understand your issue and suggest a suitable program. From 15 years of experience, our expert has earned a wealth of information and expertise in this domain, she guides and supports every intended parent.
Global Star Surrogacy – LGBT surrogacy agency is known to fulfill every Ip’s dream with end-to-end surrogacy services. To know more about the process, book our free consultation call!
Concluding thoughts
Surrogacy is possible for everyone. It is a beautiful alternative for LGBT couples who have been trying to expand their family for years. This method allows gay couples to have a genetically linked child with a safe procedure.
Despite there being a few considerations, that every gay IP must remember, it has its perks and high success rates. You too can have a mini version of yourself via surrogacy!
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