What is Surrogacy?

The days when people wanted to have a family and could not complete their desire to start the journey of parenthood are now gone. Starting a family and having a child of our own is a desire for every intended parent. But when considering pregnancy there are a lot of complications one faces. A good option for single people or couples having trouble getting pregnant is surrogacy. Surrogacy can help them to have a biological child of their own. However, the entire surrogacy process is unfamiliar to most couples. Let us go in-depth and understand what is surrogacy, how surrogacy works, types of surrogacy, what is the process, and more.
What is Surrogacy?
Types of Surrogacy/ Surrogacy program options?
Reasons to consider surrogacy?
How does surrogacy works? Process of Surrogacy?

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a process that involves a woman(surrogate mother) giving birth to a child on behalf of the intended parent or couple. Through a legal surrogacy contract after the child is born the custody and all parental rights of the child are given to the intended parent. Surrogate mothers are impregnated through IVF(In-vitro fertilization). Where the embryo is created using the father’s sperm and the mother’s egg and then the embryo is implanted in the surrogate’s womb.

People may seek a surrogacy arrangement when a couple does not wish to carry a pregnancy themselves, when pregnancy is medically impossible, when pregnancy risks are dangerous for the intended mother, or when a single man or a male same-sex couple wishes to have a child.

There are two main types of surrogacy; Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate being genetically related to the child, while gestational surrogacy involves the surrogate carrying a child conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm.

Types of Surrogacy?

Genetic Connection - Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

Surrogates do not have any genetic connection with the child and it is quite expensive than traditional surrogacy. It is a procedure when someone who did not donate the egg used for conception carries a fetus to term and gives birth to a child on behalf of another individual or couple.

Many people or couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves—for example, infertility, health issues, or same-sex relationships—opt for gestational surrogacy. It gives people, or couples, a way to maintain a biological relationship with their child in the event that they are unable to carry the pregnancy to term. It’s critical that everyone involved understand their respective roles and responsibilities because the process can be complicated and involves emotional, legal, and medical considerations.

What is Traditional Surrogacy?

The surrogate is genetically related to the child and it costs less than gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate serves as both the biological mother of the child she is carrying and the egg donor; intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the technique used to create the embryos from the sperm.

Due to the surrogate’s genetic relationship to the child, traditional surrogacy poses special ethical and legal difficulties. This may give rise to intricate matters concerning the rights and obligations of parents. States have very different laws about surrogacy, so anyone thinking about traditional surrogacy should know what the laws are in their particular state.

Payment options for surrogates - Compensated Surrogacy and Altruistic Surrogacy.

What is Compensated Surrogacy?

Commercial surrogacy refers to any surrogacy arrangement in which the surrogate mother is compensated for her services in addition to being reimbursed for her medical expenses.

When a surrogate mother participates in commercial surrogacy, she signs a legal and binding contract committing her to carrying the pregnancy to term and renouncing all parental rights to the born child. The intended parents usually reimburse the surrogate for her time, energy, and the psychological and physical strain of the surrogacy procedure in exchange. Surrogates may be paid a wide range of sums of money, including living expenses, medical expenses, and additional compensation for their services.

Worldwide, there are differences in the legality of compensated surrogacy, and certain nations or regions may have laws that specifically allow, restrict, or forbid this type of surrogacy.

What is Altruistic Surrogacy?

Altruistic surrogacy pertains to a type of surrogacy where the surrogate mother is not paid anything except for the reimbursement of medical costs and other reasonable expenses that are directly associated with the pregnancy.

When a surrogate chooses an altruistic arrangement, their main goal is usually to assist another individual or couple in achieving their goal of becoming parents. This person in need of a gestational carrier could be a friend, relative, or even someone completely unrelated. The surrogate does not receive financial compensation for the arrangement; instead, the intended parents may pay for the surrogate’s medical care, legal fees, and other associated costs.

Legally speaking, altruistic surrogacy is more widely accepted in many jurisdictions. Altruistic surrogacy is legal in some countries that forbid paid surrogacy because it is seen as a less commercialized type of family-building support.

Know the difference between Altruistic Surrogacy Vs Commercial Surrogacy

Domestic And International Surrogacy

What is Domestic Surrogacy?

When the intended parents and surrogate mother are citizens of the same nation, this type of surrogacy arrangement is referred to as domestic surrogacy. A woman, known as the surrogate, carries and gives birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple, known as the intended parents, using assisted reproductive technology (ART).

All parties involved in domestic surrogacy are based in the same nation, including the intended parents, the surrogate, and frequently the medical professionals assisting with the process. Different countries may have different legal, cultural, and logistical ramifications from this. While some nations have explicit legal frameworks that regulate surrogacy, others might have legal limitations or no legislation at all.

What is International Surrogacy?

In international surrogacy, intended parents look for surrogacy services abroad. When surrogacy is prohibited or restricted in the home country of the intended parents, this is frequently done. International Surrogacy can be quite expensive depending on the destination country like Surrogacy in USA

Intended parents may find it difficult to navigate due to cultural differences. The legal aspects may be complex as every country has its own rules and regulations. Going through an agency would be helpful when considering International surrogacy.

It is imperative that all parties, whether domestic or international, have a thorough legal agreement before beginning a surrogacy journey that outlines rights, responsibilities, and expectations. Furthermore, seeking advice from medical and legal experts with knowledge of assisted reproduction and reproductive law can be very beneficial.

Independent Surrogacy

What is Independent Surrogacy?

When intended parents and surrogates find each other on their own, without the aid of a surrogacy agency, this is known as independent surrogacy. They could get in touch via social media or personal networks.

Independent surrogacy carries risks and challenges in addition to potential cost savings and greater direct involvement than agency-assisted surrogacy. The parties involved must handle the process on their own without the assistance of a professional agency, which could result in miscommunications or legal issues. It is important that all involved parties conduct comprehensive research, comprehend the legal and medical ramifications of surrogacy, and obtain expert guidance when necessary.

Reasons to consider surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement that is considered when one is not able to get pregnant and carry pregnancy. Surrogacy is a reproductive option that involves a woman carrying and giving birth to a child for another individual or couple. There are several reasons why people may consider surrogacy.

  • Infertility is one of the most prevalent causes of surrogacy considerations. Surrogacy is a viable option for individuals or couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term in order to expand their family.
  • Same-sex male couples or female couples who want to have their own biological child choose surrogacy for them to become parents. In such cases, one partner may provide sperm or egg to the surrogate to carry out the pregnancy.
  • Individuals who do not wish to get married but want to start their parenthood journey and have their biological child.
  • Medical conditions that may prevent individuals or couples from carrying pregnancy.
  • Unsuccessful pregnancy- Couples or individuals who have experienced unsuccessful pregnancies or miscarriages.
  • Maternal Age- After the age of 35, the chances of risks associated with pregnancy increase, women who want to have their child later on may choose pregnancy.
  • Genetic disorder- To avoid passing the genetic disorder to the child intended parent may choose surrogacy as the best option for them to have their baby.
  • Personal reason- Some people may simply choose surrogacy to not change their lifestyle or their personal situation.
It’s important to note that surrogacy is a complex process with legal, emotional, and ethical considerations. Individuals or couples considering surrogacy should thoroughly research and consider the implications before making a decision. Consulting with medical professionals, legal experts, and counselors experienced in reproductive issues can be beneficial in navigating the surrogacy journey.

Working with a commercial surrogacy agency such as Global Star Surrogacy helps you achieve success in your surrogacy journey and fulfill your dream of parenthood.

How Surrogacy works? Process of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a long process. It can take up to 15 to 18 months depending on your personal journey experience. Before considering surrogacy you might have a lot of doubt about How does surrogacy work? Let us go in-depth to understand the process of surrogacy and how surrogacy works in Global Star Surrogacy.
Consultation
Once you have decided to go for surrogacy. Then, the intended parent and the surrogate who are interested in surrogacy start by consulting the fertility center/specialist to understand their surrogacy options and going through the legal and medical rights of surrogacy.

Screening and Matching
To make sure that the surrogate mother and intended parents meet physical, emotional, and legal requirements they need to go through the screening process. After that, the intended parent and surrogate mother are matched based on their compatibility, requirements, etc.

Legal assessments.
Legal contracts are drawn between all parties such as the intended parents, surrogate mother, egg donor, and sperm donor based on the responsibility, legal rights, custody, and all.

Medical tests and screening.
To ensure that intended parents can undergo surrogacy and the surrogate is physically and emotionally ready to undergo pregnancy some tests and screenings are done so that there is no problem throughout pregnancy.

Embryo transfer.
The egg and the sperm are fertilized in the laboratory and then the embryo formed is transferred to the surrogate mother.

Pregnancy.
The pregnancy journey starts and the surrogate mother is given care and everything throughout the time by the intended parents. They can support the surrogate mother by going on doctor visits together and by being there for her.

Legal parental rights
The intended parents are considered as the legal parents of the child from the start. So after birth, they are given custody and all rights towards the infant.

All these are the steps you must follow when considering surrogacy and starting your parenthood journey. We at Global Star Surrogacy make sure that we ensure proper guidance and consult you, prior to your surrogacy process.

FAQs about Surrogacy

How to become a surrogate?
If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, then you must consult and seek guidance from a fertility clinic after that check and get screened to make sure that you meet the requirements or not. And then going up to the agency will help you a lot as it will be easier for you, the agency will take you through all the steps and guide you throughout.
Who needs Surrogacy?
There are a lot of people who go through infertility problems and deal with medical complications and psychological conditions. LGBT community can conceive easily through surrogacy with the help of egg donors, sperm donors, and surrogate mothers.
Difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy? Which one to choose?
In Gestational surrogacy, the surrogate does not have any genetic connection with the child and it is quite expensive than traditional surrogacy. It is a procedure when someone who did not donate the egg used for conception carries a fetus to term and gives birth to a child on behalf of another individual or couple.

In Traditional Surrogacy, the surrogate is genetically related to the child and it costs less than gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate serves as both the biological mother of the child she is carrying and the egg donor; intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the technique used to create the embryos from the sperm.

There are several instances where IPs find gestational surrogacy a lot superior and better than traditional surrogacy. As in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is linked with the child so there are chances that the surrogate might get attached to the child during pregnancy and refuse to give the infant to the intended parents.

The choice is totally up to the intended parent which to choose as it depends from person to person.
How long does surrogacy take?
From the moment the process of surrogacy starts till the baby is born it takes up to 12 to 24 months (1 to 2 years). Each surrogacy is unique and how long your surrogacy journey takes will depend on a number of factors, including the number of available surrogacy matches, medical procedures, and more.
What are the expenses covered by the intended parent?
All the expenses of the surrogacy program are the responsibility of the intended parent. Surrogacy agency fees, medical expenses, travel expenses, legal fees, and maternity clothing.

It’s important to remember that surrogacy laws and regulations differ greatly between nations and even within a single country’s region. Individual agreements reached by the parties may also have an impact on the precise costs covered. To make sure that everyone is fully aware of their rights, obligations, and the financial implications of the surrogacy arrangement, legal counsel is frequently advised.

In conclusion, a person’s perspective and values often influence their position on surrogacy. Although it gives many individuals and couples hope and the chance to become parents, it also brings up serious ethical and legal issues. The rights and welfare of all parties must be balanced when establishing the laws and policies that control surrogacy.
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Bringing your dream to life via surrogacy! Help us understand you better!

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Bringing your dream to life via surrogacy! Help us understand you better!