Becoming a mother or a father is everyone's dream, isn't it? But sometimes, for various reasons, it can be a little difficult to make that dream come true. That's when some people have to think about this method called `(Gestational Surrogacy)`. Simply put, this is a method where another woman carries and gives birth to your own baby for you. Let's talk about this in a little more detail .
What exactly is this ``(Gestational Surrogacy)''?
Okay, Gestational Surrogacy is when another woman (let's call her a "gestational carrier") carries and delivers a child for you, or for a couple. The important thing here is that the surrogate mother has no genetic connection to the child. That is, the baby's egg comes from the intended mother or an egg donor. The sperm comes from the intended father or a sperm donor.
In most cases, a baby is conceived using a technique called ``In Vitro Fertilization - IVF''. Simply put, ``IVF'' is the process of combining the intended parents' eggs and sperm (or those obtained from donors) in a laboratory to create an embryo. That embryo is then implanted into the surrogate mother's uterus. So, since the surrogate mother does not provide an egg, there is no genetic link between her and the baby.
What is the difference between a regular `(Surrogate)` and a `(Gestational Surrogate)`?
There are two methods of ``Surrogacy''. One is ``Gestational Surrogacy'' that we are talking about. The other is ``Traditional Surrogacy''.
- (Gestational Surrogacy): As we just discussed, here the mother who carries the child is not genetically related to the baby. Because, none of her eggs are used for this. Either the egg of the expectant mother or the egg of a donor is used. The only thing the surrogate mother does is carry the baby in her womb and give birth to it. This is the method that is currently most widely used in the world and has the fewest legal problems. Because, at least one of the expectant parents is genetically related to the baby, but the surrogate mother is not.
- (Traditional Surrogacy): In this method, the mother who carries the child is genetically related to the child. That is, her own eggs are used to create the child. After she carries the child in her womb and gives birth, as the biological parent of the child, she has to transfer the custody (parental rights) of the child to the intended parents. This method is prohibited by law in many countries due to the legal and psychological problems it poses.
Who resorts to this ``(Gestational Surrogacy)`` method?
Many people resort to this method to add another member to their family for various reasons. Consider these situations:
- If the expectant mother is unable to bear a child due to some problem in her uterus .
- If the expectant mother has a serious physical or mental illness that makes pregnancy risky for her or the baby.
- If a person's uterus has been surgically removed (hysterectomy) or if there is a congenital defect in the uterus.
- If the intended recipient is biologically incapable of conceiving or bearing a child. For example, a single man or a gay male couple .
"A child is a great blessing. If methods like this can help some people achieve that happiness, it's truly worth it."
How does this process happen?
Simply put, in ``Gestational Surrogacy``, an embryo is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents (or donors) through ``(IVF)`` technology. That embryo is then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate mother. From there, she carries the baby in her womb.
The process begins with the selection of a surrogate mother. After that, legal contracts are signed between that surrogate and the intended parents. Both undergo various medical and psychological tests. Only after all this is approved does the IVF treatment begin.
How do I find someone to hold the child?
When most people turn to this, they talk to a `(Surrogacy Agency)`, that is, an organization that provides such services. You can find out all the details about the process and the costs from these organizations. They are the ones who help you find a suitable surrogate mother. They also help draw up legal contracts between the two parties. Some couples choose a family member or friend for this. There is nothing wrong with that either, but there can be complications that come with a little more emotional commitment.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the following characteristics should be present to be considered ideal for carrying a child:
- You must be healthy , between the ages of 21 and 45 (under 35 is better).
- At least one delivery and a maximum of five deliveries must have been completed without any complications.
- It is not good to have had more than three C-section surgeries.
- He needs to have a healthy weight .
- Also, you must meet any other requirements set by the relevant institution.
The best thing is that the surrogate mother has a stable family environment and good psychological support to cope with the additional stress of pregnancy. When choosing these people, their background is carefully investigated. Also, the prospective parents have to provide their financial information to ensure that they can afford the cost.
How are the medical tests?
Like expectant parents, the mother who is carrying the baby should also undergo a special medical examination . She also sees a psychiatrist to check for mental conditions such as depression.
According to the ASRM, a complete medical examination should be performed to ensure that the expectant mother is healthy enough to carry the baby to term. Blood tests are also performed to check for the following diseases:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
You should also be up to date with measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria (Tdap) vaccines. Sometimes, you may also need the COVID vaccine. Expectant parents (or egg/sperm donors) also undergo genetic screening to see if their baby is at risk of having a birth defect, such as Down syndrome.
How is the legal side?
It is essential to complete a legal agreement before starting IVF treatment. This agreement should include the following:
- The surrogate mother agrees to hand over the baby to the intended parents after the baby is born.
- The roles and responsibilities of the mother who bears the child during pregnancy (e.g., going to medical checkups on time, not using drugs or alcohol).
- Payments and compensation.
- Sensitive issues like termination of pregnancy and fetal death.
- All risks and responsibilities associated with `(IVF)` treatment, pregnancy, and childbirth.
- There are many other situations and possible outcomes that could have legal implications.
The laws regarding surrogacy vary from country to country. Your surrogacy agency or a lawyer can help you navigate this legal process. This can be a bit complicated, so working with an experienced legal team and signing contracts is the best way to ensure this is done legally.
How does a mother who carries a child get pregnant?
Your doctor will take your (the expectant mother's) eggs and combine them with your partner's (the expectant father's) sperm in a lab. Sometimes donor eggs or donor sperm are used. If the expectant mother is using her own eggs, she will be given fertility medication to stimulate the maturation of her eggs, to produce as many eggs as possible at once. When a sperm joins with one or more eggs, an embryo is formed.
The expectant mother also takes fertility medicine to prepare her uterus to receive an embryo. After the embryos are formed, they are inserted into the expectant mother's uterus.
Who is involved in this process?
Several people are involved in this ``Gestational Surrogacy'' process:
- The gestational carrier
- The intended parent(s)
- Egg or sperm donors (if necessary)
- `(Surrogacy agency)`
- Fertility center
- Lawyers or legal counsel
- Pregnancy care providers (obstetricians and gynecologists, midwives)
- Mental health providers
- Genetic counselors
Are there any risks to this method?
In fact, there are some risks for couples and individuals who use surrogacy. The most common risks are:
- There is no guarantee that a pregnancy will be successful or that it will last to full term.
- Fertility treatments and medical procedures can pose risks to both the expecting parents and the mother carrying the child.
- The financial risks that come with IVF treatment, medical procedures, legal proceedings, and payments to the surrogate mother.
- Psychological risks caused by miscarriages, complications, and other health conditions.
- The frustration of not being able to control the mother, the pregnancy, and other factors that are holding the baby.
Also, there are risks for the mother who carries the baby. She has to go to regular medical clinics throughout the pregnancy. She is also at risk for all the complications that occur during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections. Carrying someone else's baby can be emotionally and physically challenging for the mother's partner and the children. While many surrogate mothers are happy to help a couple or individual become parents, they can also develop an emotional bond with the baby after the baby is born.
What are the advantages of this method?
Gestational Surrogacy is a great opportunity for couples and individuals who are biologically or physically unable to have children to expand their family or start a family. For many who have been unable to become parents due to uterine problems, medical or psychological conditions, or marital status, it is like a dream come true.
Can the person carrying the baby keep the baby?
No, the surrogate mother cannot keep the baby. Before fertility treatment begins, a legal agreement is signed between the expectant parents and the surrogate mother. This agreement clearly states that the surrogate mother must hand over the baby to the expectant parents after the baby is born. Also, as we mentioned earlier, since the surrogate mother has no biological relationship with the baby, she has no parental rights over the baby.
How much does this cost?
Legal fees, medical expenses, agency fees, payments to the surrogate mother, and location all affect the cost of this `(Surrogacy)` method. On average, it can cost anywhere from US$50,000 to US$150,000 or even more. These costs can vary in Sri Lanka, so it is best to check with the relevant institutions to find out exactly. Also, there are times when `(IVF)` treatment is not successful the first time, and then the process has to be repeated.
Finally, remember...
Gestational Surrogacy is a method in which the mother carrying the child is not genetically related to the child she is carrying. This is the most commonly used method of surrogacy today. This method helps thousands of people who are biologically or physically unable to have a child to start their own families.
This process involves many steps, including finding a surrogate mother, completing legal agreements and paperwork, and transferring the embryos to the chosen person. While it can be a long and challenging process, for some people it may be the only way to experience the joy of parenthood. If you are interested in Gestational Surrogacy, talk to your doctor about the process, costs, and how to get started. They can refer you to a suitable agency for more information.
` Gestational Surrogacy, IVF, Childbirth, Motherhood, Fatherhood, Infertility, Surrogate Mother
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