What is surrogacy?
A surrogate mother is a woman who carries a child for someone else who, for one reason or another, is unable to carry a child herself.
There are two types of surrogacy - Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy
Using the surrogate mother's own egg she is artificially inseminated with sperm from the intended father (or sperm donor). In this way the surrogate mother will be genetically linked to the child.
When the child is born, the intended father's name is put on the birth certificate and depending on the state, the intended mother adopts the child via a step-parent adoption agreement in order to establish her parental rights or the intended mother's name goes directly on the birth certificate. Under the step-parent adoption agreement the surrogate relinquishes her rights to the child. This agreement is drawn up by your attorney. Note: The laws vary by state.
Gestational Surrogacy
The surrogate mother uses her uterus to carry a child. The child will not be genetically related to the surrogate mother. Using the In Vitro Fertilization process eggs are taken from the intended mother or egg donor and fertilized with the sperm of the intended father or sperm donor. Embryos are then transferred to the surrogate mother's uterus. If there are any left over embryos they can be cryopreserved (frozen and stored) and used in a future transfer.
Typically at the end of the second trimester or beginning of the third trimester the intended parents petition the court to have both their names put on the birth certificate when the baby is born. This agreement is drawn up by your attorney. Note: The laws vary by state.
Which one is right for you?
There are two options to choose from and the final choice depends on your circumstances and your doctor's recommendation. The following gives examples of when you might consider each type.
Consider Traditional Surrogacy if you have had:
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any disorder which affects the ovaries such as premature ovarian failure, genetic disorders, surgically absent ovaries, chemotherapy which destroyed the ovaries, severe endometriosis etc.
Consider Gestational Surrogacy if you have had:-
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a hysterectomy
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surgeries for fibroids
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damage from infection from IUD
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congenital abnormalities of the uterus etc.
