Wombs for Hire? The Advent of Surrogacy

You’ve probably heard of the topic of surrogacy. Surrogacy is when a woman carries a pregnancy for someone else who, for whatever reason, is unable to carry the pregnancy herself.

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is the act or service of carrying out a pregnancy for someone. In these situations, the surrogate mother gives birth to a child but does not provide the egg required for fertilization. The woman is also compensated for the services after delivering the infant.

Who Benefits From Surrogacy?

Many women and men in society benefit from the services of a surrogate. Some people that may benefit from surrogacy include:

• Women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy) as a treatment for a condition like cancer.
• Same-sex couples may not have the ability to carry a pregnancy because of their gender.
• Families that struggle with infertility.
• Any families or couples who, due to health conditions, would put their lives in danger.
• Single parents may also benefit from the services of a surrogate mother
• Any woman who does not wish to carry her own pregnancy for one reason or another.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Surrogate Mother?

A surrogate is chosen carefully following strict criteria to ensure the baby’s health. Here are a few criteria that most surrogate mothers should meet.

Most surrogates should have completed having their own families or at least have more than one child of their own.

• A surrogate mother should be healthy and pass tests performed before final approval.
• Some firms require their surrogates to qualify for the role at a certain age, typically about 25.
• Surrogates should also steer clear of drugs like alcohol and cigarettes.
• Surrogates may also be subjected to background checks, and ones with a criminal history stand a chance to be declined for the role.

Are There Risks Associated With Using a Surrogate?

Using a healthy surrogate is a great way to carry a pregnancy to term with few or no complications. However, some parents may find it unnerving to have someone else carry their child, especially because they cannot ensure the mother eats a healthy diet and doesn’t engage in activities that may harm the baby.

Fortunately, reputable reproductive health clinics screen their surrogates thoroughly to help ensure that they are up to the task. In some situations, the intended parents use a family member or close friend as the surrogate.

There are undoubtedly pros and cons to using a surrogate; however, for women who desire to be mothers to biological children but cannot carry the pregnancy themselves, it is a great option.

Gestational Surrogacy Q&A

Does a surrogate baby have the DNA of the baby?

No, the child does not have DNA from the surrogate mother. Nowadays, the surrogate mother does not contribute to the genetic material making up the child they carry. The egg and sperm comes from the intended parents or third-party donors.

How does a surrogate get pregnant?

In modern surrogacy, the woman gets pregnant through IVF. The egg is transplanted into the womb after fertilizing it in the lab.

Is surrogacy legal?

Surrogacy is legal; however, it is important to remember that surrogacy is complex and should probably be done with the help of your lawyers. Always ensure you consult a lawyer when drafting the contract between you and the surrogate, so everyone’s needs are met. A thorough background check should be done to ensure the surrogate is trustworthy.

Most fertility clinics have staff available to help or will be able to refer you to the correct legal guidance.

What are the requirements that a surrogate should meet?

A surrogate usually undergoes a series of tests to screen her overall health. These tests are done to safeguard the health of the surrogate as well as that of the child. These tests may include drug tests to ascertain that the surrogate does not take drugs that might harm the child.

When do the legal parents of a surrogate fetus get the child?

Usually, the surrogate notifies the biological parents of the surrogate child as soon as she goes into labor, so they can start preparations to bring the baby home.

As soon as the child is born, the legal guardians are given the child, and they officially become the child’s legal guardians.