What Types of Surrogacy Are There?

Sometimes, for various medical reasons, a couple is unable to conceive a child naturally and carry it full term through pregnancy. When this happens, they may consider having a surrogate carry the child for them, until the child is born and they are given custody of it. However, there are some key points of surrogacy that prospective parents in Roseville should be aware of before proceeding.

In general, there are two different kinds of surrogacy. In the first one, known as traditional surrogacy, a woman will undergo artificial insemination. She carries the child throughout the pregnancy and then gives the child to the couple who are to be the child’s parents. However, since it was her egg that was used, she is the child’s biological mother.

In gestational surrogacy, on the other end, a woman’s eggs are taken and combined with the father’s sperm. The fertilized embryo is subsequently transferred into the surrogate mother’s uterus until the child is born. In this situation, unlike traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not the child’s biological mother. Gestational surrogacy in general results in fewer legal complications, and may be preferred by some couples.

In general, surrogacy is chosen only when a couple is physically unable to carry a child on their own. Surrogates can be relatives, loved ones or even strangers. Many women who act as surrogates have already been pregnant and given birth at least once before.

There are also legal hurdles to jump when it comes to surrogacy. The laws surrounding surrogacy vary by state, so those who are interested in the process may want to contact a family law attorney in their state to learn more about the applicable laws.

In the end, while surrogacy can be a viable way for a couple to grow their family, there are legal implications that follow it. Therefore, before proceeding, couples interested in pursuing surrogacy may want to first consult with an attorney to learn more about their legal rights in the process.

Source: womanshealthmag.com, “6 Facts About Surrogacy Every Woman Should Know,” Alexandria Gomez, May 3, 2017