A surrogate, or gestational carrier, is someone who helps an individual, couple, friend, or family member by carrying their baby and giving birth. It can be an incredibly rewarding experience for all parties involved. If you have been trying to have a baby and it hasn’t worked, surrogacy might be the best option for you. But how does surrogacy work? Here’s everything you need to know about how a surrogate gets pregnant.
Surrogacy is a process that allows a woman to become pregnant and give birth to a child for an intended parent(s). The intended parents (IPs) will use their own or donor eggs and sperm, to create an embryo which they can then transfer into the surrogate’s uterus. If you are interested in surrogacy and would like to learn more by speaking with us, click here. We’ve also talked about some of them in a previous blog post.
What Types of Surrogacy Are There?
There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is also the biological mother of the baby as her eggs are used in the process. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby as the egg and sperm come from either the intended parents or donors.
Gestational surrogacy is often preferred due to its legal implications, as it can be difficult to determine parentage in traditional surrogacy. Both types of surrogacy require extensive medical screening for both parties, legal contracts, and emotional counseling throughout the pregnancy. Surrogacy can be an emotionally rewarding experience for all involved, but it’s important to understand all aspects before making any decisions.
Can a Surrogate Keep the Baby?
The surrogate must know that If she is considering surrogacy, the intended family has rights over their baby. This means that the intended parents have legal custody and are the legal parents of the baby. When it comes to traditional surrogacy, there are other, more complicated factors such as the biological mother connection, making the process trickier and sometimes even illegal, depending on the state.
Whether or not the surrogate and intended parents continue to communicate after birth is up to the intended parents and the surrogate. There are many stories of lifelong surrogate-intended parent relationships where the surrogate and parents remain close friends for a very long time.
What Is a Gestational Carrier?
Through gestational surrogacy, the woman carries an embryo created by the intended parents either through their egg and sperm or through a donation. Unlike a traditional surrogate, a gestational carrier doesn’t have a genetic link to the baby. This process requires in vitro fertilization (IVF). These days, traditional surrogacy is rarely done. The terms surrogate and gestational carrier are often used interchangeably when referring to gestational surrogacy and is often abbreviated to GC.
The surrogacy process is a rewarding one for everyone involved, but many of the related terms are often new and may be confusing at times. You can check our previous blog to learn more about the 12 Surrogacy Definitions You Need To Know.
How Do I Find a Gestational Carrier?
There are several ways to find a gestational carrier. You can ask your doctor and even friends or family members if they know of anyone who would be interested. Another option is to speak with us at All Families Surrogacy.
At All Families Surrogacy, We believe that surrogacy should be accessible to all families. Our agency was founded by an experienced gestational carrier and is staffed primarily by experienced surrogates.
If you’d like to know what other Gestational Carriers and Intended Families feel about their experiences with All Families Surrogacy, visit our Testimonials & Experiences page!
How Much Does Gestational Surrogacy Cost?
The cost of gestational surrogacy varies greatly depending on factors like the surrogate’s location, her fees, and if any additional services are required. Generally speaking, the cost of a gestational surrogate can range anywhere from $50,000 or more. These costs often include medical fees such as doctor visits and ultrasounds, legal fees for drafting contracts and court appearances, agency fees for finding a qualified surrogate, insurance coverage for both parties involved, and compensation for the surrogate. Furthermore, other expenses that may come up during the process could add to the total cost.
In All Families Surrogacy, a first-time gestational surrogate receives $40,000 in base compensation (in all surrogacy-friendly states). An experienced gestational surrogate receives $45,000 in base compensation (in all surrogacy-friendly states).
With All Families Surrogacy, our main goal is to make your surrogacy journey accessible to more Intended Parents who want to get a surrogate. Our agency fees are well below those of most agencies today and we have three affordable surrogacy options to choose from.
Who Uses Surrogates?
For couples or individuals who want to become parents but are unable to do so through traditional reproductive methods, surrogacy is an option for them. This provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment for those looking to expand their families.
Today, more parents than ever are choosing to build their families via surrogacy. It allows parents to have a genetic tie to their child and to be involved in pregnancy and delivery. Many times, a lasting bond is formed between the Intended Parents and their Gestational Carrier.
Interested in Building Your Family via Surrogacy?
We have helped hundreds of people just like you build their families. Please click here for additional information about how to find a surrogate, and how surrogacy works. All Families Surrogacy is committed to being there to guide and inform you every step of the way.
