Surrogacy is an increasingly popular choice for couples who cannot conceive naturally. It involves a woman carrying and delivering a baby for another person or couple.
A common question about surrogacy is: How does a surrogate mother become pregnant? While the process may seem complex, this article will break down the different surrogacy methods and explain how a surrogate mother gets pregnant.
How Does A Surrogate Mother Get Pregnant?
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother becomes pregnant through a medical process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). During this procedure, eggs are harvested from the intended mother or an egg donor and fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor in a laboratory setting. This creates an embryo, which is then carefully monitored and developed in a lab for a few days before being transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. Before the embryo transfer, the surrogate undergoes a series of tests and hormonal treatments to prepare her uterine lining for implantation, increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Unlike traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, in gestational surrogacy, the surrogate will not be genetically related to the baby. The process ensures that the child is genetically linked to the intended parents (if their sperm or eggs are used) or the respective donor. Once the embryo is successfully implanted and pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate continues with regular prenatal care, just like any other pregnancy. This approach to surrogacy has become the most widely used method due to its ability to maintain a clear distinction between the biological parents and the surrogate.
Requirements for Surrogate Motherhood
Surrogate motherhood usually involves a legal agreement between the surrogate mother and the intended parents, outlining each party’s rights and responsibilities during the pregnancy and after childbirth. In addition to this, there are certain requirements that a woman must meet in order to become a surrogate mother. These may include:
- Being of reproductive age (between 21-45 years)
- Having at least one successful pregnancy and delivery without any complications
- Being physically and mentally healthy
- Not have a history of hereditary or chronic medical conditions that could affect the pregnancy
- Having a stable lifestyle with adequate support from family and/or friends
The Process of Getting Pregnant as a Surrogate Mother
Becoming a surrogate mother involves several steps: screening, matching, medical procedures, and eventually, pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.
Screening
The first step in becoming a surrogate mother is to undergo a thorough screening process. This is necessary to ensure that the woman is physically and emotionally fit to carry a pregnancy for someone else. The screening typically includes physical exams, blood tests, psychological evaluations, and background checks.
Matching
Once a woman has been deemed suitable for surrogacy through the screening process, she will be matched with intended parents who are looking for a surrogate. This process involves several factors such as compatibility between the surrogate and the intended parents’ preferences regarding location, personal values, beliefs and expectations of the surrogacy journey.
Medical Procedures
After being matched with intended parents, the surrogate will then undergo medical procedures to prepare for pregnancy. This typically involves taking medication to synchronize her menstrual cycle with that of the intended mother or egg donor. Once their cycles are synchronized, the surrogate will take hormonal medications to thicken and prepare her uterine lining for embryo transfer.
Pregnancy
Once the surrogate’s body is ready, a fertilized embryo will be transferred into her uterus through a minimally invasive procedure called embryo transfer. After this procedure, the surrogate will go through a two-week wait period before undergoing a pregnancy test to see if she has successfully become pregnant. If successful, she will continue with regular prenatal care like any other pregnant woman.
Preparation for Birth
Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate will receive regular prenatal care and support from her medical team. She may also undergo additional medical procedures or testing if necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both herself and the baby.
As she nears her due date, the surrogate will prepare for giving birth by discussing birthing options with her medical team and creating a birthing plan. This plan will outline her preferences for pain management during labor, who she wants in the delivery room, and other important details related to the birth.
Child Birth
When the surrogate reaches full term, she will give birth to a baby. Depending on the arrangement made between the intended parents and the surrogate, either the surrogate or the intended parents will be present during the birth. After the baby is born, legal procedures will take place to ensure that parental rights are transferred to the intended parents.
Post-Birth Support
After giving birth, surrogates may experience physical and emotional changes as they recover from pregnancy and childbirth. It is important for them to have access to post-birth support, whether it be through counseling or medical assistance, in order to help them transition back into their daily lives.
The intended parents may also provide additional support for their surrogate during this time, such as financial assistance or emotional support.
Legal Considerations
Surrogate pregnancy is a highly regulated process, and it is essential for all parties involved to understand the legal process before proceeding. The laws regarding surrogacy vary from state to state, so it is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in reproductive law in the state where the surrogate will give birth.
Some legal considerations that should be addressed include parental rights and responsibilities, compensation for the surrogate, medical expenses, and potential risks involved. It is essential for both parties to have a detailed surrogacy agreement and legal contract in place before beginning the journey, outlining all of these factors and ensuring everyone’s rights are protected.
How a Surrogacy Agency Can Help
Many people choose to work with a surrogacy agency like Made in the USA Surrogacy to guide them through the process and handle all of the logistics involved, including legal fees.
A surrogacy agency can help match intended parents with a suitable surrogate, provide legal and medical support, and offer emotional support throughout the journey. This ensures that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.
Traditional vs Gestational Surrogacy
Traditional Surrogate
Traditional surrogacy, also known as genetic or partial surrogacy, has been around for centuries and was the first form of surrogacy. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is biologically related to the child she is carrying. This is because her own egg is used in the fertilization process.
The process of traditional surrogacy involves artificially inseminating the surrogate with sperm from either a donor or the intended father. The insemination can be done at home or in a fertility clinic, depending on what both parties agree upon.
Gestational Surrogate
Gestational surrogacy, also known as full or host surrogacy, is a more modern form of surrogacy that has become increasingly popular in recent years. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not biologically related to the child she carries.
The gestational surrogacy process involves using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using the egg and sperm from either the intended parents or from the sperm donor. The embryo is then transferred into the surrogate’s uterus, where it will hopefully implant and result in a pregnancy.
Frequently Asked How Does Surrogate Mother Get Pregnant Questions
Can a surrogate mother choose to keep the baby?
No, in traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, she may have legal rights to the child. However, if the mother is a gestational carrier, the intended parents are the only legal parents of the child.
How long does it take for a surrogate mother to get pregnant?
The process of becoming pregnant as a surrogate can take anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on how quickly all necessary steps are completed and whether any complications arise along the way. Patience and flexibility are key throughout this journey.
What happens if there are complications during pregnancy or childbirth?
Complications can occur in any pregnancy, and this includes pregnancies involving surrogates. In such cases, the surrogate will receive appropriate medical care to ensure her health and safety. The intended parents are responsible for the costs of medical treatment related to the pregnancy.
Conclusion
Surrogacy is a complex and highly regulated process, but for many intended parents, it is a viable option to start or expand their family. Becoming pregnant as a surrogate involves undergoing screening, matching with intended parents, medical procedures, and eventually pregnancy.
It is crucial for all parties involved to understand the legal considerations and have a detailed surrogacy agreement in place before beginning the journey. With proper support and guidance, surrogacy can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both the surrogate mother and the intended parents.
