The Surrogacy Journey can be summarised in the 5 simple steps you can find in the attached infographic. I put this together based on the questions I received since we started our gay parenting journey.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a reproductive arrangement in which a woman, known as the surrogate, agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another individual or couple, known as the intended parents. This can be done through various methods, including traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate woman is genetically related to the child because her own egg is fertilised by the intended father's sperm or donor sperm. This method is less common today due to the potential legal and emotional complexities.
Gestational Surrogacy
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate woman carries a child conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The egg is typically from the intended mother or an egg donor, and it is fertilised with the intended father's sperm or donor sperm. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus of the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy to term.
The 5 Key Steps of a Surrogacy Journey
Surrogacy is often considered by individuals or couples who are unable to conceive and carry a child to term on their own due to various reasons, such as fertility issues, medical conditions, or same-sex couples who need assistance in building their families. The process involves legal agreements outlining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, including issues such as custody, financial arrangements, and the surrogate's rights during and after the pregnancy.
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It's important to note that surrogacy is subject to legal regulations, and the laws regarding surrogacy vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another. As such, individuals considering surrogacy should seek legal advice to understand the specific regulations in their region.