The different surrogacy options available in today’s society involve making a choice between a traditional and gestational surrogate. Besides deciding which type of surrogate to use based on your situation, as an intended parent then you will also have another important decision to make. You must also make a choice between an altruistic and a commercial surrogacy arrangement. These arrangements will determine how much of a monetary investment you will have to give to the surrogate.
Traditional Surrogacy
A potential surrogate may consider traditional surrogacy as an option if she is willing to donate her eggs to the intended parents. As a surrogate, your eggs will be artificially inseminated by the sperm of the intended father or from a donor. If you are going to be a traditional surrogate, then you will also have to carry the child until the time comes for you to give birth. Traditional surrogacy can be one of the more complicated options. This can be due to the fact that intended parents will have to convince a friend or family member to participate in this process. If the intended parents can help their friend or family member overcome any resistance that she may experience, then the possibility exists that she will become a traditional surrogate for the couple.
Gestational Surrogacy
When a woman decides to carry and give birth to a child that is not genetically related to her, then she has taken on the role of a gestational surrogate. This process usually involves the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. If no healthy embryos are produced, then the intended parents will usually have the option of trying the treatment again. If an embryo results from the treatments, then the surrogate mother is implanted with the healthy embryo. Hopefully the surrogate will be able to carry the child until it is time to give birth.
Surrogacy Arrangements
The two types of surrogacy arrangements are altruistic and commercial. If the intended parents and the surrogate choose an altruistic arrangement, then the surrogate will most likely be related to or a friend of the intended parents. Under this arrangement, the surrogate doesn’t usually experience any financial gain as a result of being a surrogate for the intended parents.
One thing that sets the commercial surrogacy arrangement apart from the altruistic arrangement is that the commercial surrogate and the intended parents do not usually know each other. A surrogacy agency will help facilitate the meeting between the two parties, and as a result, the agency is compensated for any assistance in this manner. The commercial surrogate is also paid a set of fees which will be determined by the parties involved.
Expectations
Whether you have chosen to use a traditional or gestational surrogate or an altruistic or commercial arrangement then it is important that you prepare yourself mentally and financially for this experience. Also prepare for the possibilities and potential problems that you could encounter throughout the surrogacy experience. Make sure that all parties involved are completely committed to fulfilling the obligations associated with surrogacy.
