Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where a woman agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple, known as the intended parents. This can be done using either the intended mother’s egg or a donor egg fertilized with the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm.
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors, meaning the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.
Surrogates undergo a rigorous screening process that includes medical evaluations, psychological assessments, and background checks to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the surrogacy journey.
Legal agreements are established before the surrogacy process begins to outline the rights and responsibilities of both the surrogate and the intended parents. These agreements protect all parties involved and ensure the legal parentage of the intended parents following the birth.
Surrogacy involves several medical steps, including ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval for the intended mother or egg donor, fertilization of the egg in a laboratory, and the embryo transfer to the surrogate’s uterus. Hormonal treatments are also administered to support the pregnancy.
Success rates for surrogacy depend on various factors, including the age and health of the egg donor and the quality of the embryos. Generally, the success rate per embryo transfer in gestational surrogacy ranges from 50% to 75%.
Like any pregnancy, surrogacy carries certain risks, including medical complications for the surrogate. Emotional and psychological challenges can also arise for both the surrogate and the intended parents, which is why thorough screening and continuous support are crucial.
