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6 Fast Facts on Surrogacy For Intended Parents
Posted on September 6, 2019 by GSHC in Blog, IP Resources, Getting Started for IPs, Surrogacy Process for IPs
If you’re researching surrogacy as an option there are several key facts about surrogacy that should not be overlooked. Below you will find 6 Fast Facts on Surrogacy to get you up-to-speed and informed on the journey ahead.
1. There are two types of surrogacy:
Traditional and Gestational
Traditional Surrogacy is when the surrogate becomes pregnant in either the traditional way or through artificial insemination, conceiving with her own egg. Due to the advances in medical technology and the perception of the process as a whole, the second type of surrogacy has become more prevalent.
Gestational Surrogacy is when a surrogate carries a baby that was conceived with the egg of either the Intended Mother or Egg Donor and the sperm of the Intended Father or donor. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate or carrier has no genetic connection to the child.
2. Surrogacy agencies can mitigate time and cost concerns.
While independent surrogacy is an option, procuring a surrogacy agency to handle to various complexities of the process will save you time, money, and multiple headaches. This journey is a long one and it is important to have an agency by your side that has handled these experiences before. The expertise they offer will not only give you peace of mind but will also help you avoid the hardships and delays that can arise with independent surrogacy. Common pitfalls include failed medical testing, legal problems, and compatibility issues that might otherwise hinder, delay, or nullify your entire surrogacy journey.
3. Surrogacy is not just for celebrities.
While it's true that most stories of surrogacy tend to pop up in the tabloids and feature the rich and famous, more and more surrogate families are being created with the folks next door. Nowadays there are a variety of financial options available to help offset the cost of the journey. 15 states mandate some level of fertility coverage. Others rely on financing or loans to cover the cost of surrogacy.
4. Independent surrogacy has its hurdles.
Choosing to pursue independent surrogacy can lead to a variety of legal problems, both before and after the baby’s birth. The state you live in as well as your legal agreement may not provide proper protection for the intended parents or the surrogate and could even result in delayed parentage. GSHC Surrogacy Agency can ensure that all necessary legal precautions are put in place to ensure proper parentage so that IPs can focus on a healthy baby.
5. She’s not just in it for the money.
Becoming a Surrogate is not easy. It is an enormous physical and emotional commitment. First, the Surrogate must meet a strict list of qualifications before she can even be considered as a candidate. A Surrogate also faces possible health risks, bodily changes, and lifestyle adjustments required of pregnancy. And, of course, there are medical and legal processes leading up to it. All of these factors add up to what is essentially an average salary for the amount of time required. At GSHC Surrogacy Agency, our Surrogate Mothers are some of the most compassionate, altruistic women who love being pregnant and want to provide this unique gift to another family.
6. Surrogates don't want to keep your baby.
A Surrogate knows what it’s like to have a family and she only wants the same thing for you. Most surrogates feel so grateful to have had relatively easy pregnancies that they want to use this to help others. She doesn’t see the baby as hers to keep – she’s simply carrying the baby for a while so you can ultimately take him or her home.
If you have any more questions about the surrogacy process or if you are interested in learning how you can begin your own journey for others, please complete our Intended Parent Intake Form to get started.