What is Surrogacy: In many societies, even the mere mention of surrogacy is forbidden. When the term surrogacy enters the auditory canal, people elevate their eyebrows. We recognise that too many controversies obscure your ability to make a definite decision regarding surrogacy.
After conducting extensive investigation on your behalf, we have compiled an exhaustive guide covering every aspect of surrogacy.
What exactly is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a reproductive procedure, commonly misunderstood as a rented womb, in which a woman agrees to carry an embryo to term for another individual (single man or woman) or couple (heterosexual/homosexual), who will become the parents of the infant child.
A legal agreement and monetary compensation may or may not be involved. When surrogacy involves monetary compensation, it is referred to as commercial surrogacy, whereas when this service is performed to assist infertile parents, it is referred to as altruistic surrogacy. Legal issues and the cost of surrogacy vary across geographic boundaries.
Who Chooses Surrogacy?
Choosing a surrogate ship is a difficult choice for all women. Women choose surrogate motherhood when they are unable to bear offspring.
There could be a number of factors contributing to such a compelling decision-
A uterus that is aberrant or is absent at birth or after hysterectomy. Childbirth complications such as excessive bleeding or a damaged uterus can lead to hysterectomy.
Some medical conditions, such as cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, can also result in the removal of the uterus.
Implantation failure, a history of miscarriage, and chronic cardiac or renal disease are risk factors for infertility.
The desire of homosexual couples or solitary parents (mother/father) to have children despite biological limitations.
Varieties of Surrogacy
Depending on the genetic origin of the embryo, there are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational.
What is Standard surrogacy?
Traditional surrogacy, also known as natural, direct, or partial surrogacy, refers to the method of reproduction in which the surrogate’s egg is fertilised by the intended father’s or donor’s egg.
Fertilisation of an embryo in a surrogate can occur either naturally or artificially. The relationship of the infant born to the intended parents is contingent on the sperm donor. Similarly, if the intended father’s sperm is used, the child is genetically related to both the intended father and the surrogate, whereas if donor sperm is used, the child is unrelated to the intended parents.
What Is Pregnancy Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogate motherhood, also known as host or complete proxy motherhood, occurs when an embryo created through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is implanted into the surrogate’s ovary. There are three techniques to create an embryo, and the resulting offspring are genetically unrelated to the surrogate.
The embryo is the result of fertilisation between the sperm of the intended father and the ova of the intended mother.
The embryo is the result of fertilisation between sperm from the intended father and a donor egg.
The embryo is the result of fertilisation between an egg from the intended mother and sperm from a donor.
implantation of a donor embryo in a surrogate. Donor embryos are frequently discarded when others undergo IVF. The resulting offspring is unrelated to the intended parents.
What is the cost of surrogacy?
Each surrogacy is unique due to the various factors and methods utilised. The price also differs based on the services involved.
To get a clearer picture of surrogacy costs, let’s examine a few cost-influencing variables. The cost of Gestational surrogacy, the most commonly used technique, is determined by a number of factors, including agency fees, advertising expenses, marketing expenses, additional fees for counselling, education, and support, legal services, medical expenses, surrogate compensation, and reimbursement. The average cost of surrogacy ranges between $90,000 and $130,000.
What are the fixed costs of surrogacy?
A variety of services, including background checks, evaluations, support and education, promotion, and marketing, are provided by an agency. If the intended parents choose not to use the services of an agency, they can certainly save money, but they will lose out on some inherent benefits.
If intended parents are able to locate a willing surrogate, there is no need for advertising. If this is not the case, you will need the assistance of advertising services to locate a potential surrogate. The agency spends a great deal of money on advertising because it helps them expand their service network and domain.
Always limit your search to full-time agencies, as their services are more professional and their marketing teams are superior.
The agency then conducts screenings of the intended parents and the gestational carrier, including background checks, medical and psychological examinations, and various household assessments, with the goal of ensuring the safety of all agency employees.
Agencies invest in the hiring of a team of professionals who guide the surrogate and intended parents through the nine-month emotional voyage.
The surrogacy costs may also include additional services, such as insurance for the surrogate, for which the intended parents are responsible for all premiums and other policy-related expenses.
What are the variable costs of surrogacy?
Three components of the Surrogacy Cost calculation are variable in nature:
Legal Services – Surrogacy requires a legal agreement between the intended parent and the surrogate offering her services voluntarily. Therefore, they both need an attorney to define the conditions governing the surrogacy, the compensation to be paid, and their respective responsibilities.
Medical Expenses – Due to the cost of IVF treatments and medications, medical expenses comprise a significant portion of variable expenses. These costs may vary depending on the number of attempts, the expense of prenatal care, the need for health insurance, and whether or not the surrogate has coverage.
You must compensate and reimburse the surrogate for all pregnancy-related expenses, including appropriate nutrition, medications, periodic tests and examinations, a maternity wardrobe, supplements, and any invasive procedures.
Key Takeaways
If you are considering having a child through a surrogate, you must first comprehend all the inherent factors. Whether you want to use donor ova or sperm or you want to be a genetic parent, choose methods that produce results quickly and safely. In addition, the total cost of the procedure, the underlying risks for the infant, birth complications, etc.
Surrogacy is a challenging emotional voyage for both intended parents and the surrogate who volunteers her services. In many nations, it is not even lawful, and in others, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. We’ve done our job by discussing every facet of the surrogate ship and its cost; it’s time for you to let go of your inhibitions and move forward!
