WHAT IS A GESTATION SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD?

If you are interested in gestational surrogate motherhood, read on to learn more about how it works, how much it costs and how it can be an excellent option for your family.

Gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate mother is not genetically related to the child she carries, is the most common type of surrogacy motherhood nowadays. Although statistics on gestational surrogates are difficult to find, this path has helped thousands of couples and individuals make their families complete and is therefore becoming more common.

Definition of a gestational surrogate`s pregnancy

In the program of gestational surrogacy motherhood, the child is not biologically related to the gestational surrogate mother, which is often called the gestational carrier. Instead, the embryo is created with the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, using the egg and sperm of intended parents or donors and then transferred to the uterine cavity of the surrogate mother.

This form of surrogacy motherhood is sometimes also called "gestational surrogacy motherhood" or "complete surrogacy motherhood". In most cases, at least one prospective parent is genetically related to the child, and the surrogate mother has no genetic relation to it at all. This makes gestational surrogate motherhood less complicated from not only psychological, but also legal point of view, than other forms of surrogacy motherhood, since the refusal of parental rights to the child is not required.

Gestational surrogate motherhood is worth considering for the following people:

• People who struggle with infertility.
• Reliable single parents.
• Same-sex couples.
• People who do not accept genetic connection between the surrogate mother and their child.
• Women who cannot carry the pregnancy or conceive by themselves.

How does gestational surrogate motherhood work?

Since surrogate motherhood is the most common type of surrogacy motherhood in the United States at the moment, most of the articles that you read about the surrogacy motherhood process relate to gestational surrogate motherhood. In general, the process of surrogate motherhood includes the search for variants of surrogate motherhood, the conclusion of legal contracts and the embryo implantation of a surrogate mother.

Potential parents can independently choose a surrogate mother and participate in the surrogate motherhood program with a lawyer specializing in assisted reproductive processes. However, most parents willing to use the surrogate motherhood program prefer to work with the surrogate full-service agency to get help in selecting a gestational carrier.

Once the surrogate mother is selected, the surrogate and biological parents will work with a lawyer to discuss the legal risks and responsibilities of each party, as well as compensation for the surrogate mother. After the parties come to an agreement and the contracts are signed, the surrogate motherhood clinic will be engaged in the process of in vitro fertilization and embryo implantation. The embryo will be created and implanted by the surrogate mother, in one of the following ways:

• Egg and sperm of potential parents. In this case, both potential parents will be genetically related to their child.
• The donor egg is fertilized by sperm from the biological father. In this case, the alleged father will be genetically related to the child.
• The maternal ovum is fertilized by donor sperm. In this case, the alleged mother will be genetically related to the child.
• Donor embryo or embryo created using donated eggs and donor sperm. In this case, none of the future parents will not be genetically related to the child

From this time on, the surrogate mother will carry the child, as if it were a natural pregnancy, and potential parents will get acquainted with their child and will receive full legal custody of him after his birth.

The process of surrogacy motherhood may vary somewhat depending on the laws of the state, individual circumstances, etc. Read the article on surrogate motherhood and talk with your reproductive technology specialist for more information on how surrogacy motherhood works.

Laws on surrogacy motherhood

Surrogacy motherhood is a relatively new phenomenon and at present the laws are rather unsettled and complex. We recommend that potential parents and a surrogate mother have their legal representatives who will lead them through the entire surrogate motherhood process and protect their rights.

While the law on surrogate motherhood can be complicated, the legal process for gestational surrogate motherhood is less complex than for other forms of surrogacy motherhood. Gestational surrogate motherhood is characterized by at least one parent who is usually genetically related to the child, which simplifies the process of obtaining legal rights for custody.

The laws of surrogate motherhood are determined by each state, and some states do not allow surrogate motherhood at all. Your lawyer or surrogacy agency will help you understand the laws of surrogacy motherhood in your state and complete the process of surrogate motherhood, regardless of where you live.

How much does gestational surrogate motherhood cost?

The cost of surrogate motherhood depends on a number of factors. Surrogacy motherhood is a long and complex process that involves work of many professionals, advanced medical technologies and the annual maintenance of a woman who is ready to bear the child for another family.

In general, the total cost of surrogate motherhood can range from 75 000 to 150 000 US dollars. This amount includes all necessary medical expenses, attorney fees, consultancy costs, agency fees and living expenses and compensation for the surrogate mother. Many of these costs are variable. For example, the monthly surrogate mother's allowance may vary depending on where she lives, and the fees for a lawyer may vary depending on state laws and legal processes.

In addition, insurance may not cover medical expenses for potential parents and surrogate mothers, and for genetic parents there are fewer financing options than for foster families. Potential parents should discuss all the details and state clearly all the responsibilities with their surrogate mother in order to determine the more accurate amount of costs associated with the surrogate motherhood program and the budget, respectively.

Pros and Cons of Gestational Surrogate Motherhood

Gestational surrogate motherhood has many advantages that makes it a popular choice for potential parents, but there are some disadvantages that should be considered. Here are some of the most common benefits and problems of gestational surrogate motherhood:

PROS

• Gestational surrogate motherhood allows infertile couples, single parents and members of the LGBT community to make their families complete.
• Gestational surrogate motherhood allows potential parents to maintain a genetic connection with their child.
• Surrogate motherhood gives potential parents the opportunity to create a strong relationship with the surrogate mother of their child.
• Gestational surrogate motherhood is the least legally complicated form of surrogate motherhood, because the child is not related genetically with a gestational carrier.

CONS

• Surrogate motherhood is legally difficult and expensive process.
• Gestational surrogate motherhood requires potential parents to refuse any intervention and control, as the gestational surrogate mother is pregnant with the child.
• If a potential mother uses her oocytes in the process of surrogacy motherhood, she will have to undergo infertility treatment and other medical procedures.

Many of the pros and cons of gestational surrogate motherhood are natural for other forms of surrogacy motherhood. Future parents should compare the different types of surrogate motherhood and carefully weigh all the advantages and problems before starting the surrogacy motherhood process.

Conclusion

Although gestational surrogacy motherhood can be a lengthy and quite a difficult process, it is a wonderful way for genetic parents to expand their families and experience all the joys and challenges of bringing up their long-awaited child.