Surrogacy related curiosities

What is the difference between surrogacy and IVF?

IVF or In vitro fertilization helps by conducting fertilization outside the body and developing an embryo in a test tube. Then the created embryo is implanted into the mother’s uterus for further development. 

Surrogacy involves another woman (surrogate) who carries and delivers a child/children for another couple or single male parent or gay personnel. Surrogacy is two types- traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.

Is there any difference between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy?

In traditional surrogacy, surrogates have a biological connection with the born child/children, in this case, the surrogate’s oocytes are used for fertilization. But nowadays many countries have banned traditional surrogacy. 

Gestational surrogacy is a common surrogacy process in which the surrogate does not have biological relation with the born child. Both male and female gametes are collected from intended parents or donors for fertilization. Therefore, there is a high chance to create a child with a biological relationship with the intended parents. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate only gestates the embryo for development and gives birth to the child/children.  

Does counseling require in surrogacy? 

The requirement of counseling for all the parties involved in surrogacy is an utmost need. Counseling helps them to be confident about their decision and also build trust between each other which is very important to become comfortable with the situations. Counseling gives the strength to withstand the upcoming consequences that occur during surrogacy processing. The counselor discusses many issues with both the intended parents and the selected surrogate and subsequently, they can also clarify their doubts if any with the counselor during the counseling.

Why do legal activities require surrogacy? 

The official declaration by drafting a legal contract is the foremost work that needs to do once a surrogate and intended parent decide to proceed together for surrogacy treatment. Both parties can recruit their legal representative for ensuring their legal interests are properly represented and protected. Each lawyer can get the chance to review and approve the agreed terms if everyone agrees to the proposed terms and conditions of the contract. After legal approval of the contract, intended parents and surrogates have to sign the contract for the commencement of further medical processing.  

What are the documents required from the intended parents (couple/ single)? 

Identity cards and address proof of the parents, which include a passport, voter id card, and marriage certificate for married couples are required. Identity cards and address proof are the only requirements for the single parent.  

What are documents required from the surrogate? 

Identity card and address proof of the parents, which include passport, voter id card, school leaving certificate, birth certificate for age verification required for age verification, marriage certificate for a married surrogate, divorce certificate for divorcee, and death certificate of the spouse require for widows. 

What is the estimated cost of involvement in surrogacy?

It’s absolutely impossible to put a particular number at the expense of surrogacy. It differs among organizations and the states where they live. It relies upon the sum and sort of therapies required for the substitute to become pregnant, just as whether or not protection — hers or yours — will take care of any clinical expenses.

Other than that, surrogacy estimating can shift contingent upon an assortment of elements, including:

• Location of the surrogate mom relative to the supposed dad and mom 
• Medical charges, inclusive of IVF and egg donation 
• Legal costs 
• Agency costs 
• Surrogate repayment 
• Anticipated tour charges to carry child home 
• State rules concerning any or all of the above 

Why surrogacy is banned in certain countries? 

Different Asian countries like Thailand, India, and Nepal became hotspots for surrogacy at the beginning of this century because of the less expensive treatment cost. But unregulated surrogacy practices in these countries lead to unethical events. The media started reporting less oversight within the industry, inconsistent support for surrogate mothers, and risk involvements associated with pursuing surrogacy for foreigners. The motive of this Ban is noble as it prevents surrogacy-related exploitations and stops the unethical surrogacy practice in these countries.

How is life after surrogacy for a surrogate? 

Surrogates are facing some general challenges after giving delivery to a child that she carries for the intended parents. These challenges are multifaceted. Some are physical, whereas some are emotional. A Surrogate can lead a normal life after her surrogacy journey only when she can cope with these challenges. However, coping with challenges matters to the afterlife of a surrogate. Along with physical and emotional challenges that are considered normal for every usual pregnancy, surrogates also face the same issues along with the burden of relinquishing the child after delivery. The positive relationship provides a boost to surrogate mothers to involve in this process morally and seriously serve their job for a successful pregnancy. In certain surrogacy, intended parents continue the relationship with surrogate mothers even after childbirth.