What Are The Different Types of Surrogacy?

Surrogacy has been practiced in some form for generations and dates back to biblical times. Despite being regarded as a taboo subject for many decades, time and modern technology are turning the practice into a prevalent way to build families.

Over the past few years, surrogacy has become increasingly popular. So many parents approach surrogacy to fulfill their parenthood dreams.

Here we explain to you clear information about what surrogacy is and how many types will be there in surrogacy. Who uses the surrogates, and how do find and choose the surrogates? in a detailed way…

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an assisted reproduction procedure in which parents purposefully try to conceive with a surrogate who will bear and care for their babies until birth. It’s a complex procedure that needs medical and legal experience and a good support system. Surrogacy allows people who are unable to conceive of becoming parents. People who want to have a child through surrogacy are often called Intended Parents.

Types of surrogacy:

Surrogacy is generally classified into two categories: one is traditional surrogacy, and another one is gestational surrogacy. Along with two types of surrogate mothers: one is “traditional carriers,” and another one is “gestational carriers.”

Did you know there are seven different types of surrogacy?

I will explain to you each of the seven types of surrogacy in detail here.

1. Traditional Surrogacy:

During this process, the desired father’s sperm is transferred to the surrogate mother through IUI, IVF, or at-home insemination. A child born using this procedure is genetically related to its father and the surrogate carrier.

2. Gestational Surrogacy:

A hysterectomy, diabetes, cancer, or other severe medical condition makes it impossible for the intended mother to carry a baby. In these situations, through IVF, an embryo is created by using an intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm. The embryo is implanted into and carried by a surrogate mother. Using this method, the child born has genetic relations to both parents and does not have genetic relations to the surrogate mother.

3. Traditional Surrogacy and Donor Sperm:

During this process, donor sperm is transferred to the surrogate mother through IUI, IVF, or at-home insemination. A child using this procedure is genetically related to its sperm donor and the surrogate carrier.

4. Gestational Surrogacy & Egg Donation:

An embryo developed from a donor egg, fertilized by sperm from the intended father, is carried by a surrogate mother if the intended mother does not have eggs or the intended mother is unable to produce them. Using this method of conception, the surrogate mother has no genetic relation to the child born; and; however, the intended father is genetically related to the child born.

5. Gestational Surrogacy & Donor Sperm:

A woman who is incapable of carrying a pregnancy herself and if the intended father does not have enough sperm. An embryo develops from an intended mother’s egg, and donor sperm is carried by a surrogate mother. Using this method of conception, the surrogate mother has no genetic relation to the child born. However, the intended mother is genetically related to the child born.

6. Gestational Surrogacy & Egg/Sperm Donation:

In this procedure, a surrogate mother will carry an embryo that was created from a donated egg, sperm, or embryo if neither intended parents are not able to produce them. A child born through this method does not have genetic relation to its intended parents, and the surrogate mother does not also have any genetic relation.

7. Gestational Surrogacy & Donor Embryo:

In this procedure, a surrogate mother will carry donated embryos (Often leftover embryos are taken from couples who have completed IVF) if neither intended parents are not able to produce them. A child born through this method does not have genetic relation to its intended parents, and the surrogate mother does not also have any genetic relation.

Who Uses Surrogates?

Several reasons may lead you to consider a surrogate as a woman:

• Those who are having Uterus-related medical issues
• Those who have gone underwent a hysterectomy, which lost your uterus
• Those who have a severe heart disease that makes pregnancy impossible or harder

Even if you tried a variety of assisted-reproduction procedures, such as IVF, but couldn’t become pregnant, you might want to consider surrogacy.

Also, surrogates offer parents the option of becoming parenthood despite their inability to adapt, regardless of their age or marital status.

How to Choose a Surrogate?

Currently, there are no restrictions on who can be a surrogate mother. Yet, experts agree on a few things about the selection process.

When selecting surrogates, you should look for the following:

• A minimum of 21 years old
• The women must have already given birth to a healthy baby, so they have first-hand experience dealing with pregnancy and childbirth risks. They also have an understanding of the emotional issues associated with bonding with a newborn.
• Undergone a psychological screening by a mental health professional to check for any issues with having to give up the baby after birth
• They should sign an agreement outlining their role and responsibilities in the pregnancy, including prenatal care and agreeing to hand over the baby after the birth.