Surrogate Meaning: What Does It Mean and How It Works

AI Smart Summary

In this blog, I intend to explain what surrogacy means, what a surrogate mom does, and what is involved in the process of gestational surrogacy. I also address some of the more frequently asked questions regarding surrogacy, surrogacy and IVF, and the steps required to become a surrogate mom. If you are contemplating surrogacy, this blog serves as your basic guide to surrogacy.

FAST FACTS

• In surrogacy, one woman, the surrogate, carries a pregnancy on behalf of another person or couple.
• Surrogacy is usually divided into two categories: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.
• In surrogacy, one woman, the surrogate, carries a pregnancy on behalf of another person or couple.
• Surrogate mothers can and usually do receive payment for the pregnancy and subsequent delivery of the child.
• “Indian Egg Donors” is an American surrogacy agency based in New York.
  

CORE REQUIREMENTS COVERED

• Surrogate meaning and how it works
  
• Gestational surrogacy explained
  
• Who is a surrogate mother?
  
• IVF surrogacy and its process
  
• Becoming a surrogate mother
  
• Understanding surrogacy definition and mother of surrogacy
  

TOP QUESTIONS ANSWERED

• What does surrogate mean?
  
• How does surrogacy work?
  
• Who is a surrogate mother?
  
• What is the difference between gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy?
  
• What is IVF surrogacy?
  
• How can I become a surrogate mother?

The Definition of Surrogacy 

There are many countries that have laws and regulations regarding surrogacy. The laws and regulations can be very different to one another. Before starting the surrogacy process, the intended parents and surrogate mother need to understand their legal rights and responsibilities. 

A good surrogate agency, like Indian Egg Donor, will help you understand the laws that relate to surrogacy in your country. While some countries may be very accepting of surrogacy, others may restrict it and some may not allow it at all. All the people involved in the surrogacy process need to get good contracts that very clearly outline the terms of the surrogacy. They need to talk about medical agreements, payments, and after the baby is born, what the custody rights will be.

How does Surrogacy Work?

A surrogacy arrangement is made with the intended parents and the surrogate mother. Surrogacy comes in two forms, traditional and gestational.

1. In the case of Traditional Surrogacy, the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child. The intended father’s sperm, or a donor’s sperm, will fertilize the surrogate’s egg. The surrogate will then carry the embryo to term.
2. In the case of Gestational Surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not the biological mother of the child. She is simply providing her uterus for the embryo to be implanted and carried to term. The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the intended parents’ or a donor’s egg and sperm.

What Does A Surrogate Mother Do?  

Surrogate mothers are women who go through a pregnancy for another person or couple. A surrogate carries a child for other parents and then gives birth for them. Surrogacy is a way for people who are unable to have a child for reasons like health and age, to be parents.

Because this is a lot of work, a surrogate mother gets paid for her time and the process. Becoming a surrogate is a long and detailed process. Many surrogate mothers are screened for their health and mental stability.

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?  

Gestational surrogacy is the most common type of surrogacy. In this case, a surrogate mother does not have a biological connection to the child. Intended parents or donors give an ovum and a sperm cell that are used to make an embryo through a procedure called IVF (in vitro fertilization). Then, the embryo is placed in a surrogate mother’s uterus, who carries the baby until birth.

Intended parents often prefer gestational surrogacy because then their child will be biologically related to at least one of them. This option is also good for women who may have healthy pregnancies, but cannot carry one for medical reasons. 

How Does IVF Surrogacy Work?

With IVF surrogacy, the fertilization of the egg takes place “in vitro” or outside of the body, using the IVF process. Once embryos are created, one or more of them are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. 

This option is great for individuals or couples who may be facing difficulties with conception or have medical conditions that stop them from carrying a pregnancy. Compared to other surrogacy options, IVF surrogacy gives a couple the most surrogacy options while still allowing them to have a biological child, and it tends to be more successful.

Mother of Surrogacy: The Emotional and Physical Role

Someone has to do the dirty work when it comes to surrogacy, and that person’s job is to bring a baby into the world for another family. To build a baby, a surrogate must have emotional strength, and commitment. All surrogates are screened for psychological, and medical issues, and monitored throughout the entire process.

While the process of becoming a surrogate mother can be physically demanding, it is deeply rewarding for many women who enjoy helping others build families. Surrogates are supported by the intended parents and do develop strong bonds throughout the journey.

Starting Your Journey to Becoming a Surrogate Mother

In the event that you are looking to become a surrogate mother, you must first appreciate what has to be done, and what that commitment is going to take. The first step is to reach out to a surrogacy agency or clinic, like Indian Egg Donors, who can prepare you for the contract, medical, and legal portions of surrogacy.

Becoming a surrogate mother includes a few steps. First, to be a surrogate, women must be between the ages of 21 to 39. They also must be in good physical and mental health and have had at least one child of their own. Surrogates can also face medical evaluations and psychological screenings to see if they qualify. After being approved, the surrogate mother agency will partner the surrogates with the intended parents and manage the rest of the steps. 

Surrogates will also get reimbursed for their time, plus medical bills, and get cashed for the emotional and physical challenges that can arise during the pregnancy. 

FAQs

Q. What is a surrogate?

Ans : A surrogate is a woman who carries and gives birth to a child for a person or couple.  

Q. What happens in the surrogacy process?

Ans : In surrogacy, there is a woman who carries a baby for another person or family, using the surrogate’s own egg or an egg from another woman and combines it with the intended father’s sperm or a donor’s sperm.

Q. What is a surrogate mother?

Ans : A surrogate mother is a woman who gives birth to someone else’s baby. Depending on the type of surrogacy, she may or may not be biologically connected to the kid.  

Q. What is gestational surrogacy?

Ans : In gestational surrogacy, no surrogates are biologically connected to the child. This is done by using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to make embryos and then implant them into the uterus of the surrogate.

Q. What is IVF surrogacy?

Ans : In IVF surrogacy, embryos are made using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and then placed into the uterus of a surrogate. This is a standard practice in today’s world of surrogacy.

Q. What are the requirements to be a surrogate mother?

Ans : To be a surrogate mother, a woman has to be healthy, have given birth to her own children, and fulfill other medical and mental health requirements. You may begin by reaching out to a surrogacy agency.

Thus, starting your surrogacy journey is exciting, but make sure to get the best possible support and resources. For support, contact Indian Egg Donors, or give us a call at (212) 661-7177. We will assist you on your journey with the utmost care and knowledge.