California individuals and couples have plenty of options for starting a family. Those who have fertility problems can rely on surrogacy and use sperm and egg donations if necessary. This is what to know if you’re leaning toward using a surrogate to carry your child.
Understanding surrogacy
If you decide to use a surrogate, it means you enter into a formal contract for the arrangement. There are two types of surrogates: gestational carriers and traditional.
A gestational carrier is a woman who agrees to carry a baby for intended parents but has no genetic relationship to the child. This arrangement involves taking the mother’s egg and father’s sperm or donor egg and/or donor sperm, creating an embryo in a lab and then transferring it into the carrier’s uterus via in vitro fertilization. This is the more common means of surrogacy.
Traditional surrogacy means that the surrogate’s own egg is used to create the baby. Usually, she undergoes intrauterine insemination using the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm. This option isn’t as widely used because it carries legal issues; because the surrogate is the biological mother, it’s possible for her to change her mind about giving up the child.
Common reasons for surrogacy
Women who have certain medical conditions or issues can benefit from surrogacy. For example, heart disease and diabetes can make pregnancy risky for both the mother and child. Those who have undergone a hysterectomy or menopause need fertility assistance; surrogacy is a good option.
LGBTQ couples can also benefit from gestational surrogacy combined with the use of donor egg or donor sperm. A single person can also rely on it while using a donor egg or sperm.
Gestational surrogacy is only one option for starting or expanding your family. It might be the best route for you.